Best Moderate to Difficult Treks in Himachal Pradesh: 5 Most Famous Routes

by Kuldeep Singh Rawat 2025-06-12

Top 5 Iconic Moderate to Difficult Treks in Himachal Pradesh for Adventure Lovers

From rough high passes to dreamy alpine valleys, Himachal is truly heaven for mountain folks. There were opportunities galore for easy walks for beginners, but this blog is not about them. This is for the daring, who want their thrills, the elevation, and the soul-touching vistas. Lace your boots up - here are the 5 best moderate to difficult treks in Himachal Pradesh that challenge you and leave you with the magic of the Himalayas.

1. Hampta Pass Trek – The Crossover Between Worlds

Trek Name	Altitude	Duration	Region	Best Time	Difficulty
Hampta Pass Trek	14,100 ft	5–6 days	Manali to Spiti Valley	June to September	Moderate

Hampta Pass is a perfect example of how one trek can offer two entirely different landscapes. On one side you have the lush green meadows and forests of Kullu Valley; on the other you have the stark, dramatic barrenness of Spiti. The ascent to the pass is steep, but thankfully not very long. The crossing of the pass is surreal too, with panoramic views of snow walls, glaciers, and open skies. Specialty: Hampta Pass has the unique distinction of being a passage between two worlds — green Kullu and the cold desert of Spiti Valley. It’s akin to reading two pages of a fairytale. One page describes pheretic trails, wildflowers, and waterfalls — the other raw, slightly frightening, and Martian. Hampta Pass has the unique distinction of being a passage between two worlds — green Kullu and the cold desert of Spiti Valley

Hampta Pass has the unique distinction of being a passage between two worlds — green Kullu and the cold desert of Spiti Valley

The Hidden Touch: We will camp near Chandra Tal Lake. This crescent-shaped lake is glacial and important to the local peoples. It is said that during a full moon the gods visit Chandra Tal Lake. Why it’s iconic: Because it’s one of the few treks in India where once can witness such a dramatic shift of terrain and climate within a few hours.

2. Buran Ghati Trek – The Swiss Alps of India

Trek Name	Altitude	Duration	Region	Best Time	Difficulty
Buran Ghati Trek	15,000 ft	7–8 days	Janglik to Barua, Shimla District	June and September	Moderate to Difficult

Buran Ghati is like a full-blown adventure movie compressed into one week. The trail takes you through charming villages, pine forests, and flower-filled meadows before leading you to a thrilling ice wall descent from the pass. The views from the top? Unreal. Specialty: The trail crosses untouched wooden villages, meadows filled with wildflowers similar to the vast Dayara, and alpine lakes like Chandranahan Lake sacred to locals and infrequently visited by outside visitors. Buran Ghati charming villages, pine forests, and flower-filled meadows

Buran Ghati charming villages, pine forests, and flower-filled meadows

Cultural Connect: The villages you will pass through en route, including Janglik, are free from tourism. Their Himachali wood-carved temples, Gaddi shepherd huts, and oral histories of local deities will give the sense that you are walking through a fairytale. Why it’s iconic: That 65-degree snow wall descent is one of the most exhilarating moments in Himalayan trekking.

3. Pin Bhaba Pass Trek – The Most Dramatic Trail in Himachal

Trek Name	Altitude	Duration	Region	Best Time	Difficulty
Pin Bhaba Pass Trek	16,100 ft	8–9 days	Kinnaur to Spiti	July to September	Difficult

Often called the “most dramatic crossover trek,” Pin Bhaba lets you walk from the forested valleys of Bhaba in Kinnaur to the cold, desert-like landscapes of Pin Valley in Spiti. High-altitude camps, river crossings, snowfields, and a breathtaking pass crossing—it’s a raw, intense experience.

Specialty:

Pin Bhaba is one of the most thrilling crossover treks in India, taking you from dense pine forests and blue rivers in Bhaba Valley to the brown-red canyon walls of Spiti’s Pin Valley. It’s like walking into a different planet — on foot.

Spiritual Touch:

Mudh village, where the trek ends, is home to Buddhist prayer flags and mud monasteries. You’ll feel the spiritual stillness of the Tibetan plateau take over as you enter Spiti.

