Picturesque meadows, Vast mountain ranges, Surreal waterfalls, Deodar forests, Ethereal trails through the valleys, Treks in Himachal Pradesh are an amalgamation of all these. The beauty of Himachal Pradesh can be experienced in its truest sense only if one is willing to be one with nature, and trekking is perhaps the best way of doing so.
This article will help you dive deep into the treks that the state offers and help you choose a trek that suits your requirements the most the next time you visit the state.
Triund Trek
The Triund Trek is a trekking destination in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. The trek is famous for its ease and the majestic views of the Dhauladhaar range, which can be experienced while on the trek.
- How To Reach – Mcleodganj can be reached by air( Gaggal Airport Kangra is 20 km from Mcleodganj) by road and bus (state-run and private). The Pathankot Railway station is the nearest to the town.
- Starting Point – Mcleodganj
- Ending Point – Triund
- Route – Mcleodganj to Bhagsu Village to Triund
- Specialty – Dhauladhaar Range, Bhagsu Waterfall, Deodar Forests, and The Rhododendron.
- Total Length – 10 kilometers ( Mcleodganj to Triund)
- Time Required – 5-6 Hours ( Mcleodganj To Triund), 2 Days and a Night
- Camping – Allowed
- Difficulty- Easy to Moderate
- Best Time To Visit- March to June
- Altitude- 2880 Meters
Bhrigu Lake Trek
The Bhrigu Lake Trek is a trekking destination in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. Due to its proximity to Manali, the trek is something you should not miss.
- How To Reach – After Reaching Manali, one can drive or take a taxi to Gulaba, where the trek starts.
- Starting Point- Gulaba Road head
- Ending Point- Bhrigu Lake
- Route – Gulaba Roadhead to Rola Kholi to Bhrigu Lake.
- Specialty- Never Ending Alpine Meadows, Pir Panjal and Dhauladhaar Ranges, The Sanctity of the lake.
- Difficulty- Moderate
- Total Length – 14 km ( Gulaba Roadhead to Bhrigu).
- Time Required – 15 to 18 hours ( Gulaba Roadhead to Bhrigu Lake), 3 days and 2 nights.
- Camping – Allowed ( Except in areas surrounding the lake)
- Best Time To Visit- April to November
- Highest altitude- 4200 meters
Jakhu Temple Trek
Jakhu Temple Trek is hands down the easiest trek that one can experience in Himachal Pradesh. What’s even better is the fact that the trek starts from the Ridge Shimla, enabling you to cover 2 tourist attractions at the same time.
- How To Reach- The Ridge Shimla is the starting point of the trek, which can be reached via taxi anywhere from Shimla.
- Starting Point- The Ridge
- Ending Point- Jakhu Temple
- Route – The Ridge to Jakhu Temple
- Specialty- Trail surrounded by Deodars, Jakhu Ropeway, A 108 feet Statue of Prabhu Hanuman, and Quick Witted Primates.
- Difficulty- Easy
- Total Length- 2 kilometers ( The Ridge to Jakhu Temple)
- Time Required – 1 to 1½ hrs( The Ridge to Jakhu Temple)
- Camping- Not Allowed
- Best Time To Visit- March to December
- Highest altitude- 2455 meters
Prashar Lake Trek
The Prashar Lake Trek is a tourist destination in Mandi that leads to the temple of Rishi Prashar on the bank ofthe Prashar Lake.
- How to reach- Mandi can be reached by Road, by bus, and by private transport. The nearest airport is Bhuntar Airport. The trek starts from Baggi, which can be reached by taking a taxi from Mandi.
- Starting Point- Baggi
- Ending Point- Prashar Lake
- Route- Mandi to Baggi to Prashar Lake
- Specialty- Pagoda Style Temple, The Ethereal Prashar Lake, A mini island on the lake, A mythological connection to the Mahabharata, and a frozen lake in winter.
- Difficulty- Easy to Moderate
- Total Length- 16 km ( Baggi to Prashar Lake)
- Time Required- 15 to 18 hours, 2 Days and a Night.
