Trekking shoes help you complete a trek as much as your willpower. While it's a must to work on mental and physical strength every time you plan a trek, a robust pair of shoes can work wonders on every trek. All you have to do is do a little maintenance after choosing the right pair for all your trekking needs.

A good pair—be it Quechua trekking shoes or shoes from Woodland—can feel like an extension of your feet. Similarly, an ill-fitting pair with a thoughtless design can slow you down and even halt your trek. So, how do you choose the best trekking shoes in India?

Different shoes are suitable for different kinds of treks. Does that mean snow trekking shoes can only be used on snow? Not really. The best trekking shoes are versatile. They work well in all kinds of weather conditions.

This brings us to the next question: which are the best trekking shoes for men and women in India? And how do you make this choice?

Many trekkers write to us asking about what trekking boots to buy. And because this is a crucial choice, we have put together a complete guide that covers all topics, right from how to buy trekking shoes, the best mountain trekking shoes available in India and how to maintain them.

So, if you’re looking for information on trekking shoes, search no more. This guide contains everything you need to know about how to choose the best.

How to choose the best trekking shoes

How To Choose The Best Trekking Shoes in India

There is no dearth of options in the trekking shoes for women or trekking boots for men sections of a Decathlon, Woodland, or any other sports store. If you choose to shop online, the options are infinite. However, a plethora of options can sometimes lead to confusion. 

Don’t worry. We are here to help. Below are five factors that will help you choose the right pair of trekking shoes.

1. Check for good grip in the trekking shoe

The best way to recognise a trekking shoe with good grip is to look at the grooves. They will be deep. A shoe with good grip will have mud, slush and dirt getting stuck in its grooves. That’s a sign of deep grooves that are gripping the mud. Make sure your shoes have deep grooves and good grip.

2. Look for softness and flexibility in the shoe sole

You will be walking on different kinds of terrain, and your shoes need to adapt to it. A soft and flexible sole is great at doing this. But how do you check for that?

Take a hard, metallic object, say a key, and just tap on the sole. Listen to the noise it makes. A soft sole makes a dull sound. If you hear a sharp sound, know that it’s too hard, and such a sole will not work on a trek. 

3. Go for ankle support in the trekking shoe

A lot of walking-hiking shoes come with a lot of flexibility and good grip. But what they lack is ankle support. In the Himalayas, you will be walking on rough terrain. You will be climbing up and down, and your ankle is prone to twisting at unusual angles. And that’s when your trek can end. And you don’t really want that to happen. To prevent this, you need good ankle support and make sure your trekking shoes provide good ankle support.

Always test the shoes for the right fit and prefer the most breathable hiking shoes. Ideally, you should buy trekking shoes one size larger than your normal size. Without the extra space, you’d develop shoe bites due to the constant rubbing of the toe against the shoe wall.

A shoe that is a size larger than your normal size will protect you from shoe bites and give your feet enough space to breathe.

A Himalayan trek or a monsoon trek in the Ghats requires water-resistant shoes. This is because trekkers will be trekking through snow, rain, water bodies, or other regions where their feet can get wet. If your shoe is not water-resistant, chances are that you will develop shoe bites or some form of callus due to wet feet. Additionally, it’s uncomfortable to trek long distances in wet socks and flooded shoes.

Therefore, it’s best to buy shoes that are water-resistant (remember, you want water-resistant shoes and not waterproof trekking shoes).

An added layer of leather or resin will really help. It ensures that when you step into a puddle for 3–4 seconds, your shoe does not get wet or water doesn’t seep in. So, water resistance is important.

Note: Make sure it’s not waterproof because your feet won’t be able to breathe in waterproof trekking shoes. And it will get sweaty and stinky. There’s a chance your trek mates will not let you inside the tent if your feet are stinking 🙂

Also, wear your shoes for about two weeks or so to break them in.

Things to Look at While Choosing your Trekking Shoe

What are the types of trekking shoes available?

There are various types of trekking shoes. Some are meant for short hikes, while others are suitable for treks and expeditions. Similarly, there are trekking shoes for female trekkers and some specifically meant for men, based on size, design and colours.

These are similar to sports shoes but with a stronger grip. They are also more robust.

