Best Walking Trails in India That Deserve a Special Mention in Your Bucket List!

Anyone who’s watched ‘Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani' has had dreams similar to Bunny's, of backpacking or trekking across the glorious Himalayas with their friends, family or even a daring solo getaway. May it be a challenging trek through the Hamta Pass or a trek through the lush greenery of Kalsubai during Monsoon, India offers a variety of adventures to be ticked off your bucket list. If you’re looking for a summer getaway where you won’t have access to the internet and a break from the buzzing streets, then this article is your holy grail. Check out the best walking trails in India!

Karnala Bird Sanctuary Trail, Maharashtra

The Karnala Bird Sanctuary is located near Panvel in Maharashtra. It is one of the most highly visited sanctuaries during the monsoon season for its treks and trails. The lush greenery and the sighting of birds are what make it a special trail. A 6 km trail, which falls under the category of an easy trek, is a popular destination amongst budding trekkers and hikers year-round. The trek takes almost 3 hours to finish. It is one of the most beautiful trails and a perfect weekend getaway from city life.  

Jambhulmal Peak Trail, Maharashtra 

For all the Mumbaikars who are tired of the chaos, construction and traffic-jammed roads, a perfect weekend getaway is awaiting your arrival! It may sound ridiculous at first, but a trek in Mumbai? But yes, Mumbai is the only place in the world to have a national park within the city boundaries. A lush green oasis awaits you at the ‘Jambhulmal Peak Trail’ in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, which stretches from Borivali to Thane. This national park is home to animals like Leopards, Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer, Barking Deer, and nocturnal mammals like Palm Civets and Monkeys. One can also find a variety of bird species like the Golden Oriole, Indian Pitta, Sunbirds, Kingfishers and many more.  This trail is considered the highest point of Mumbai due to its height of 468 meters (1535 feet) above sea level. From the top, one can spot the Dahisar River meeting the Arabian Sea, making it an ideal spot for reaching the heights of the city (literally). 

Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand

Surrounded by lush greenery, hills with sheep grazing and a massive bed of colourful and fragrant flowers! Who doesn't want to experience this? The Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand truly awakens your senses. People from all over the world visit this place every year to see the flowers in their full bloom. This is hands down, one of the most beautiful trails in all of India. Usually lasting up to 7 days, this can be classified as a moderate trail for those who are acclimatised and are constant trekkers.

The Government created the Valley of Flowers National Park in 2002, and later, it was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The alpine meadows, sweeping views of the Zanskar and Himalayan Ranges, the diverse variety of flora and fauna and endangered species of animals like the Musk deer, Asiatic bear, and Snow leopard are what make it one of the most breathtaking treks in the world. This trail is from 3,352 to 3,658 meters above sea level, and the best time to visit here would be post-monsoon. This year, the month of August will see maximum bloom, and it will look like a carpet of flowers woven together! 

Kalsubai Peak, Maharashtra 

Kalsubai is the highest peak in Maharashtra, standing strong at a height of 5,400 feet. It is yet another popular trekking destination in Maharashtra, known for its majestic beauty and grandeur. The peak receives maximum footfall during the Monsoon season and offers a beautiful combination of waterfalls, lush greenery, valley views, steep pathways and mesmerizing views.

The Kalsubai Temple at the top of the summit attracts tourists throughout the year. It is divided into two sections: the first is the Kalsubai Peak Trail, which is the right fit for beginners and the Kalsubai Trek, attempted by experienced trekkers during the Monsoon. This trek also offers views of various popular forts like Alang Fort, Madan Fort and Kulang Fort. On a clear day, one can also spot Harsihchandragad and Ratnagad. The Kalsubai trek is a very popular night trek as trekkers climb the summit to soak in an epic sunrise amongst the Sahyadri ranges. During the monsoon season, the visibility is very low due to a thick layer of fog, yet it receives maximum footfall for its stunning views.

Triund Hill Trek, Himachal Pradesh

Enjoy a stress-free walk surrounded by oak trees and fully blooming rhododendron flowers at the Triund Hill Trek in Himachal Pradesh. This Himalayan trek is for those who want to unwind, relax, and hop on an adventurous journey through the Himalayas. The trek offers stunning views of the Kangra Valley and snow-capped Dhauladhar ranges.

Triund, a small hill station in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh, is at a height of 2,828 meters or 9,278 feet. The trail is comparatively steep for an easy trek, but one can listen to the melodious call of the songbirds that are found in this region. On a clear day, you can spot the famous summits in the Himalayas like the Moon Peak, Rifle’s Horn and Arthur’s Seat. A forest of coniferous trees adds to the beauty of this trek. The spring and summer months of March to June are the best time to visit the Triund Pass. 

Hampta Pass Trek, Himachal Pradesh

Considered one of the most difficult treks to cover in the Himalayas, Hamta Pass acts as a corridor between the Chandra Valley in Lahul and the Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh. This trek is named after the Sethan village at the base. Hampta Pass is used by the farmers to graze their cattle for its high altitude and fully-grown grass when the desert of Lahul is barren during the winter season. The Hampta Pass trek is at a height of 14,065 feet above sea level. It takes around 5 to 6 days to complete the trek, which is roughly 25 km. It falls under the category of moderate to difficult terrain. The starting point of the trek is Jobra, and the ending point is Chandratal Lake in Lahul.

