Longest Walking Trail in India: Best Hikes, Routes, and What to Expect

When you think of the longest walking trail in India, a continuous, marked footpath spanning hundreds of kilometers across varied terrain, often used for multi-day treks and pilgrimages. Also known as long-distance trekking routes, it’s not just about distance—it’s about endurance, altitude, and the raw beauty of untouched landscapes. The Kailash Mansarovar trek, while not officially one continuous path, is often considered the most demanding and longest spiritual journey on foot, covering over 500 kilometers across the Tibetan plateau and Himalayan passes. But if you’re looking for a single, officially recognized walking trail, the Great Himalayan National Park trek, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Himachal Pradesh with a network of interconnected trails totaling over 100 kilometers of continuous hiking comes close, offering a mix of alpine meadows, glacial rivers, and rare wildlife.

India doesn’t have one single, national-scale walking trail like the Appalachian Trail in the U.S., but it has dozens of long-distance routes stitched together by tradition, geography, and adventure seekers. The Chardham Yatra, a sacred pilgrimage circuit in Uttarakhand covering four major temples and over 700 kilometers of walking paths is one of the most traveled, though it’s broken into segments. Then there’s the Kailash Mansarovar trek, a grueling 52-kilometer circumambulation around Mount Kailash at altitudes above 5,000 meters, which, when combined with the approach from Nepal or India, can stretch beyond 1,000 kilometers for those doing the full pilgrimage. These aren’t just hikes—they’re physical tests wrapped in spiritual meaning.

What makes these trails stand out isn’t just their length, but what they pass through: remote villages where no roads reach, high-altitude lakes that shimmer like mirrors, and passes where the air is so thin you feel every step. The longest walking trail in India isn’t marked on most maps, because it’s not a single path—it’s a chain of routes, some ancient, some newly opened to trekkers, all demanding respect. You’ll need proper gear, acclimatization, and a mindset ready for change. Weather shifts fast. Supplies are scarce. But the silence at 4,500 meters, the sunrise over the Himalayas, the warmth of a stranger offering chai—it’s all worth it.

Whether you’re chasing the record for distance or just want to walk where few have, India’s trails offer something no gym or city park can: raw, unfiltered connection. Below, you’ll find real stories from people who’ve tackled these routes—the toughest hikes, the most beautiful paths, and the hidden gems that aren’t on tourist brochures. No fluff. Just what you need to know before you lace up your boots.