These are lightweight shoes that have flexible soles. They are ideal for short treks when you don’t have to carry heavy loads on your back. You may use them for the following treks:

Treks on dry terrain (not suitable for rainy season)

Some of the popular and recommended hiking shoe brands are Forclaz Fresh, Woodland and Weinbrenner (associate company in Bata Corporation) low ankle series. You can also find plenty of options in the Decathlon hiking shoes section on their website and in stores.

Trekking boots or shoes are a grade above hiking shoes. They are usually shoes with good ankle support.

These shoes are made for trekking in various seasons and on different gradients. They are ideal for:

Treks that involve carrying 7kg+ backpacks

Water resistance: The upper part of the trek boots is usually made of leather, suede or a synthetic material like Gore-tex (GTX) or Nova Dry.

Deep grooves: This ensures a strong grip.

Ankle support: This saves you from painful ankle twists on uneven trails. But this also makes it heavier. And you need to get used to wearing it—break it in—a couple of weeks before your trek starts.

Some of the popular and recommended brands are Forclaz and Quechua. They are generally priced between Rs. 3000 and Rs. 8000. Decathlon trekking shoes are most popular and preferred by experienced trekking enthusiasts, while some prefer Woodland trekking shoes.

These are also called expedition boots. They aren’t required on usual treks or for any of the treks that Indiahikes is presently running.

Mountaineering boots are needed on ice, rocks, crevasses, and glaciers. They are crafted to grip these lofty surfaces.

These boots are more expensive, with prices starting at upwards of Rs. 10,000. Few of the most popular and recommended expedition boots can be found on Decathlon. Other brands can be considered as well, but they are not easily available in India.

Trekking shoes for women

Trekking shoes for women sections on various websites and sports stores offer shoes that are specifically designed for women’s feet.

The heel-to-ball length, as well as the width of the in-step and heel, is larger in trekking shoes for men. So, shoe companies began designing slimmer shoes that cater specifically to women’s feet.

Special material at the in-sole and mid-sole for Q-angle

Some great shoes in this category are the Trek 100 and MH100 for women by Decathlon. Apart from that, you may opt for brands like Merrell and Salomon. 

Best trekking shoes in India

To narrow down the best trekking shoes from the infinite options available on the market, Indiahikes conducted an Instagram Survey.

Trekker’s Choice: Top 3 Trekking Shoes Recommended By Trekkers

Talking about the top choice, a representative of Decathlon trekking shoes confirmed that the Forclaz Trek 100 is their highest-selling product, and now they are aiming to come out with a new variant.

“We are introducing Trek 100 Textile boots in India. It is a beginner trekker's boots focused mostly on the comfort of the trekker and is eco-friendly, which is made up of 100% natural rubber outsole. It also has 100% recycled outer and black lining is dope dyed, reducing water consumption and CO2 emission during the process.”

And coming to a variety close to the fifth option—Salomon Quest 4 Gore Tex—we think it is great for seasoned trekkers. The model has been upgraded over the years.

Also Read: Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX: All-Terrain Hiking Shoes for Seasoned Trekkers

Best budget trekking shoes under INR 4000

Top 5 Budget-Friendly, Affordable Trekking Shoes In India Under INR 4,000

Here’s a list of trekking shoes that our trekkers swear by! We know because we conducted a survey and listed the top trekking shoes that showed up in the responses. But before we get to the list, here are two things you must keep in mind:

These are the shoes recommended by trekkers after at least one trek experience.

Most of these shoes are perfectly suited for local treks and easy-moderate Himalayan treks like Kedarkantha and Dayara Bugyal. But for a very long, difficult Himalayan trek, I would choose wisely from these.

Shoes that are affordable and budget-friendly.

Also Read: Forclaz 500 High / Trek 100: Excellent Hiking Shoes For Rough Himalayan Terrain

The Quecha NH100 trekking shoes are perfectly fine for trekking in the Western Ghats, though. They have ankle support and are pretty sturdy. But they don’t have any water resistance. So, you cannot use them for trekking in snow or rain. They are good shoes for light and mostly dry hikes.