However, if you’re someone new to the world of trekking, it's better to begin with easier treks. Professionals with years of experience in trekking and hiking are the ones who participate in the Hampta Pass Trek. The lush green valleys of Kullu, the cold streams of water flowing through the narrow ridges of the mountain, the alpine meadows, and the coniferous forests of pine and oak trees add to the overall beauty of this place. The best time to visit Hampta Pass is from mid-June to mid-October. Though it may be difficult in the beginning, nothing feels better than the feat of victory when one stands on the top of the summit overlooking the breathtaking Spiti Valley.

Great Lakes Kashmir, Jammu & Kashmir

Every trekker or adventurer will have this magnificent trek on their bucket list! The Great Lakes of Kashmir is one of the most surreal yet physically challenging treks in India. Commercially known as the ‘Sonamarg-Vishansar-Naranag Trek, ’ it is one of the most popular treks in Kashmir. The rugged terrains, rocky pathways, narrow passes, steep slopes and the scarcity of oxygen, as one climbs higher, are what make it physically taxing. The trek is situated 75 km northeast of Srinagar, spanning up to a total length of 74 km in 7 to 8 days. The highest altitude of this trek is 13,715 ft.

The trek covers the seven most beautiful alpine lakes with turquoise blue water, the snow-capped mountains and the meadows. The lakes covered are Vishansar Lake, known for its stunning beauty and reflections; Krishnasar Lake, for its crystal clear water; Gadsar Lake, surrounded by lush green meadows; Satsar Lake, a cluster of seven interconnected lakes; Nundkol Lake, for its glistening waters; Gangabal Lake, for its surreal views and lastly the Tatsar Lake for its remote location along with pristine waters. 

Nongriat Trek, Meghalaya

Want to visit a place of natural pools, waterfalls and majestic blue lagoons surrounded by a dense forest on all sides? If yes, the Nongriat Trek in Meghalaya is what you need! Nongriat is a village in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, one of the seven sister states tucked away in northeastern India. It is popular for its living root bridges, but it has a lot more to offer. It features a popular and challenging trek with a series of 3,500 stone-hewn trails for roughly 3 km.  After a long and tedious trek through the dense forest is the Rainbow Falls, a sight for sore eyes. It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls, surrounded by thick vegetation and away from the crowds.

It is believed that Goddess Hina, who is the mother of the demigod Maui, lives in a cave behind the waterfall. One can also spot a variety of birds native to Meghalaya, like the Verditer flycatcher, Red-vented bulbul, Banded bay cuckoo and many more. Though it may be one of the most difficult treks, the journey through the dense jungle makes it worth the effort.

Deorital and Chandrashila Trek, Uttarakhand 

Another majestic trek in the Himalayas is the famous Deorital and Chandrashila Trek. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and alpine landscapes, this trail will transport you to a different world. While hiking, one also passes through a few rural towns of Uttarakhand. The base camp is in the Sari Village of Rudrapriyag district of Uttarakhand. This trek is most popular for Deorital Lake, which is situated at an altitude of 7800 ft. Chandrashila, which is also known as ‘Moon Rock,’ is the summit above the Tungnath Temple, located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.

The pathway of this trek passes through a picturesque landscape and offers panoramic views of the Himalayas. Beginners prefer this trek as it is easier compared to other Himalayan treks. It also includes various peaks like Kedar, Nilkhantha, Chaukambha and many more. One of the best things about the journey is that it passes through a beautiful forest. The best time to embark on this adventure is from March to May or September to November, as the weather is pleasant. If one is new to trekking, this is the best trek to begin with. 

Solang Valley Trail, Himachal Pradesh

Walking amongst the majestic Himalayas through the rugged terrain while soaking in the sweeping views of the valley is an experience everyone should have. The Solang Valley Trail is known for its stunning scenery. Located in Manali, Solang Valley is one of the most beautiful places in Himachal Pradesh. Many tourists often visit Manali but tend to ignore such breathtaking treks and trails. The trek route begins from the Beas Kund River up to the Solang Valley. Often, while trekking, one has to cross small streams of the fiercely flowing and chilling Beas River. This valley is located at an average altitude of 8,448 ft above sea level, and the trek falls under the category of easy to moderate but requires physical fitness.

Other than the steep slopes and the rocky and narrow pathways, Solang Valley is a popular skiing destination in India. Tourists from all over the world come to experience the best of winter sports from October to April as the snowing continues (though the months may differ according to the amount of snowfall). It is a crowd-favourite destination for activities like snowmobiling, paragliding, ropeway, snow-tubing and many more. If you go on this trail, you’ll want to keep coming back for more. This trek is a must-visit for all those who want to experience the divine glory of the Himalayas at its fullest!