12 Winter Treks To Try If You're Up For Some Adrenaline Rush & Adventure

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The week has been long and work has been hard. Well, for us, that's been the case since winter began since its officially snooze season but, a shift is perspective is just what everyone needs! So here we are, sending good trip vibes (yes, that’s a thing) towards you with a must-do trek list for this winter. So clear your schedule and get those 4x4s ready!

Kuari Pass Trek

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 on this winter trek.

Nearest Station: Dehradun

Best Time: Mid-September to Early November

Trail: Tali Top to Kuari Pass

Time Taken: 33 km over 5 days

Maximum Altitude: 12,760 feet (3,890 metres)

Brahmatal Trek

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

Maximum Altitude: 12,250 feet (3,733 metres) 

Kedarkantha Trek

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

Maximum Altitude: 12,500 feet (3,810 metres)

Chandrashila Trek

The best trekking in winter option for a long weekend, 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

Maximum Altitude: 13,000 feet (4,000 metres) 

Lamayuru to Kongski La Base Winter Trek

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 winter 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

Maximum Altitude: 12,795 feet (3899 metres)

Biharinath Hill

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

Maximum Altitude: 1,483 feet (451 metres)

Sandakphu Trek

One of the most pretty Himalayan treks in winter. 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

Maximum Altitude: 11,930 feet (3,636 metres)

Siang Valley Trek

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

Maximum Altitude: 15,049 feet (4,590 metres)

Chadar Trek

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

Maximum Altitude: 11,123 feet (3,400 metres)

Prashar Lake Trek

The Prashar Lake trek in Himachal Pradesh is gorgeous for trekking in winters. 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

Maximum Altitude: 8,960 feet (2,730 metres)

Dayara Bugyal Trek

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

Maximum Altitude: 12,400 feet (3,780 metres)


Lamadugh Trek

Manali is home to many treks and Lamadugh is one of the easiest ones since it isn't that long. It covers about 17 kilometres and is one of the smallest treks one can take in Manali which makes it great for beginners since its moderately difficult. The trek starts in Old Manali and takes you through through forests of deodar, pine, oak, horse chestnut, maple, and other notable forest flora and fauna. You will witness views of Indrasan, Deo Tibba, and Bara Shigri Glaciers on you way up.

Nearest Station: Joginder Nagar

Best Time: March to December

Trail: Manali – Lamadugh – Manali

Time Taken: 17 km over three to four hours

Maximum Altitude: 9,900 feet (3,000 metres)

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A full time enthusiast of the 'gram', Kasturi paints and writes on her eponymous blog. She's looking to establish herself in a stable job despite her impending and current existential quarter life crisis. Not having stayed in one place for too long, she muses about the Arts and has an astronomical appetite for, well, food.