This is by far one of the most common questions we get from people. Not just us, the query is often googled. 

So, What is the difference between a trek and a hike?

I am sharing our CEO Arjun Majumdar’s video, where he briefly talks about the difference. Here we start hiking vs trekking.

Reiterating what he said: there used to be no difference between a hike and a trek! We were talking about the same thing all this while but using different terms. The term ‘Hike’ is an American version, and the term ‘Trek’ is the English (British) version.

Over time, the usage of these words has evolved. So, now there’s a difference between both of these terms.

What is a Hike?

Hiking involves walking on a well-marked easy trail. On a hike, you walk on more accessible trails. There could be a single-day hike or a multi-day hike. It depends on the trail and how you choose your itinerary. 

Shachi Tripathi, Programme designer and trainer at Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning (InSOUL) and a former trek leader, says, “A hike could also be termed an introduction to the world of trekking.” 

Our chief explorer at Indiahikes, Nitesh Kumar, points out three famous hikes in the Himalayas for beginners.

I can list endless trails around the country. The ones I have listed are from the Himalayas. We have beautiful hiking trails in the Western Ghats and Sahyadris, and then we have gems in central India. You can also go on day hikes/weekend hikes (multi-day hikes) around the city on your own.

Indiahikes has documented a list of more than 365 short hikes and treks in our country that can be done in DIY (Do-it-yourself) style. Tagging along the List of best day hikes around Bangalore. Check out if you are in and around the city.

Picturesque forest trail en route George Everest House. Picture by Loges R

What is a trek?

A trek involves walking on a trail that requires you to do a considerable climb, and you gain a lot of altitude over the days of your walking the mountains. Because of these mentioned reasons, a trek is comparatively more challenging than a hike.

Shachi further adds, “As a hike is an introduction to the world of trekking, experiencing a trek is a more serious dive”. 

If you want to know more about the best treks season-wise, I suggest you read our exhaustive blog on 4 best treks in each season.

Now you know the primary difference between a hike and a trek. As you scroll down this article,  I will list down more parameters to give you a better understanding.

From Gorson Bugyal to Auli, you are accompanied by the big mountains. This is a rare privilege you get only on the Kuari Pass trek. Photo by Jothiranjan.

Hiking vs Trekking: Terrain & Gear

When on a hike, you will see easy-going terrains. The trails are well-marked and easily accessible. Treks, on the other hand, could have easy-going or harsher terrain. In many of the moderate, moderate-difficult, and difficult treks of our country, you climb steep slopes and venture through forests and clearings.

As a hiker, you need minimum gear since a hike is not as challenging as a trek. For a hike, you would essentially need a 10L/20L backpack, hiking shoes (regular sports shoes would also work depending on the terrain), a water bottle, a first aid kit, and a rain jacket. In most hikes, you do not have to carry a kitchen system (flint and portable stove) or a sleeping system (sleeping bag and tents). But If it is a multi-day hike and you are camping, then you need all of this! 

On the other hand, when you are on a Himalayan trek like Kuari Pass, you need a maximum 50L backpack, a good pair of trekking shoes, trekking poles (at least one), trek pants, micro-spikes (if you are trekking in winter), rainwear, ropes, and more. Additionally, you need a kitchen system and a sleeping system too.

Please Note: Gear primarily depends upon the difficulty and duration of the trek. You should be updated with all the ‘Gear Information’ before packing for your trek.
As outdoor sports like trekking and hiking are getting very popular in India, there’s a big market building for gear. Brands like Wildcraft, Quechua, Forclaz, Salewa, Salomon, Rei, Columbia, and Patagonia are bringing a separate line of products for trekking and hiking.

How to Physically Prepare for a Hike?

In our experience of taking people outdoors, we have seen most people completing their single-day and multi-day hikes with ease. In order to have a fulfilling hiking experience in the outdoors, you should be physically fit. 

If you lead an active lifestyle and regularly run or take brisk walks, you're fit enough for a hike.

How to Physically Prepare for a Trek?

Preparing for a trek is even more important. 

Below, I am briefly listing a few pointers that will help you physically prepare for your trek.

Go for long walks. And when we talk about walking, it should be active-brisk walking. 

If you are going on a Himalayan trek, in addition to the above two pointers, you should have an active regime.

I would recommend you read this complete training guide so that by the end of it, you’ll know exactly where you stand and what you need to work on when you sign up for your Himalayan trek.