Why it’s iconic: The sharp contrast between green Kinnaur and dry Spiti makes it unforgettable for every trekker.

4. Beas Kund Trek – A Sacred Journey to the Source

Trek Name	Altitude	Duration	Region	Best Time	Difficulty
Beas Kund Trek	12,770 ft	3–4 days	Solang Valley, Manali	May to October	Easy to Moderate

While Beas Kund may not test your endurance like the others, its altitude gain and rocky patches still require a good level of fitness. This trek leads you to the birthplace of the Beas River, with grand views of peaks like Hanuman Tibba and Shitidhar. The trail is rich in mythology and silence. Specialty: This short trek takes you to the source of the Beas River that flows through Himachal and is significant in Indian mythology.

Beas River, with grand views of peaks like Hanuman Tibba and Shitidhar.

Mythological Link: Myth has it that Sage Rishi Vyas, the author of the Mahabharata, meditated here, giving birth to the river. The name "Beas" is derived from Vyas. When standing at Beas Kund, surrounded by dramatic peaks (Hanuman Tibba and Shitidhar), you feel like you are part of the epic. Why it’s iconic: It offers quick access to high-altitude beauty, making it ideal for a short but rewarding adventure.

5. Tosh Valley & Animal Pass – The Wild Frontier

Trek Name	Altitude	Duration	Region	Best Time	Difficulty
Animal Pass Trek	~13,000 ft	4–5 days	Parvati Valley	May to October	Moderate

Often overlooked due to its proximity to Kasol, Tosh Valley is raw, wild, and full of hidden surprises. The trek to Animal Pass (via Kheerganga or Tosh Glacier route) is steep but offers unfiltered views of snow peaks, hidden waterfalls, and alpine ridgelines.

Specialty:

Tosh is known for its psychedelic culture, but the real gem lies beyond — Animal Pass, a rarely trekked ridge offering sweeping views of Parvati Valley, Papasura Peak, and glaciers that shimmer under golden dawns.

trek to Animal Pass (via Kheerganga or Tosh Glacier route) is steep but offers unfiltered views of snow peaks, hidden waterfalls, and alpine ridgelines.

Offbeat Flavor:

You may hear local villagers playing "phari nati" music, and if lucky, join in folk dances around a night campfire. The air smells of wildflowers, pine, and freedom.

Why it’s iconic: It’s an offbeat gem where you’re likely to walk for hours without seeing another soul.

Final Thoughts: Which Trek Is for You?

If you're new to high-altitude trekking but want to challenge yourself, Hampta Pass or Beas Kund is a great start. For seasoned trekkers, Buran Ghati and Pin Bhaba Pass offer the kind of raw adventure that stays with you forever. Every trail on this list isn’t just a route—it’s a story waiting to unfold. Choose your trail wisely and let Himachal’s mystical mountains shape your spirit.

Quick Comparison Table

Trek Name	Altitude	Duration	Difficulty	Unique Feature
Hampta Pass	14,100 ft	5–6 days	Moderate	Landscape crossover
Buran Ghati	15,000 ft	7–8 days	Mod-Diff	Ice wall descent
Pin Bhaba Pass	16,100 ft	8–9 days	Difficult	Kinnaur to Spiti
Beas Kund	12,770 ft	3–4 days	Easy-Mod	Source of River Beas
Tosh Valley	~13,000 ft	4–5 days	Moderate	Offbeat alpine pass

Are You Planning a Trek in Himachal Pradesh?

If you would like to trek these trails with a certified guide, hire local experts, or trek using a safe eco-friendly company, some established teams to consult are Himalayan Hikers, who have guided trekkers over the mountainous difficult treks in Himachal for many years! The mountains are calling and you must go!

About the Author

Kuldeep Singh Rawat

Co-Founder & Marketing Head

As the Co-Founder & Partner of Himalayan Hikers, I have been instrumental in building one of India's most trusted and dynamic trekking organizations. Driven by a deep passion for the Himalayas and a commitment to sustainable adventure tourism, I have led the expansion of a thriving trekking community offering meticulously planned, high-altitude expeditions that blend adventure with cultural immersion.

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