Top 5 hiking destinations before you start your journey in 2023

Business management and mountaineering are based on experience. A memorable trek will prepare you for the startup journey in 2023. Choose these treks based on your experience and slowly increase the level of difficulty. Ace Mountaineer Gayatri Mohanty shares her list of top five treks for TICE readers that you can look to explore in the New Year 2023.

Hiking and mountaineering are growing on to become one of the most thrilling adventure activities and something a lot of people have been opting for recently. The beautiful trails help one escape into the lap of nature and reconnect the mind, body and soul together.

“India has seen immense growth in the number of people interested in hiking activities. The country’s rich landscape has multiple locations packed with some of the most mesmerising mountain ranges where aspiring adventurers and travellers can go for a hike. Hikers/Mountaineers can opt for these based on their experience and slowly increase the
level of difficulty.” shares ace mountaineer and fitness coach Gayatri Mohanty.

For those who are keen on planning their next hiking trail, here’s a list of the must-visit mountains from the beginner level to advanced.

1. Triund trek, Himachal Pradesh
Distance - 11.5 km/7 miles round trip
Time - 6-7 hours
Level - Easy & perfect for beginners
As one of the most popular treks for beginners, Triund Trek has one of the most serene views and a gorgeous view of the lofty Dhauladhar ranges on one side and the gorgeous Kangra valley on the other. Just 18km from Dharamshala, this hike gives you amazing panoramic views throughout the day including gorgeous sunsets. One can also enjoy star gazing below in the Kangra Valley.
March to June is the best time to visit as the weather has a balance and is cosy and comfortable. The hike is not available in January and February because of extreme snowy conditions. The path begins with Galu Temple in Dharamkot or you can also begin from McLeod Ganj. Although this is only a day trek, tents, sleeping bags, and food are available at the camp summit so one need not carry extra luggage with them.

2. Tadiandamol trek, Karnataka
Distance - 12km/7.5 miles round trip
Time - 7-9 hours
Level - Easy & perfect for beginners
Packed with lush green views, the Tadiandamol trek is located in Karnataka’s Kodagu region which is extremely popular for producing India’s best coffee. This trek offers amazing scenic scenes of misty green hills painted by swirls of clouds. One can begin trekking from Nalakunad Palace which is 3hrs from Mysuru. While en route, travellers get to witness Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area of stunted tropical shola forests, beautiful grasslands, and tinkling streams. The best time to hike here is September to March and is completely easy to do this without a guide.

3. Nongriat Trek, Meghalaya
Distance - 7km/4.3 miles round trip
Time - 1 day
Level - Moderate
A hike located amidst the rich local community of Meghalaya, Nongriat Trek is the best hike to see the indigenous culture here. The Khasi villagers’ ‘suspended living root bridges’ situated between hidden valleys, natural pools, and waterfalls mark the excellent ancient engineering and attracts many visitors throughout the year. The trail starts from the village of Tyrna, near Cherrapunji – also listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the wettest place on earth.
One needs to carry raincoats, jackets, waterproof shoes, and a bag cover as it rains a lot in this region. There are also many butterflies, moths, and insects here so make sure you come prepared for that.

4. Deoria Tal and Chandrashila Trek, Uttarakhand
Distance - 18–20km / 11–12 miles round trip
Time - 2 days
Level - Moderate
Known as 'the bathing place of the gods' Deoria Tal and Chandrashila Trek is the best hike for winter scenery. It is accessible all year round and the route towards Deoria Tal starts in a village called Sari. It's easy to follow the trail without a guide and follows a well-maintained path surrounded by rhododendron trees that bloom with bright pink flowers in spring. Chandrashila, on the other hand, is the ridge that rises above Tungnath Mandir and is only
20km from Sari, to the tiny village of Chopta which is also the trailhead for the pilgrim trek to the world’s highest Shiva temple. On your way back down, keep an eye out for the colourful Himalayan Monal pheasant, the state bird of Uttarakhand.

5. Goecha La Trek, Sikkim
Distance - 91km / 57 miles
Time - 10 days
Level - Difficult
Goecha La Trek is one of the best high-altitude hikes for adventurers and one needs to book this through a trekking agency. The main highlight is the former Buddhist kingdom of Sikkim along with the giddying views, which include sweeping vistas across northeast India. After a gentle beginning, the trail becomes increasingly strenuous as you gain altitude and hence needs experienced hikers. Indian spring and fall months are the best times to visit and while
on the trek, you may get lucky and spot red pandas, musk deer, blue sheep and blood pheasants on high-altitude sections of the trail.

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