More or less, for both of these outdoor sports, you need to prepare yourself physically

Hiking with Family

This is another important thing that I want to talk about. Hiking is a wonderful way to expose children (and even seniors) to the outdoors. 

We at Indiahikes always talk about hiking as a wonderful family ritual. It prepares your children to interact with the outdoors, prepares them for greater adventures, and makes them more curious about the outdoors. It builds confidence, resilience and a deeper connection to nature. 

Hiking is an amazing medium that will help you, your parents, and your children for trekking in the Himalayas, not just physically but mentally. 

Summary

So, What’s the Difference Between Trekking and Hiking?

Hiking refers to walking on simple well-marked trails and trekking refers to covering a trail that requires a considerable climb, and you gain a lot of altitude over the days. Hiking is comparatively easier than a trek. And you don’t need technical gear for a hike, which is mandatory for a moderate, moderate-difficulty, and a difficult trek.

Now, you can easily differentiate between the two. You can drop in the comments if you have any further doubts. 

I hope this article on trekking vs hiking helped you get a better understanding of both verticals of the outdoor world.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Hiking shoes vs trekking shoes, which one should I choose?

Trekking shoes can be good for hiking too. As treks are usually more challenging, they ask for more durable gear. Hence, you can comfortably wear trekking shoes for your hikes.

2. What are the similarities between hiking and trekking?

Hiking and trekking both take you outdoors. Hiking is the introduction to the world of trekking. One more similar point is that both of these outdoor sports positively impact your mind, body, and soul.

Hiking refers to walking on simple well-marked trails and trekking refers to covering a trail that requires a considerable climb, and you gain a lot of altitude over the days. Hiking is comparatively easier than a trek. This article on trekking vs hiking will help you get a better understanding of both verticals of the outdoor world

Hiking vs Trekking - What’s the Difference between a Hike and a Trek?

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Before you head out on a Himalayan trek, experienced trekkers will tell you all about the freezing nights, the starry skies, the difficult terrain, and the beautiful mountain scenery. 

But there are several small realities that make every Himalayan trek challenging and no one tells you about them. These are experiences that you’ll possibly despise when you’re experiencing them, yet fondly think of them later.

And I would rather have you know about these now, much before you embark on your trek so that they don’t come at you as surprises. 

Long Road Journeys

Any Himalayan trek, no matter which region of the country you choose, has a long drive to the base camp. It could be an 8-hour drive from Shimla or a 10-hour drive from Dehradun. These long road journeys are inevitable. 

The bad: These are winding journeys with uncomfortable hairpin bends. The roads are bumpy, sometimes just dirt tracks. And if you suffer from motion sickness, you have to be extra cautious! 

How to deal with it: For the bumpy, winding roads, the best thing you can do is distract yourself with the journey itself. Look out the window to watch stunning landscapes, make conversation with your driver, ask for stories from the region, and get to know other travellers with you. If you’re someone who is prone to motion sickness, then using this guide could help you prevent motion sickness on your road journey. It worked for me. 
The good: The good part is that these are a few of the most beautiful road journeys you will go on. Trekkers don’t talk much about it because the trek itself overshadows the journey, but these are fantastic locations you drive through. Thousands of tourists come from all over the country (and outside our country) just to drive on these roads. So take in the journey. These are some of the greatest mountain journeys you will do in your life.

Zero Mobile Networks

Most of our trekking trails have no network, right from the base camps. So your trek is a week-long goodbye to the over-connected world that we live in. 

The bad: On certain treks your family/friends will not be able to get in touch with you. You will not be able to call or text them. You’ll have to leave your work aside for a week. The worst thing is, if there is an emergency back at home no one will be able to get in touch with you, not even through us.  

How to deal with it: Ask your driver till when you’ll have a network and finish up all important calls before that. Tell your family and closest friends that you’re going to the Himalayas and will be out of network for a few days.

The good: Being out of the network area for a week is not necessarily a bad thing. Psychologists are always suggesting we detox ourselves from technology. A trek is a very natural way to do it. We seldom get a chance to do this in our urban lives, which are increasingly dominated by technology. Trekkers understand this importance. They get a chance to look inward and reflect.

No/Intermittent  Electricity

Here’s a reality that leaves most trekkers taken aback. They go to the base camps and find very intermittent electricity. They find it difficult to charge their phones/cameras. A week-long plan of taking good pictures or videos is ruined. 

