11 Best Treks for Beginners in India (Handpicked by Indiahikes)

In this post, I’m sharing a list of the best treks for beginners in India. 

I’ve noticed that a lot of people are suddenly taking to trekking; nothing makes us happier. We’ve always believed in the transformative power of trekking. The more people experience it, the better this world becomes. Because nothing brings about transformation quite like a trek. It connects you to yourself, to others, and nature.

While many beginners are getting into trekking, I also see that they need the right guidance. So this video is here to help you choose the right trek.

I’m going to break this into four small segments. First, I’ll start with a cheat code. Then I’ll talk about treks for absolute beginners. After that, I’ll share treks for fit beginners. And finally, I’ll end with some bonus treks. 

I’ve also seen that people need more personal guidance, depending on your fitness, your background, the time of year, or whether you're trekking with family. So we have a team of Trek Advisors who can personally guide you. All you have to do is fill out this form to talk to our trek advisors, and we’ll get back to you.

Use this video as a starting point—to know which treks to do and which ones to avoid. Let’s get started.

Let’s begin with a small cheat code.

If you’re a beginner, just head to the “Upcoming Treks” page on the Indiahikes website. You’ll find a category filter—Easy, Easy-Moderate, and Moderate treks. Choose from the Easy or Easy-Moderate treks—whether they’re in Central India, South India, or the Northern Himalayas—you’re safe. These are treks meant for beginners.

We’ve kept beginners in mind while exploring these trails. And any trek on this list will offer a good variety—forests, meadows, mountains. So use this cheat code to get started.

Treks for Absolute Beginners

These are for you if you’ve never stepped onto a trekking trail before, don’t know what trekking is like, and don’t have a very active or fit lifestyle.

1. Bijli Mahadev Trek

This is perhaps our most misunderstood trek. Traditionally, people do a one-day visit to the Bijli Mahadev temple. But we take a completely different route that spans 3–4 days. Our trekkers find this one of the most relaxing, stress-relieving treks. You walk through beautiful forests of the Kullu Valley—long walks, but very enjoyable. Even families with young children (7–8 years) can do it. It’s a great stepping stone into the trekking world, without testing your endurance too much.

2. Dayara Bugyal Trek

This is usually my go-to recommendation for beginners who want a proper taste of the Himalayas. Dayara Bugyal offers tremendous variety and rewards for very little effort. Right from the base camp, you see big Himalayan peaks. Then you enter lovely forests, walk through alpine meadows, and climb to Dayara Top. It’s like a mini Himalayan trek. Slight fitness preparation—about 3–4 weeks—is needed, but it's very doable and very fulfilling.

3. Deoriatal-Chandrashila Trek

Deoriatal-Chandrashila is one of my personal favourites—it was also my first Himalayan trek, so I have a soft spot for it. Like Dayara Bugyal, Deoriatal-Chandrashila packs a lot into just four days. You get to see the beautiful Deoriatal lake, with Mount Chaukhamba in the background. You walk through some of the densest jungles, and top it off with a climb to Tungnath and Chandrashila. That summit climb is truly special. It gives you one of the best panoramic views from just 12,000 feet. It's a little intense on one day (a 10 km walk), but manageable with preparation.

4. Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek

Ali Bedni Bugyal is one of the most underrated treks in India. Many know of it as part of the Roopkund trail, but Ali and Bedni Bugyal as a standalone trek is spectacular. The meadows here are vast, high-altitude, and incredibly scenic—with big Himalayan mountains rising right out of them. It’s a beautiful, beginner-friendly trek that more people should explore.

5. Chandrakhani Pass Trek

Chandrakhani Pass is a classic pass climb in Himachal, but much gentler than other pass treks like Rupin or Buran Ghati, which require experience. Chandrakhani gives you beautiful views of the Pir Panjal range and vast meadows filled with flowers. It’s the perfect introduction to a pass climb—just enough of a challenge, with rich scenic rewards.

Treks for Fit Beginners

These are for those of you who have some level of fitness—maybe you run, dance, play sports, or exercise regularly. You’re confident about your fitness and are okay with a bit of a challenge.

6. Sandakphu Trek

We classify Sandakphu as a moderate trek because it has longer walking days and climbs to a decent altitude. But if you're fit, it’s a great choice. It runs along the India–Nepal border, and you almost feel like you're trekking in Nepal, with its culture, tea houses, and warm hospitality. And the views? You don’t just see any peaks—you see Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and the entire Kanchenjunga range. The Sleeping Buddha formation on this trek is unforgettable.

7. Hampta Pass Trek

You may wonder—why recommend Hampta Pass to a beginner? But if you’re a fit beginner trekking with the safety and support of Indiahikes, you can do this. The pass climb and a few river crossings are challenging, but the rewards are immense. It’s a very dramatic trek—from lush green Kullu valleys to barren Spiti landscapes. One of the most famous and rewarding treks in India.

8. Tulian Lake Trek

Most treks in Jammu & Kashmir are long and require a lot of endurance. But Tulian Lake is an exception. It has shorter days, smaller climbs, but still gives you stunning scenery. You pass through vast meadows and reach the emerald-blue Tulian Lake. For very little effort, you get to see the best of Kashmir.

9. Har Ki Dun Trek

Har Ki Dun is one of the most well-known treks in India. It's often called a “500-year-old cultural trek.” You pass through ancient villages like Osla and Gangaad, where age-old customs are still alive. But beyond that, it’s also a beautiful valley trek—with a river flowing beside you all along and gorgeous mountain views at the end. Many trekkers who do this trek remember it as their favourite for life.

Bonus Treks (For Everyone)

These are not just for beginners—they’re for anyone and everyone. Even if you’ve done 10 treks before, these are a must.

10. Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek

The Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek is in the heart of Guru Ghasidas National Park. You trek through pristine sal forests, right inside a national park. You might not always spot wildlife, but you’ll see signs of it everywhere—pug marks, markings, trails. There’s also a beautiful river walk, and you camp on the riverbank and beside a large lake. It’s a very raw, immersive forest trek. Anyone from age 7 to 70+ can do it.

11. Pench Tiger Trail

The Pench Tiger Trail is in the buffer zone of the Pench Tiger Reserve—densely populated with tigers. While you may not actually spot a tiger (and we hope you don’t!), you will see pug marks and territorial markings on trees. There’s also a lovely river walk and incredible forest campsites. The landscape and wilderness experience here are like nothing you’ll find anywhere else in India—or the world.

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I had to work on keeping this list short—there are many other treks I could’ve included like Kedarkantha, Valley of Flowers and Brahmatal. But the chosen treks are among those that give you a taste of all elements of a good trek. 

But remember, there are no strict rules that say beginners must only do certain treks. It all depends on your fitness and your outlook.

Ask yourself:
Are you fit enough to walk several kilometres a day?
Are you open to camping, to giving up your usual comforts?

If yes, most treks are open to you. I would only advise against difficult treks at the start—those require some experience. But everything else is fair game.

And like I said, talk to us before planning your trek. We’re here to help. Just fill out the form to talk to our trek advisors, and we’ll call you back and guide you personally based on when you want to trek, how fit you are, and what you’re expecting out of your trek.