Top Hiking Places in India
Imagine hiking in some of the most beautiful landscapes? Sounds interesting isn’t it? Yes, India is home to some of the breathtaking hiking spots that lure adventurers and hiking enthusiasts. Whether you are looking for a challenging hike or a slightly relaxed hike, you will find the perfect spot in India to suit your hiking desires. Gear up as we take you through some of the most scintillating hiking destinations in India!
1. Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand
A famous UNESCO world heritage site in Uttarakhand is the Valley of Flowers. This hike is not just for trekkers and adventurers but also for florists and nature lovers. This hiking trail in India offers stunning grasslands which are filled with an array of alpine flowers to admire.Lots of animals and plants can be seen here. Endangered species including Snow leopard, musk deer, Red fox, Blue sheep and Asiatic bear can be spotted here. Moreover, you will simply fall in love with the breathtaking mountainous peaks. The elevation of the trek is about 14,100 feet above sea level. This trek needs a lot of preparation from the trekkers point of view and necessary permits have to be obtained from the forest department at Govind ghat.
Difficulty level: Difficult
Duration: It would take totally 6 days for completing the entire trek
Distance: 38 Kilometers (Starting point: Govind ghat)
Best time to visit: July to August or start of September.
Weather conditions: From July to August the temperature ranges between 5 to 10 degree celsius during the night and there will be rainfall. In the month of September the temperatures drop below zero degree celsius.
2. Manali in Himachal Pradesh
Who doesn’t love exploring Manali? Everybody does to explore this adventure filled place in Himachal Pradesh. Manali is one of the best hiking places in India and is also the go to place for adventure seekers. There are several hiking trails in Manali. However, the best place to start your trek would be Solang valley. As you commence your trek you will come across the beautiful Beas river. You will also be overwhelmed by the diverse array of flowers you will come across along your trek. This route is one of the best and entertaining trails in Manali. There are other hikes available in Manali like the Dashaur Lake hike. You can also get guided hikes in Manali to suit your desires.
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Duration: It would take around 6 hours
Distance: 13 Kilometers
Best time to visit: April to June and from October to December.
Weather Conditions: From April to June is Summer. You can experience pleasant weather conditions with temperatures ranging between 15 to 25 degree celsius. From October to December, you shall experience a cooler climate with temperatures ranging between 0 to 10 degree celsius.
3. Chadar Trek in Ladakh
Also known as the Frozen river trek, the Chadar Trek is an unique and challenging trekking destination in India. This trek takes place in the remote Zanskar region in Ladakh. If you take up this trek during winter you will witness the Zanskar river fully covered in ice and you can also walk on the frozen river. However, this trek is a very challenging one. Your skills will be put to test and you will have to survive freezing temperatures. The reward you get out of it is the scintillating view of the snowy surroundings, stunning canyons and surreal landscapes.
Difficult level: Very Challenging trek
Duration: It would take around 9 Days including acclimatisation days, for the entire trek to be completed.
Distance: 105 Kilometers
Best time to visit: January to February
Weather conditions: Temperatures vary between -5 to 5 degree celsius in the daytime and -30 to -15 degree celsius during the night.
4. Sandakphu Trek in West Bengal
A prominent place for trekking in India is the Sandakphu trek in West Bengal. This trek leads you to the highest peak in West Bengal, Sandakphu. You get to witness four major peaks while on this trek including Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu. You will have to climb an altitude of 11930 feet which is said to be challenging. Furthermore you will also get to witness stunning alpine grasslands and rhododendron forests which are home to rich flora and fauna. For all the nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts this trek is a road to paradise.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Duration: It would take about 6 Days in total to complete the entire trek
Distance: 50 Kilometers
Best time to visit: April to May or from October to December
Weather conditions: Between April and May you will experience temperatures ranging between 5 to 15 degree celsius during the day and it will get colder during night. Between the months of October and December the temperatures vary between 0 to 10 degree celsius during daytime and night shall be very cold.
