10 Treks in India For Beginners

Next time you are planning a holiday and you want to do something more daring and adventurous rather than relaxing and serene, trekking is one way to go. Is it your first time trekking? First time to test that adventure spirit inside you? Well, keep calm and don’t worry as here is the list of the top ten places you could try your luck in first-time trekking.

1. Hampta Pass, Manali

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Located in Himachal Pradesh, the Hampta Pass is one of the most popular and easiest places to trek for beginners. The trek starts from the beautiful hill station of Manali though the green and luscious meadows and gardens after which we cross the Hampta Pass to reach the effete landscape of Lahaul and Spiti. Stopping by to visit the Chandratal Lake is a perfect way to end this 5-day trek before landing back in Manali. One major attraction of this trek would be the fact that most areas covered would be snow clad and hence makes the trek all the more wonderful and enjoyable.

Duration: 5 Days

Max Altitude: 14,100 ft

Approx. Trekking Km: 26 Kms

Best time to trek: May- June, August-October

2. Triund Trek, McLeod Ganj

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Known as the Crown Jewel of Dharamshala, Triund Hill gives you the best view of the Dhauladhar Mountains   and Kangra Valley which lie on either side. The trek is very pleasant and serene for the first 4 hours though you might start feeling the heat in the last one hour where you would come across the 22 curves that you need to pass to finally reach the Triund hilltop.

Duration: 2 Days

Maximum Altitude: 9500 ft

Approximate Trekking Distance: 9 Kms

Best time to trek: Open all year though best time would be August-October

3. Spituk to Stok, Ladakh

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A part of the strenuous Markha Valley trek, the Spituk Stok trek is the amateur’s favorite. This trek takes you through the clandestine village of Rumbak followed by an amazing picturesque view of the Indus Valley. The snowclad Rumbak village is also home to the Snow Leopard and the Tibetan Wolf which, if you’re lucky, you might be able to catch a glimpse of. This trek also takes you through the history of Ladakh which can be witnessed in the Stok Palace Museum which is house to many of the rare collections of the Ladakhi rulers.

Duration: 3 Days

Maximum Altitude: 12,800 ft

Approximate Trekking Distance: 35 Kms

Best time to trek: Mid-June to Mid-October

4. Dzongri Trek, Sikkim

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For those who have only a few days to spend on a trek or want an easy but picturesque trek, the trek to Dzongri Peak in Sikkim is just perfect. This trek gives the most up-close view of Mt. Pandim and Mt. Kanchenjunga which will leave you starry eyed. This beautiful trek takes you through the lush green meadows and forests covered with a variety of trees like rhododendron, pine, oak and maple.

Duration: 8 Days

Maximum Altitude: 13,780 ft

Approximate Trekking Distance: 90 Kms

Best time to trek: Mid-March to April, September to Mid-October

5. Singalila Ridge and Sandakphu Trek, West Bengal

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The Singalila Ridge which acts as the natural border between Nepal and India, is ideal for amateur trekkers and hence provides the best of both worlds: a short but yet scenic trek. Upon reaching Sandakphu through the Sinaglila ridge, one catch a spectacular view of four among the five highest peaks in the world that includes Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Everest, Mt. Makalu and Mt. Lhotse. The Singalila National Park which lies on the way to the trek gives you the opportunity to experience the wildlife offered at Singalila.

Duration: 6-8 Days

Maximum Altitude: 11,929 ft

Approximate Trekking Distance: 60 Kms

Best time to trek: April- June, October- January

6. Siang Valley Trek, Arunachal Pradesh

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Being one of the famous trekking circuits in Arunachal Pradesh, the Siang Valley trek takes you Tsangpo River that lies in Tibet which joins the Brahmaputra River later in Assam. Once here, you can also explore the indigenous tribe of Arunachal Pradesh called Adi (“man of hill”) by interacting with them and observing their lifestyle. The scenic sights that this trek provides is one beyond imagination.

Duration: 11 Days

Maximum Altitude: 4,100 ft

Approximate Trekking Distance: 30 Kms

Best time to trek: October to February

7. Tadiyandmole, Coorg

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Known to be one of the best treks to do in South India, Tadiyandmole is the highest peak in Coorg. It is covered in with lush green pastures and coffee plantations. You can also catch a glimpse of the Brahmagiri hills from the Tadiyandmole peak. But beware of the blood sucking leeches that you would encounter during your trek.

Duration: 1-3 days

Maximum Altitude: 5,250 ft

Approximate Trekking Distance: 9 Kms

Best time to trek: Early Winter

8. Chembra Peak, Wayanad

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This is a trek that can be taken up while you are on a holiday to Kerala or any of the nearby states. Even though the trek is just a matter of hours, the view is breathtaking and will still get your adrenaline pumping. Located near the Chembra Peak is the heart shaped Chembra Lake which lies magnificently in all its natural beauty. The trek begins around mid-morning and you would be able to reach the lake in less than 2 hours.

Duration: 2-3 hours

Maximum Altitude:6,900 ft

Approximate Trekking Distance: 3.5 Kms (one side)

Best time to trek: September to February

9. Rajmachi Fort Trek, Pune

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Located in the beautiful Shayadri Mountains, the Rajmachi Fort was built by Sivaji in the 17^th century and is popular among amateur trekkers. Trekking through the dense forest to reach the Fort, it also showcases the wide array of flora and fauna this place has to offer.

Duration: 1 day

Maximum Altitude: 2,710 ft

Approximate Trekking Distance: 12 Kms

Best time to trek: Monsoon and winters

10. Nagalapuram Trek, Andhra Pradesh

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Another popular trek among tourists visiting the south of India, the Nagalapuram Trek is home to beautiful waterfalls as well lush green forests. There are treks from both the East and West entrances depending on whether the trek is for amateurs or moderate level trekking respectively. It is also hope for various species of flora and fauna which you would encounter during the trek.

Duration: 1- 2 days

Maximum Altitude: 2,300 ft

Approximate Trekking Distance: 15 Kms

Best time to trek: October-December