India
Description
Immense India, a colorful jigsaw of peoples, cultures, landscapes and climates, is a continent in its own right. The high snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas rise up across the north of the country, to form a natural border with China (Tibet). Also to the north are India's Himalayan neighbour states Nepal and Bhutan. The famous Ganges river and several of its tributaries flow from the Himalayan ranges and then turn east to form the scorchingly hot expanse of the Indo Gangetic Plain. Further south hills rise up again, such as the Aravalli range across arid Rajasthan, and the low Vindhya and Satpura ranges of Central India. Towards the southwest, parallel to the coast, several ranges collectively called the Western Ghats run all the way to India's southern tip. Their humid ridges, covered in sandal wood trees and coffee plantations, rise up well over 1000 m, and occasionally over 2000 m. In the east of India are several lower ranges of mountains and hills, known as the Eastern Ghats.
So what about hiking in India? Is it a popular local pastime? True, many Indians like to escape from the summer heat of the low plains to catch up on some fresh air in one of many hill stations, vestiges of the British colonial era. Yet, to actually set out on a multi-day hike for pleasure appears to be a primarily foreign visitors affair. Exceptions to this rule are the pilgrimages in different parts of India, most notably those in the foothills of the Himalayas, which draw whole families, the old and young alike from all walks of life. Strikingly lively and colorful events, little known by foreigners, and more of a bustling social occasion than a true hike. But then, India is changing too, and hiking is becoming increasingly popular with students and other young people.
For long distance hiking and trekking into the quietude of nature, some parts of India clearly stand out in popularity. First and foremost in the north, there are the relatively accessible western Himalayan ranges of Himachal Pradesh, with valleys such as Kangra, Kullu, Sangla and the more remote and arid Spiti and Lahaul. Altitudes in Himachal Pradesh vary widely, from the 600 m high Shivalik hills to peaks rising up well over 6000 m!
To the southeast of Himachal Pradesh is another attractive hiking and trekking region: Uttarakhand (formerly Uttaranchal), bordering on both Tibet and Nepal. The famous Hindu pilgrimage centers of Haridwar and Rishikesh are main gateway to the Uttarakhand Garhwal Himalaya's. Some lovely and not too difficult high altitude hiking and trekking options here.
Rather less easily accessible are the high altitude valleys of Zanskar and Ladakh, in India's far north. Like neighbouring Spiti and Lahaul (both part of Himachal Pradesh), these are located on the northern flanks of the Great Himalayan range. Sheltered from the monsoon rains, climate here is much more arid. Summers are pleasant and dry, but winters long and harsh.
Towards the southwest of Zanskar and Ladakh, back on the south side of the Greater Himalayan range, are the more populated valleys of Kashmir. A lovely area for hiking, but alas, bordering on Pakistan and currently not safe for foreigners.
Let's travel east now. The Himalayan range continues, and is covered by Nepal and Bhutan. However, squeezed in between these two is the former kingdom of Sikkim, now part of India. A popular area for multi-day treks at medium and high altitudes, and rightly so. For less demanding treks with great views of high peaks like Kanchenjunga (8586 m), set out from Darjeeling, a nearby old hill station surrounded by tea plantations just to the soutwest of Sikkim. Both Sikkim and Darjeeling have a monsoon season, so avoid this and go hiking from late March to May or from late September to early December.
Continue east past Bhutan, and tucked away in the far northeastern corner of India are the Himalayan ranges of Arunachal Pradesh. Although little known or explored as yet, there are some high altitude trekking possibilities here, as well as medium altitude treks through forested valleys and with great views of the snow-capped western Himalayas.
And there are so many places other than the Himalayas to go hiking and trekking in India. Most of India's countless National Parks and Nature Reserves offer guided walking safari's, day-hikes mostly. To name a few other options: Nagaland, Meghalaya, Western Ghats, Nilgiri Hills, Eastern Ghats, Orissa, Munnar Hills, Karnataka, Periyar, and so on.
Trails
Regions
Mountains
Links
Facts
Reports
Guides and maps
Lodging
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Other
Books

United Kingdom
- A Burning: The Most Electrifying Debut of 2021
- ”A brilliant character study about politics and power, this assured debut moves at a thriller`s pace but with a meticulous eye for detail.” Nikesh ShuklaA girl walks through the slums of Kolkata holding an armful of books. She returns home smelling of smoke, and checks her most prized possession: a brand-new smartphone, purchased in... Read more

