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Every year the same names dominate the conversation. Kedarkantha. Triund. Hampta Pass. Kheerganga. And every year they get a little more crowded, a little more curated, and a little less like the reason most of us started trekking in the first place.
The Himalayas are vast. For every trail that ends up on a tour operator’s homepage, there are three that don’t. These five are from that second category — open this season, beginner to intermediate in difficulty, and genuinely unknown to most people planning their next Himalayan trip.
All the information you need to plan each one is below.
Trek 01 — Uttarakhand
Gulabi Kantha
Uttarkashi District, Garhwal Himalayas
Maximum altitude: 3,780 metres (12,400 ft)
Duration: 5 days from Dehradun
Trek distance: ~24 km round trip
Difficulty: Easy to moderate — suitable for first-time Himalayan trekkers with basic fitness
Best time: May to June, September to October
Base camp: Hanuman Chatti, Uttarkashi
How to reach base: Dehradun to Hanuman Chatti via Mussoorie, Nainbagh, and Barkot — approximately 162 km, 7 to 8 hours by road. Start by 6:30 AM to arrive before dark. One GMOU government bus departs Dehradun for Janki Chatti at 6 AM daily. Alternatively, shared taxis run to Barkot from Dehradun Railway Station (6 AM to 3 PM), with connecting vehicles from Barkot to Hanuman Chatti. Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun.
Every trekker heading to Yamunotri passes through Hanuman Chatti. Almost none of them look left. The Yamunotri pilgrimage pulls them forward — and 14 kilometres away, a high-altitude meadow called Gulabi Kantha sits completely undisturbed, watching the same Himalayan peaks in total silence.
Gulabi Kantha means “pink ridge.” The name comes from the rhododendrons that set the hillside alight in spring, and from the rose-gold the sky turns over the summit at dawn and dusk. At 3,780 metres, the meadow gives a 360-degree panorama of Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Black Peak, and the Gangotri massif — the same peaks you’d crane to see from more famous treks nearby, except here you’re looking at them alone.
In September 2025, Uttarakhand’s Tourism Development Board officially named Gulabi Kantha their Trek of the Year 2025 — flagging it as a trail that deserves to be known, while it’s still quiet enough to deserve that title.
What the trail is like
The trek starts from Hanuman Chatti at 2,134 metres, moves through Nishni village — a quiet Garhwali hamlet of wooden houses and terraced fields — and enters dense oak and deodar forest.
Day two brings the first meadow views as the forest thins near Kandola Chhani.
Day three is the summit push: a gradual climb through wildflower-covered bugyal with the peaks appearing in full by the time you reach the top. The trail is non-technical throughout with no exposure or scrambling. The steepest section is the final hour before the summit — manageable at a steady pace for anyone who has been preparing.
Before you go
Barkot — 36 km before Hanuman Chatti — is the last place with ATMs, restaurants, and pharmacies. Withdraw cash and buy supplies here. There is nothing at Hanuman Chatti beyond basic lodging, and no shops or facilities once you leave the road.
Trek 02 — Uttarakhand
Panwali Kantha
Tehri Garhwal, Garhwal Himalayas
Maximum altitude: ~3,970 metres (13,000 ft)
Duration: 4 to 5 days from Rishikesh
Trek distance: ~40 km
Difficulty: Easy to moderate — suitable for beginners with reasonable fitness
Best time: April to June, September to October
Base camp: Ghuttu village, Tehri Garhwal
How to reach base: Rishikesh to Ghuttu via Tehri, Ghansali, and the Bhilangana Valley — approximately 185 km, 5 to 6 hours. The road follows the Bhilangana River from Ghansali and narrows significantly. A 4WD or SUV is advisable beyond Ghansali. No direct bus to Ghuttu; hire a taxi from Rishikesh or take a shared vehicle to Ghansali and a local vehicle from there.
