Peak Season: India's Trekking Trails

From the snow-dusted passes of the Himalayas to the vast meadows of Uttarakhand, the dense jungles of Chhattisgarh, and the cliff forts of the Western Ghats, Punita Malhotra explores why more Indians are stepping into the wild and embracing the call of the outdoors

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IN THE SOFT GLOW of his laptop, Kumar Nilmani pores over an Excel sheet detailing 180 trails, each meticulously mapped using Google Earth, videos, and local knowledge. Every year, he undertakes at least one high-altitude trek and, whenever possible, sneaks in solo expeditions with handpicked local guides and a small support crew. Nilmani's passion project draws inspiration from the Bengali and Maharashtrian communities, who have long been at the forefront of India's trekking culture. They are credited with rediscovering and reopening many traditional routes and mountain passes that had been abandoned—even by local inhabitants. In a land where trekking has traditionally been a labour of love tied to spiritual pilgrimage, a quiet shift is now taking place.

Trailblazing A cross India

As outdoor exploration gained momentum, so did accessibility. Major players like Indiahikes played a pivotal role in this transformation. With a dominant 50 per cent market share, the company boasts a catalogue of 51 treks spanning the entire country, from Himalayan high-altitude treks to Central Indian jungle expeditions and Southern trails. Founder Arjun Majumdar runs down the shift in trekking trends over the past decade. “Earlier, trekking meant gruelling expeditions to altitudes above 14,000 feet. Today, the moderate trails between 9,000 and 12,000 feet attract most trekkers,” he shares. Over the past few years, Indiahikes has added numerous new treks in Jammu & Kashmir, such as Pir Panjal Lakes, Brammah Valley, Choharnag Lakes, and Gurez Valley, destinations that were once off the map for trekkers. Today, trekking has become mainstream, fuelled by rising disposable incomes, easy access to information, and the growth of organised trekking experiences.