The Himalayan range of mountains, the youngest of all the mountain ranges in the world also happens to be the highest in the world. This aspect makes them the hot spot for hardcore adventure junkies who are invariably on the lookout for some high adrenalin adventure sport of trekking.
Incidentally, Himachal also offers three different levels of trekking spots in the Himalayas namely easy to moderate to high adrenalin treks, through low scrub grounds, paddy fields, crossing fast-flowing hill streams, ascending mountain paths, through deep woods of deodar, pines, oaks, or from under the flowering rhododendron trees, mountain top pilgrimage walks or crossing over glaciers etc.
Some of the most popular top-of-the-shelf trekking routes in Himachal Pradesh, are the Chandratal-Baralacha trek, Indrahar Pass trek, Bhawa Pass trek, Friendship Peak trek, Beas Kund trek, Hampta Pass trek, etc are just some of the trails over high altitude mountains, and the associated Passes.
From the safety point of view, you need to bear in mind that you essentially need to seek the assistance of qualified and government-certified operators who are also in a position to provide you with the necessary equipment, porters, guides, maps, etc.
Moreover, you are likely to run into various government and private rest houses en route to some of the famous trekking trails. Rest houses of the PWD, State electricity board, rest houses of the forest departments, etc all can be booked well in advance through such operators or by directly contacting the concerned government office well in advance, for your convenience while trekking.
Top 13 Trekking Spots in Himachal Pradesh
Coming to the grass tacks let’s now discuss in details the trekking trails in Himachal, we start with the easy treks and graduate to the more difficult ones as we go along, so read on:
➨TRIUND TREK
Characterised as one of the easier treks among the various trekking routes in Himachal, the Triund trek can be started from two distinct places in Upper Dharamshala namely, McloedGanj or Dharamkot. The trek takes through some spectacular and breathtaking scenic surroundings finally taking you to amazing Bhagsu Nag. A 9 Km long trek comprises of 22 curves through exotic forest of oak, deodar, and flowering rhododendrons.
Once atop Triund you are subject to some spellbinding and mesmerizing views of the mighty Dhauladhars on one side and the bustling Kangra Valley on the other. Every step that a trekker takes, on this amazing trail, is rewarded by a totally different scene altogether. If you aim to undertake this trek then the ideal periods are from March to June and September to November, as this is the time you are bound to run into plenty other trekkers to Triund.
Incidentally novices and beginners too can undertake this trek as the difficulty level for this trek is very less or rather easy.
Duration for this trek is 2 days taking you to the maximum altitude is 2,850 meters.
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➨JOGINI WATERFALLS TREK
Another easy level trek to be considered while trekking in Himachal Pradesh is the most suited the Jogini Water Falls trek, especially for those devoid of any prior experience, is. This trek leads you to the spectacular cascading Jogini Water Falls.
All the trekkers/hikers, on the trail have an opportunity to pay obeisance and seek blessings at the famous Vashisht temple en route. On their ascent they also pass through many beautiful shrines overlooking the serene Beas River flowing down below and hike through a few quaint hamlets and some exotic apple orchards.
Once atop this trail of the 150 feet high Jogini Water Falls the trekkers are also exposed to the majestic temple dedicated to Maa Jogini, where they can seek her blessings and start their descent. A number of trekkers visit this famous temple, on and off who reach the summit of these Falls
While the duration of this trek is about 6 – 8 hours the altitude to which it takes you is an amazing 9,000 feet.
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➨TOSH VALLEY TREK
Another amazing, easy level trek most suited to beginners and novices, in Himachal Pradesh, is the Tosh Valley trek. A 7.5 Km long trek originating as a narrow path, broadening up as you ascend, into a huge expanse of lush green foliage as you keep ascending further.
The trail to Tosh Valley, one of the famous places for trekking in Himachal Pradesh, has various guest houses along it offering convenience to the trekkers on their way to the Valley; in fact this is the reason for the growing popularity of this trail among the avid trekking enthusiast.
The time taken to complete this trek is just 4 to 5 hours and takes you to an altitude of about 7,874 feet.
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➨PARASHER LAKE TREK
Nestled in Kullu, one of the prime adventure spots in Himachal Pradesh, and surrounded by the mighty Dhauladhar ranges, this charming water body that goes by the name of Parasher Lake, is a major point of attraction for tourists from all over, who fall in love with this paradise of a place when they trek out to this famed lake. It exposes you to some stunning and spectacular views of the Pir Panjal, Dhauladhar and the Kinnaur ranges.