- Camping- Allowed
- Best Time to Visit- March to December
- Highest Altitude- 2730 meters
Pin Parvati Trek
The Pin Parvati is a challenging 100 km + trek that takes you from the Spiti Valley to the Parvati Valley. The trek starts in Lahaul and Spiti district, HP.
- How to Reach – The trek starts at Mudh, which is 45 km away from Kaza and can be reached by taxi or personal transport. Kaza can be reached via road and buses( State Run). The nearest airport is in Kullu( 250 km away).
- Starting Point – Mudh ( Kaza)
- Ending Point – Barshaini ( Parvati Valley)
- Route – Mudh to Shia to Pin Base Camp to Mantalai to Odi Thaacchh to Tunda Bhuj to Kheerganga to Barshaini
- Acclimatization- Absolutely Necessary
- Specialty – Cold Deserts, Alpine Meadows, Pin Parvati Pass, Brahmakamals, Mantalai Lake, River Streams, and Hot Springs
- Difficulty – Very Difficult, Excellent Physical Fitness and Trekking Experience are prerequisites.
- Total Length – 100+ km ( Mudh to Barshaini)
- Time Required – 70 to 80 hours, 12 days and 11 nights.
- Camping – Allowed
- Best Time to Visit – April to November
- Highest Altitude – 5300 meters
Hampta Pass Trek
The Hampta Pass Trek is a trekking destination in the Kullu Valley, HP, which joins the Kullu Valley to the Chandra Valley in Lahaul.
- How to Reach – The trek starts at Jobra, which is 40 km away from Manali and can be reached by taxi or personal transport. Manali can be reached via road and buses( State Run). The nearest airport is in Bhuntar, Kullu(60 km from Manali ).
- Starting Point – Jobra(Manali)
- Ending Point – Chhatrru ( Lahaul Valley)
- Route – Jobra to Jwara to Balu ka Ghera to Sheaa Goru to Chhatrru
- Acclimatization – Not Necessary
- Specialty – A juxtaposition of the Lush Kullu valley to the barren harsh lands of the Lahaul valley, grasslands, blooming flowers, The Rhododendron, Marigolds, Poppy, and Snow clad landscapes.
- Difficulty – Moderate
- Total Length – 26 km ( Jobra to Chhatrru)
- Time Required – 30-40 hrs, 6 days and 5 nights
- Camping – Allowed
- Best time to visit – May to October
- Highest Altitude – 4200 meters
Chandrataal Lake Trek
Starting in Manali, the Chandrataal Lake trek takes you to the heavenly lake of the moon in Spiti HP.
- How to reach – The trek starts at Batal, which is 115km away from Manali and can be reached by taxi or personal transport. Manali can be reached via road and buses( State Run). The nearest airport is in Bhuntar, Kullu(60 km from Manali ).
- Starting Point – Batal ( Keylong)
- Ending Point – Chandratal Lake
- Route – Keylong to Batal to Chandratal
- Acclimatization – Required
- Specialty – Myriad Hues of The Crescent shaped Lake, Barren landscapes, Wildflowers, snow-clad peaks, and grasslands.
- Difficulty – Moderate
- Total Length – 16 km
- Time Required – 16-18 hrs ( Batal to Chandratal) 2 days and a night.
- Camping – Allowed
- Best Time to Visit – June to October
- Highest Altitude – 4250 meters
Beas Kund Trek
The Beas Kund Trek is another Trek in the Kullu Valley that takes you to the origin of the River Beas, which flows through the heart of Manali.
- How to Reach – The trek starts at Dhundhi, which is 15 km from Manali and can be reached by Taxi or Personal Transport.
- Starting Point – Dhundhi ( Manali)
- Ending Point – Beas Kund
- Route – Dhundhi to Palchhani Thaatch to Lohaali to Beas Kund.
- Acclimatization – Suggested
- Specialty – The mythological Beas Kund, A vista of the majestic Pir Panjal and the 7 sisters, Deodar Forests, Wildflowers, Sublime Grasslands, and the Beas in its infancy.
