Best treks in Himachal

Prashar Lake, Triund & McLeodganj and Kareri Lake lead a list of 11. Every trek in Himachal in this guide, from the easiest to the hardest.

Ranked from our own destination data on season, difficulty, altitude, cost and who each place suits. Not paid for, and not the same as “most popular”.

1. 1Himachal · MandiPrashar LakeEasy; 2,730 m, about 7 km, 2–3 days.A floating-island lake and pagoda temple on a high grassy bowl.Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov · Why not: Small; one or two days is enough.
2. 2Himachal · Dharamshala, KangraTriund & McLeodganjEasy; 2,850 m, about 18 km, 3–4 days.A short ridge hike above McLeodganj with the Dhauladhar wall right in front of you.Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov · Why not: Triund is crowded on weekends and camping rules change; check current permissions.
3. 3Himachal · KangraKareri LakeEasy to moderate; 2,934 m, about 26 km, 3–4 days.A shallow freshwater lake at 2,934 m below the Minkiani Pass, through cedar and rhododendron forest.Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov · Why not: The last 3 km from the village to the lake is a steep, relentless climb.
4. 4Himachal · Parvati Valley, KulluKasol & KheergangaEasy to moderate; 2,960 m, about 24 km, 3–4 days.Riverside cafes in Kasol and a hike to hot springs at Kheerganga.Best months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct · Why not: Crowded and party-heavy in season; not the quiet Himalaya.
5. 5Himachal · Parvati Valley, KulluTosh & KutlaEasy to moderate; 3,000 m, about 12 km, 3–4 days.A steep village climb above Barshaini to Tosh, then a further walk to the Kutla meadows.Best months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct · Why not: Heavily commercialised in season, and the road up to Tosh is rough.
6. 6Himachal · Naggar, KulluChandrakhani PassModerate; 3,660 m, about 30 km, 4–5 days.A crossover trek from Naggar over a 3,660 m pass into the Malana side of Parvati Valley.Best months: May, Jun, Sep, Oct · Why not: The descent into Malana is steep and the village has strict local rules.
7. 7Himachal · Manali, KulluBeas KundModerate; 3,690 m, about 32 km, 4–5 days.A short trek from Solang Nala to the glacial source of the Beas, under Indrasan and Deo Tibba.Best months: May, Jun, Sep, Oct · Why not: Sold as a beginner trek, but it gains 1,600 m in two days.
8. 8Himachal · Manali, KulluBhrigu LakeModerate; 4,235 m, about 26 km, 4–5 days.A steep, short climb to a high alpine lake above Manali.Best months: Jun, Sep, Oct · Why not: It gains height fast — a real altitude test, not a stroll.
9. 9Himachal · Manali, KulluHampta PassModerate; 4,270 m, about 26 km, 6–7 days.A crossover trek from green Kullu into the barren Lahaul valley, often extended to Chandratal.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Pass day is long and the river crossings can be cold and strong in early season.
10. 10Himachal · Manali, KulluDeo Tibba Base CampDifficult; 4,480 m, about 40 km, 6–7 days.A high meadow trek to the base of Deo Tibba (6,001 m) beside the blue Chandratal lake.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Long days over moraine; the lake is above 4,400 m.
11. 11Himachal · Shimla–Uttarkashi borderRupin PassDifficult; 4,650 m, about 52 km, 7–8 days.A dramatic crossover trek from Himachal into Uttarakhand, over a 4,650 m pass above the Rupin gorge.Best months: May, Jun, Sep, Oct · Why not: Long days and a technical snow section at the pass in early season.