There is one view in the Indian Himalayas that no other trek offers. From the Panwali Kantha bugyal — a high-altitude meadow sitting between the Gangotri and Kedarnath valleys — you can see all four Char Dham mountain ranges simultaneously. Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath. The entire sacred geography of the Garhwal Himalayas, spread across the horizon from a single meadow that almost nobody visits.
Panwali Kantha sits between two of India’s most-visited pilgrimage circuits and somehow escapes both. The Bhilangana Valley below it is serene and largely untouched. In spring, the trail from Ghuttu to the first campsite passes through old-growth rhododendron and buransh forest blazing in red and pink. On a clear morning at the top, Chaukhamba, Neelkanth, Kedar Dome, and Thalaysagar appear in the background behind the Char Dham peaks. Himalayan bears, bharal, and ghoral are commonly spotted along the route.
What the trail is like
Day one begins from Ghuttu at 1,500 metres and climbs through dense buransh forest to Gaurmanda — a campsite with the first mountain views and, in spring, a spectacular rhododendron bloom stretching as far as you can see.
Day two continues through forest and meadow to Pobhagi, where the trees thin and the peaks appear.
Day three is the ascent to Panwali Kantha: the trail crosses Dyuili Top before the meadow opens up and the Char Dham panorama reveals itself. The bugyal stretches across a wide ridge, allowing long walks through open terrain with views on all sides. The return retraces the same valley. No technical sections throughout.
Before you go
This trek is at its most spectacular in April to May when the rhododendron forests are in full bloom. Post-monsoon September to October gives the clearest mountain views. The bugyal receives snow from November and the trail closes by mid-November. The Ghuttu road is regularly used but narrow — an early start from Rishikesh is essential to arrive with daylight remaining.
Trek 03 — Uttarakhand
Ranthan Kharak
Bageshwar District, Kumaon Himalayas
Maximum altitude: ~3,900 metres (12,800 ft)
Duration: 6 to 7 days from Kathgodam
Trek distance: ~37 km
Difficulty: Easy to moderate — prior trekking experience recommended
Best time: May to June, September to October
Base camp: Gogina village, Bageshwar
How to reach base: Kathgodam to Gogina via Nainital, Almora, Bageshwar, and Kapkot — 235 km, 10 to 11 hours by road. The overnight Ranikhet Express from Delhi to Kathgodam is the most practical train option. A local taxi hired from Kathgodam is the easiest way to Gogina. An inner line permit is required due to proximity to the Indo-Nepal border; trek operators arrange this, but independent trekkers must apply in advance through the District Magistrate’s office in Bageshwar. Not advisable to attempt solo without a guide. Nearest airport is Pantnagar, approximately 34 km from Kathgodam.
Most trekkers planning an Uttarakhand trip think of Garhwal. Kumaon sits quietly to the east with an equally dramatic Himalayan backdrop and a fraction of the trekking traffic. Ranthan Kharak is one of the best trails in the region, and most people planning their first Kumaon trek have never heard its name.
The trek moves through some of the deepest, most diverse forest in the Indian Himalayas — oak, rhododendron, maple — before entering the distinctive “kharaks” that give the trek its name. Kharaks are large clearing-meadows unique to Kumaon, open grasslands used by shepherds as seasonal grazing ground, sitting in the middle of dense forest. From the ridge at 3,900 metres, the view takes in Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, Nanda Devi East, and the five Panchachuli peaks — among the most dramatic mountain panoramas in India, seen from a trail that sees almost no traffic.
The inner line permit requirement keeps commercial operators away, which is precisely why this trail is still what it is.
What the trail is like
Day one is the long drive from Kathgodam through Nainital, Almora, Bageshwar, and Kapkot to Gogina — a drive worth starting at first light.
Day two begins the trek with a descent to the Ramganga River, crossed by a suspension bridge, followed by a climb to Namik village.
Days three and four move through the kharak meadows — Bajimanian Kharak and Thal Tok — gaining altitude gradually with expansive views from open clearing to open clearing.
Day five is summit day: a steep climb to Ranthan Top via a ridge with views of both the Garhwal and Kumaon ranges simultaneously.
