If you are on a lookout for easy Himalayan treks for beginners, this blog will help to find the perfect trek for your first Himalayan adventure. A lot of trekkers are apprehensive of embarking on a Himalayan trek. Owing to long hiking hours and harsh weather in the mountains, people shy away from high altitude treks. We have compiled a list of top 10 trek suitable for first time trekkers.
Here is a list of some of the best Himalayan treks for beginners. These treks offer the best of mountains, valleys, meadows, and pristine alpine lakes and can be attempted by first-timers.
Here are the TOP 10 Himalayan Treks for Beginners to explore in India:
- Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek
- Kedarkantha Trek
- Brahmatal Trek
- Phulara Ridge Trek
- Sandakphu Trek
- Dayara Bugyal Trek
- Bagji Bugyal Trek
- Deoban Trek
- Deoriatal-Rohini Bugyal Trek
- Barnala Lake Trek
1. Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek
Location – Uttarakhand
Duration – 6 Days/5 Nights
Altitude – 11,700ft./3,566m
Ali Bedni Bugyal trek is one of the most picturesque treks in Uttarakhand. The trek takes you to two of the high-altitude meadows of Ali and Bedni. The trek with rhododendrons and oak trees along the trail transports you to a fairyland, offering you the splendour of mountain peaks. The verdant grassland spreads like a green carpet welcoming you. The vastness of the grassland piques you to find its end, and all you discover is undulated meadows, one after another. Walking barefoot on these soft grass-covered meadows is an experience of a lifetime.
Ali Bedni Bugyal trek is beyond meadows. During the winter months, the meadows are covered in white-sheet of soft snow.
Besides the vastness of the meadows, Ali Bedni offers a majestic view of towering Trishul Parvat standing like a guarding deity. One of the largest meadows in Asia, the Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek is perfect for beginners to start their outdoor journey.
Check out the dates for the Ali-Bedni Bugyal trek here.
2. Kedarkantha Trek
Kedarkantha is hands down one of the most popular winter treks in our country. As soon as the winter sets in, Kedarkantha is covered in colourful tents. One of the reasons for Kedarkantha’s popularity amongst the trekking community is its easy – comfortable trail suitable for beginners. Both beginners and experienced trekkers throng Kedarkantha starting in December to experience the snow to the fullest.
The trek offers you a snow experience in abundance right from the base camp. The trek is famous for its snow-covered campsites, frozen Juda ka Talab, and breathtaking view of the big mountains. You traverse the snow-covered forest in knee-deep snow in the upper reaches of the trek. The forest covers itself in a white cloak, giving a perfect fairyland vibe.
Kedarkantha offers a great experience for trekkers who seek trails full of forests, snowy trails, green meadows, and beautiful views. When you reach Kedarkantha Summit, you will enjoy stunning views of the arc-shaped chain of snow-capped mountains that include Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini, Kala Nag, and Ranglana. The exhilarating summit view of Kedarkantha rewards first-time trekkers with the experience of a lifetime.
Kedarkantha season starts in December. However, the best of the trail is discovered from January to March as the trail will have a lesser crowd during these months.
Check out the upcoming dates for Kedarkantha here.
3. Brahmatal Trek
Location – Uttarakhand
Duration – 6 Days/5 Nights
Altitude – 11,500 ft./3,505 m
Brahmatal is one of the few Himalayan Treks that is accessible throughout the year. A universal favourite of trekkers, Brahmatal is touted as one of the best treks to experience in winter. Brahmatal is a well-known trail among the outdoor community owing to the stunning mountain vistas, the trail offers. The Brahmatal Experience boasts high-altitude meadows, two high-altitude lakes, perfect mountain view, making it one of the top treks in our country. The route unravels hidden waterfalls, secluded campsites, and panoramic views of Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti.
