Best winter treks in snow

Brahmatal, Ghorepani Poon Hill and Kedarkantha lead a list of 7. Treks that are at their best from December to February, when there is snow underfoot.

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. 1Uttarakhand · Lohajung, ChamoliBrahmatal3,734 m, easy to moderate, 6–7 days.A winter trek with frozen lakes and close views of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti.Best months: Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar · Why not: Longer journey to the trailhead — about 10–11 hours by road from Kathgodam or Rishikesh.
2. 2Nepal · Myagdi, GandakiGhorepani Poon Hill3,210 m, easy to moderate, 4–5 days.A short teahouse trek to a famous sunrise over Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South.Best months: Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec · Why not: The sunrise viewpoint is crowded in peak season.
3. 3Uttarakhand · Sankri, UttarkashiKedarkantha3,810 m, easy to moderate, 6 days.The classic first winter trek: pine forest, snow camps and a summit sunrise over the Garhwal range.Best months: Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar · Why not: It is the most crowded winter trek in India — camps are packed on weekends and around New Year.
4. 4Ladakh · Zanskar, LehChadar (frozen river) trek3,400 m, difficult, 9–10 days.A winter walk on the frozen Zanskar river through a deep gorge, at temperatures far below zero.Best months: Jan, Feb · Why not: Extreme cold, ice that varies year to year, and strict rules on medical checks and insurance.
5. 5Uttarakhand · Pantwari, TehriNag Tibba3,022 m, easy, 3 days.A two-day weekend trek a few hours from Dehradun, with a camp under the stars.Best months: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr · Why not: Modest views compared to the high Himalaya, and the trail can be littered on busy weekends.
6. 6Nepal · Kaski, GandakiGhandruk Loop1,940 m, easy to moderate, 4–5 days.A short, low-altitude teahouse loop through Gurung villages below the Annapurna South face.Best months: Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec, Feb · Why not: Popular with domestic Nepali groups on weekends; can be busy.
7. 7Darjeeling hills · Singalila National ParkSandakphu–Phalut3,636 m, easy to moderate, 6–7 days.A ridge trek along the India–Nepal border with Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga in one view.Best months: Oct, Nov, Dec, Mar, Apr · Why not: Views depend entirely on clear weather; spring is often hazy.