Top 20 Hiking Destinations in India

Manali is the epicenter of adventure in Himachal Pradesh and is one of the top hiking destinations in India. There are numerous things to do and see here. Be it adrenaline pumping outdoor sports, or experiential hiking trips, Manali has all the options. The best place to start hiking in Manali is the Solang Valley. It is also called locally as Snow Point. You can trek up to this point or take a public bus.

From Snow Point, you hike up to Dhundi passing naturalistic settings along the way. You can engage a local guide to help you get to the place. Along the way you will see the Beas River. The mountain water is icy cold on most times of the year. Purple Rhododendron flowers stand in an inviting stance throughout the hike. The Solang Valley hike in Manali is the most engaging and enlightening hiking destinations of them all.

There are some popular day hikes in Manali. Some of them are Bijli Mahadev and Dashaur Lake. The former is a trek to Bijli Mahadev and back. The latter is a 5 km trek from Manali to the Dashaur Lake and back. For first time hikers, a day hike is recommended. And Manali presents so many options for the same.

Hiking in Garhwal is always an exhilarating experience. You trek through flower meadows and thick forests. The Har Ki Doon Valley presents you with varied flora and fauna. Hiking through the Har Ki Doon Valley is a 50 mile trip. It is only for trekkers who like to hike in fair weather conditions. You will hike through a steady gradient in the valley and is relatively easier compared to Himalayan trails where you have to navigate from one valley to the other.

Geographically it is located in the Garhwal Himalayas, the Har Ki Doon valley is cradle shaped but you cannot see its shape when on the ground! There are numerous snow covered peaks in this place. The alpine vegetation is one of the prime attractions in these regions. The valley is snow clad throughout October to March which is generally avoided. The hiking trails through this valley pass through remote villages such as Gangaad, Seema and not to forget Osla which is an overnight camping spot.

On the way you will encounter the Tamsa River. If you are hiking here during the monsoon season, this river is swollen and flows at full capacity. Further into the trail, it bends into gorges and deodar forests. You can choose to stop at Torluka, stay at the Forest Rest House or the accommodation provided by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam. From Torkula, the trail gets tougher. You will have to navigate through this rugged terrain to ultimately reach Osla.

The surrounding area is spread over more than 2000 acres offering plenty of avenues to experience some of the best hikes in India. There are thick oak and deodar forests spread across the area. There are numerous species of flora and fauna that exist here. Camping here brings you back to living in a bygone era. If you are looking for a complete lifestyle overhaul for some time, then this is the place for it. Apart from hiking, you can also do horse safaris, and numerous other adventure activities.

There are plenty of activities that you can do here. You can climb a hill. Walk among deer. Try to entice a pheasant. You can setup a perch point and look at the Himalayan snow peaks that stretch for a distance of 250 kilometers. You can hike up to the Jwala Devi Temple. You can head off into the Benog Mountains to see quails. From here you can see the estate of George Everest. There are so many activities to do here that this place befits a mention in the top hiking destinations in India.

It is from Tiger Hill that you can view the majestic contours of the Himalayas and Mount Kanchenjunga. If you tread all the way to Tiger Hill, be ready to be treated with breathtaking views. The magnificent sunrise and sunset views provides a perfect photography spot. March and June is the perfect time to visit this spot. During this time Tiger Hill is frequented by hundreds of people to experience one of the best hikes in India. In fact thousands of people climb the hill during this time every day.

You should try to get here by pre-dawn to witness the sunrise. During this time, the mountains are painted by the sun’s rays in vivid colors such as yellow, pink and purple. After witnessing the splendid sunrise, you can hike to Ghoom – which is a scenic town. On the way you can see beautiful tea plantations that will amaze you to no end.

Experience the Singhalia Ridge Trail in the heart of a beautiful city, Darjeeling in any month other than July to mid-September. During this time, this park is not open for the public. Darjeeling is one of the picturesque destinations in the country. When you get here, you will be amazed at the plenitude of options available. Whether it is to take a break from the hot summer season or to conduct hiking activities, the fringes of the Himalayas have plenty to offer.

There are immense number of activities to do in Darjeeling including hiking, mountain biking, ride in a Toy train etc, that are really awesome and the breathtaking views of Darjeeling are the treat to eyes that will you a baggage full of beautiful memories.

The most popular is the Singhalia Ridge Trail. If you are staying while in transit through the trail, you must make advance bookings in Darjeeling for accommodation. This hiking trail in Darjeeling is the most adventurous and exciting of them all. You take this trail only if you are willing to expend some thrills on the way. Local guides have expert knowledge on how to navigate the trail without a hitch.

The Darjeeling to Kurseoung trail via the Old Military road is considered one of the top hiking destinations in India. This is essentially a one-day hiking trail. Due to this, it is a very popular one amongst first-time hikers. The expedition starts off in the picturesque settings of Darjeeling and ends at Kurseoung.

The Old Military road is an amazing sightseeing route to take. One point of interest is the Mag-Dhog Yolmowa Buddhist Monastery. Also known as Aloobari, this monastery was built by Sri Sangay Lama. Construction of the monastery began as early as 1914. This was the same year that the First World War erupted. Hence, the monastery got the name Mag-Dhog – which means avoiding war.

Apart from the monastery, the coffee plantations are worth a visit. These plantations stretch over several acres of land and offer one of the best hikes in India. These sloping lands have narrow passages for people to walk through. Along with coffee plantations, there are plenty of tea estates as well. These sprawling tea estates give off the aroma of tea leaves. 

The freshness of the air is unmistakable. You will feel like you are in one of purest environments on Earth. One of the reasons to this is that the estate owners take special care that the environment that these plants grow in is pure and verdant.

Nagalapuram Hills is a vast place spread over more than ten thousand acres. Here the trails run along streams. At all times you will be walking beside streams and jumping across them from boulder to boulder. There is another exhilarating trek that connects Nagalapuram and Tada. This is locally known as marathon in mountains given its difficulty level.

That is why Nagalapuram is one of the toughest hiking destinations in the country. But the difficulty in hiking is compensated from the sights that are on display here. The scenic charm of the place is outstanding. The mountains of Nagalapuram have so many scenic delights that they look straight out of an adventure travel movie.

Araku Valley is located between Vishakhapatnam and Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh. This place is known for its verdant greenery and has some of the best hikes in India. There are plenty of hills, thick forests, and waterfalls in the Araku Valley. The valley is spread across an area of 36 kms. The valley is located on the Eastern Ghats of India. There are many ethnic tribes living in this area still.

The hiking trails in Araku are moderately difficult. When in transit you will see the tribal habitation and their culture in full display. Hiking routes take you through these tribal villages. Along the trail you can also see the Barezolla Park. Then there are the Bora Caves which is a popular spot. The Bora Caves to Katiki Water Falls hiking trail is a popular one too. In the Araku Valley that you will see the Jindhagada Peak. This mountain is the highest in Andhra Pradesh and is one of the top hiking destinations in India. There are separate hiking trails to this mountain and beyond.