Explore 8 Best Treks from Manali for Adventure Seekers

Manali is a year-round magnet, attracting people from all over the country to experience mountain adventures. Along with being a popular hill station itself, Manali is the base camp to many legendary treks that take you to some of the most breathtaking locations in India. These treks from Manali lead you to serene lakes, alpine forests, and high mountain passes, offering you the experience of a lifetime. 

So, if you are a nature enthusiast or are just looking for a short escape from the nine-to-five life, IamNavigato has picked the eight best treks from Manali which you can plan for this year. 

Why choose Manali for trekking? 

The answer is easy: Manali is the most well-connected town that is accessible from any major northern city within a short duration of travel. From Delhi, it’s around 10 hours (519 kms); from Chandigarh, the distance is even shorter – spanning almost 5 hours (264 kms); lastly, from Jaipur, it’s about 13 hours (732 kms). 

Another reason: treks from Manali offer you a glimpse of nature at its best. Here, you can experience lush meadows, picturesque valleys, towering mountains, and cold desert in just a single trek. Moreover, Manali has treks for all kinds of trekkers – from beginners to professionals. 

Lastly, the culture in and around Manali is heartwarming. It is not only the people that are inviting but the tradition that they follow. Treks from Manali give you a chance to see rich culture, idyllic villages, and meet the ever-smiling locals. 

8 Best Manali Trekking Places  

Here is a detailed guide of the 8 best treks from Manali that will leave you mesmerized. So, grab your rucksack, tighten your boots, and let’s get started.  

S. no.	Manali Trekking Places	Best Time
1	Hampta Pass	June to September
2	Beas Kund	April to October
3	Bijli Mahadev Trek	April to June
4	Miyar Valley Trek	May to June and September to October
5	Chandrakhani Pass Trek	June to October
6	Deo Tibba Base Camp Trek	May to September
7	Pin Parvati Pass Trek	July to August & September to mid-November
8	Bhrigu Lake Trek	June to September

1. Hampta Pass

Counted as among the most iconic Manali trekking places, the Hampta Pass is an experience that everyone should have once in a lifetime. It was originally a shepherd’s trail and a nomadic trade route that is now known as one of the most dramatic crossings in the Himalayas. You begin from Jobra, where lush green meadows and verdant valleys keep you engaged. But as soon as you cross Hampta Pass, the landscape changes suddenly and you enter the stark landscape of Lahaul with zero vegetation and barren mountains. The trek culminates at the crystal-clear shore of Chandratal Lake. 

Level: Moderate 

Duration: 6 days 

Highest Altitude: 4287 meters 

Total Trek Distance: 26 km 

2. Beas Kund

Have you ever wondered what the source of a river looks like? The Beas Kund trek lets you find that out. This trek from Manali takes you from the center of the bustling town to the very source of the river that flows through it, the Beas River.  

What makes this trek ideal for all trekkers is its duration. It’s a four-day trek that takes you through lush green grasslands perched below the biggest peaks around Manali. And hidden among these picturesque paths is the small sacred lake of Beas Kund. 

Level: Easy 

Duration: 4 days (can also be done in two days) 

Highest Altitude: 3892 meters 

Total Trek Distance: 14.5 kms 

 

3. Bijli Mahadev Trek

Himachal Pradesh is known for its Shiva temples, and this simple trek leads you to the most idyllic one of them. Bijli Mahadev is among the most popular and oldest treks in Manali. It starts from Chansari village and takes you on a short 3 km hike to Mathan Hill, where the temple is located.   

But there are also alternative routes leading through the ancient pine forest and remote villages of the Kullu Valley. 

Level: Easy  

Duration: 1-3 days   

Highest Altitude: 2474 meters 

Total Trek Distance: 2.92 

4. Miyar Valley Trek

The Miyar Valley trek has escaped the attention of even the most seasoned trekkers, but it is among the best treks from Manali that take your right to the heart of Lahaul. The trek is a 58 km journey between Zanskar and Chamba, allowing you to witness some of the most awe-inspiring views of the vast pastures, wildflower grasslands, and cold glacial streams. The highlight of the trek, however, are the seven sacred pools in Kesar Yon Chhaap, where you can bathe to experience a spiritual cleansing. 

