5 Toughest Treks Of Indiahikes

What are some of the toughest treks on our list at Indiahikes? Lots of experienced trekkers ask us this, sometimes to challenge themselves, sometimes to see extraordinary landscapes that only a challenging trek can show you.

Before I get into the list, you must know that it's ideal to talk to us before you sign up for any of these treks, so we can guide you better. To do that, just fill out this form, and we’ll guide you better.

So let’s get started with the treks.

1. Bali Pass (Uttarakhand)

• Difficulty: Difficult
• Highest Altitude: 16,207 ft
• Total Distance: 55 km
• Duration: 8 days
• Basecamp: Kotgaon

The top trek on our list of toughest treks in Indiahikes is Bali Pass—and with good reason.

This is a trek that starts from the Har Ki Dun valley and crosses over the Bali Pass into Yamunotri. The pass itself is at 16,200 feet. But that’s not the most difficult part.

The first two days might feel easy, almost like a warm-up. But then you reach the Advanced Base Camp, set at a staggering 15,100 feet. It's like camping right on top of Rupin Pass or Buran Ghati for a full day, and then beginning your climb the next morning.

The ascent to the pass is along a knife-edge ridge, sometimes covered in snow, sometimes not—but both conditions are equally tricky. And just when you think the hardest part is behind you after reaching the pass, you realise the descent is even tougher.

So, Bali Pass is not for the faint-hearted. It's not for someone who has never trekked before. You need prior experience, high fitness, and a strong mental setup.

2. Warwan Valley (Jammu & Kashmir)

• Difficulty: Difficult
• Highest Altitude: 14,495 ft
• Total Distance: 84.5 km
• Duration: 8 days
• Basecamp: Panikhar

Next on our list is the Warwan Valley trek in Jammu & Kashmir.

This is not your everyday trek. The kind of landscapes you see here are rare, even within J&K. But it’s also a test of your endurance and mental resilience.

First, there’s the climb to Kaintal Pass (also referred to as Aarsi Pass) at around 14,500 feet, through scree, boulders, and steep terrain. Then comes the descent across the Bracken Glacier, and it’s not just a short crossing. You're walking down the glacier for 6 to 7 hours.

To make things harder, there are deep crevasses all around. You can toss a rock into one and hear it hit the bottom only after several seconds. There are also icy river crossings and constant fears of bad weather.

Plus, it’s a long trek. You're walking 13–14 km every day. It’s definitely not for beginners.

3. Pin Bhaba Pass (Himachal Pradesh)

• Difficulty: Difficult
• Highest Altitude: 16,105 ft
• Total Distance: 50 km
• Duration: 9 days
• Basecamp: Kafnu

Our technical team fondly calls this trek "The Beauty and the Beast."

The Pin Bhaba trek is extremely scenic, but equally difficult. The highlight—and the toughest part—is the pass crossing at around 16,000 feet. You begin the climb around 2 AM, walking on scree, boulders, and moraine.

Every step forward is a slippery challenge.

When you finally reach the pass, you’re rewarded with a grand view of Spiti’s stark mountains, but the descent isn’t easy. Endless scree and steep slopes test your knees and patience.

Throughout the trek, you're walking beside rivers—either the Bhaba or the Pin. There are multiple cold-water stream crossings, and if that wasn’t enough, this trek typically happens during the monsoon, almost guaranteeing bad weather for a few days.

4. Mount Rinjani (Indonesia)

• Difficulty: Difficult
• Highest Altitude: 12,200 ft
• Total Distance: 36 km
• Duration: 5 days
• Basecamp: Sembalum

This is unlike any other trek on this list because it takes you to an active volcano in Indonesia.

You start the trek at 3,700 feet. By the first day, you climb to 8,600 feet and camp. Then, at 2 AM, you begin your summit climb—going up to 12,200 feet and descending back down to 6,600 feet—all within a matter of two days.

But the altitude gain isn’t the only challenge.

The terrain is made up of volcanic ash and slippery mud. Every step forward feels like two steps back. Your hands, feet, and face are covered in ash. You're walking on exposed ridgelines—it’s windy, cold, and exhausting.

It’s a mental battle—constantly asking yourself: Should I keep going? But when you see the sunrise from the summit, you realise it was worth it.

5. Kedartal Trek (Uttarakhand)

• Difficulty: Difficult
• Highest Altitude: 15,500 ft
• Total Distance: 22.4. km
• Duration: 7 days
• Basecamp: Gangotri

Last on our list is Kedartal—a trek that appears short and sweet on paper, but it’s deceptively difficult.

The trek begins from Gangotri at about 10,000 feet. The very next day, you’re climbing to over 13,000 feet—and spending the next two days hovering at very high altitude. The lake itself, Kedartal, is at 15,500 feet. But it's not just the altitude.

What makes Kedartal tricky are the spider walls—narrow ledges on giant boulders with a river gushing far below. One wrong step here could be dangerous. These sections can’t be roped or secured, which adds to the risk.

Sometimes, snow makes it even more treacherous. In rare cases, wooden bridges are made to avoid these ledges, but they’re not always reliable.

You need excellent agility, a calm mind, and good experience to do this trek safely.

A Final Word

So that’s our list of the toughest treks we organise at Indiahikes.

We consciously avoid organising treks that are riskier than this, because no trek should come at the cost of your life. Everyone Must Trek, Safely.

While we do our best to make these treks as safe as possible, a lot of the safety lies in your hands—in how well prepared you are mentally and physically.

So train well, choose wisely, and if you're unsure, talk to us first. 

And if you've done any of these treks—or think other treks should be on this list—drop a comment below. I’d love to hear from you.