10 weekend treks in India every backpacker would love to go on

Only those who share the passion of being ardent travellers can understand the joy in being a backpacker. After all, as a backpacker you explore the not-so-famous destinations, trek to the greatest heights, and are gifted with some of the most magical views of Mother Nature. India is a country full of surprises when it comes to the great variety of landscapes it is home to, and all of those can be explored by the help of treks that are loved by every backpacker.

Thanks to our daily jobs and endless deadlines, we urban dwellers are not always too privileged to take those long leaves and go on treks. But the good news is that there are alternatives in the form of treks that can be completed over a weekend, and at times by clubbing a day or two of the week. Take a look at some of the best weekend treks in the country.

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Trek highlights: Being close to Delhi, most mountain lovers crave to visit a place from where they can get stunning views of the Himalayan peaks, and Nag Tibba is just perfectly suited for them. It is one of the relatively lesser known trails near Mussoorie and takes a trekker through dense forests that are rich in flora and fauna and offers unparalleled views of some of the most prominent mountains of the region including the Bandarpoonch (also Bandarpunch) Peak, Gangotri group of peaks, Kedarnath peak in the north, Doon Valley and the snowy peaks of Chanabang.

From: Delhi
Highest altitude: 9,915 ft
Duration: 3 days
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Base camp: Pantwari (near Mussoorie; 90 km from Dehradun)

Trek highlights: One of the most popular weekend treks for Delhiites and first-timers, the Triund Trek can be completed in a day’s time. Starting from Bhagsu near McLeodganj, the trail takes a nature lover through the depths of dense forests and mixes it up with some of the most amazing views of the Kangra Valley. When at the top, all one gets to see are towering peaks playing hide and seek with the clouds; needless to say, it is a view to die for. If a trekker has an extra day or two, he can add on to his experiences by trekking further to Lahesh Cave and exploring the meadows below Indrahara Pass.

From: Delhi
Highest altitude: 9,760 ft
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty: Easy
Base camp: Bhagsu/Dharamkot (near McLeodganj)

Trek highlights: Most of us, bitten by the travel bug and staying in the national capital, can easily say that we know the nooks and crannies of Manali— thanks to our multiple visits to the hill station. But those with a love for mountains and a knack for backpacking can easily trek their way up to the glacial Bhrigu Lake from Manali. The trail starts from Gulaba, a hamlet 24 km away from Manali, and takes a trekker through miles of grasslands and meadows right within 10 minutes of starting the trek. The prize at the top is a stunning frozen glacial lake in the middle of a massive snow field and stunning views of peaks around the place.

From: Delhi
Highest altitude: 14,100 ft
Duration: 4 days
Difficulty: Moderate
Base camp: Manali

Trek highlights: Situated at the top of a hill surrounded by Parvati, Garsa, Bhuntar and Kullu valleys, Bijli Mahadev is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and has shrouded by mysteries and several tales. The temple is actually after a miracle that has been occurring for years. Every year, the Shiva Lingam in the temple is broken into several pieces by a lightning bolt. The temple’s priest then undertakes the process of collecting all the pieces and joins them with the help of butter, used as an adhesive. The next morning, the Lingam is found intact. The trail takes a trekker through dense forests up to a vast meadow which offers stunning 360 degree views of the peaks around.

From: Delhi
Highest altitude: 8,060 ft
Duration: 1 day
Difficulty: Easy
Base camp: Chansari village (near Kullu)

Trek highlights: The Kareri Lake is an elliptical glacial lake situated between the majestic hills of the Dhauladhar mountain range. The trek to this lake is actually a quieter and more offbeat alternative to the Triund trek. It takes a trekker up through beautiful oak and spruce forests. Once a trekker is at the lake side, he would be at the of Minkiani (Mankiani) and Bleni Passes as well.

From: Delhi
Highest altitude: 9,678 ft
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty: Moderate
Base camp: Ghera village (near Dharamshala)

Trek highlights: A lot of us might have noticed this waterfall for the first time in the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Bollywood blockbuster Chennai Express, but it has always been one of the most sought after destinations among keen travellers for a long time, and trekking there can be an experience of a lifetime. Trekking to the waterfalls can bring a trekker up close and personal with lush beauty of the Western Ghats. While the marble white waterfall is a visual treat itself, the views are unforgettably beautiful.

From: Bangalore
Highest altitude: 1,017 ft
Duration: 1 day
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Base camp: Dudhsagar Railway Station

Trek highlights: Although one of the most lesser known treks in Karnataka, but keen backpacker would know the joy of trekking up to Tadiandamol, which is the highest peak in Coorg at an altitude of 5,740 ft. The trail takes a traveller through vast expanses of the Shola forests, and through some of the most beautiful lush green grasslands and streams. Camping at the top is an amazing experience, thanks to the combination of gutsy winds and endless views of the stunning landscape around.

From: Bangalore and Coorg
Highest altitude: 5,740 ft
Duration: 1 day
Difficulty: Moderate
Base camp: Kakkabe (near Coorg)

Trek highlights: While the Sandakphu trek is one of the most popular treks from Darjeeling, a lot of trekkers who don’t have the luxury of time can opt to trek to Tumling, which is an amazing alternative to the former. Tumling is a quaint little hamlet on the Nepal side of the road and is located at a distance of 11 km from Manebhanjan, halfway to the Sandakphu top. An ideal trek for beginners, the trek offers stunning 180-degree views of the majestic Kanchenjunga peak, followed by the Great Himalayan peaks of Mt. Lhotse, Mt, Everest, and Mt. Makalu among others.

From: Kolkata and Darjeeling
Highest altitude: 9,514 ft
Duration: 3 days
Difficulty: Moderate
Base camp: Manebhanjan (near Darjeeling)

Trek highlights: A perfect weekend trek for those living in Mumbai and Pune, the trek to the Rajmachi Fort is no less than mesmerising. The trail takes one through picture-perfect landscapes which is a mix of forests and open grasslands and is blessed by some amazing views of the lush green mountains of the Sahyadri range. The Rajmachi Fort was built by Shivaji way back in the 17th century and has been a backpackers’ favourite because of its location and views.

From: Mumbai and Pune
Highest altitude: 2,750 ft
Duration: 1 day
Difficulty: Easy
Base camp: Lonavala

Trek highlights: Located on a lush green hill, the Torna fort was the first one that was won over by Shivaji at the tender age of 16. The trail up to the fort leads the trekker some of the most beautiful grasslands of the Sahyadri mountain range and one comes across a series of temples, desolate buildings and water tanks on the way as well.

From: Mumbai and Pune
Highest altitude: 4,610 ft
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty: Difficult
Base camp: Velhe Village (Near Pune)