Himachal Pradesh, known as the “Land of Gods,” is a paradise for trekking enthusiasts. With its diverse terrain and scenic beauty, the state offers numerous opportunities for adventure seekers. Here are the top 10 treks in Himachal Pradesh that are a must-try:
- Kareri Lake Trek:
Kareri Lake Trek is a perfect weekend trek for those looking for a peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. The trek starts from the small village of Kareri and takes you through lush green forests, meadows, and snow-covered mountains. The highlight of the trek is the beautiful Kareri Lake, located at an altitude of 9,600 feet, which is a perfect spot for camping and enjoying the scenic beauty.
- Triund Trek:
Triund Trek is a popular trek in Himachal Pradesh, known for its stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the famous Triund Hill. The trek starts from the beautiful town of McLeod Ganj and takes you through lush green forests, meadows, and snow-covered mountains. The highlight of the trek is the stunning views of the Dhauladhar Range and the Kangra Valley from the top.
- Kheerganga Trek:
Kheerganga Trek is a beautiful trek in Himachal Pradesh, known for its natural hot water springs and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The trek starts from the small village of Barshaini and takes you through lush green forests, meadows, and snow-covered mountains. The highlight of the trek is the natural hot water springs, where you can take a dip and relax after the long trek.
- Bhrigu Lake Trek:
Bhrigu Lake Trek is a popular trek in Himachal Pradesh, known for its stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the famous Bhrigu Lake. The trek starts from the small village of Gulaba and takes you through lush green forests, meadows, and snow-covered mountains. The highlight of the trek is the beautiful Bhrigu Lake, located at an altitude of 14,000 feet, which is considered as a sacred place by the locals.
- Chanderkhani Pass Trek:
Chanderkhani Pass Trek is a beautiful trek in Himachal Pradesh, known for its stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the famous Chanderkhani Pass. The trek starts from the small village of Naggar and takes you through lush green forests, meadows, and snow-covered mountains. The highlight of the trek is the stunning views of the Himalayas and the famous Chanderkhani Pass.
- Bara Bhangal Trek:
Bara Bhangal Trek is a popular trek in Himachal Pradesh, known for its stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the famous Bara Bhangal Village. The trek starts from the small village of Bir and takes you through lush green forests, meadows, and snow-covered mountains. The highlight of the trek is the beautiful Bara Bhangal Village, which is located at an altitude of 8,000 feet and is considered as one of the remotest villages in India.
7. Beas Kund Trek
Beas Kund Trek is one of the most popular treks in Himachal Pradesh, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the famous Beas Kund. The trek starts from the beautiful town of Solang Nala and takes you through lush green forests, meadows, and snow-covered mountains.
The trek starts from Solang Nala, located at an altitude of 8,000 feet, and the trail leads you through the lush green forests of oak, pine, and rhododendron trees. You will also cross several streams and small waterfalls on the way. As you trek higher, you will reach the beautiful Beas Kund, located at an altitude of 12,772 feet. The Kund is a small glacial lake, which is considered as a sacred place by the locals.
The trek is a moderate level trek and takes around 3-4 days to complete. The best time to do the trek is from May to October when the weather is pleasant and the views are clear
- Kareri Lake Trek
Kareri Lake Trek is a popular trekking destination in Himachal Pradesh, located in the Dhauladhar range. The trek starts from the small town of Kareri and takes you through the lush green forests of oak, pine, and rhododendron trees, and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
The trek starts from Kareri village, located at an altitude of 5,100 feet, and the trail leads you through the lush green forests of oak, pine, and rhododendron trees. You will also cross several streams and small waterfalls on the way. As you trek higher, you will reach the Kareri Lake, located at an altitude of 9,700 feet. The lake is surrounded by snow-covered mountains and offers stunning views of the Dhauladhar range.
The trek is a moderate level trek and takes around 3-4 days to complete. The best time to do the trek is from May to October when the weather is pleasant and the views are clear.