Bieng an ideal winter trek, this trail has two different points of origination, namely Jwalapur Village and the other from Baggi Village. It takes you through some quaint hamlets while exposing you to the rich local culture on your way to the Lake. The principle place of interest here is the Prashar Rishi Temple famous for its exotic Himachali architecture and design. More over this trek too is characterised as easy.
The duration for this trek is stated to be 1 to 2 days and takes you to an amazing altitude of about 8,960 feet.
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➨BIJLI MAHADEV TREK
Another trek that Himachal Pradesh has to offer to the majority of enthusiasts for its ease, simplicity and the speed at which it can be covered is the Bijli Mahadev Trek. Once you reach the top of this trek, believe you me, you are exposed to a spellbinding, mesmerizing and an awesome view of the ancient Shiva Temple, a Shivling, and a metal Trishul, the most stunning views of all things here is the unique Shiv Ling that is completely made up of butter and never does melt down. Amazing isn’t it?
This trek originates from the village Naggar and takes you through some exotic pear, apple, and pomegranate orchards, paddy fields, lush green forests filling the environment with a distinct refreshing and a rejuvenating fragrance edging you on to the Temple making it one of the most amazing trekking routes in Himachal Pradesh. The time duration for this trek is essentially one day considering the ease and simplicity of it, taking you to an awesome altitude of 8,000 feet.
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➨KHEERGANGA TREK
Dotted with small bathing tanks, hot water Springs and an ancient Shiva Temple along the trail, this trek is a major attraction for the avid trekkers invariably in search of spirituality and inner calm who visit here year after year.
En route one of the amazing treks in Himachal Pradesh and shimmering Kheerganga river the trekkers are subject to some of the most scenic and charming villages through the trail passes, some spectacular waterfalls and the sight of the mighty snow-capped mountains. Needless to say, that, the most unique view along the trail is that of the serpent-shaped waterfall namely the Rudra Nag Falls.
The duration for this trek is for a period of 2 days while it takes you to an altitude of up to 9,000 feet approximately.
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➨KARERI LAKE TREK
In the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, Kareri Lake trek is supposed to be a very nature-friendly, and one of the best spots in India, acting as a weekend getaway trek from the regular chaotic and monotonous city life to come and revel in the marvels of what nature has to offer along this trail.
Classified as easy to moderate level trek, having gained popularity, of late, leads you through some amazing, hitherto unexplored, subtropical forests of chris pines and chilgoza, while being home to a variety of colourful bird and broad—leafed plant species.
On the way to this Lake the trail takes you through rocky grasslands along the scenic Nyund Nallaha, while providing for some excellent camping sites, and convenient food joints along the trail. The duration for this trek has been slated at 3 days while taking you to an awesome altitude of about 9,600 feet.
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➨HAMPTA PASS TREK
Showcasing the beauty of the stark and barren mountains and the dry and arid view of the Lahaul on one side and the contrasting lush green flower decked Kullu Valley on the other, The Hampta Pass trek is also considered to be one of the best and most delightful trekking routes in Himachal Pradesh. This entire 25 Kms of this amazing trek can even be done by a novice while the most popular attractions of this trek is the abundance of nature that one gets to see and experience while trekking or camping en route.
This trek, characterized as moderate trek is actually a dream trek the reason for this being the amazing and a rich environment of lush green, deep oak and deodar forests, sweet smelling orchards, will make any nature lover fall in love with this trek.
Surprisingly every trekker, for the entire 6 day of this trek loves nothing more than to bask in the surrounding nature and the environment that he or she is exposed to. An additional or rather a major attraction is the campsites of the Shea Goru and the Balu Ka Ghera campsites that pave way for some breath taking settings and views among the green patches, clear streams surrounded by high mountains. You reach an amazing altitude of 14,065 feet on this trek.
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➨PIN PARVATI TREK
Although there are plenty more of the ease or easy to moderate treks in Himachal, let’s now talk of some of the treks that come under the difficult treks category. The Pin Parvati Trek is one such trek that extends up to a considerable distance of about 110 Kms. moreover being a high altitude trek it remains covered with snow the year round. Moreover this stretch or the pass, while meandering through some snowy panoramic sites boulders and exotic meadows, one among the high adrenalin adventurous trekking routes of Himachal Pradesh, acts as the bridge between the Spiti and the Kullu Valleys.
