Are you an amateur when it comes to trekking? Do you fear to go on treks alone and try to find the right guide and group of people to be with? In this mesmerizing country, there is a plentitude of trails for the beginners, keeping the aura and charm of the place in mind. And guess what, you can easily go alone without any guide or help.
Here is a list of some of the best trek trails to pick from covering both North as well as South India.
Triund, Himachal Pradesh
Located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, the Triund Hill trek starts from McLeod Ganj in Dharamshala. To start the trail, reach Dharamkot, and there you go on the jungle trail. On the way, you will see the Gallu Devi Temple. This trail spans across 3-4 hours. If you wish to halt somewhere at night, you can stay at a guesthouse or rent a camp for the night around any of the pit stops.
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
To reach the starting point: Overnight bus from Delhi to Dharamshala followed by a taxi or local bus to McLeod Ganj
Best time for the trek: May-June & September-October
Parashar Lake, Himachal Pradesh
Located in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, the starting point of the trek is from Baggi Village. The trail begins with a drive in a jeep from the village for about 40 minutes. Once you arrive at the fork, your route would start from the forest as you go right for about four hours. You can halt at the tents if you happen to be around the area at night.
Duration: 5 to 6 hours
To reach the starting point: Overnight bus from Delhi to Mandi and then a local bus or taxi to Baggi Village
Best time for the trek: December End – Mid-March
Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttarakhand
The Valley of Flowers National Park is situated in the Chamoli District of Uttarakhand. The trek to the valley starts from Govind Ghat which is a famous pilgrimage town of Uttarakhand. The first day is a walk on a concrete trail that passes Govind Ghat. You can find various guesthouses on the way to stay over for the night. The next morning, you can leave as early as possible, as the finishing point, Ghangria is just about one to two hours away.
Duration: 9 to 10 hours
To reach the starting point: Overnight bus from Delhi to Haridwar and a local taxi or bus to Govind Ghat
Best time for the trek: June-October & Mid-July to Mid-August
Kumara Park West, Karnataka
Located in the Dakshina Kannada District, this trek begins from Kukke Temple. This trek is usually done in four stretches that are Kukke Temple to Battar Mane, Battar Mane to Kalluman Top, Kalluman Top to Shesha Parvatha, and last to Shesha Parvatha. All the trails are equally simple, however, each has its own advantages. In Battar Mane, you can stop for water and food. If you take the Kumar Parvatha route, there are a number of sites on the way, and the other two trails also have their own benefits.
Duration: 8 to 9 hours
To reach the starting point: Overnight bus from Bengaluru to Kukkesubramanya and then by foot to Temple Road
Best time for the trek: August-January
Madhugiri Fort, Karnataka
Located in the Tumkur District, the Madhugiri Fort is the starting point of the trek. The trail begins from the foothills of the fort and there are stairs built for half of the route. To reach the fort, it is an easy yet steep climb. Camping is not allowed at the fort, and in any case, since the trek is only two hours from Bengaluru, staying there is not required.
Duration: 2-3 hours
To reach the starting point: Take a bus ride from Bengaluru to reach Madhugiri
Best time for the trek: October-March