Day six returns to Namik and down to Gogina. Wildlife throughout — barking deer, Himalayan black bear, and diverse birdlife in the oak and rhododendron forest.
Before you go
This trek requires prior trekking experience — not technical skill, but the stamina to walk 7 to 8 km a day including steep ascents and descents for six consecutive days. If you have done one multi-day Himalayan trek before, you are ready. If you haven’t, do a shorter one first. Go with an operator who has specific Kumaon knowledge — trail markings are limited and the inner line permit logistics require local familiarity.
Trek 04 — Himachal Pradesh
Jalsu Pass
Dhauladhar Range, Kangra to Chamba
Maximum altitude: 3,440 metres (11,280 ft)
Duration: 4 days
Trek distance: ~32 km
Difficulty: Moderate — accessible for trekkers with basic fitness and some prior experience
Best time: May to June, September to October
Start point: Utrala, Kangra Valley (near Baijnath)
End point: Nayagaon, Chamba side (75 km by taxi to Chamba town)
How to reach start: Reach Baijnath or Palampur by overnight Volvo bus from Delhi or Chandigarh (10 to 11 hours). Nearest major railway station is Pathankot, approximately 90 km from Palampur; Baijnath-Paprola also has a station on the Kangra Valley narrow-gauge railway from Pathankot. From Baijnath, take a local bus or taxi to Utrala, approximately 27 km. Nearest airport is Gaggal, Dharamshala, approximately 40 km from Baijnath.
End point logistics: This is a crossover trek — you start in Kangra and finish in Chamba. Pre-arrange taxi pickup from the Chamba side at Nayagaon, or have your operator manage both ends. Chamba town is 75 km from Nayagaon.
For centuries, the Gaddi shepherds of Chamba have walked the Jalsu Pass route to move their flocks between the Kangra Valley and their homeland. The same trail that has carried their footsteps and their animals for generations is today almost entirely unknown to the trekking world.
The Jalsu Pass sits at 3,440 metres in the western Dhauladhar. Unlike most passes in the Dhauladhar — steep, rocky, and unforgiving — Jalsu has a gentle northern approach through long green meadows. The wildflower bloom here during late spring and early monsoon is so dense and varied that locals call it the Valley of Flowers of Himachal Pradesh. The descent into Chamba is steeper and more dramatic, and the route passes the ancient Shakti Devi temple at Chhatrari — one of the most significant temples in the Chamba district, and one that almost no traveller ever visits. At the pass itself, the views span both the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges. The trail is also the traditional pilgrimage route to Manimahesh Kailash, which means in July and August it carries a small but steady stream of pilgrims — the one season when you won’t have it entirely to yourself.
What the trail is like
Day one starts from Utrala on the Kangra side and climbs through dense pine and oak forest to the first campsite at Parai.
Day two continues to Kharli, with the trail gradually steepening as the forest gives way to wide open meadow.
Day three is pass day — an early start with a steady four-hour climb to Jalsu Pass, followed by the descent to Jalsu Got on the Chamba side.
Day four drops through forest, the old Gaddi village of Surai, and out to the road at Nayagaon, where Chamba is 75 km by taxi.
Before you go
Because this is a crossover trek, you cannot retrace to your starting vehicle. End-point transport must be arranged in advance. The Chamba-side descent is steeper and slippery in rain — waterproof footwear is essential for any post-monsoon attempt. No permits required for Indian trekkers, but go with a local guide — the Chamba side trail markings are minimal and the terrain deserves familiarity.
Trek 05 — Himachal Pradesh
Miyar Valley
Lahaul and Spiti District, Himachal Pradesh
Maximum altitude: ~4,450 metres (14,600 ft) at Miyar Glacier snout
Duration: 7 to 8 days from Manali
Trek distance: ~60 km round trip
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult — long days, multiple glacial stream crossings, high altitude. Prior multi-day Himalayan trek experience required.