Trekking Shoes Review: “Pros: (1) High quality build. (2) Abuse friendly, can take rough usage with a lot of ease. (2) Good traction/grip. (3) Pocket friendly price. (4) Comfortable wear. Cons: (1) Not water resistant. (2) Not suitable slippery ice-trek trails.” – Zulfi

The Quechua NH150 trekking shoes are a grade higher than the NH100 because it is water-resistant. It can last up to 2 hours in water as it has a water-resistant coating and a water-proof membrane. It is one of the best waterproof trekking shoes for men.

It has a good cross-contact sole with mid-ankle support. This one is suitable even for Himalayan treks, but not for very difficult terrain like Pin Bhaba Pass or Kanamo Peak.

Trekking Shoes Review: “The shoes are comfortable, dry off easily and provide great grip even on wet, slippery stones. Great shoes for the given price point.” – Vashisht

The Quechua MH100 trekking shoes, falls within a good budget and ticks all the right boxes—the sole has good grip, it has ankle support, a flexible sole and water resistance.

For most of our easy, moderate and even moderate-difficult Himalayan treks, like Rupin Pass, these shoes will work. They are slightly on the higher end of budget trekking shoes, though, costing around Rs. 3,500.

Trekking Shoes Review: “I have used the shoes on several Sahyadri treks in winter and rainy as well and also used them at Buran Ghati in snow as well. It’s been almost a year since I bought it, and these shoes are in great condition. They are helpful in all kind of terrain, also they are zero maintenance, and easily washable.” – Raj Shah

Surprisingly, you can find plenty of “budget” Wildcraft trekking shoes in its stores and online. They are never known to “budget” anything. And there is a loophole too.

These shoes cost Rs. 2,500 on portals like Flipkart, but they are well over that (~ Rs 4,000) on the official site. You are never going to get a nice pair of trekking shoes under 1000. So, getting this at a budget price depends on your luck.

The shoes, on the other hand, are pretty decent for Himalayan treks. They score high in the traction department. But certain reviews suggest the water resistance is very basic. So, we wouldn’t recommend it for a monsoon trek. If you’re an occasional trekker, these shoes would suit you. On its website, one can find useful options for Wildcraft waterproof shoes and Wildcraft hiking shoes.

Trekking Shoes Review: “It worked pretty well during my Sandakphu trek! But I cant say whether it will last long or not as I used that only for one trek and also haven’t used it in snow.” - Utpal Gogoi

Trekking shoes from Woodland are as sturdy and durable as any trekking shoe, but they have the same issue as most Woodland shoes: they are heavier than other brands’ trekking shoes and also don’t work well in the rain. And at around Rs. 3,500, they aren’t too budget friendly.

But this review brought it under the spotlight.

Trekking Shoes Review: “Contrary to popular opinion about woodland shoes, I found these shoes to be an excellent fit, utility and buy and they are affordable too. These shoes give an excellent grip on snow, gravel and boulders..they are lightweight, have good ankle support and are pretty durable as well..I have been using them for the last three years, though I have done only about 6 treks, I have used them extensively for my workouts including running.” – Abhishek Vaddadi

Also Read: Forclaz 500 Warm: Pocket-friendly Hiking Shoes for all Weather Conditions

| Note: If you have used any of these budget trekking shoes or other than the ones recommended above, share your experience here:

Top 5 Budget Friendly Affordable Trekking Shoes In India Under INR 4,000

How to clean and maintain your trekking shoes

How To Clean And Maintain Your Trekking Shoes

Buying trekking shoes is expensive. So if you buy a pair, make sure to maintain them well. Here are five things you must do to keep your trekking shoes in good shape after a gruelling trek:

The thumb rule is to clean your trekking shoes every time you return from a trek.

Don’t leave them dirty. The accumulation of mud and grime on the upper fabric of the trekking shoes adversely affects the waterproofing. This reduces the breathable nature of your boot. So, always clean your shoes after a trek to remove dirt residues.

Also Read: 8 Hacks to Maintain Your Personal Hygiene on a Trek

You need a soft brush (an old toothbrush works well) or sponge and lukewarm water.

Before cleaning the uppers, bang the soles of your shoes against each other in order to get rid of any remaining dust and mud.

Then, lightly soak the brush in water and clean the exteriors to remove all dirt stains.

Use lukewarm water and a soft toothbrush to scrub out the outer dirt from trekking shoes.

It’s evident that you need to dry your shoes after cleaning them. But even if you skip cleaning, you still should not skip drying your shoes.

