Trails in India: Best Trekking Routes, Hidden Paths, and Adventure Trails

When you think of trails in India, paths that wind through mountains, forests, and ancient villages, connecting people to land and tradition. Also known as trekking routes, these are more than just walkways—they’re lifelines for pilgrims, adventurers, and locals alike. India isn’t just a country you visit; it’s one you move through, one step at a time.

These trails in India aren’t just for fitness lovers. They’re where spirituality meets sweat—like the path to Kedarnath, where thousands walk barefoot in prayer, or the Roopkund Lake trail, where bones from centuries ago still lie under snow. You’ll find Himalayan treks, challenging, high-altitude journeys that test endurance and reward with views no camera can capture, and then there are the quiet jungle trails in the Western Ghats, lush, humid paths where monkeys chatter and waterfalls hide around every bend. Even the coastal trails of Kerala, where you walk between coconut groves and backwaters, feel like a different kind of adventure.

What makes India’s trails unique? It’s not just the scenery—it’s the people. You’ll share the path with shepherds in Ladakh, monks in Sikkim, and families carrying baskets of fruit to market. These aren’t tourist attractions with fences and signs. They’re living routes, worn smooth by generations. And they’re affordable. You don’t need expensive gear or a guide to start. Many trails begin right outside a village guesthouse, for less than the price of a coffee.

Some trails are famous—like the Valley of Flowers or the Markha Valley—but others? They’re whispered about. The Kudremukh trail in Karnataka, the Chopta-Tungnath route, the Sandakphu path along the Nepal border—these are where you find silence, not crowds. And if you’re looking for something that blends culture with climb, try the Dzukou Valley trail between Nagaland and Manipur, where wildflowers bloom in summer and tribal songs echo at night.

India’s trails don’t care if you’re 18 or 60. There’s a path for every pace. Walk one day and you’ll understand why India is called the world capital of trekking. It’s not just because of the mountains. It’s because every trail tells a story—and you’re part of it now.

Below, you’ll find real stories from people who walked these paths—what they saw, what surprised them, and what they wish they’d known before they started. Whether you’re planning your first hike or your tenth, there’s something here that’ll make your next step count.