The bad: This will affect you if you’re someone who is carrying any gadgets that need charging -- cameras, GoPros, phones, video equipment, drones and so on. None of them can be charged once you leave the base camp. You’ll have to make do with whatever battery juice you have for the next 4-5 days. 

To make matters worse, you’re usually dealing with extremely low temperatures in the mountains. The cold weather alone drains out the battery even if it’s not being used.

How to deal with it: We usually take power banks for our phones. One power bank above 10,000 mAh will easily last you 3-4 charges. For cameras and drones, there’s no option but to carry spare batteries. Further, you’ll need to wrap all batteries in something warm (your woollen socks or gloves). We usually keep them inside our jacket pockets at night to keep them warm. 

The good: This is a wonderful chance to push yourself to see how much you can achieve even when you’re low on resources. It pushes your boundaries and makes you think out of the box. If you’re a photographer, you’ll learn to plan your shots in advance instead of impulsively getting many shots and picking the best one. If you’re just using your phone, you’ll learn to conserve your battery better.

Staying in Tents & Sleeping in Sleeping Bags

4.) Staying in tents and sleeping in sleeping bags on a hard floor

Trekkers don’t realise how different it is to sleep on the ground that is not their bed. It is enough to make many lose their sleep. This is the truth about trekking. We sleep where we can.  

The bad: Our Hillman tents and sleeping bags are extremely warm and top-quality. But camping outdoors means you are roughing it out. You’re camping in cold snow sometimes, or camping on sloping surfaces, mostly on hard earth. Sometimes you hear heavy rain battering the tent through the night, with snow and water leaking in. Sometimes you might even have a tent mate who snores! 

How to deal with it: Mental conditioning plays a big role here. You must be prepared for such conditions much before you get on your trek. You must also be layered and cosy much before you go to bed (even before sundown). But come what may, you will roll over to the corner of the tent, or be bunched up in the morning, will wake up multiple times in the night. Even given all these factors, trust your body to take rest. A couple of hours of sleep will rejuvenate your body even if you feel you have not rested enough.

The good: This is one of the best experiences on a trek. It’s what gives you a feeling of adventure, an experience of the wilderness. Even stepping out of your tent in the middle of the night to answer nature’s call is a celestial experience. You’re not going to see the Milky Way spread out above you every day. No matter how cold you get in the middle of the night, it’s going to remain one of your favourite experiences for life. 

Food

I can’t speak for anyone trekking on their own or with others, but if you’re trekking with Indiahikes, you can remove all worries about food from your head. If you’re not trekking with us, however, minimal food is a reality you have to prepare yourself for. 

The bad: It is not easy to get good food at high altitudes. First, it’s difficult to take provisions up to remote locations (there’s always a weight constraint). Second, it takes very long to cook anything in low temperatures and high altitudes. It also requires good cooking skills. 

On most self-managed treks, you’ll see that people manage with very limited food (canned or dehydrated food). Even on treks with enough infrastructure, dal bhaat is the staple. When you’re trekking you don’t see much deviation from the staple. 

How to deal with it: If you’re trekking with Indiahikes, you don’t have to deal with it. We have dedicated cooks who are trained to make good food for you. You could even expect gulab jamuns at 14,000 ft! However, if you’re trekking on your own, dehydrated food is definitely something you should explore. You should also carry dry fruits, channa (Bengal gram), with you for instant energy and nutrition while trekking. For long, Maggi has been considered trekkers' food. Avoid Maggi -- it is hard to digest, extremely unhealthy and gives you low energy.

The good: Being able to manage with minimal food helps you build a whole lot of resilience. You realise that you don’t really need much to live with. It gives you a very strong understanding of what you want vs what you need. On another note, you’ll appreciate almost any meal at the end of an exhausting trek.

Washing Your Own Cutlery

At Indiahikes, we expect all trekkers to bring their own cutlery, eat from them and wash their own cutlery. Trekkers sometimes ask why we do not ask our staff to clean their cutlery like in a hotel. The danger to that is something that does not occur to most trekkers -- stomach disorders. When cutlery is mass washed, it invariably leaves unwanted bacteria and germs on them. The last thing you want on a trek is a stomach disorder. 

The bad: Eating out of your own cutlery, dipping your hands (which have gotten warm after great difficulty) in freezing water, scrubbing your dish until it’s clean and putting your gloves back on. This is the life of a high-altitude trekker. It makes you wish you could be back home, using regular temperature water, or just leave your dish in the sink until later. But you cannot do that on a trek. 