Level: Moderate 

Duration: 7 days    

Highest Altitude: 4023 meters 

Total Trek Distance: 60.2 km 

5. Chandrakhani Pass Trek

 

This trek from Manali is a cultural experience, teaching you about the villages, the architecture, the people, and the culture of the Kullu Valley. Throughout the trek you may find many shepherd huts where a warm cup of tea is always available. 

There is an interesting folk tale about the Chandrakhani Pass which goes like this: in ancient times, the deity of Malana, God Jamlu, transported all the gods in a pot along this route. Upon reaching the summit of the Chandrakhani Pass, he opened the basket containing the gods. A powerful gust of wind scattered the gods, and they settled in different locations throughout the valley. This is why the Kullu valley is still referred to as the valley of gods today. 

Level: Moderate  

Duration: 5 days     

Highest Altitude: 3713 meters 

Total Trek Distance: 26 kms 

6. Deo Tibba Base Camp Trek

Deo Tibba is a beautiful trek in Manali, taking you through lush green forests of pine, spruce, fir, oak & birches. Throughout the trek, you get to witness some of the most magnificent peaks of the region, including Deo Tibba (6001m), Norbu Peak (5226m) & Jagatsukh Peak (5050m).  

If you are adventurous enough, you can also sign up for a peak expedition of Deo Tibba which can take up to 13 days and a whole lot of physical prowess to complete.  

Level: Moderate to Difficult 

Duration: 6-13 days    

Highest Altitude: 6004 meters 

Total Trek Distance: 60 kms 

7. Pin Parvati Pass Trek

For those up for a thrilling challenge, the Pin Parvati Pass trek offers the best one. This long expedition gives trekkers a super dose of adventure, taking them from the verdant meadows of the Parvati Valley to the cold dry mountain desert region of Spiti. Though this trek from Manali is a lineup of amazing experiences, what might be considered the best one comes at the end of the trek where you get to enjoy hot water springs at Parvati Kund (Kheerganga). 

Level: Difficult  

Duration: 11-12 days     

Highest Altitude: 5334 meters 

Total Trek Distance: 110 kms 

8. Bhrigu Lake Trek

Many trekkers take this trek to reach the sacred Bhrigu Lake which holds many stories and a spiritual significance among the local people. However, there’s another draw of this trek: the stretching green pastures that set a dramatic backdrop against snow-capped mountains.  

As the story goes, the famous saint, Maharishi Bhrigu meditated by the place. It is his name that the lake adopts. 

Level: Moderate 

Duration: 4 days      

Highest Altitude: 4269 meters 

Total Trek Distance: 21.5 kms 

Conclusion 

These are some of the most amazing Manali trekking places that you can go to. Ranging from challenging to moderate, these places offer a chance for everyone to appreciate the beauty of nature and the simple lives of people who live near it. These treks will be the ideal excuse for you to get out of your comfort zone and explore the nearabout of Manali. 

Here are a few tips that will help you plan your treks. Bring extra and warm clothing as the weather in the mountains is unpredictable and can change anytime. Similarly, get the necessary permits and permission, especially if you are going solo or doing a ‘DIY’. With these tips in mind, you can plan your next adventure without worries. Happy journey! 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Q. What are some 2-day treks from Manali?
A. Beas Kund is the ideal weekend trek from Manali, where you can even go ‘DIY’. Other than that, Bijli Mahadev Trek is also a great option which can be completed in a matter of hours.

Q. Are Manali treks difficult?
A. Some of the treks that start from Manali can be called difficult, like Deo Tibba Base Camp Trek or Pin Parvati Pass Trek. Others, however, are moderately difficult or very easy.

Q. What are the top trekking routes in Manali?
A. The lush green Parvati Valley and Kullu have one of the top trekking routes near Manali with Lahaul and Spiti regions quickly finding popularity.

Q. Are permits required for Manali trekking places?
A. Yes, permits are necessary for trekking in or around Manali, especially when you are planning to camp. This, however, can be taken care of by your tour provider. 

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