Best time: Mid-June to late September. Peak wildflower bloom is July to August.
Base camp: Khanjar village, Miyar Valley
How to reach base: Manali to Khanjar via Atal Tunnel, Sissu, Tandi, and Udaipur — 140 km, approximately 5 to 6 hours. Shared taxis and local buses run from Manali to Udaipur; from Udaipur, hire a local vehicle to Khanjar.
To reach Manali: overnight Volvo bus from Delhi’s ISBT Kashmiri Gate (12 to 14 hours) or train to Chandigarh and onward bus to Manali (8 to 9 hours). Nearest airport is Bhuntar, Kullu — 60 km from Manali, limited flights. A forest permit, medical fitness certificate, and trek insurance are mandatory since July 2024. Children under 14 are not permitted. Foreign nationals pay an additional ₹2,500 permit fee. Operators arrange permits; independent trekkers can get the forest permit from the forest department office in Udaipur.
The first thing you notice when the Atal Tunnel spits you out on the Lahaul side is that the world has changed. Kullu valley is green and lush behind you. In front: a spare, wide, geological landscape of folded mountains and glacial rivers that feels nothing like the India you drove through. Follow the Chenab River north-west to Udaipur, then turn into the Miyar Valley, and within an hour you’re in a place that has no business being as spectacular as it is — and almost no one knows exists.
Miyar Valley is Lahaul’s own Valley of Flowers, tucked into the far western corner of the Lahaul and Spiti district, cut off from the world for six months every year by snow. The Atal Tunnel, completed in 2020, made it accessible for the first time year-round. The valley is a sweeping S-shaped corridor carved by the Miyar River and its glacier, flanked by some of the most dramatic granite walls in the Indian Himalayas. Castle Peak, Never Seen Tower, and the Tharang group tower above the campsites. The valley is in the Himalayan rain shadow — it receives almost no monsoon rain — which means that while the rest of the Himalayas gets battered in July and August, Miyar is at peak wildflower bloom: Blue Poppy, primula, gentians, potentilla in an explosion of colour across wide open meadows. Buddhist stupas, ancient gompas, and small Lahauli farming villages sit along the route.
This is the most demanding trek on this list. It is not technically difficult, but it asks for sustained effort over seven to eight days at high altitude, with multiple glacial stream crossings, boulder sections, and long daily distances. If you have done one or two Himalayan treks and feel ready for something bigger, this is the right next step.
What the trail is like
Day one is the drive from Manali through the Atal Tunnel to Khanjar — allow a full day, with a stop to watch the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers at Tandi. Day two begins the trek from Khanjar through terraced farmland and switchbacks to Yolling meadow, a wide flat campsite with the first clear views of Menthosa, the second-highest peak in Lahaul.
Day three pushes deeper to Zardong, surrounded by towering rock faces.
Days four and five involve the most demanding terrain — multiple cold glacial stream crossings, boulder patches, and longer walking days approaching the Miyar Glacier snout at approximately 4,450 metres. The glacier terminus, with its emerald glacial lake ringed by ice walls, is the turnaround point.
Days six through eight retrace the route back to Khanjar at an easier pace, with the hardest days behind you.
Before you go
The glacial stream crossings are the most demanding part of this trek — cold, fast, and unavoidable, particularly on days four and five approaching the glacier. Carry neoprene water shoes or quick-dry sandals for crossings and protect your main trekking footwear. Crossings are safest in the early morning when glacial melt is lowest. An experienced guide who knows the valley is not optional here — the terrain beyond Zardong requires local knowledge of safe crossing points. Do not attempt this trek solo.
Five treks. Two states. None of them on a bestseller list — at least not yet.
The best time to do a trek nobody knows about is before everybody knows about it. All five are open this season. Your knees will thank you for choosing a trail where you’re not walking single-file behind fifty other trekkers to the same summit.
Get Out.
Planning a Himalayan trip this season? Forward this to whoever you’re going with — or to the one friend who keeps saying they’ll do a trek “next year.”