How to deal with it: Some trekkers share their cutleries and end up having to wash just one dish among three of them, and they take turns to do this. On another note, some trekkers don’t wash their dishes for 2-3 meals at a stretch. These are examples of what not to do. The best thing to do is face it head-on. There’s no way out of it. Use steel cutlery instead of plastic, the grime comes off a lot easier. That way, your hands will be wet for much less time. 

The good: We’ve seen that after a trek, many people begin to become more efficient with their work. They learn to do things on their own, especially those who have house help at home. Washing your own cutlery plays a major role in it. Trekkers who come with children appreciate this learning even more. It teaches children basic life skills. 

Using Dry Toilets

In the mountains, there are only dry toilets. These are deep pits dug into the earth, where you finish your business and use toilet paper to clean up. There’s no water, no seat, no pot (Indian or Western). 

The bad: Getting used to cleaning up with toilet rolls is something many of us have trouble with. Not being able to use water is another. You also have to cover up your business with mud (or at Indiahikes, we use a fast composting mixture). And doing all this in a space alien to you, a toilet tent, which is slightly away from the campsite takes time to get used to.

How to deal with it: Practice using toilet paper at home for a week before your trek, you’ll get used to it. Another tip is to wet the toilet paper a bit, to make it like wet tissue. Note: We do not allow packaged wet tissues in the mountains. They are non-biodegradable and harmful to the environment. 
The good: The good part of a dry toilet is that there’s no sight or smell when you go in. Everything is covered up with earth, there’s no mess from the usage of water. It’s a clean and hygienic experience. Many trekkers prefer it to normal public toilets by the end of the week.

So those are a few of the realities we wanted to share with you. 

Over the past ten years, we have found that just one week-long trek in the Himalayas leaves trekkers in a much better mental space. They are more open to challenges, they solve problems more easily, and they are more humble and open to learning.

I want to share with you all what Sandhya Chandrashekharayya, co-founder of Indiahikes, mentioned in one of her statements: ‘Everyone Must Trek.’ This belief comes from the transformative power of trekking. Trekking brings changes to our minds, bodies, and spirits that are hard to imagine.’

With this, I conclude. These are 7 small realities but highly impactful ones that change them for life. And that’s the beauty of a Himalayan trek! If you trek with Indiahikes, it becomes even more eventful & memorable.

If you have been on a trek and have any more points you’d like to add, drop in a comment below. We’d love to hear from you! 

Several realities make every Himalayan trek challenging and no one tells you about them. I would rather have you know about these now, much before you embark on your trek so that they don’t come at you as surprises. 

7 Realities Of Trekking No One Tells You About

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I’m writing this post with a bit of exasperation. 

These stats will explain why: Out of the 260 calls we receive every day, at least 40 are about the Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar treks, requesting slots in full groups. 

Most of our KGL and Tarsar Marsar groups were filled last year. Even after opening new groups, we are left only with the last few slots. The trek doesn’t have a higher carrying capacity. 

But here’s something most trekkers don’t know. 

We have seven other equally fantastic treks in Jammu and Kashmir. Most are on par with the beauty and adventure of the Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar. 

Given that these are new treks, trekkers don’t know them yet. But give it two years, and you’ll see these treks with a rush similar to KGL and TM. 

As a subscriber to my emails, I hope you use this information well and plan treks to other Kashmir treks instead of waiting on the most famous (and crowded) ones. 

Here’s the full list of 7 other great treks in J&K. 

If you have the Kashmir Great Lakes in mind, then Nafran Valley is a trek that makes the best alternative. I strongly recommend it. 

There are three reasons it makes a great alternative to KGL 

(a) The beautiful lakes of Harnag and Harbhagwan. 

Here’s a fact. This trek is so picturesque that it has been featured in our Mountain Lovers Gold Calendar since we discovered it. Only a handful of treks are chosen to be featured here, yet we can never ignore this trek. 

The big bonus is that you camp right next to the famous Kolahoi glacier.

Harnag Lake is the biggest and the most beautiful lake on the Nafran Valley trek. You get to walk beside this lake for two days! Picture by Bijju Shekar.

Bhaj Margi meadow is the grandest meadow of the Nafran Valley trek. If you are blessed with the clear weather, the morning or evening sunlight hitting the meadows is a stunning sight to witness. Picture by Diptarka Gupta.

