They’re not odds who like to climb and explore the mountainous regions on foot. They’re the Trekkers, peregrinating the alpines of Himachal Pradesh to allay their wanderlust souls. Himachal has many summits that attract trekkers from all around the world. It would be hard to distinguish among many places which best suits your enthrallment as each has its own charm. Plus, it depends on the stamina of a person that makes him/her fall in the category of novice or a seasoned trekker. Saying trekking is an addiction defames the activity as it is an urge to travel through the strenuous terrains of the earth, simultaneously, to know more about inhabitants of the valleys and mountains, not just humans, wild species too. All this is done traversing on foot. It gives the climbers a sense akin to peace connecting to anything and everything on their way organically.
Let’s see, where you can go in Himachal to quench your thirst for trekking the peaks.
Triund trek
It is apparently an easy trek, fits best for novice trekkers as well as for the 1st time trekkers. The trail is strewn with 22 curves and a few steep slopes. Depending upon the comfort and strength, it can take trekkers from 1 to 2 days to complete the trek. Fascinating Dhauladar ranges offer their unrivalled view to the climbers. Moreover, one has to pass through verdant forests of rhododendron, pine and oak trees. Whiling away, a day or two, on this trek is certainly a delightful experience.
Starting point? This trek starts from Dharamkot near Mcloedganj (an upper suburb of Dharamshala)
Best time of the year? Except for June-August (monsoon season), anytime is good to hike.
Kheerganga trek
This is another trail for beginners. Seasoned trekkers usually don’t aspire to summit it as the place is popular among tourists, and could get overwhelmed with heavy footfall. However, there is a less popular route to Kheerganga, which is comparatively long and definitely quieter. For this route, instead of taking left from the bridge after Barshaini village (base camp), you need to take a right to Kalga Village, which further joins the usual trekking trail to Kheerganga post halfway.
On the usual path, Nakthan village comes on the way have a few local dhabas where one can stop by to eat and relax. What appeases the most over this journey is the hot water spring, Parvati Kund that welcomes you on reaching the Kheerganga.
How to reach Barshiani Village? The village is accessible from Bhuntar, which has an airport and a railway station. Thus, easily accessible by any means of commutation.
Best time of the year? Except for June-August (monsoon season), anytime is good to hike.
Hampta Pass Trek
We are sure you haven’t had seen such an awe-striking contrast in your life. As you reach the pass skewing on the left, the picture changes from the verdant green valley of Kullu to stark brown arid mountains of Lahaul. It would be ok if it seems unbelievable to you. An assimilation of the serendipitous contrast could take a few to several minutes.
This trek is 6 days long, and you would be traversing for 25 km. The base camp of the trek is Jobra, accessible by road from Manali. Reaching Jobra is another resplendent experience, riding on the dizzy dirt-filled route veering sharply at irregular intervals while observing changing flocks of trees on the sides from apples to oaks.
How to reach Jobra? Hire a taxi or go in your vehicle from Manali. Hired taxi is recommended if you don’t have the experience to drive on snaky roads of mountains.
Best time of the year? June to September
Baralacha Trek
Passing the Baralacha pass while hiking from Batal (base camp) will provide you a dramatic chance to observe the lush green valley eventually changing into low vegetative arid mountains as you enter the Spiti region from Kullu valley.
What entices most on this 6 days hiking expedition are Chandratal Lake and Bara Sigri Glacier. The crescent shaped lake has its reveling charm, while the glacier has uncanny geographical miracles to observe - the site of the glacier is strewn by many moraines and ledges.
Besides the above, one has to cross over a few streams on the way. Once, the summit, which Baralacha Pass is reached, descend into the Spiti valley is as exciting as the ascension.
How to reach Batal? Hire a taxi or go in your vehicle from Manali. Hired taxi is recommended if you don’t have the experience to drive on snaky roads of mountains.
Best time of the year? June to September
Pin Parvati pass trek
An elaborated 110 km you need to hike to reign the summit and come back to civilized land. This trek is for the experienced trekkers as the trail is inundated with many challenges, which include crossing deep trenches, climbing steep slopes, navigating a way out from the dense forests, passing through feeble bridges, and crossing over hurtling rivers and streams. These all would definitely boost the adrenaline in many, but only experienced trekkers should take the call.
Base camp of this trek is Barshiani Village in Kullu valley. Bearing the charm and audacity of mother-nature one passes Kheerganga Hot Spring and enters into the contrasting cold valley of Spiti and Lahaul.
How to reach Barshiani Village? The village is accessible from Bhuntar, which has an airport and a railway station. Thus, easily accessible by any means of commutation.
Best time of the year? July to September
Sar Pass trek
This trek renders everything one expects out of a hill site. Lush green meadows, quaint hamlets, verdant forests interlaced with deodars and rhododendrons trees, tranquil water streams, and, of course, pleasing snow-capped mountains. This trek does not have a high difficulty level, which makes it apt for even novice trekkers provided they’re physically and mentally fit to acclimatize themselves for this 5-day long expedition.
The stride starts from Kasol (base camp), which is a prominent tourist spot, well-known for a weekend getaway. It has all the facilities one can think of. On the first day, you shall be hiking to Grahan village. Stay at the village in tents hooked on the sprawling meadows. Reach Min tach next day followed reaching Nagaru, that would be next to next day. For the two remaining days, you would be trekking from Nagaru to Biskeri Thach and Biskeri Thach to Bursheni.
How to reach Kasol? The town is accessible from Bhuntar, which has an airport and a railway station. Thus, easily accessible by any means of commutation.
Best time of the year? July to September
Sainj Valley trek
Surreal is an apt word to define this trek. Why? Because it takes you through the rich land of Himalayan national Park abounded with a plethora of flora and fauna. Evidently, this national reserve has been stated as world heritage by UNESCO.
The trek starts from Shangarh, having meadows encapsulated by snow-covered mountains and dense forests. Its trail takes you through some tranquil hamlets, finally reaching Pundrik Lake – the star of the trek.
How to reach Shangarh? It is 100 km from Manali, can be reached by a private car or hired taxi.
Best time of the year? Anytime.