11 Treks To Try If You're Up For Some Adventure This Winter

A snowy trek that has us all drooling rainbows, Kuari Pass is one of the prettiest Himalayan regions that’s accessible during the winters. After its first bout of snow at the end of December is when we recommend you pack your stuff and brave the ranges. The trail has a different view from every different spot, so make sure you go enough of the way to experience it all.

Nearest Station: Dehradun

Best Time: Mid-September to Early November

Trail: Tali Top to Kuari Pass

Time Taken: 33 km over 5 days

Brahmatal is one of those rare, winter treks that has just the right amount of snow. The lake, ensconced within the toes of the great mounts, freezes and provides close access to the peaks at around 7,000 ft. A drive to Lohajung from Kathgodam {via train from Delhi} will bring you to a four-day trek. You will find a trail full of rhododendron trees, bridges and a panoramic view of the Himalayas. 

Nearest Station: Kathgodam

Best Time: December to February

Trail: Lohajung—Bekaltal—Brahmatal—Daldum—Lohanjung

Time Taken: 18 km over 4 days

Before the trek even begins, it’s the drive to Kedarkantha that will win your heart, with pit stops at Mussoorie, Nowgaon, Purola, Mori and Naitwar. This trek has the cutest campsites {Juda-ka-Talab and Kedarkantha base} in the midst of evergreen pine trees. The paved pathways are a dream, and you’ll see shepherds, mountain farms and dilapidated huts along the way. It gets windy, so pack warm clothes.

Nearest Station: Dehradun

Best Time: December to March

Trail: Sankri—Juda-ka-Talab—Kedarkantha base—Peak—Hargaon—Sankri

Time Taken:  20 km over 4 days

The best option for a long weekend getaway, Chandrashila is home to the highest Shiva Temple at Tunganath. The trek begins at Chopta, sometimes called mini Switzerland for reasons that will become obvious. The views and amazing weather during winter are enough to get you out of Delhi for a bit. Open blue skies and pink-red flowers await you. May we suggest an alt kind of date with bae?

Nearest Station: Haridwar

Best Time: October to December 

Trail: Chopta to Tunganath

Time Taken: 3 km over 1 day

Want a fairytale that involves lots of snow? This can be your answer. This is a wild adventure across a massive ice river and is a short trek that has gained a lot of popularity recently. It takes you past some of the ancient monasteries of Ladakh and starts at Lamayuru {a five-hour drive from Leh}. We recommend that you stay a day in Leh to get acclimatised. We promise you some scenic, secluded villages and steep, long descents, but the hero of this story is definitely the river walk. 

Nearest Station: Udhampur

Best Time:  January and February

Trail: Lamayuru—Wanla—Hinju—Kongski La Base—Leh

Time Taken: 26 km over 3 days

Winter in Bengal is the most pleasant weather to trek in; when the ambient temperature is comfortably low, without any drastic extremes. Biharinath Hills is for those who love the countryside, greenery and the rustic agrarian culture. Tribal villages are distributed throughout with dots of palash and shimul flowers. There is a low incline, and you won’t see much of the mountains but on the flip side, you don’t need to pack too much equipment. 

Nearest Station: Raniganj

Best Time:  February to March

Trail:  Shiva Temple, Raniganj— Biharinath—Raniganj

Time Taken: 7 km over 2 days

One of the most pretty Himalayan treks, this really hits the spot during winters. You’ll catch a glimpse of the Kanchenjunga peaks, Kumbhakarna and Mount Padim, along with the Annapurna range. Though you can travel here to trek during any season, in winter you get a clearer view and an unbeatable sunrise to go along with it. Rocky terrain and green meadows provide a stark diversity that will calm your mind. 

Nearest Station: New Jalpaiguri

Best Time: October to December 

Trail: Maneybhanjan—Tumling—Kalipokhri—Sandakphu

Time Taken: 31 km over 3 days

The North-East is stunning with a number of exciting treks, one of them being the Siang Valley Trek in Arunachal Pradesh. It starts from Dibrugarh, and takes you through Yembung, Marying, Ponging, Milang, Sessen, and Peaka Modi before coming to the Siang Valley. The lush valley and neighbouring hills are home to the fascinating Adi tribe, the original trible of Arunachal. The trek let’s you see the Tsangpo river and other gorgeous sights. 

Nearest Station: Dibrugarh

Best Time: October to April

Trail: Dibrugarh-Marying-Sessen-Peaka Modi-Siang Valley

Time Taken: 7 Days

One of the most talked about and also difficult winter treks, but so worth it. You walk on a frozen glass river with mountains on both sides in Leh, the view is just impeccable. The temperature drops to -30 degrees at night, so it feels like you are on the north pole. Trekkers who have a passion for adventure and seek thrill in extreme weather should think about Chadar Trek. If you want to experience snow we'd suggest going no later than January or February.

Nearest Station: The only way to reach Leh in winter is by flight.

Best Time: Mid-November to Mid-February

Trail: One-way trail, starts and ends at Shingra Koma

Time Taken: 62 km over 8 to 10 days

The Prashar Lake trek is a gorgeous one in Himachal Pradesh. The high altitude offers views of snow capped mountains and takes you to the stunning Prashar Lake, serene and calm, it’s honestly worth the effort to just get to this spot. You can visit the three-storied pagoda along the lake, where the famous sage Prashar once meditated. It’s especially popular for it’s natural beauty and the peace and quiet of the area. Perfect for a weekend trek from Delhi. 

Nearest Station: Mandi

Best Time: December to March

Trail: Mandi-Baggi-Prashar Lake

Time Taken: 8 km from Baggi village over 2-3 Days

A popular trek in the state of Uttarakhand. It is located in the Garhwal region and is known for its picturesque meadows and stunning views of the Himalayas. The trek starts from the small village of Barsu and takes trekkers through dense forests and over high ridges before reaching the vast meadow of Dayara Bugyal. The trek is considered easy to moderate, which makes it a good choice for first-timers too. The trek offers panoramic views of the surrounding peaks like Bandarpoonch, Black Peak, and Draupadi ka Danda.

Nearest Station: Dehradun

Best Time: May to November, but trekkers visit in Dec to Feb to witness snow-laden forests.

Trail: Round trail; Natin village— Gui—Chilapada— Dayara top—Nayata—Natin village

Time Taken: 22 km over 6 days