Trekking shoes get exposed to a lot of moisture, like sweat and rain. So, it’s necessary to dry your shoes before storing them, even if you bought them from the Decathlon trekking shoes waterproof section. Storing damp or wet shoes causes mould growth, which can affect the quality of their breathability. So, let your trekking shoes air dry for at least 24 hours.

Also Read: 10 Tips to Trek Like a Pro During Monsoon

Remove the insole and undo the laces so that the shoes can breathe and dry faster. 

Leave the shoes to dry at room temperature. 

Don’t expose the shoes to a direct source of heat like fire, dryers, blow dryers or direct sun because this could crack them up and damage the waterproofing. It may lead to discolouration and weakening of adhesives as well, or premature ageing in leather shoes. 

Instead, leave your shoes under a fan to dry.

With usage, a lot of shoes lose their waterproofing ability. This feature is restored using sprays that aid water in slipping off easily without entering the shoe. After cleaning and drying, you may treat your shoes with re-waterproofing sprays to maintain their water resistance. You will find re-waterproofing sprays and greases in all major online stores or market sports stores.

Also Read: Why Trekking During Monsoon is Not a Bad Idea

Note: None of the treatments promise fool-proof water-resistance.

How to use re-waterproofing sprays on trekking shoes:

The treatment is required only once or twice a year.

Follow the standard application rules for such sprays. 

Spray the product evenly all over your shoe. Pay more attention to the seam and joint areas, since most of the water enters from here. 

Leave them for a full day to dry and absorb the spray. Caution: Don’t try to increase the speed of drying by using an external heat source (hairdryers, sun, etc.).

How to use re-waterproofing grease on trekking shoes:

This product is specifically applied to leather boots to prevent premature ageing and cracking of the leather by making it water repellent.

Contrary to popular belief, it does not diminish the shoe’s breathability. It can also be used on membrane-type shoes. You may follow the above steps. But instead of spraying, apply the grease using a cloth.

Inspect your trekking shoes after you get back from the trek. Check for any loose stitches or a torn inner sole. And get it repaired before your next trek.

A damaged trekking shoe can lead to blisters and a loss of balance on a trek. So, do not take this risk and keep your trekking shoes in good shape. 

Also Read: How to fix your trekking shoe if the sole comes off

Always make sure that your shoes are perfectly dry before storing them. 

Store them in a dry and well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. 

If you do not plan to use them for a long period of time, stuff them with newspaper so that they keep their shape. You can also put dehumidifiers like teabags and silica gels in the shoe odour-free.

Bonus Tip: Here’s a video on the topic that is often overlooked by most trekkers, How to tie your shoelaces so that they don’t come off?

Trekking shoes can indeed make or break your trek. This is why we put together this extensive guide of information collected over the years.

Now, you need not repeat the cliched mistakes while selecting a trekking shoe.

If you have any questions, thoughts, or recommendations on the best trekking boots, snow hiking shoes, budget shoes for trekking, which trekking shoe to purchase, or how to take care of your trekking shoes, please drop them in the comments below, and someone from the Indiahikes team will address them.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between hiking and trekking shoes? 

Hiking shoes are lightweight and meant for short hikes. They are not as durable as trekking sneakers or shoes and work well on less demanding terrain. So, what are trekking shoes? These shoes are meant for trekking and are thus manufactured using sturdy materials. These shoes are designed in such a manner that they provide maximum support on difficult terrain.

2. What are the best trekking shoes for men?

While Wildcraft trekking shoes are as good as brands available in Decathlon’s store and website, one must check factors like shoe grip, flexibility, ankle support, comfortable fit, and water resistance. Our abovementioned guide on how to choose the right trekking shoes will be of great help.

3. What are the best trekking shoes for women?

The best trekking shoes for women must have a slimmer structure in comparison to the ones for men. It should comfortably fit women's feet. Most sports stores have a dedicated trekking boots women section. Try at your convenience and choose the most suitable pair for your trek.

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Trekking shoes determine the comfort and success of your trek. Here's a comprehensive guide on the best trekking shoes, how to choose them and their maintainence.

Trekking Shoes Guide: How To Choose, Types, Budget, Maintenance

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I’m writing this post with a bit of exasperation. 

