Best Himachal Treks for Beginners: Triund, Kheerganga & More

Himachal Pradesh is where a lot of us in North India first discover that walking uphill for six hours can be the best day of the year. You can leave Delhi on an overnight bus, and by the next afternoon be standing on a ridge looking at the snow-covered Dhauladhars. These are the treks I'd recommend to anyone starting out, roughly from easiest to hardest.

Before you pick a trek

Altitudes and distances vary a little depending on the source and route — treat these as a guide, not gospel.

Triund — the classic first trek

Starting above McLeod Ganj, the trail climbs about 9 km through oak and rhododendron forest to a wide grassy ridge with the Dhauladhar range right in front of you. It's short enough for a day hike, but staying overnight — in a tent or at the forest rest house if you can book it — gives you sunset and sunrise over the peaks.

• Best time: March–June and September–November. Winter brings snow; monsoon brings leeches and slippery rock.
• Tip: start early to beat the crowds and the midday sun. The last stretch (the "22 curves") is steep.
• Extend it: continue to Laka Glacier or the Indrahar Pass route with a guide if you're fit and acclimatised.

Prashar Lake — the gentle one

A small lake with a floating island and a pagoda-style temple, surrounded by meadows with huge views. A good pick for families or first-timers who want mountains without a hard climb. Snow in winter makes it magical but colder than you'd expect.

Kheerganga — the hot spring reward

From Barshaini in the Parvati Valley, the trail follows the river through villages, forests and waterfalls to a meadow with a natural hot spring at the top. Soaking in warm water at nearly 3,000 m after a long walk is hard to beat.

• Best time: April–June and September–October.
• Note: camping rules in the meadow have changed over the years — check the current situation locally before you go, and carry all your rubbish back down.

Kareri Lake — quieter and wilder

A glacial lake below the Dhauladhars, reached through villages, river crossings and forest. Fewer people than Triund, a more "real trek" feeling, and a lovely place to camp. In spring the lake can still be frozen.

Hampta Pass — your first high pass

The step up. Over four or five days you cross from the green Kullu valley into the stark, desert-like landscape of Lahaul — one of the most dramatic transitions you'll see anywhere, often with a side trip to Chandratal lake. At around 4,270 m, altitude is a real factor, so go with a registered trekking operator and build in acclimatisation.

• Best time: mid-June to early October.

What to pack

• Proper trekking shoes with grip (not running shoes with worn soles)
• Layers: base layer, fleece, down or synthetic jacket, rain shell
• Cap, sunglasses and sunscreen — the sun at altitude is fierce
• 2 litres of water capacity and purification tablets
• Headlamp, power bank, basic first-aid kit and any personal medicines
• Cash — ATMs and UPI signal run out quickly in the mountains
• A trash bag for your own waste

Staying safe

1. Check the weather the day before and turn back if it turns bad — mountains are there next year.
2. Tell someone your route and expected return.
3. Know the signs of altitude sickness above ~2,500 m: headache, nausea, dizziness, unusual tiredness. The cure is to stop climbing and descend if it gets worse.
4. Go with a local guide or registered operator for anything multi-day or above 3,500 m.
5. Avoid the monsoon (July–August) for most of these routes — landslides and flash floods are real.

Leave no trace

Himachal's popular trails have a rubbish problem, mostly plastic bottles and wrappers. Carry out everything you carry in, don't play loud music at campsites, and buy from local dhabas and homestays so tourism money stays in the villages.

I keep a map of the places I've walked — and the ones still on my list — in my travel journal. For snow treks, see my guide to winter treks in Uttarakhand.