Here’s the ultimate grassland trek in Jammu and Kashmir. Trekking from one valley to another, you will be treated to some of the region's most expansive grasslands. By now, trekkers know that if any grasslands come close to the Swiss Alps, they are the grasslands of J&K. That’s what you see on this trek. 

Yet, the grasslands are just one of the highlights of this trek. You also see around seven beautiful lakes on this trek, which gives you a classic Kashmir experience. 

The sunset from the Ashtaar Valley campsite makes you never want to leave this campsite. In fact, this is the case with almost all the campsites on the Bodpathri meadows trek. Photo by Nitesh Kumar.

A 10-minute gradual ascent from the Ashtaar Valley, you'll view the Tatakooti mountain. The sunrise from here is majestic, making the valley below, look magical. Picture by Pritish Bhanushali.

Bodsar lake is arguably one of the most beautiful lakes on the trek. You keep seeing the lake for hours even after you start ascending to Gadtar, you just have to turn back to take a look every now and then. Photo by Pritish Bhanushali.

This is the rarest of the treks you can do in J&K because it is our only trek in the Kishtwar region. Kishtwar, in the south of J&K, has some of the most beautiful valleys you can see. 

The Brammah Valley is no ordinary valley. Rising at the end of the valley is a peak that betrays most mountaineers who attempt to climb it: Brammah Peak, a most sought-after summit to climb, but very few mountaineers have scaled it. It is among the most beautiful 6,000-metre summits in our country. On the Brammah Valley trek, you see the full face of the mountain from bottom to top. But two more towering peaks exist in the valley: the Brammah Wife and the Eiger.

On the other hand, this is the culture trek of the region. Much like how Har Ki Dun in Uttarakhand is teeming with culture, history and mythology, Brammah Valley gives you a wonderful cultural immersion. You see something rare in this isolated valley: a beautiful blend of Hindu and Muslim culture in this region: With mixed traditions, architecture, rituals and festivals, it’s a rare amalgamation of cultures, which is heartening to see. 

PS: This is the only J&K trek you can do in May and June. This is a great option if you plan to trek in the summer and want to avoid the Uttarakhand rush. Most treks in J&K open only in July and August. 

The grand Kiddhar Maidan, which is also a delta with backdrop of Mt. Eiger, Mt. Tarparan, and Brammah glacier. Picture by Nitesh Kumar. 

The Mighty Mt. Brammah I (left) and Mt. Brammah Wife (right). Picture by Nitesh Kumar. 

You will trek for long days in the forests in Brammah Valley. But they don't feel monotonous. Trekking under the shade of tall pine trees next to the gushing Nath River is an experience cherished by everyone to date. Picture by Nitesh Kumar. 

I’m almost hesitant to announce this trek because we feel it is too good to be true. With an astounding 8-10 lakes, multiple meadows, and endless jaw-dropping moments, this trek will likely be the greatest trek in Jammu and Kashmir. Our team explored, designed and documented this trail in 2023 and has been making outrageous statements like “It’s better than Kashmir Great Lakes” or “It’s better than Warwan Valley.” 

On Day 4, during the trail from Khuan to Neelsar, you will come across the pristine Sarota meadows. During dawn and dusk, the grass in these meadows turns golden to the human eye. Picture by Nithyam Nachappa. 

The mesmerizing lake of Neelsar. Imagine camping with such setting and the blue color. This is the first lake that you get to see on the trek. Photo by Nitesh Kumar.

The meadows in the Pir Panjal trek are so huge that even an entire day is not enough to explore them completely! Picture by Nitesh Kumar. 

Our founders have always maintained one thing: you would never do a trek like Warwan Valley. The grandeur, the remote setting, and the uniqueness of this trek are so rare that even Kashmiris have not seen something so terrific. 

There are some unusual highlights on this trek: 

The dramatic crossover from the bone-dry landscapes of Ladakh to the luxuriant grasslands of Kashmir. It begins in trans-Himalayan settings, among barren, purplish mountains around Panikhar. The trail goes through an oasis, river deltas, wildflower meadows, and glaciers—all among these stark mountains. It makes for hauntingly beautiful settings. After spending two days encircled by desert mountains, the effect is striking as the trail gradually enters the lush greenery of Kashmir.

