Dreaming of trekking in Himachal Pradesh is easy—but planning it is where most people get stuck. You open Google or Instagram, see stunning trails with snow peaks, green valleys, and crystal-clear lakes, and then the questions start:
Which trek is right for me?
Will I be able to complete it?
How many days will it take?
And what’s the best season to go?
The problem is, most trekking guides only scratch the surface. They list treks without telling you how to choose the one that really fits your fitness, time, and other essential information. That’s why this article is different. Here, you’ll get a **clear breakdown of Himachal treks—Easy, Moderate, and Tough—**so you instantly know where you belong.
Think of it as your 2026 Himachal Trekking Handbook that clears the confusion. By the end, you’ll know which trek matches your fitness, when to plan it, and what resources you’ll need—so your dream doesn’t just stay a dream, it becomes a doable plan.
How To Choose A Trekking Places in Himachal?
To choose a trek in Himachal, match your fitness level, trekking experience, and most importantly, the trek category and the right timing to visit that trek.
One of the biggest mistakes trekkers make today is planning their trip just by scrolling through Instagram reels or random blogs. The result? They end up facing altitude sickness, getting stuck in bad weather, or choosing unsafe routes that ruin the whole experience.
To save you that trouble, here’s a clearly categorized guide to some of the most popular easy to moderate treks in Himachal Pradesh—with duration, altitude, and the right season to attempt them.
Top 09 Himachal Pradesh Trekking Places You Must In 2026
Here’s a closer look at some of the most famous treks in Himachal, explained in a way that helps you decide which one’s your kind of adventure.
- Triund Trek
- Prashar Lake
- Kheerganga Trek
- Beas Kund
- Bhrigu Lake
- Hampta Pass
- Pin Parvati Pass
- Rupin Pass
- Shrikhand Mahadev Trek
We’ve hand-picked nine treks, from beginner-friendly to seriously challenging. We’ll break down each one, covering the ideal season, required time and budget, and the incredible sights that await you at the end of each journey.
1. Triund Trek (Easy)
The Triund Trek is one of the most popular beginner-friendly treks in Himachal Pradesh. Just a few hours from McLeod Ganj, it’s the perfect weekend trek and gives you introduction to the Himalayas without needing weeks of preparation. The trail winds through pine and oak forests, with birdsong and cool breezes keeping you company.
The first 5 km are fairly easy, but the last stretch of 22 steep curves gives you that real trek feel before rewarding you with stunning views. At the top, the ridge opens into a vast meadow where the Dhauladhar range towers above you and the Kangra Valley stretches below.
While many travelers do it as a “1 day trek”, camping overnight makes the experience magical—star-filled skies, a chilly breeze, and golden sunrise views. If you’re new to trekking or want a quick escape into nature, Triund is where you should begin.
Quick Facts:
- Altitude: 2,828 m (9,280 ft)
- Distance: 9 km (one way)
- Duration: 1–2 days
- Best Season: Summer Months of March to June
2. Prashar Lake Trek (Easy)
The Prashar Lake Trek in Mandi district is one of the most scenic and beginner-friendly treks in Himachal Pradesh. It usually starts from Baggi village (about 27 km from Mandi) and is around 7–8 km one way. Another popular route begins at Kantlu village and takes slightly longer but offers the same charm.
The trail is easy to follow, passing through pine and cedar forests, small villages, and open meadows. At the top, you’ll find the stunning Prashar Lake at 2,730 m, the only Holomictic Lake of Himachal and famous for its floating island that changes position with the seasons. Beside the lake is the 13th-century Prashar Rishi Temple, built in unique pagoda style. Many trekkers prefer camping overnight to enjoy the peaceful setting and stargazing by the lake.
Quick Facts:
- Altitude: 2,730 m (8,960 ft)
- Distance: 7–8 km (one way)
- Duration: 1–2 days
- Best Season: March–June, September–November
3. Kheerganga Trek (Moderate)
The Kheerganga Trek in Parvati Valley is one of the most loved treks in Himachal for beginners and backpackers. But we’ve kept it under moderate treks, as this one will test more of your endurance and, of course, your lung power.