5. Hampta Pass Trek in Himachal Pradesh
Yet another scintillating hiking destination located in Himachal Pradesh is the Hampta pass located at an altitude of 14,000 feet. With its diverse surroundings, this place offers everything a nature lover seeks. As you commence your trek, you will be greeted by lush green valleys and dense thick forests. The way in which the change in the diverse landscapes starting from the green landscapes in Kullu valley to the stark landscapes in Lahaul and Spiti valley takes place is just mind blowing and spectacular. Take up this trek to just lose yourself in the beauty of nature. The reward you get at the end of the summit is the scintillating views of the surroundings and the beautiful Chandratal Lake which are a treat to your eyes.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Distance: 35 kilometers
Duration: 5 Days to complete the entire trek
Best time to visit: June to September
Weather conditions: From June to September you can experience temperatures ranging around 12 degree celsius during the daytime and it can drop below zero during the night.
6. Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh
Embark on a hike at Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh which is one of the best trekking places in India. This valley is located near Vishakapatnam and offers several hiking trails to explore the stunning beauty of the region. There are many tribal villages that you will come across as you commence your trek. This valley is known for its picture perfect landscapes and waterfalls. The Ananthagiri hill trek, Dumbriguda trek and Jindhagada peak trek are some of the top hiking destinations in Araku valley.
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult
Best time to visit: September to February
Weather conditions: Between September to November the daytime temperature ranges from 15 to 25 degree celsius and between December to February the daytime temperature ranges from 10 to 20 degree celsius and can drop to 5 degree celsius during night.
7. Har Ki Dun Trek in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand is a paradise for adventurers as the list of hiking places never ends in Uttarakhand. Har Ki Dun Trek is a famous trekking destination which is known for its diverse landscapes, rich flora and fauna and its scintillating beauty. The trek starts from Sankri to the beautiful Har Ki Dun Valley, which is said to be one of the most beautiful locations in Uttarakhand. The Har Ki Dun valley is set at an height of 11700 feet above sea level. You get to witness snow covered peaks, alpine grasslands and thick pine forests from this valley. Additionally, Swargarohini peak offers the most eye catching views as you trek to this valley.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Distance: 50 Kilometers
Duration: 7 Days to complete the entire trek
Best time to visit: March to June and from September to December
Weather conditions: Between March to June you will experience temperatures ranging from 10 to 15 degree celsius during the daytime. September to November the temperatures range between 5 to 10 degree celsius during the daytime. However, in December the temperatures drop below zero during the daytime. Nights can be freezing.
8. Roopkund Trek in Uttarakhand
The Roopkund trek in Uttarakhand is also famously known as the Mystery Lake trek. The trekking destination in India is a favourite among trekkers and adventure seekers. The Roopkund lake’s main attraction is located at a higher altitude of 16499 feet above sea level. This lake is surrounded by scenic peaks, giving trekkers a visual treat. The hiking trails will take you through lush forests, beautiful grasslands and rocky terrains. The Trishul and Nanda Ghunti mountain ranges offer breathtaking views as you hike to the Roopkund lake.
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult
Duration: It would take around 8 Days for the entire trek to be completed.
Distance: 53 Kilometers
Best time to visit: From May to June or you can also visit from the month of September to October.
Weather Condition: Between the months of May to June, the temperature varies between 15 to 20 degrees celsius during the daytime and 0 to 5 degrees during the night. Between the months of September and October, the temperature varies between 10 to 15 degree celsius during the day and -5 degrees celsius during the night.
There are several other prominent hiking destinations in India for adventurers and trekking enthusiasts to undertake. With several diverse landscapes, India offers scintillating hiking and trekking opportunities. Sounds tempting right? So, why are you still waiting? Choose your hiking destination and bring out the adventurer in you. Want to read more related to travel? Head to Travellersturn website and immerse yourself in a whole new world of travel!. Hiking is one of the best adventure for solo travellers. Know more about Best solo travel destination in India for travel lovers.