Traversing the Bracken Glacier: It is on very few treks that you see glaciers; most of the time, you see them from far away. It is on even fewer treks that you get to walk on a glacier. If you do, it’s usually a hurried 10-15 minute walk across the glacier. This is the only trek we’ve come across where you traverse along the entire length of a glacier, for hours together! With gaping crevasses beside you, the gurgling of a river deep beneath you, and the roar of car-sized chunks of ice falling down, it’s a sight that will stay with you for life.

The luxuriant grasslands of Warwan Valley: The setting of villages in Warwan Valley is too perfect, even for pictures. Fences border the trail you walk on. Willow trees jut out between houses. Mud-baked lanes crisscross the village. Flower beds line the hills around the houses. To top it, a clear stream runs through the village! All in a way that distinctly resembles the Gaulish village from Asterix comics. This setting is unique to this part of Kashmir.

The alpine lakes: You cannot talk about the Warwan Valley trek without mentioning the two alpine lakes formed by melting glaciers. Starting from clear at dawn to sea green to light blue to inky blue by evening. The two lakes on the pass crossing day will blow your mind away and make you grateful to witness this spectacular sight in front of your eyes.

The glacial lake above Kalapari often takes trekkers by surprise. You go here for an acclimatisation walk and also, pass the lake the next day of your trek. Picture by Nitesh Kumar.

The bracken glacier is massive. What makes this special is you rarely see such huge glacier in its original form on any of our other treks. Picture by Nitesh Kumar. 

Basmina is a village surrounded by farmlands. This is on the Jammu and Kashmir side. Picture by Nitesh Kumar. 

India ends at Gurez. The significance of this is enormous. If you look at our country as a whole, we travel upwards from Kanyakumari. There comes a point where we cannot travel any further north. That part of our country is Gurez.

The significance is that the Gurez is the last latitude of India. The Razdan pass you cross to get to Gurez pushes you into a very different landscape. The topography changes, even though it is only 6 hours north of Srinagar. In fact, our trek in Gurez reminds us more of our treks in Kyrgyzstan and Georgia than they do of our treks in Kashmir -- so different is the landscape. 

The cherry on top is the appearance of two massive lakes: Patalwansar I and Patalwansar II. Though the names are similar, these two lakes are radically different from each other. You get to camp right beside one of the lakes. 

Note: This trek will be run in our Do-It-Yourself (DIY) style. Which means trekkers, along with a trek leader, are going to be doing the trek all without a support system. You will be helping to carry a few of the gear and equipment as a team. So we expect your backpack to weigh about 12 kg per trekker.

This is Patalwansar II, a huge circular lake at 12,795 ft. Notice how tiny the explorer standing at the edge of the lake looks. Picture by Nitesh Kumar.

Your first campsite of the trek is Disson campsite. From here you will see clear views of Mt Habba Khatoon and villages in PoK. Picture by Nitesh Kumar.

Kashmir treks are synonymous with lakes and meadows. With treks like the Kashmir Great Lakes, the Tarsar Marsar, the Bodhpatri, and the Nafran Valley already in the picture, it’s hard for any trek to match them. Yet, we have another terrific trek in Kashmir—the Tulian Lake trek—that does equal justice to these great treks. 

Along with stunning meadows and an alpine lake, the Tulian Lake trek has something that our other treks in Kashmir do not: the famous flora of Kashmir. There are pine, fir and spruce trees. You may think you have seen these trees before, but you have not. These forests differ significantly from those in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, or Sikkim. They resemble European vegetation more than our Indian forests.

The turquoise blue Tulian Lake at 12,000 ft, with icebergs floating on it, is unlike our other Kashmir lakes. Beyond the 8-shaped lake, snow-capped peaks tower to over 15,000 feet. It’s among the easiest treks you can do in J&K. 

Tulian Lake is an alpine lake at 12,087 ft, shaped in the figure of 8 and is surrounded by high mountains. What makes this trek special is you trek 3 days to get to this stunning lake. Picture by Amit Fatnani. 

On the Tulian Lake trek, you trek in the dense coniferous forests for 3 days of the trek. This is what makes Tulian Lake stand out from other Kashmir treks. It helps you experience the flora of Kashmir like never before. Picture by Lucas Bragagnollo. 

That brings me to the end of this list of alternatives for Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar. 

Indiahikes has particularly documented and stitched together five of these routes. Our sole aim is to diversify trails as much as possible and avoid overcrowding a handful of trails. 