Starting from Barshaini, the trail takes you through pine forests, waterfalls, and charming Himachali villages. The trek is famous for its natural hot springs at the top—perfect for relaxing after a long climb. At around 3,000 meters, the views open up to snow-clad peaks and the serene Parvati Valley below.
There are two main routes:
- Nakthan Route – The quickest and most popular, ideal if you want to save time.
- Kalga Route – Slightly longer and less crowded, offering a quieter trek through forests and apple orchards.
Kheerganga is best done as an overnight trek with camping at the top, making it a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.
Quick Facts:
- Altitude: ~3,000 m (9,800–10,000 ft)
- Distance: 12–13 km one way
- Duration: 2 days (1 day up, 1 day down)
- Best Season: May–June, September–October
4. Beas Kund Trek (Moderate)
The Beas Kund Trek is one of the most popular & summer trek near Manali, taking you to the source of the Beas River at a height of 12,772 ft (3,894 m). Though the trek takes only 2–3 days to complete, it is categorized as moderate because of its steep climbs, high altitude, and challenging sections on rocky terrain. The thinner air at higher points also makes it more demanding than easy treks.
The route, usually starting from Solang Valley, stretches around 16 km and passes through green meadows, glaciers, and streams. Once you reach Beas Kund, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of Friendship Peak, Hanuman Tibba, and Shitidhar—snow-clad giants towering right above the lake.
The best time to trek here is mid-May to mid-October, when trails are clear and safe. It’s a great choice if you want a short yet challenging Himalayan adventure.
Quick Facts – Beas Kund Trek
- Altitude: 12,772 ft (3,894 m)
- Distance: 16 km (round trip)
- Duration: 2–3 days
- Best Season: Mid-May to Mid-October
5. Bhrigu Lake Trek (Moderate)
The Bhrigu Lake Trek, near Manali, is a scenic 3-day adventure that rewards trekkers with alpine meadows and one of thehighest glacial lakes in Himachal. Starting from Gulaba, about 20 km from Manali, the trail stretches over 22–24 km and climbs to an altitude of 14,000 ft (4,300 m). The journey is steep in sections, demanding good stamina, but the views make it worthwhile.
The trail offers breathtaking panoramas of peaks like Deo Tibba, Indrasen, and Hanuman Tibba, along with lush meadows that resemble Europe-like grasslands. The highlight is Bhrigu Lake, considered sacred and known for changing colors with the seasons—sometimes blue, sometimes frozen.
Weather here can shift quickly, so trekkers need layered clothing, waterproof gear, and trekking poles for safety.
Quick Facts:
- Altitude: ~4,300 m (14,000 ft)
- Distance: 22–24 km (round trip)
- Duration: 3 days
- Best Season: June–September
6. Hampta Pass Trek (Tough)
If you’ve ever dreamt of walking through two completely different worlds in just a few days, the Hampta Pass Trek is your answer. This 4-5 days adventure takes you from the lush green meadows of Kullu Valley to the barren, high-altitude deserts of Spiti, offering a rare and dramatic transition you won’t find on most treks.
The trek passes through scenic campsites like Chika and Balu ka Ghera, surrounded by waterfalls, wildflowers, and glaciers, before leading to the Hampta Pass itself at 14,000 ft. Once a historical trade route for shepherds, today it’s considered one of Himachal’s most epic crossover treks.
Even though some call it a moderate trek, it needs good stamina because of the steep climbs, tricky descents, and high altitude. With the right preparation, both beginners and experienced trekkers can enjoy it.
Quick Facts
- Altitude: 14,000 ft (4,270 m)
- Distance: 25–28 km (Approximately)
- Duration: 4-5 days
- Best Season: Mid-June to September
7. Pin Parvati Pass Trek (Tough)
The Pin Parvati Pass Trek is one of the toughest and most thrilling treks in Himachal Pradesh. Starting from Barshaini / Kheerganga in the lush Parvati Valley (Kullu) and ending at Kaza / Mudh Village in Spiti, it connects two completely different worlds—green meadows and pine forests on one side, and the stark cold desert on the other.
Along the way, you’ll pass through thick forests, alpine meadows, snowy stretches, and barren high-altitude terrain. One of the most important stops is the Mantalai Lake, a stunning and sacred high-altitude lake that marks a key point on the trail.