Brahmatal is thronged by trekkers, especially during winter. It is the sole winter trek that takes you to an alpine lake. In winter, Brahmatal Lake freezes, and the first rays of sun on the surface glisten the entire lake, offering you a majestic view.
You can find out Brahmatal trek dates here.
4. Phulara Ridge Trek
Location – Uttarakhand
Duration – 6 Days/5 Nights
Altitude – 12,127 ft./3,696 m
Best Time – Summer and Spring
Phulara Ridge trek in Uttarakhand is one of the rare ridge treks in our country. The trek is one of a kind and offers a rare experience of walking on the ridge with the grandeur of the mountains. There are very few Ridge Treks in our country, and experiencing Phulara Ridge is a must for trekking enthusiasts for its sheer beauty.
While the highlight of the trek is walking on the Ridge, a rare experience, the trek also brings you to the vastness of Pushtara meadows. The sprawling lush green carpet opens once you come towards the end of your ridge walk experience. To witness the landscape changing from snowcapped mountains to a verdant meadow is indeed epiphanic. The ground spreads like a soft green carpet and continues till your eyes can gauge it. Spending the night here stargazing, under the open sky is an experience worth all your climb.
An experience with so much to offer in such a short span, Phulara Ridge is a rare escapade. The solitude along the trail lets you immerse in the richness of nature. With the splendid mountain views, the epiphanic ridge walk, the rich wildlife encounters, and the vastness of the meadows, the trek offers it all.
Find out the dates for the Phulara Ridge trek here.
5. Sandakphu Trek
Sandakphu is one of the culturally rich treks you can experience in India. The trail that plays hide and seek in the villages placed between India and Nepal border, Sandakphu offers the beauty of mystical villages, rich culture, and the beauty of Mt Kanchednzonga.
The trek is known for its breathtaking views of sunrise and sunset. The trek presents its different shades across the seasons. During the spring months, the trail embraces itself in different shades of colourful rhododendrons. Autumn comes with clear skies and crisp mountain views. The grassland enwraps in hues of brown and gold. Winter in Sandakphu has just the right amount of snow.
Sandakphu offers you the view of the world’s tallest mountain, Everest, along with Lhotse and Makalu, the world’s fourth and fifth tallest mountains. While the view of Everest mesmerizes you, Sandakphu is renowned for the magical view of Mt. Kanchenjunga and its peaks, popularly known as ‘Sleeping Buddha’.
For an easy-to-moderate trek, Sandakphu offers great views of four of the world’s highest mountains. Perfect for beginners, the trek is best done between March and April if you love the flavours and colours of spring.
Find out the dates suitable for Sandakphu here.
6. Dayara Bugyal Trek
Location – Uttarakhand
Duration – 4 days/3 nights
Altitude – 11,870 ft./3,617m
Apt for people who wish to begin their trekking journey, Dayara Bugyal offers the best of the mountains and meadows. Located in Uttarakhand, Dayara Bugyal is known for its enchanting forest trail, dreamy meadows, and dramatic night skies.
It is an easy-to-do trek and hence the best one to sign up for as a beginner. This experience offers you splendid views of majestic peaks, walks on beautiful alpine meadows, and the true essence of the mountaineering culture.
The breathtaking views of Gangotri Range and Bandarpooch looming behind the vastness of undulated meadows captivate you. During sprin, the trek enwraps in riots of colours, wildflowers, and rhododendrons start to bloom and offer you a magical experience. Dayara Bugyal is perfect for beginners to be introduced to the outdoor world. The trek is best done during the spring months if you are a beginner as the trail and weather conditions are pleasant during this season.
You can check out the dates for Dayara Bugyal here.