- Difficulty – Moderate
- Total Length – 12 km
- Time Required – 18 to 20 hrs. ( 3 days and 2 Nights)
- Camping – Allowed
- Best Time to Visit – May to November
- Highest Altitude – 3900 meters
Indrahar Pass Trek
The Indrahar trek starts from Mcleodganj, Kangra making it an unmissable trekking destination. It can also be called an extension to the Triund trek.
- How To Reach – Mcleodganj can be Mcleodganj can be reached by air( Gaggal Airport Kangra is 20 km from Mcleodganj) by road and by bus (state-run and private). The Pathankot Railway station is the nearest to the town.
- Starting Point – Mcleodganj
- Ending Point – Indrahar Pass
- Route – Mcleodganj to Bhagsu to Triund to Lahesh Gufa to Indrahar Pass
- Acclimatization – Not Necessary
- Specialty – Bhagsu Waterfall, The Dhauladhaar range, Moon Peak, Alpine Flowers, Galu Devta temple, Mango Orchards, The Ravi, Deodar Forests and the Rhododendron.
- Difficulty – Easy to Moderate
- Total Length – 36 km
- Time Required – 40-55 hrs ( 8 days and 7 nights )
- Camping – Allowed
- Best Time To Visit – May to October
- Highest Altitude – 4320 meters
Churdhar Trek
The Churdhar Trek can be approached from 3 starting points, the most famous and shortest being the start from Nauradhar in Sirmaur. The trek takes you to Churhdhaar Peak, which is the highest peak that is not a part of the Himalayan Ranges.
- How To Reach – Nauradhaar, which is 52 km away from Solan, can be reached by bus or personal transport from Solan. Solan is easily accessible by Bus ( private and state-run), personal transport, and train.
- Starting Point – Nauradhaar
- Ending Point – Churhdhaar Peak
- Route – Nauradhaar to Jaamnaala Meadow to Teesri Camp to Churhdhaar Peak
- Acclimatization – Not Necessary
- Specialty – Grasslands, Awe-inspiring trails, The Churhdhaar Wildlife Sanctuary surrounding the trek, Shirgul Maharaj temple, and the fierce Lord Shiva Idol at the peak.
- Difficulty – Easy to Moderate
- Total Length – 32 km
- Time Required – 20-25 hrs ( 3 days and 2 nights)
- Camping – Allowed
- Best Time To Visit – May to November
- Highest Altitude – 3660 meters
Kinner Kailash Trek
The Kinner Kailash trek is a trekking destination in Kinnaur, HP. The trek takes you to the 79 feet Shivlingam that is visited by pilgrims throughout the year.
- How to Reach – The trek starts at the Tangling village, which is 11 km from Reckong Peo, the Headquarters of the district Kinnaur. The village can be reached by taxi or public transport, whereas Reckong Peo is easily accessible by state-run buses.
- Starting Point – Tangling
- Ending Point – Kinner Kailash Shivlingam
- Route – Tangling to Bheemdwar to Ashiqui/Kailash Darshan Park to Kinner Kailash
- Acclimatization – Suggested
- Specialty – Apple orchards, Cultural Bliss, immersive landscapes, Bheemdwar cave, Boulders and rocks, snow-clad landscape, Hue-altering shiv lingam, and the Tibetan touch.
- Difficulty – Moderate to Hard
- Total Length – 18 km
- Time Required – 20-25 hrs ( 3 days and 2 nights)
- Camping – Allowed
- Best Time to Visit – May to November
- Highest Altitude – 4500 meters
Bijli Mahadev Trek
The Bijli Mahadev is another trekking destination in Kullu, HP. Etymologically, the name Bijli Mahadev translates to ‘ Thunder / Lightning Mahadev.’
- How to reach – The trek starts from Kullu, which can be reached by Road, by bus, and by private transport. The nearest airport is Bhuntar Airport.
- Ending point – Bijli Mahadev Temple
- Route – Kullu to Chansari to Bijli Mahadev temple
- Acclimatization – not necessary
- Specialty – The folklore of the Butter and Sattu-made lingam, the 60 ft tall Trishul, mesmerizing meadows, Apple, Pear, and Pomegranate orchards, The Kais Wildlife Sanctuary, Pine and Deodar forests, and the Temple Complex.