United Kingdom
- Singapore Lost Guides: A Unique, Stylish and Offbeat Travel Guide
- `Lost Guides – Singapore` is a unique, stylish and offbeat travel guidebook to Singapore. Featuring over 120 of the most special spots in Singapore, from cool coffee shops and fabulous food (local and contemporary) to authentic Asian art galleries and wild nature walks. The book also includes interviews with local creatives, and pieces of local... Read more

Netherlands
- And There I Was Volume II
- This is the second of nine journeys in the "And There I Was" series. In 1991, through a chance meeting in Bangkok with an old CIA station chief and his retired French army counterpart, expeditions were arranged into Cambodia and Laos, both still reeling fifteen years on from the devastating effects of war and genocide. The author's route took... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
- And There I Was Volume II
- This is the second of nine journeys in the "And There I Was" series. In 1991, through a chance meeting in Bangkok with an old CIA station chief and his retired French army counterpart, expeditions were arranged into Cambodia and Laos, both still reeling fifteen years on from the devastating effects of war and genocide. The author's route took... Read more

Netherlands
2017
- Lonely Planet India
- #1 best-selling guide to India * Lonely Planet India is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Immerse yourself in the sacred city of Varanasi, wonder at the Taj Mahal in Agra, or cruise the tropical waterways of Kerala; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
2017
- Lonely Planet India
- #1 best-selling guide to India * Lonely Planet India is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Immerse yourself in the sacred city of Varanasi, wonder at the Taj Mahal in Agra, or cruise the tropical waterways of Kerala; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to... Read more

Netherlands
- A Learning Curve
- Do you enjoy reading about myths and legends, ancient cities, Asian culture and cuisine? A Learning Curve takes readers on an interesting series of adventures through Southeast Asia. With a carefully selected amalgam of different stories from the author's own amusing expeditions to tales of ancient history, famous travellers, and legends that... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
- A Learning Curve
- Do you enjoy reading about myths and legends, ancient cities, Asian culture and cuisine? A Learning Curve takes readers on an interesting series of adventures through Southeast Asia. With a carefully selected amalgam of different stories from the author's own amusing expeditions to tales of ancient history, famous travellers, and legends that... Read more

Netherlands
- 21st Century Journalism in India
- The Indian media is witnessing an explosive situation with newspaper and magazine circulations increasing in great numbers and television news channels-in both English and regional languages-going up by the day. Internet news portals, too, are recording a good number of hits. Journalism, then, holds tremendous promise for both seasoned and... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
- 21st Century Journalism in India
- The Indian media is witnessing an explosive situation with newspaper and magazine circulations increasing in great numbers and television news channels-in both English and regional languages-going up by the day. Internet news portals, too, are recording a good number of hits. Journalism, then, holds tremendous promise for both seasoned and... Read more

Netherlands
- Finding Mojo
- What does it take to finally let go of things that just aren t working in your life? The suffering of a broken heart? Losing a job? Or maybe the painful disintegration of a long-standing friendship?It is the cruel fusion of all these things and more that leads Natalie to believe the life she s living belongs to somebody else. On discovering... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
- Finding Mojo
- What does it take to finally let go of things that just aren t working in your life? The suffering of a broken heart? Losing a job? Or maybe the painful disintegration of a long-standing friendship?It is the cruel fusion of all these things and more that leads Natalie to believe the life she s living belongs to somebody else. On discovering... Read more

Netherlands
- A Walk Along the Ganges
- An enchanting portrayal of northern India along the banks of her holiest river, stretching from the Bay of Bengal up into the Himalayas.The pilgrimage took seven months.Dennison Berwick writes, "I wanted to make a great walk, to set off with no prospect of ending for months. I wanted to see the land that had fired the British imagination for... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
- A Walk Along the Ganges
- An enchanting portrayal of northern India along the banks of her holiest river, stretching from the Bay of Bengal up into the Himalayas.The pilgrimage took seven months.Dennison Berwick writes, "I wanted to make a great walk, to set off with no prospect of ending for months. I wanted to see the land that had fired the British imagination for... Read more

Netherlands
2014
- South India handbook
- A spellbinding intersection of old and new, South India epitomizes the fascinating and dynamic nature of the Indian subcontinent. Footprints South India Handbook will guide you from the Portuguese-steeped villages of Goa, through coconut groves and mangrove thickets, and to the paradoxical cities which are home to spice-packed bazars and... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
2014
- South India handbook
- A spellbinding intersection of old and new, South India epitomizes the fascinating and dynamic nature of the Indian subcontinent. Footprints South India Handbook will guide you from the Portuguese-steeped villages of Goa, through coconut groves and mangrove thickets, and to the paradoxical cities which are home to spice-packed bazars and... Read more