As I said earlier, these treks are not likely to remain isolated and quiet for more than a year or two. Grab your opportunity now to be among the first trekkers on these trails. Our dates for 2024 are open and available on this page.

If you have any questions about these treks, drop them in a comment below. We are right here to help you out. 

Here are 7 Terrific Alternatives within J&K

STOP crowding Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar

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STOP crowding Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar: Here are 7 Terrific Alternatives within J&K

Ask any trekker what are some of the most memorable moments of a trek and listening to a roar of a waterfall or dipping your feet in a cold stream will definitely feature in the list. And though on a Himalayan trek one might not dare (or is inadvisable) to stand under a waterfall or wet their feet in a glacial stream, but on a trek in the Western Ghats of India these are absolute ‘must-dos’.

We’ve already written about some of the best day treks in Sahyadris. But trekking in the Sahyadris during the rains is a different experience altogether. A magic unfolds in the forts and mountains along the Western Ghats. Monsoon is the best season to trek in Maharashtra. 

The entire surroundings turn lush green. Streams criss-cross the trails. Seasonal waterfalls cascade down the mountain face in a full roar. Flowers of all shapes, colours and sizes bloom in the wild . While the lakes are filled with cool and clear water.

Trekking in Sahyadris during the rains is all about enjoying the magic of the rains to their fullest.

So here we are with a list of the best monsoon treks in Maharashtra. With the southwest monsoons approaching this part of the world soon, they make for some of the best weekend treks from Mumbai or Pune.

The trail to Bhimashankar is an all-time favourite amongst trekkers and more so during the monsoons. It takes you right into the heart of Bhimashankar Wildlife sanctuary. While in the jungle, you’ll have a variety of birds, langurs and spotted dear for company. If you’re lucky, you might even get to spot a ‘shekru’ or the Malabar Giant Squirrel.

Enroute Bhimashankar. Picture by Apoorva Karlekat

If you’re a first-timer trekking on your own or with bunch of friends who are not very experienced as well, we’d suggest you avoid the more challenging Shidi Ghat route and take the Ganesh Ghat route instead.

Difficulty: Easy or Moderate depending on the route
Trail Type: Well defined through fields, forests, rocks and ladders .
Basecamp: Khandas village. Private autos and jeeps are available at Karjat or Neral railway station to take you to Khandas

A fort hill in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, Harishchandragad is one of the most challenging treks in Maharashtra. We would not recommend hiking up via the Nalichi vaat or Taramati Ghal during monsoon. But going to the top via Khireshwar route or Pachnai is possible and equally enjoyable as well.

Kedareshwar cave which hosts a big Shivalingam. Picture by Kartik Mehta

The main attraction of this hill fort remains the Konkan Kada (Konkan cliff), an almost 1,800 feet high concave fall. It is a vertical overhang, like a cobra’s hood, providing a panoramic view of the surrounding hills. But exercise extreme caution as it can get extremely windy.

Harishchandragad fort is quiet ancient, with its origin dating back to the sixth century. There are caves situated all over the fort, believed to be carved out in the eleventh century.

Difficulty: Easy or Moderate or Difficult depending on the route
Trail Type: Well defined through fields & forests.
Basecamp/Starting point: Khubi phata after Malshej ghat for Khireshwar route and Pachnai village for the Pachnai route.

One of the easier monsoon treks, Visapur is a trek favoured among beginner trekker for the waterfalls along the trail. The trail begins from Bhaje village which is easily accessible owning to its proximity to Mumbai-Pune express highway.

Views from the wall of Visapur fort. Picture by Mugdha Bhusari

And the Bhaje caves are a small diversion away on the way back from the fort. So if you have time you shouldn’t miss the 2nd century rock cut caves.

Difficulty: Easy
Trail Type: Well defined trail with boulders and steps all the way to the fort.
Basecamp: Bhaje village on the Mumbai Pune Expressway

Surrounded by a dense forest, the fort is naturally separated from the main hill. Built in 12th century the fort changed hands between Marathas and Portuguese multiple times in its 800 years long history.

It is very common to walk through the clouds on treks in Sahyadris during monsoons. Picture by Mansi Pathak

Located in Vasai tehsil, though commuting to base is easy, accessing the fort itself isn’t as easily accessible. Trekkers find it challenging to locate the eastern entrance and the way further to the top. It is notorious for trekkers getting lost, therefore we recommend hiring a local guide from Sakwar village.

