India trekking routes: Best trails, difficulty levels, and where to go

When you think of India trekking routes, long-distance walks through mountains, forests, and remote villages that offer more than just exercise—they offer transformation. Also known as Indian trekking trails, these paths take you beyond temples and beaches into places where the air is thin, the silence is loud, and the views change every step. This isn’t just hiking. It’s walking through living landscapes where you’ll pass prayer flags in Sikkim, meet shepherds in Ladakh, or wake up to clouds below you in the Nilgiris.

Not all trekking in Uttarakhand, a region famous for its sacred peaks and ancient pilgrimage trails. Also known as Himalayan trekking, it includes routes like the Valley of Flowers and Kedarkantha—perfect for beginners who want real altitude without extreme technical climbs. Then there’s trekking in Ladakh, a high-altitude desert where trails like the Markha Valley and Chadar Ice Trek test endurance, acclimatization, and mental grit. Also known as high-altitude trekking, these routes aren’t for casual walkers—they’re for those who want to feel what it’s like to walk above 5,000 meters, where oxygen is scarce and the stars feel close enough to touch. Meanwhile, in the south, trekking in the Western Ghats, a UNESCO-listed biodiversity hotspot with mist-covered hills and hidden waterfalls. Also known as South Indian hill treks, trails like Kudremukh and Anamudi offer lush greenery, wildlife spotting, and cooler temperatures without the thin air of the Himalayas. Each region has its own rhythm, its own rules, and its own rewards.

What makes a good India trekking route? It’s not just the view. It’s how well it’s maintained, whether guides know the local weather patterns, if you can find clean water, and if the community benefits from your visit. Some routes, like Roopkund, are crowded in peak season—others, like Nag Tibba, stay quiet even in summer. You don’t need to climb Everest to feel like you’ve earned something. A three-day walk to Dayara Bugyal, where you sleep under stars with only the sound of cowbells, can be just as powerful.

Below, you’ll find real stories from people who’ve walked these paths—not just the highlights, but the muddy boots, the missed buses, the unexpected tea breaks with locals, and the mornings they woke up wondering if they’d made it. Whether you’re looking for a weekend escape or a 10-day challenge, the trails here will show you India in a way no temple or beach ever could.