- Indrahar Pass Trek
Indrahar Pass Trek is a challenging trek that takes you through the Dhauladhar range in Himachal Pradesh. It starts from McLeod Ganj and ends at the small town of Chamba. The trek takes around 4-5 days to complete and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
The trek starts from McLeod Ganj, which is also known as the “Little Lhasa” due to its large population of Tibetan refugees. The trail leads you through dense forests of oak, rhododendron, and deodar trees, and you can spot various birds and animals on the way. As you trek higher, you will reach the Triund campsite, located at an altitude of 9,350 feet. Here, you can take a break and enjoy the stunning views of the Dhauladhar range.
From Triund, the trail leads you through the Lahesh Caves and the stunning meadows of Ilaqa Got, located at an altitude of 11,000 feet. The trek then takes you through the snow-covered Indrahar Pass, located at an altitude of 14,245 feet. The pass offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, including the Pir Panjal range, Mani Mahesh Kailash, and the Chamba Valley.
As you descend from the pass, you will reach the beautiful town of Chamba, known for its ancient temples and traditional handicrafts.
- Pin Parvati Pass Trek
The Pin Parvati Pass Trek is considered as one of the most challenging treks in the Himachal Pradesh region, with a length of 110 km and a maximum altitude of 17,450 ft. The trail offers stunning views of lush green meadows, towering mountains, and glistening waterfalls. It usually takes around 11-12 days to complete the trek and is recommended for experienced trekkers only.
The trek begins from the beautiful village of Barshaini, located near Kasol. The trail passes through dense forests of deodar, pine, and oak trees, which are home to various species of birds and animals. You will also get a chance to witness the beautiful Kheerganga waterfall, which is considered one of the highlights of the trek.
As you proceed towards the higher altitudes, the landscape starts to change and becomes more rugged and barren. You will have to cross the Pin Parvati Pass, which is situated at an altitude of 17,450 ft and offers mesmerizing views of the surrounding mountains. The descent from the pass can be challenging, as you will have to cross the rough terrain of the Spiti valley before reaching the village of Mud.
- Hampta Pass Trek
The Hampta Pass Trek is a popular trek in the Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The trek is relatively short, with a length of 26 km and a maximum altitude of 14,035 ft. It usually takes around 5-6 days to complete the trek and is suitable for beginners as well as experienced trekkers.
The trek begins from the beautiful village of Jobra, located near the town of Manali. The trail passes through dense forests of oak, pine, and fir trees, which are home to various species of birds and animals. You will also get a chance to witness the beautiful Chandra River, which flows through the valley and adds to the charm of the trek.
As you proceed towards the higher altitudes, the landscape starts to change and becomes more rugged and barren. You will have to cross the Hampta Pass, which is situated at an altitude of 14,035 ft and offers mesmerizing views of the surrounding mountains. The descent from the pass is steep and can be challenging, as you will have to cross the rocky terrain before reaching the beautiful Chhatru village.
Travel Tips
- Always carry enough warm clothes, as the temperature can drop significantly at higher altitudes.
- Carry a good quality trekking backpack and trekking shoes for a comfortable trekking experience.
- Always carry a first aid kit and necessary medicines for emergencies.
- Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water and carrying a water bottle.
- Try to avoid plastic and littering during the trek.
- Carry enough cash, as ATMs may not be available in remote areas.
- Hire a local guide or trek with an experienced group to ensure safety and a hassle-free trekking experience.
Other Tourist Attractions in Himachal Pradesh
Apart from the beautiful treks, Himachal Pradesh is also famous for its stunning natural beauty and cultural heritage. Some of the other tourist attractions in Himachal Pradesh include:
- Shimla: The capital city of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla is known for its colonial architecture, beautiful temples, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
- Manali: A popular tourist destination, Manali is known for its beautiful landscapes, adventure activities, and vibrant culture.
- Dharamshala: The home of the Dalai Lama, Dharamshala is known for its beautiful monasteries, stunning natural beauty, and vibrant culture.
- Spiti Valley: A remote and beautiful region in Him