Hiking in India: Best Trails, Tips, and Top Destinations

When you think of hiking, a physical activity involving walking on trails, often in natural or mountainous environments. Also known as trekking, it's not just exercise—it's a way to connect with places most tourists never see. India isn’t just about temples and tuk-tuks. It’s got some of the most intense, beautiful, and culturally rich hiking routes on the planet. From the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the misty hills of the Western Ghats, hiking here doesn’t just challenge your legs—it changes how you see the world.

What makes Indian hiking different? It’s not just the views. It’s the villages you pass through, the monks you meet on mountain passes, the tea stalls run by locals who’ve never seen a foreigner before. Himalayan trekking, long-distance walking routes through the Himalayas, often involving high altitudes and multi-day journeys is the crown jewel. Places like Everest Base Camp (just across the border in Nepal) draw crowds, but India’s own trails—like Valley of Flowers, Roopkund, or Sandakphu—offer just as much drama, with fewer people and deeper culture. And if you’re looking for something less extreme, the hill stations of Coorg or Munnar give you gentle walks through coffee plantations and spice gardens, with zero altitude stress.

You don’t need to be an athlete to hike in India. Many trails are designed for casual walkers. But you do need to plan. Weather matters—monsoon season turns paths into mudslides, and winter snow can block high-altitude routes. The best time? Usually October to March, when skies are clear and temperatures are cool. Pack light: a good pair of shoes, a rain jacket, and maybe a thermos of chai. Don’t forget cash. Most trails have no ATMs, and the only shops are run by grandmothers selling boiled eggs and dried fruit.

And yes, you’ll find people doing extreme stuff here too. adventure sports India, a growing category of outdoor activities like rock climbing, trail running, and high-altitude trekking that attract thrill-seekers across the country is booming. Girls climbing cliffs in Maharashtra, women running 50K trails in Uttarakhand, solo hikers crossing remote passes in Ladakh—they’re rewriting the rules. You don’t need to be one of them to enjoy a hike. But seeing them reminds you that India’s mountains aren’t just scenery—they’re living spaces where people test their limits every day.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just a list of trails. It’s real talk from people who’ve walked them. You’ll learn why Nepal’s Everest Base Camp gets all the attention (and why India’s alternatives are better value). You’ll see how much a multi-day trek actually costs, what gear you can skip, and which months to avoid. You’ll even find stories about women hiking alone in Punjab and why the hardest part isn’t the climb—it’s the silence at 14,000 feet. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned trekker, there’s something here that’ll make you pack your boots.