- Difficulty – Easy
- Total Length – 8 km
- Time Required – 5-7 hrs
- Camping – Allowed
- Best Time to Visit – March to November
- Highest Altitude – 2450 meters
Kuppar Bugyal Trek
The Kuppar-Bugyal is a trekking destination in rural Shimla. The trek is an uncovered gem of the Pabbar Valley.
- How to Reach – The trek starts from Kharapatthar, which is 70 km from Shimla. Kharapatthar can be reached by private transportation or state-run buses.
- Starting Point – Kharapathar
- Ending Point – Kuppar Bughyal Top
- Route – Kharapathar to Giri Ganga to Kuppar Bughyal
- Acclimatization – Not Necessary
- Specialty – Himalayan Wildlife, Years old thick Forests, Deodars, Cedars, Pines, the Rhododendron, and the Kuppar Meadow
- Difficulty – Easy (While the trek is easy, the thick forests are home to Jupredators like leopards and the Himalayan Brown Bear)
- Total Length – 8 km
- Time Required – 10 to 11 hrs
- Camping – Allowed
- Best Time to Visit – May to October
- Highest Altitude – 3200 meters
Pin Bhabha Pass Trek
The Pin Bhabha Pass trek provides a jaw-dropping trekking experience. A grandiloquent introduction to the Bhabha Valley, the trek is one of the best Himachal has to Offer.
- How to reach – The trek starts from Kafnu, which is 195 km from Shimla. Kafnu can be reached by private transportation or state-run buses from Shimla.
- Starting point – Kafnu
- Ending point – Pin Bhabha Pass.
- Route – Kafnu to Mulling to Karah to Phutsirang to Pin Bhabha Pass
- Acclimatization – Required
- Specialty – A juxtaposition of the Greenery of the Bhabha valley to the harsh deserted lands of Spiti, The Fairytale forests and grasslands of Mulling, Charismatic Karah and its Kashmir-like meadows.
- Difficulty – Difficult
- Total Length – 29 km
- Time required – 25 to 30 hrs ( 8 days and 7 nights)
- Camping – Allowed
- Best time to Visit – May to November
- Highest Altitude – 4870 meters
Buran Ghati Trek
The Buran Ghati Trek takes you through the Pabbar Valley on an unforgettable excursion. Blessed with an otherworldly continuity of mesmerizing vistas, the Buran Ghati Trek should be on your bucket list.
- How to reach – The trek starts from Janglik, which is 150 km away from Shimla. Janglik can be reached by following the Rohru – Chirgaon – Tangnu – Janglik route. Janglik can only be reached via a dirt road from Chirgaon, and it is advised that the taxi or personal vehicle should have abundant fuel and a 4-wheel drive capacity.
- Starting Point – Janglik
- Ending Point – Buran Ghati
- Route – Janglik to Dayara to Litham to Dhunda to Buran Ghati
- Acclimatization – Suggested
- Specialty – Historical Village of Janglik, oak and pine forests, the unforgettable meadows of Dayara, Silver Birch Forests, River Streams (Pabbar), Waterfalls, the Mystical Chandranahan lake, and the Alpine forests of Dhunda.
- Difficulty – Moderate to Difficult
- Total Length – 38 km
- Time Required – 25 to 30 hrs ( 6 days and 5 nights)
- Camping – Allowed
- Best Time to Visit – May to October
- Highest Altitude – 4580 meters
Conclusion
In conclusion, Himachal Pradesh offers a wide variety of trekking experiences, ranging from single-day treks to month-long expeditions. With various levels of difficulty, the state definitely has something to offer you. To make the best out of their treks, travelers should follow the travel guidelines issued by the state authorities and should avoid trekking in the monsoon and winter months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the easiest trek in Himachal Pradesh?
Jakhu and Triund are considered the easiest treks in Himachal Pradesh, Although, with acclimatization and moderate physical fitness, one can complete a majority of treks in Himachal Pradesh.
Which is the most difficult trek in Himachal Pradesh?
The Pin Parvati Trek is regarded as the most difficult trek in Himachal Pradesh.