Some of the exotic and amazing attractions of this trek are the enticing scenic beauty owing to the dense alpine forests, cascading waterfalls, colorful wild flowers and some lush green patches all along the trail. The second most outstanding aspect of this trek is the fact that you get an amazing view of the dry and arid Spiti valley on one side and the contrasting lush green vegetation on the other, and mind you, you are at an amazing altitude of 17,450 feet while doing this 8 to 9 trek.
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➨BHABA PASS TREK
Another very interesting and an exotic, to say the least, and a challenging trekking spots in the Himalayas, catagorised as a difficult trek that literally puts to test the endurance and the skills of some of the seasoned trekkers is the Bhaba Pass trek.
Another amazing aspect of this trek is the fact that it leads you through some picture-postcard perfect lush green pastures, forests, shinning brooks, Kashmir like meadows and the delta on the Phutsirang River to ultimately reach you at the Bhaba Pass.
On arrival at the Bhaba Pass after a9 day trek you have the privilege of basking in the spectacular view of the Pin Valley covered in various shades of pink. You will also find some really great and praiseworthy camping sites in Khara, Phutsirang and the Mulling regions along the trail. This trek also takes you through a maximum altitude of an amazing altitude of 16,105 feet.
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➨DEO TIBBA BASE CAMP TREK
Another one of the treks categorised as a difficult trek, is the very popular Deo Tibba Base Camp trek, also considered to be the most challenging trek, in Himachal Pradesh, it leads the trekkers to the base of the all majestic Doe Tibba Mountain. This amazing place for trekking in the Himalayas, located in some of the very remote areas of Himachal Pradesh, renders you out of touch with the worldly chaotic life giving you an ample chance of reveling in the bewitching beauty of the mountains and the surrounding landscapes.
This 5 to 6 day trek, while originating from Jagat Sukh, leads the trekkers through some rocky bridges, exotic flowery meadows, grazing pastures, and scintillating brooks, up to the base of this majestic mountain. Once atop you will be exposed to some spectacular views of the Pir Panjal ranges and the Rohtang Pass, this trek takes you up to a whooping altitude of 20,000 feet.
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➨BARA BHANGAL TREK
The trekkers during this 9 day trek also get the opportunity to hike or trek through the Indrasan Glacier and the Bara Shigri, which very distinctly add to the thrill and excitement of this trek. Upon reaching the Bara Bhangal at an amazing height of 16,000 feet the trekkers will be exposed to some mesmerizing views of the Kalihani Pass trek and the Thmsar Pass.
Once here you have a chance to interact with the natives there and understand their culture and history of the region.
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➨FRIENDSHIP PEAK TREK
A difficult category trek, the Friendship Peak Trek, a 9 day affair, happens to be one of the most ideal trekking routes in Himachal Pradesh, in the Pir Panjal range. Originating from the famous Solang the trek leads you through some rich, dense, and lush green forests, colorful alpine meadows and gushing streams.
Although at the beginning of the trek it seems to be quite easy, as the gradients initially are fairly low but begins to challenge you at higher altitudes necessitating the trekkers to hike trek over thick snow beds, some sharp & narrow ridges, and actually glaciated tracks.
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In the course of this trek you will come across the Vashisht hot water springs, the all-famous Naggar Roerich Art Gallery and the amazing Hadimba Temple. Once at the summit, at 17, 348 feet, you get to see some spectacular views of the mighty Pir Panjal Range.
Phew!! That was some amazing journey across some of the amazing trekking trails in Himachal Pradesh. Although, there are plenty more of these, some, as above, have been arranged according to their difficulty levels for the enthusiasts wanting to have a go at it. So are you ready? Why wait just choose any one of the Himachal tour packages and go trekking
Another important aspect that cannot be ignored, when preparing for a trek, is the list of kit that you need to carry with you, some of them are listed below for your quick reference.
➤Trekking Kit to Carry with You
➜Medical and first aid equipment
➜Tent, sleeping bag, and foam groundsheet
➜Torch with a reasonable supply of batteries with it
➜Sunglasses, rucksack, headgear, You can afford to carry other type of baggage provided you have arranged for porters for your trek
➜Waterproof warm jacket and woolen socks or stockings
➜Gloves umbrellas etc.
Compass, Binoculars, Cooking equipment, Fruits, and some food items. Although food items are available along the trail at the trans-Himalayan heights you will need to fend for yourself.
A detailed list of requirements, for you trek, will be available with your concerned trek operator who will be in a better position to advise you accordingly as per the ground realities of your trekking route.
This article is originally published in Wildlife India