These stats will explain why: Out of the 260 calls we receive every day, at least 40 are about the Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar treks, requesting slots in full groups. 

Most of our KGL and Tarsar Marsar groups were filled last year. Even after opening new groups, we are left only with the last few slots. The trek doesn’t have a higher carrying capacity. 

But here’s something most trekkers don’t know. 

We have seven other equally fantastic treks in Jammu and Kashmir. Most are on par with the beauty and adventure of the Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar. 

Given that these are new treks, trekkers don’t know them yet. But give it two years, and you’ll see these treks with a rush similar to KGL and TM. 

As a subscriber to my emails, I hope you use this information well and plan treks to other Kashmir treks instead of waiting on the most famous (and crowded) ones. 

Here’s the full list of 7 other great treks in J&K. 

If you have the Kashmir Great Lakes in mind, then Nafran Valley is a trek that makes the best alternative. I strongly recommend it. 

There are three reasons it makes a great alternative to KGL 

(a) The beautiful lakes of Harnag and Harbhagwan. 

Here’s a fact. This trek is so picturesque that it has been featured in our Mountain Lovers Gold Calendar since we discovered it. Only a handful of treks are chosen to be featured here, yet we can never ignore this trek. 

The big bonus is that you camp right next to the famous Kolahoi glacier.

Harnag Lake is the biggest and the most beautiful lake on the Nafran Valley trek. You get to walk beside this lake for two days! Picture by Bijju Shekar.

Bhaj Margi meadow is the grandest meadow of the Nafran Valley trek. If you are blessed with the clear weather, the morning or evening sunlight hitting the meadows is a stunning sight to witness. Picture by Diptarka Gupta.

Here’s the ultimate grassland trek in Jammu and Kashmir. Trekking from one valley to another, you will be treated to some of the region's most expansive grasslands. By now, trekkers know that if any grasslands come close to the Swiss Alps, they are the grasslands of J&K. That’s what you see on this trek. 

Yet, the grasslands are just one of the highlights of this trek. You also see around seven beautiful lakes on this trek, which gives you a classic Kashmir experience. 

The sunset from the Ashtaar Valley campsite makes you never want to leave this campsite. In fact, this is the case with almost all the campsites on the Bodpathri meadows trek. Photo by Nitesh Kumar.

A 10-minute gradual ascent from the Ashtaar Valley, you'll view the Tatakooti mountain. The sunrise from here is majestic, making the valley below, look magical. Picture by Pritish Bhanushali.

Bodsar lake is arguably one of the most beautiful lakes on the trek. You keep seeing the lake for hours even after you start ascending to Gadtar, you just have to turn back to take a look every now and then. Photo by Pritish Bhanushali.

This is the rarest of the treks you can do in J&K because it is our only trek in the Kishtwar region. Kishtwar, in the south of J&K, has some of the most beautiful valleys you can see. 

The Brammah Valley is no ordinary valley. Rising at the end of the valley is a peak that betrays most mountaineers who attempt to climb it: Brammah Peak, a most sought-after summit to climb, but very few mountaineers have scaled it. It is among the most beautiful 6,000-metre summits in our country. On the Brammah Valley trek, you see the full face of the mountain from bottom to top. But two more towering peaks exist in the valley: the Brammah Wife and the Eiger.

On the other hand, this is the culture trek of the region. Much like how Har Ki Dun in Uttarakhand is teeming with culture, history and mythology, Brammah Valley gives you a wonderful cultural immersion. You see something rare in this isolated valley: a beautiful blend of Hindu and Muslim culture in this region: With mixed traditions, architecture, rituals and festivals, it’s a rare amalgamation of cultures, which is heartening to see. 

PS: This is the only J&K trek you can do in May and June. This is a great option if you plan to trek in the summer and want to avoid the Uttarakhand rush. Most treks in J&K open only in July and August. 

The grand Kiddhar Maidan, which is also a delta with backdrop of Mt. Eiger, Mt. Tarparan, and Brammah glacier. Picture by Nitesh Kumar. 

The Mighty Mt. Brammah I (left) and Mt. Brammah Wife (right). Picture by Nitesh Kumar. 

You will trek for long days in the forests in Brammah Valley. But they don't feel monotonous. Trekking under the shade of tall pine trees next to the gushing Nath River is an experience cherished by everyone to date. Picture by Nitesh Kumar. 