7. Bagji Bugyal Trek
Location – Uttarakhand
Duration – 6 Days/5 Nights
Altitude – 11,100ft./3,383m
Best Time – Winter
Known to very few people, Bagji Bugyal is an exclusive trek and remains untouched by the maddening crowd. Situated at an altitude of 11100 ft. above sea level, the trek boasts unending lush green meadows. It sprawls like a lush green carpet in spring with wildflowers adding a riot of colors. The same meadow is covered in autumn colours in October, and it turns into shades of golden. The trail is secluded with hardly any trekkers on the way. You traverse through unexplored forests, picturesque campsites, and a trail full of small streams flowing. The route is decorated with coniferous forests till the forest area concludes and the grassland opens.
The trek offers you an exclusive view of Mt. Satopanth (7075 m), Mt. Chaukhamba (7138 m), Mt. Trishul (7120 m), and Mt. Nanda Ghunti (6309 m).
The towering mountains, the sound of nature, and the calmness of meadows offer an absolute wilderness experience to beginners. As other popular treks in Uttarakhand get crowded as soon as the winter sets in Bagji can be a perfect trek for beginners to experience the true trekking culture.
Find out the dates for Bagji Bugyal Trek here.
8. Deoban Trek
Deoban Trek is one of the most accessible beginner-level treks near Dehradun. Its proximity to Dehradun and the nearby cities makes Deoban a perfect weekend trek.
Deoband Trek near Chakrata offers wilderness accompanied by a beautiful forest trail and grand summit views. Located around 100 km away from the capital city of Dehradun, Deoban Trek is a forest trail tucked away in the Jaunsar region near Chakrata. The trek is renowned amongst explorers for its mystical forest trails covered in deodar, oak, and pine trees.
As Deoban can be done over the weekend, the trek can be perfect for first-time trekkers. For beginners, Deoban is a perfect weekend getaway trek that can be done on a budget.
Find out the dates for Deoban Trek here.
9. Deoriatal-Rohini Bugyal Trek
Location – Uttarakhand
Duration – 3 Days/2 Nights
Altitude – 9,020ft./2,749m
Trekkers love Deoriatal- Rohini Bugyal during the winter months when the Bugyal will be covered in snow. The trek is a favourite amongst trekkers for the amount of snow for an easy beginner-friendly trek. The trail gets covered in a white sheet of snow in winter. It starts snowing in December and you are likely to witness the snow till early March.
Deoriatal is a perfect spot to enjoy the mountain views and soak in the serenity of nature. On a clear day, Mt Chaukamba’s reflection on the pristine lake of Deoriatal is awe-inspiring. To witness Mt Chaukamba looming in the background from your tent is worth every climb. From the lake, you can also witness the majestic view of the snow-capped peaks of Nilkantha, Bandarpooch, and Kalanag.
Find out the dates for Deoriatal-Rohini Bugyal Trek here.
10. Barnala Lake Trek
Location: Uttarakhand
Duration – 4 Days/3 Nights
Altitude – 11,000 ft./3,352 m
Best Time – Winter
Barnala Trek near Dayara Bugyal in Uttarkashi is a perfect weekend trek who wish to embrace the absolute wilderness. The trek is an easy and short hike from a village called Barsu, a perfect treat for beginners. The short and well-marked trail takes you to Barnala Lake. The lake is surrounded by pine and oak trees, while the mountain ranges peek from behind. The trek is perfect for connecting with nature and immersing yourself in the wilderness. Barnala Lake is revered by the locals and there is a temple dedicated to Nagdevta frequented by the villagers from nearby areas. While you tread your path in the forest, the Gangotri range keeps you company the whole time. On the Barnala Lake trek, you will witness Draupadi Ka Danda, Neelkanth, and Shrikanth Gangotri 1, 2, and 3.
These are a few beginner-friendly treks in Uttarakhand and West Bengal you can attempt between January and April. Although these treks are easy compared to other high-altitude treks, the treks demand a certain amount of physical fitness. So if you are planning to head to the mountains soon, we suggest you start preparing to enjoy the best of the outdoor world.
Find out the dates for Barnala Lake Trek here.
Let us know in the comments if you know of any beginner-level treks in your state.
