Hiking Archives - Ghoomophiro

12 Most Beautiful Places for Hiking in India

The best way to enjoy the beauty of a place – whether it is natural beauty or the people and culture of the place we are talking about, is hiking. India offers some of the most beautiful Hiking tracks in the world. Some of these are:

1. Doon Valley Trek

Located inside a cradle shape valley, this 50 m long Har ki Doon trek offers you the sight of beautiful forests, Tamsa river, and amazing Himalayan fauna.

2. Clouds End Trek

The trek or, rather, treks get their name from Mussoorie resort, Clouds End. The Oak and Deodar forests surrounding the resort are the treasure for hikers. The place offers opportunities for several other adventures including horse riding and camping.

3. Tiger Hill

The West Bengal trek is best seen during early dawn when mountains are painted in beautiful colors the way only nature is capable of doing. The trek offers a chance to walk through tea plantations of Darjeeling.

4. Darjeeling to Kurseoung trail

The one-day Hiking trail in West Bengal via old Military road is popular for Buddhist monastery and coffee plantation.

5. Nagalapuram Trek

The trek located in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh is popular among trekkers for proving with clean water pools and hiker friendly climate. You will always be walking along streams and be able to enjoy amazing sights.

6. Araku Valley Trek

Located between Vishakhapatnam and Hyderabad; this valley spread over 36 kilometers of Eastern Ghats, offers a chance to enjoy pristine waterfalls, forests, and hills. You will come across tribes who still inhabit the valley and be able to observe their culture.

7. Manali

The Himachal Pradesh city is full of several treks of varying difficulties, all offering nature’s parallel beauty to behold.

8. Seven Sister Trek

This Himachal Pradesh trek is one of the easy ones and offers a chance to see beautiful apple orchids and ancient Hindu temples.

9. Chembra Peak

One of Kerala’s most popular hill station, Chembra offers an easy 9-kilometer hike and a chance to enjoy the pristine beauty of Western Ghats.

10. David Scott Trail

The best way to enjoy Meghalaya’s spectacular beauty is this Shillong trail. Initially set up as a route for trade between Cheerrapunjee and, what is now, Bangladesh, this trail has long since been a great attraction for hikers.

11. Rajmachi Ford

The twin fords created by Marathas attracts those interested in history while the trail to the ford itself attracts the nature lovers. The best time to go hiking is June to August when temporary waterfalls and fresh greenery adds to the beauty of the trail.

12. Chidya Tapu to Munda Pahar trail

Port Blair’s Chidya Tapu is best known for its beautiful birds and beaches. At the other end of this half-a-day trail is Munda Pahar lighthouse which is now closed. Passing this lighthouse, you are welcomed by cliff known for beautiful Pacific Ocean view and Sunsets.

Nature is kind in spreading its beauty throughout our country, it is time to go bag packing and be her much-deserved audience.

Hidden gem of Himalayas- Prashar Lake

Located at a distance of about 40 km from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi village, the Prashar Lake lies at an altitude of 2730 m above sea level. It has a floating island and the depth of the lake has not been determined yet. A Pagoda style temple was built near it, in the 13^th century and is dedicated to sage Prashar who is believed to have meditated at the place. One remarkable thing about the temple is that it is entirely made up of just one Deodar tree. Its sinuous carvings of snakes and other animals augment its splendour. A lot of natives and people from around the globe arrive here during the yearly festival of the temple that is held in June. Some peaceful time can be spent at this place, away from the human habitation and its aura will start blending with your soul.

The trek to Prashar Lake is a pleasant one. It is not very famous but is slowly gaining popularity among people. The 6-7 km trek starts from Baagi Village. The initial 1.5 km runs along a local rivulet but the real hike starts after that only. En route, you will come across a Shiva trident. It is better to keep cross – checking with people whom you meet on the way, to make sure that you are moving on the right track. The directions are not properly marked so one has to be careful. You will find horses and cows on the way and the views of the Pir Panjal, Dhauladhar and Kinnaur mountain ranges are amazing. The path becomes slippery when it rains.

Once you reach the top, you will start feeling rejuvenated. The pollution- free air of the hills will boost up your energy and stamina making you feel revitalised. At some occasions, clouds welcome the hikers too!

Accommodation options include the PWD and Forest Department Rest Houses but it is recommended to book rooms in these two from beforehand only to be assured of their availability. When you fail to do so, you might be allowed to stay in the Prashar Mandir’s premises as well.

Making Parashar Lake as your base camp, you can try to go further on a 12 km trek to Tunga Mata temple which is located above it. This trail comprises a steep climb on the mountain ridge situated behind the lake and on the way back, you can visit some idiosyncratic places near the lake such as Shikhari Devi temple, Chindi, Pandoh, Kamru Nag Lake & Temple and Barot.

In a nutshell, Parashar Lake is a good option if you have time for only 2-3 days and want a religious as well as an adventurous trip. The journey is quite refreshing and the locals very amiable. So get ready to explore this destination!