Netherlands
- Ignited Quotes of Dr Apj Abdul Kalam
- This book, written after the demise of the missile man of India, is intended to showcase the wise words of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. During this occasion, when we are sharing the grief, this book filled with his quotations may ignite his memories and works as a fuel inside each one of us to walk towards national success. Without him we are... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
- Ignited Quotes of Dr Apj Abdul Kalam
- This book, written after the demise of the missile man of India, is intended to showcase the wise words of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. During this occasion, when we are sharing the grief, this book filled with his quotations may ignite his memories and works as a fuel inside each one of us to walk towards national success. Without him we are... Read more

Netherlands
2018
- Rough Guide - South India and Kerala
- One of the world's most exciting destinations, South India and Kerala offers majestic temples, exotic wildlife, spectacular festivals and thousands of kilometres of tropical coastline. Written by Rough Guides' team of India experts, this brand-new Rough Guide offers the best blend of critical reviews, in-depth background and tell-it-like it is... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
2018
- Rough Guide - South India and Kerala
- One of the world's most exciting destinations, South India and Kerala offers majestic temples, exotic wildlife, spectacular festivals and thousands of kilometres of tropical coastline. Written by Rough Guides' team of India experts, this brand-new Rough Guide offers the best blend of critical reviews, in-depth background and tell-it-like it is... Read more

Netherlands
- Kaleidoscope City
- Piers Moore Ede first fell in love with Varanasi when he passed through it on his way to Nepal. In the decade that followed, it continued to exert its pull on him and so he returned there to live - to discover what it is that makes the spiritual capital of India so unique. In this intoxicating city, where funeral pyres smoulder beside the river... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
- Kaleidoscope City
- Piers Moore Ede first fell in love with Varanasi when he passed through it on his way to Nepal. In the decade that followed, it continued to exert its pull on him and so he returned there to live - to discover what it is that makes the spiritual capital of India so unique. In this intoxicating city, where funeral pyres smoulder beside the river... Read more
Maps

United Kingdom
- Singapore & Malay Peninsula ITMB
- Singapore City on a clear, indexed street plan at 1:10,000 with from ITMB, highlighting numerous places of interest and tourist facilities, plus the Singapore Island shown at 1:100,000 with its road and rail networks.The street plan covers the city’s central districts as indicated in our area coverage image, including the Financial District,... Read more

Netherlands
- Wegenkaart - landkaart India | Nelles Verlag
- India 1 : 4 500 000 ab 9.9 EURO Special Maps: Greater Kathmandu, Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay). City Maps: Delhi, Colombo Nelles Map. Edition 2017 Read more

Netherlands
- Wegenkaart - landkaart India North & West | ITMB
- India North and West Map 1 : 1 900 000 ab 10.5 EURO Read more

Netherlands
- Wegenkaart - landkaart 4 India South - Zuid | Nelles Verlag
- Une carte recto-verso et indéchirable au 1/1.500.000ème (1cm = 15km) peu encombrante, une fois dépliée. Elle remonte jusqu'à Bombay au nord et propose quelques plans de villes. Read more

Netherlands
- Wegenkaart - landkaart India South | ITMB
- India South ab 10.49 EURO Mumbai International Travel Map ITM. 1. Auflage Read more

Netherlands
- Wegenkaart - landkaart 5 India - Noord-Oost & Bangladesh | Nelles Verlag
- Nelles Map Bangladesh - India: Northeast, Bangladesh 1:1 500 000 ab 9.9 EURO strapazierfähig, wasser- und reißfest Nelles Map. veränderte Neuaufl Read more

Netherlands
- Wegenkaart - landkaart India - Nepal - Bangladesh - Bhutan - Sri Lanka | Freytag & Berndt
- Indien - Bangladesch . Bhutan . Nepal Sri Lanka . Malediven, Autokarte 1:2.000.000 ab 10.9 EURO Freytag & Berndt Autokarte. Neuauflage Read more

Netherlands
- Wegenkaart - landkaart 3 India - Oost | Nelles Verlag
- Nelles Map India: East 1:1 500 000 ab 9.9 EURO strapazierfähig, wasser- und reißfest Nelles Map. veränderte Neuauflage Read more

Netherlands
- Wegenkaart - landkaart India | Gizi Map
- India Geographical Map 1 : 3 000 000 ab 11.95 EURO Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Maledives, Sri Lanka. Map for Businessmen & Tourists. With index. Relief Gizi Map. Neuauflage Read more