I’m almost hesitant to announce this trek because we feel it is too good to be true. With an astounding 8-10 lakes, multiple meadows, and endless jaw-dropping moments, this trek will likely be the greatest trek in Jammu and Kashmir. Our team explored, designed and documented this trail in 2023 and has been making outrageous statements like “It’s better than Kashmir Great Lakes” or “It’s better than Warwan Valley.” 

On Day 4, during the trail from Khuan to Neelsar, you will come across the pristine Sarota meadows. During dawn and dusk, the grass in these meadows turns golden to the human eye. Picture by Nithyam Nachappa. 

The mesmerizing lake of Neelsar. Imagine camping with such setting and the blue color. This is the first lake that you get to see on the trek. Photo by Nitesh Kumar.

The meadows in the Pir Panjal trek are so huge that even an entire day is not enough to explore them completely! Picture by Nitesh Kumar. 

Our founders have always maintained one thing: you would never do a trek like Warwan Valley. The grandeur, the remote setting, and the uniqueness of this trek are so rare that even Kashmiris have not seen something so terrific. 

There are some unusual highlights on this trek: 

The dramatic crossover from the bone-dry landscapes of Ladakh to the luxuriant grasslands of Kashmir. It begins in trans-Himalayan settings, among barren, purplish mountains around Panikhar. The trail goes through an oasis, river deltas, wildflower meadows, and glaciers—all among these stark mountains. It makes for hauntingly beautiful settings. After spending two days encircled by desert mountains, the effect is striking as the trail gradually enters the lush greenery of Kashmir.

Traversing the Bracken Glacier: It is on very few treks that you see glaciers; most of the time, you see them from far away. It is on even fewer treks that you get to walk on a glacier. If you do, it’s usually a hurried 10-15 minute walk across the glacier. This is the only trek we’ve come across where you traverse along the entire length of a glacier, for hours together! With gaping crevasses beside you, the gurgling of a river deep beneath you, and the roar of car-sized chunks of ice falling down, it’s a sight that will stay with you for life.

The luxuriant grasslands of Warwan Valley: The setting of villages in Warwan Valley is too perfect, even for pictures. Fences border the trail you walk on. Willow trees jut out between houses. Mud-baked lanes crisscross the village. Flower beds line the hills around the houses. To top it, a clear stream runs through the village! All in a way that distinctly resembles the Gaulish village from Asterix comics. This setting is unique to this part of Kashmir.

The alpine lakes: You cannot talk about the Warwan Valley trek without mentioning the two alpine lakes formed by melting glaciers. Starting from clear at dawn to sea green to light blue to inky blue by evening. The two lakes on the pass crossing day will blow your mind away and make you grateful to witness this spectacular sight in front of your eyes.

The glacial lake above Kalapari often takes trekkers by surprise. You go here for an acclimatisation walk and also, pass the lake the next day of your trek. Picture by Nitesh Kumar.

The bracken glacier is massive. What makes this special is you rarely see such huge glacier in its original form on any of our other treks. Picture by Nitesh Kumar. 

Basmina is a village surrounded by farmlands. This is on the Jammu and Kashmir side. Picture by Nitesh Kumar. 

India ends at Gurez. The significance of this is enormous. If you look at our country as a whole, we travel upwards from Kanyakumari. There comes a point where we cannot travel any further north. That part of our country is Gurez.

The significance is that the Gurez is the last latitude of India. The Razdan pass you cross to get to Gurez pushes you into a very different landscape. The topography changes, even though it is only 6 hours north of Srinagar. In fact, our trek in Gurez reminds us more of our treks in Kyrgyzstan and Georgia than they do of our treks in Kashmir -- so different is the landscape. 

The cherry on top is the appearance of two massive lakes: Patalwansar I and Patalwansar II. Though the names are similar, these two lakes are radically different from each other. You get to camp right beside one of the lakes. 

Note: This trek will be run in our Do-It-Yourself (DIY) style. Which means trekkers, along with a trek leader, are going to be doing the trek all without a support system. You will be helping to carry a few of the gear and equipment as a team. So we expect your backpack to weigh about 12 kg per trekker.