Do return to Sakwaar by before 5 as finding public transport back becomes very difficult after that.

Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Type: Passes through fields until the foothills of fort after which it is well defined.
Basecamp: Sakwar village. Take a bus from Virar ST stand to Shirsad Naka and from there a tum-tum to Sakwar village

At 5,400 ft you’ll be literally walking in the clouds on the trek during Monsoons. And though it is the highest peak in Maharashtra, the trail is well defined and there are ladders put in place making it easy for trekkers to scale the summit.

Final ascent to Kalsubai top is mostly covered in clouds on a rainy day of trekking.

Having said that the exciting thing about doing the trek during the monsoons is that you never see the summit along the trail, because it is always covered in clouds. The feeling of walking into the unknown and unseen is what adds to the adventure of this trek.

Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Type: Well defined through meadows, forests, with rock steps in some places and iron ladders in others
Basecamp: Bari village. Private vehicle will have to pick you and drop you back from Kasara Railway station to Bari.

Rajgad trek is the most beautiful trek in Maharashtra. It is also one the best fort to trek to do in monsoon. As the name suggests it is the king of forts. Because of the rich history and the mesmerizing architecture of the fort, it stands out among other forts in Western Ghats. The Rajgad Fort rises to a height of 4,250 ft the fort offers spectacular views of Sahyadri ranges.

Rajgad was the capital of the Maratha emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for 26 years after which he shifted to Raigad. This is one of the reasons how the fort was built so beautifully. 

Double fortified wall of the Suvela Machi. Picture by Nitesh Kumar

The treacherous approaches, zig-zag narrow paths, the deceiving double-walled shield of its fortifications, massive Maha darwaja and Chor darwaja tells the tale of the Fortress of the forgotten empire. The beauty of the fort, and the surroundings, especially during monsoons, is mesmerizing.

Difficulty: Easy or Moderate depending on the route
Trail Type: Well definied trail
Basecamp: Gunjavane, Pali village based on the route.

The first fort to be won by Shivaji at the tender age of 16 also goes by the name Prachandgad owing to its huge size. However, there is much more than its size, history and folklore on this trek. Stream crossings, waterfalls and ridge walks along the trail is what makes it a perfect trek to do during the rainy season.

Views from the Ridge on the trail. Picture by Nitesh Kumar

And then come the views, when the cloud cover clears for a bit, you catch a glimpse of surroundings which includes Khadakwasla dam, Singhad, Raireshwar, Bhatgar, Mahabaleshwar, Raigad, Pratapgad and Makarangad from top of the Torna Fort.

Difficulty: Difficult
Trail Type: Hill Fort, initial climb if done in monsoon is slippery, gradual ascent and walking on ledge and lastly a small rock patch. No rope is required.
Basecamp: Velhe village. Take a bus from Pune going towards Satara and get down at Narsapur phata from where you can get a shared jeep to Velhe

A mountain pass near Junnar and Pune district, the pass was heavily used  as trade route between Junnar and Kalyan. In fact the word ‘Nane’ means coin and ‘Ghat’ means pass.

In fact, there inscriptions in the caves which suggest that it was used as far back as during the Satvahana rule.

One can climb further up the caves and visit the Jivdhan fort as well if you have the time and energy.

Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Type: Initial ascents through open fields followed by climing up rocks and boulder
Basecamp: Vaishakhare village. Regular buses going towards Malshej ghat from Kalyan stop at Vaishakhare

A secluded place located deep inside the forests surround Bhira dam, Devkund waterfall was unknown to people until a few years ago. It is beleived that the Kudalika river originates from the fall.

The 80 ft drop at Devkund. Picture by Akshita Makhija

The water drops from a height of 80 ft into a small pond (kund) at the bottom. Locals here believe that once upon a time utensils used to emerge from the pond whenever there was any auspicious ceremony happening in the local village.

Difficulty: Easy or Moderate depending on the route.
Trail Type: Well defined through fields, forests, rocks and ladders.
Basecamp: Bhira Village. Take the bus to Pali from Panvel Railway staion and from Pali, hire an auto to Bhira village.

Situated between Panvel and Matheran, Prabalgad is an easily accesible fort that makes for a great trek during monsoons. The fort has a long history starting from the times of Bahamani sultanate when it was first built.

Best monsoon treks in Maharashtra that you must do in 2023 - The ultimate guide to best monsoon treks in Sahyadris. Find out all the details that you need to do these treks on your own.

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