Hiking in India: Best Trails, Beginner Routes, and Hardiest Treks

When you think of hiking in India, a diverse range of mountain trails from gentle foothills to extreme Himalayan passes. Also known as trekking in India, it’s not just about climbing—it’s about walking through villages, past prayer flags, and into places where the air is thin and the silence is loud. Whether you’re looking for a morning stroll with mountain views or a multi-day pilgrimage through snow and wind, India has a trail for you.

Kuari Pass, a well-marked, low-risk trek in Uttarakhand perfect for first-timers. Also known as beginner mountain climb India, it gives you Himalayan views without needing ropes or oxygen tanks. Then there’s Manali, the city with the densest network of hiking trails in the country. Also known as trekking cities India, it’s where locals and tourists alike lace up their boots for day hikes to waterfalls, alpine meadows, and hidden monasteries. But if you want to test everything you’ve got, the Kailash Mansarovar trek, the hardest hike in India, with altitude above 18,000 feet, no roads, and weather that changes in minutes. Also known as hardest hike in India, this isn’t a vacation—it’s a spiritual and physical trial that only a few complete each year.

What makes hiking in India different from other countries? It’s not just the mountains. It’s the temples you pass, the chai stalls on the trail, the monks waving from a ridge, the goats that block your path. You’re not just walking—you’re moving through living culture. The trails connect villages, pilgrims, and traders who’ve used them for centuries. You’ll see people carrying sacks of grain uphill while you carry a water bottle. That’s the rhythm here.

Some of the best hikes don’t even feel like hikes. The trails to Kedarkantha, Nag Tibba, and Deoriatal are gentle enough for families, yet rewarding enough to make you feel like you’ve earned your view. Others, like Roopkund or Nanda Devi Base Camp, demand fitness, preparation, and respect for altitude sickness. You don’t need to be an athlete to start, but you do need to listen—to your body, to the weather, to the locals who know the mountain better than any map.

And if you’re wondering where to begin, start with what’s close. Manali, Rishikesh, and the Valley of Flowers are all within reach of major airports. No need to fly to Nepal or Bhutan—India’s own Himalayas hold some of the most beautiful, accessible, and culturally rich trails on earth. The hardest part? Choosing which one to try first.

Below, you’ll find real stories from people who’ve walked these paths—their mistakes, their best moments, the trails they’d do again, and the ones they’ll never forget. Whether you’re planning your first step or your toughest climb, this collection has what you need to go further, safer, and with more meaning.