Best Treks In Hyderabad To Explore Everything From Beaches To Forts

What was once the hunting grounds of the Nizams has been transformed into a sanctuary rich with animals and birds of different breeds! This 4.5 km trek takes you through the forest, where you can spot Bar-Headed Goose, Brahminy Bucks, Open Billed Stork, and more. After the trek, you can unwind at the nearby reservoir built over the Manjeera River. Dip your feet in the gushing water and chat away with your friends. However, we suggest you keep your eyes open as you might spot crocodiles and freshwater turtles along with sloth bears, sambar, nilgai, rare birds, and more. While you’re there, you can also try your hand at river rafting or fishing.

Distance from Hyderabad: 114 km

Best Time to Visit: September to March

Hidden in the close-packed Nallamalla Forests is a waterfall that can make you squeal like a child. This is a fairly easy trek where you have to cross around 380 well-laid steps to reach the waterfall which is at the height of 150 feet. You can indulge in little activities like river crossing and sliding, but we have to admit that this is more of a scenic view spot than a serious adventure spot. It's the perfect place if you’re looking for a day of solitude in dense greens. The Monsoons get mucky, and the Summers are dry, so, the best time to visit it is between October and February.

Distance from Hyderabad: 173 km

Best Time to Visit: October to February

Ananthagiri Hills, regarded as the Ooty of Telangana, is located in Vikarabad and is generously filled with sunflower fields and grasslands. If you’ve been wondering where those Instagram pictures with influencers in sunflower farms are coming from, now you know it. Hike through the woods to reach the edge of the valley, which gives you a stunning view of the Deccan Plateau. We also recommend visiting Nagasamudram Lake (a freshwater lake), which is a few kilometres drive from the hills and Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple, a 400-year-old temple constructed during the Nizam era. This one's also popular for night trekking on a clear moon day for spotting owls and wildflowers blooming in the night.

Distance from Hyderabad: 81 km

Best Time to Visit: September to March

Located in East Godavari, the Antarvedi Beach trek stretches over 26 km, and its difficulty level is moderately medium. The trek along the coastline takes you through the vistas of the sunrise and sunset, and the view of the lighthouse at night is worth staying up for. You’ll find a company in the form of amicable fishermen and tiny crabs. When you’re done with the trek, you can visit the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, which is situated where the Bay of Bengal and a tributary of Godavari meet.

Distance from Hyderabad: 472 km

Best Time to Visit: August to December

From a distance, you'll keep figuring out the shape of the Bhongir Fort. Is it an elephant or a tortoise? Located 800 meters above sea level, Bhongir (or Bhuvanagiri) rose to fame during the Kakatiya empire. The trek takes you through well-paved rocky steps leading you to the hilltop that houses the ruins of the fort. The beauty of this trek lies in exploring the distressed walls of the ruins with carvings on them and the cool breeze. Known as a fairly easy trek, you can also try climbing and rappelling but with expert guidance.

Distance from Hyderabad: 48 km

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Unfettered by the suburban aura and largely isolated, Moula Ali Hill is a stunning location with a hilltop dargah. The sunrises and sunsets are magical here. Obviously, this is located within the city limits, and it's more of a hike. With 500 well laid out steps, beginners who want to do some serious trekking in the future often practice here, but we trek for different reasons. This dome-shaped hill gives you a brilliant panoramic view of Hyderabad, especially after sunset (when the city is lit up).

Distance from Hyderabad: 30 km

Best Time to Visit: All Year Round

Known as a popular monsoon getaway, Tamhini Ghat is a mountain passage located just two hours away from Pune. Got a long weekend? Get on a Shatabdi in Hyderabad, get to Pune, and drive to Tamhini Ghat, which is one of the best tourist spots in Pune. Say hello to misty mountains, and don't forget to capture those waterfalls on your way. The clouds are so low that you can picture yourself driving (and dashing) into the clouds. As if that's not exciting enough, you can spend an entire day trekking and exploring the ghats to discover where the waterfalls begin or end.

Distance from Hyderabad: 612 km

Best Time to Visit: August to September

It is said that Kondapalli Reserve Forest in Andhra Pradesh has more than 100 tiny and moderate-sized waterfalls hidden inside its ranges. Perfect for trekking, the forest ranges are home to plenty of animals too. Turn to the forest for a rewarding trek with your friends, where you might encounter not just waterfalls but also civets, peacocks, sambar deer, and barking deer. The deeper insides of the forest are home to leopards, wild dogs, wolves, jackals, wild boars, and four-legged antelopes. The pathways inside the forest are rocky and you need a really good pair of trekking shoes to cover the trail. Plus, the path can be quite tricky, so you need to start early in the day. A lot of Meetup groups host camping and guided trekking throughout the year, and if you cannot plan one on your own, this is the best way to go about it.

Distance from Hyderabad: 258 km

Best Time to Visit: November to February

Ahobilam in Kurnool district is a roughly 7 km intermediate-level trek to the famous nine temples dedicated to Lord Narshimha. The temples boast intricate architecture and sculptures, and it’s surrounded by stunning natural landscapes. To be honest, that alone makes it one of the best trekking spots in and around Hyderabad. Before gearing up for this one, note that it's a narrow path covered with small rocks and slippery surfaces in patches. The place is pretty secluded, so you’ll have to carry some food, lots of water and, of course, the right gear.

Distance from Hyderabad: 360 km

Best Time to Visit: November to February

Gunrock Hills in Secunderabad is a beginner-level trek in Hyderabad that’s not too far off. Surrounded by boulders, this trek creates rough terrain, perfect for preparing you for the next level of trekking. And it’s not just boulders you’ll be conquering; the end of the trek will lead you to an old cantonment building, which offers a pretty sweet view.

Distance from Hyderabad: 20 km

Best Time to Visit: October to May

Khilla Ghanpur in Mahabubnagar is another easy, beginner-level trek with a historic twist and a good drive. This is one of the best trekking spots in and around Hyderabad that houses a lesser-known, 13th century fort of the Telangana State. The fort has unique rock formations, caves and lakes that offer a picturesque view of the area. The trek to these sites is roughly two to three kilometers in distance. If you’re feeling the heat, you might get a chance to take a dip in those nearby lakes but with caution, of course. 

Distance from Hyderabad: 116 km

Best Time to Visit: August to March

This one’s for the pros who love a good adventure trek. We’re talking about the Koilkonda Fort trek, one of the best trekking spots around Hyderabad. It’s a difficult trek with narrow terrain, rough and raw paths, streams, and lots of steps. Once you reach the fort, it’s a scene out of a sci-fi movie, with red land all around and sparse vegetation. Now, if you survive this, you can also trek another 10 km and reach the Koilsagar Dam.

Distance from Hyderabad: 138.9 km

Best Time to Visit: September to February

Need a trek that meets green fields? Plan your adventure to Chincholi Forest. Rare birds and animals can be found hidden in the dense forest, and it’s one of the best and most Instagram-worthy trekking spots in and around Hyderabad. Speaking of, it’s an intermediate-level trek that means you have to cross uneven terrain, big stones, rooty patches of the trees, and puddles that will make navigating a tad bit difficult, but that makes the end result super worth it.

Distance from Hyderabad: 151.7 km

Best Time to Visit: July to October