The monsoon season in India is the most popular time for trekking. The best treks to experience the southwest monsoon are in the Western Ghats, a range of mountains that stretch from Maharashtra to Kerala. These mountains act as a natural barrier between the coast and the interior and serve as a catchment area for multiple rivers.
Pack your bags for a trekking adventure in the monsoon! After the scorching heat, the arrival of monsoons gives you an opportunity to revel in nature’s glory and explore the unexplored. The cool breeze that comes with rain is enough to rejuvenate your soul and make you feel fresh. In India, there are many regions which offer the best treks during the monsoon. Here is a list of top monsoon treks in India:Â
Valley Of Flowers, Uttarakhand
Currently, the Valley of Flowers is at the top of my list of monsoon hikes because of its vast beauty, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rain of the monsoon fascinates the valley and decorates it with colourful flowers to captivate the scenery. Great weather is a bonus to colourful landscapes. You can always find animals like colourful butterflies, birds, and musk deers.Â
- Period: 6 daysÂ
- Easy: difficultyÂ
- Altitude: 15,200 feet
Beas Kund, Himachal Pradesh
This place was also very popular for trekking as it is very close to Manari and trekking near some of Manari’s largest mountains during the trip. In most cases, big peaks such as Friendship Peak, Hanumantiva, Cider, and Seven Sisters are nearby. The monsoon season may make this hike a bit more difficult, but you will certainly enjoy the scenery. Also, it’s a short hike and it’s not too difficult.Â
- Period: 4 daysÂ
- Medium: difficultyÂ
- Altitude: 12,770 feet above sea level
Harishchandragad Trek, Maharashtra
Ever wanted to visit the beautiful Western Ghats? But don’t you think trekking in the Western Ghats is easy, as the stretch called the “cobra hood” of the Harish Chandra Ghat trek is difficult? But, as the saying goes, hard nuts give the best flavour when cracked, so this is the place. Here you will be fascinated by the beauty of the pictures of the valley and Concan Card. You can explore the Stone Age cave (Kedareshwara cave) with three broken pillars. Legend has it that if the fourth pillar shatters, the earth will perish. So why choose this hike in the monsoon? That’s because this place offers the scenic beauty of the monsoon. Exploring the cave in the rain will make you feel relaxed and peaceful.Â
- Period: 2 daysÂ
- Medium: difficultyÂ
- Altitude: 4690 feet above sea level
Sinhagad Trek, Pune
Would you like to hike near Pune? Singhagad is a mountain fortress that offers a great trekking experience and a perfect picnic spot. The beautiful sunrise and sunset views from this fort are worth capturing. It also blows you away with a picturesque range of mountains and hills. The monsoon season makes this place much more attractive and adds to its lush landscape. Royal Fortress also creates an eerie Kira experience with an eerie thunder sound.Â
- Period: 2 daysÂ
- Medium: difficultyÂ
- Altitude: 4304 feet above sea level
Kashmir Great Lakes, Jammu & Kashmir
We usually think of Kashmir as a very cold place, but it hides a much better secret. At Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, you can see seven alpine lakes. The best part is that each lake is unique and boasts its beauty. The rainy season will make this trip much more memorable if only green meadows adorned with colourful flowers are seen around you. Its freshness is overwhelming.
- Period: 8 daysÂ
- Medium: DifficultyÂ
- Altitude: 13,750 feet above sea level
Hampta Pass Trek, Himachal Pradesh
Hampta Pass Trek is known for the beautiful splendour of the steep mountains during the monsoon months, making it a perfect trek for both novice and experienced trekkers. This journey will take you through both lush verdant and bleak regions.Â
You’ll also see the magnificent Chandratal Lake, which is surrounded by blue, pure water. Though walking would be difficult during the monsoon season, you would be able to see the greatest colours of nature in this stunning location.Â
Takeaway
Trekking during monsoon is not as tough an exercise as you might have heard. In fact, with some careful preparation, you can enjoy the season at its peak. However, given that trekking projects heavy physical and monetary demands on your body and pockets, it is important that you be aware of all the aspects of the same before you go for it. So here’s what to do if you too want to enjoy the best of a trekking experience during monsoon.