This is Patalwansar II, a huge circular lake at 12,795 ft. Notice how tiny the explorer standing at the edge of the lake looks. Picture by Nitesh Kumar.

Your first campsite of the trek is Disson campsite. From here you will see clear views of Mt Habba Khatoon and villages in PoK. Picture by Nitesh Kumar.

Kashmir treks are synonymous with lakes and meadows. With treks like the Kashmir Great Lakes, the Tarsar Marsar, the Bodhpatri, and the Nafran Valley already in the picture, it’s hard for any trek to match them. Yet, we have another terrific trek in Kashmir—the Tulian Lake trek—that does equal justice to these great treks. 

Along with stunning meadows and an alpine lake, the Tulian Lake trek has something that our other treks in Kashmir do not: the famous flora of Kashmir. There are pine, fir and spruce trees. You may think you have seen these trees before, but you have not. These forests differ significantly from those in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, or Sikkim. They resemble European vegetation more than our Indian forests.

The turquoise blue Tulian Lake at 12,000 ft, with icebergs floating on it, is unlike our other Kashmir lakes. Beyond the 8-shaped lake, snow-capped peaks tower to over 15,000 feet. It’s among the easiest treks you can do in J&K. 

Tulian Lake is an alpine lake at 12,087 ft, shaped in the figure of 8 and is surrounded by high mountains. What makes this trek special is you trek 3 days to get to this stunning lake. Picture by Amit Fatnani. 

On the Tulian Lake trek, you trek in the dense coniferous forests for 3 days of the trek. This is what makes Tulian Lake stand out from other Kashmir treks. It helps you experience the flora of Kashmir like never before. Picture by Lucas Bragagnollo. 

That brings me to the end of this list of alternatives for Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar. 

Indiahikes has particularly documented and stitched together five of these routes. Our sole aim is to diversify trails as much as possible and avoid overcrowding a handful of trails. 

As I said earlier, these treks are not likely to remain isolated and quiet for more than a year or two. Grab your opportunity now to be among the first trekkers on these trails. Our dates for 2024 are open and available on this page.

If you have any questions about these treks, drop them in a comment below. We are right here to help you out. 

Here are 7 Terrific Alternatives within J&K

STOP crowding Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar

kashmir great lakes - tarsar marsar - gurez valley - nafran valley - tulian lake - pir panjal lakes - brammah valley - bodpathri - warwan valley - kashmir treks - treks in kashmir - popular treks in kashmir - treks in India - Indiahikes - trek

STOP crowding Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar: Here are 7 Terrific Alternatives within J&K

Today, I want to talk to you about how to time your winter trek correctly. 

Talking to trekkers every day, I notice them making two wrong assumptions about trekking in winter: 

They believe that winter starts and ends in December 

They believe winter to be a uniform season from start to finish

Firstly, winter starts in early December and lasts all the way until mid-March. December is the mere beginning of winter. Real winter sets in only in January and February! 

Secondly, there is an incredible transition in the landscape from the beginning of winter to the end. So dramatic is the transition that you’ll not believe it is the same season! 

Here’s an example shot: Both of them were shot in the winter.

The Pukhrola Campsite on the Kedarkantha trek, before and after snow. Picture by Nitesh Kumar.

So whether you want to see a dusting of snow or massive fields of snow, or you want to experience snowfall, or even if you want to see no snow, I’ll help you plan your trek correctly. 

1. To experience the onset of snow, minus the difficulties of winter: Early December to mid-December

Many trekkers believe that winter starts late in December. But that’s not true. 

Our co-founder, Sandhya UC, says, “We start experiencing extremely cold winds in the mountains right from November. There’s a layer of frost every morning. This usually melts away within an hour. But post sundown, it gets as cold as winter, minus the snow. By the middle of November, we get the first dustings of snowfall. They melt quickly, but a bit sticks as well. The upper reaches of our treks start accumulating more snow.”

From early December to mid-December is when the mountains usually receive the first snow. It is usually a mild dusting of snow that melts away within a day or two, but it does not melt totally. A bit stays on the ground. But if you get to experience this first winter snow, it’s extremely special. You see a magical sight of white as well as golden. 

A few benefits of trekking from early December to mid-December: 

There are high chances of experiencing the first winter snow

An expert guide on how to time your winter trek between December 2023 and February 2024

Expert Opinion

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