The trek also includes icy river crossings (sometimes needing rope support), nights under the stars, and a final climb to the snow-covered pass where a small temple stands as a mark of faith and resilience. Once you descend into Spiti Valley, the culture shifts—you can stay in local homestays in Mudh Village, giving you a taste of authentic Spitian life.
But remember, this trek is not for beginners. It’s long, remote, and demands very high fitness levels plus prior trekking experience. Proper acclimatization is crucial since rescue here is very difficult.
Quick Facts
- Altitude: 17,400+ ft (5,319 m)
- Distance: ~110 km
- Duration: 10–11 days
- Best Season: July–September
8. Rupin Pass Trek (Tough)
The Rupin Pass Trek is often called one of the most adventurous and challenging Himalayan treks in India. This is a high-altitude crossover trek that starts in Uttarakhand’s Govind National Park and ends in Sangla, Himachal Pradesh, near the beautiful village of Chitkul. Covering diverse terrains—from hanging villages to waterfalls and snowy ridges—it feels like walking through a new world every day.
Along the way, trekkers pass through Jakha Village, famously known as the “Hanging Village” because of its houses perched on steep slopes. The trail also includes the iconic Rupin Waterfall, which you climb alongside in a thrilling ascent.
The final pass crossing is both steep and snow-covered, giving you a real test of grit and preparation. Once you descend into Sangla Valley, the scenery changes completely—lush meadows, apple orchards, and colorful villages greet you, making the hard climb worthwhile.
This trek is not recommended for beginners or solo trekkers because of its tough terrain and high altitude. Prior high-altitude trekking experience is a must.
Quick Facts – Rupin Pass Trek
- Altitude: 15,250 ft (4,650 m)
- Duration: 7–8 days
- Distance: ~52 km
- Best Season: May–June and September–October
9. Shrikhand Mahadev Trek (Very Tough)
The Shrikhand Mahadev Trek is one of the most spiritual and toughest treks in India. It takes you to a natural Shivling at about 18,570 ft, considered one of the Panch Kailash (five holy abodes of Lord Shiva). The trek starts from Jaon Village in the Nirmand sub-division of Kullu district and covers around 32 km one way.
What makes it difficult is the steep and rocky terrain, rapidly changing weather conditions, and the constant risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) due to the high altitude. The trail moves through dense forests, alpine meadows, glaciers, and rocky ridges, with breathtaking Himalayan views —including Kinner Kailash on clear days.
This trek is best suited for experienced trekkers or devotees who are well-prepared both physically and mentally. Proper gear, acclimatization, and guidance are absolutely necessary.
Quick Facts
- Altitude: ~18,570 ft (5,654 m)
- Distance: ~32 km one way
- Duration: 7–9 days
- Best Season: July–August (during the annual yatra)
Things to Remember Before Trekking in Himachal Pradesh
Now when you know the treks of Himachal Pradesh, and we know you’ve already chosen the best trek for yourself. But the main question is—what are the important things you need to remember before starting your journey?
Although every trek has its own requirements, there are always some common and life-saving basics that you should keep in mind:
Why Choose Himachal Treks?
Did you know Himachal Pradesh has over 270 trekking routes ranging from 1-day hikes to 2-week expeditions? That means no matter your fitness, budget, or schedule, there’s always a trek waiting for you here.
The best part? Himachal has treks for every type of traveler. If you’re short on time, you can try quick 1–2 day treks near Delhi and Chandigarh like Triund or Kareri Lake. For beginners or families, there are easy trails with gradual climbs and plenty of camping spots. And if you’re looking for a challenge, Himachal offers some of India’s toughest and most rewarding routes.
So whether your goal is a short weekend adventure, a fun family trip, or a professional-level challenge, Himachal treks give you the perfect mix of nature, culture, and adventure, because Trekking in Himachal is more than reaching a summit—it’s about moments that stay forever.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for the best trekking places in Himachal Pradesh, this list will make it easier to plan your adventure. From short and easy treks like Triund to tough ones like Pin Parvati, Himachal truly has a trek for everyone.
Whether you’re going for fun with friends, college trips, Instagram-worthy views, or testing your limits—remember, it’s less about difficulty and more about the experience you take back from the mountains. And once you finish one trek, you’ll feel like coming back again and again.
So, where are you heading first in 2026???
