Being in a crowded city like Delhi is sometimes synonymous with living with the day-to-day grind—traffic congestion, busy work lives, and endless hours indoors. If you’re one who loves nature and walking long distances, city life can become claustrophobic at times. The silver lining is that you don’t need to travel too far to smell fresh air and get a glimpse of nature. With great views all around, Delhi offers some fantastic weekend treks from Delhi so that you can bid goodbye to the chaos of city life and bask in the tranquility of nature.

In this blog, we will guide you through some of the top short treks around Delhi that you can do over a weekend, ideal for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned trekker, these Delhi hiking trails will provide you with the ideal opportunity to rejuvenate, relax, and discover the natural beauty that lies within a few hours of the city.

So, pack your bag and get set to discover some of the best nature escapes around Delhi!

Why Opt for Weekend Treks around Delhi?

You might ask yourself, why take the effort and time to trek when you can spend your weekend in other ways? Well, here are the reasons why trekking around Delhi during a weekend needs to feature on your to-do list:

• Avoid the City: At the end of a busy week at the office, the prospect of heading for the hills or the woods on a quick trek can be rather refreshing.

• Short and Convenient: Short Delhi treks are usually weekend-permissible and do not take too much time off work or planning.

• Natural Beauty: These treks offer a chance to enjoy green forests, serene rivers, and stunning mountain scenery.

Adventure Within Reach: Experience trekking without venturing too far from the city.

Let’s start with the best treks you can go on for a great weekend getaway!

Top Weekend Treks near Delhi

1. Rajaji National Park Trek (Uttarakhand)

If you are searching for a trek that offers wildlife, nature, and a gentle climb, Rajaji National Park is one of the finest weekend treks from Delhi.

• Distance from Delhi: Around 240 km (5-6 hours by road)
• Duration: 1-2 days
• Best Time to Visit: October to March

Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand is a haven for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. With its lush greenery and fauna, this trek exposes you to thick forests, scenic hills, and wildlife-infested land. You can even catch glimpses of elephants, tigers, and leopards if you are lucky! The park is ideal for a quiet weekend getaway.

Why Choose This Trek: The trek is easy to moderate, thus suitable for a beginner. Besides, you will get to view the beauty of the Himalayas and have some peaceful time free from the bustle of the city.

2. Kalka-Shimla Railway Trek (Himachal Pradesh)

Experience a special trek in the famous Kalka-Shimla Railway trek, one of the short treks around Delhi, best suited for a weekend retreat.

• Distance from Delhi: About 280 km (6-7 hours by road)
• Duration: 2 days
• Best Time to Visit: Anytime during the year, although monsoon makes it challenging

This trek gives you a chance to stroll down the ancient Kalka-Shimla Railway track, which is a UNESCO World Heritage property. The trek provides incredible scenery of the Shivalik Range and hills. The 96 km-long railway track brings you through tunnels, bridges, and provides a picturesque route for someone who adores history and nature.

Why to Choose This Trek: The highlight of this trek is trekking along a historic train route while surrounded by stunning scenery. It’s an ideal way to unwind and enjoy the Shimla region’s cool weather.

3. Trek to Triund (Himachal Pradesh)

For a Delhi trekking destination that’s stunning yet conveniently located, Triund is a great choice for a weekend trek.

• Distance from Delhi: Around 500 km (9-10 hours by road)
• Duration: 1-2 days
• Best Time to Visit: March to June, September to November

Situated close to Dharamshala, Triund provides a short but demanding trek that treats you to breathtaking views of the Dhauladhar Mountains. The 9 km hike can be undertaken in a single day, or you can opt to stay overnight if you like. As you ascend higher and higher, you will be presented with stunning sights of the valleys below and snow-covered peaks towering above.

Why Choose This Trek: It is among the best short treks around Delhi if you wish for a scenic but easy trek. It is also a nice place to camp, so you can add one more day to your weekend to spend the night in the woods.

4. Chopta Trek (Uttarakhand)

Chopta is a secret gem, also known as the ‘Mini Switzerland of India,’ and it’s one of the most peaceful nature escapes from Delhi.

• Distance from Delhi: Around 450 km (10-11 hours by road)
• Duration: 2 days
• Best Time to Visit: December to March for snow; April to June for greenery

Chopta is a tiny hill station in Uttarakhand that provides a serene trekking experience. It’s an excellent base point for many treks such as Tungnath and Chandrashila. The Chandrashila trek is a moderate 5 km climb from Tungnath, which is the world’s highest Shiva temple. The scenery at the top is breathtaking, with snow-covered peaks all around you.

Why Choose This Trek: Chopta is a lovely spot to go for a weekend trek, particularly if you’re interested in seeing snow-capped mountains, peaceful lakes, and the natural beauty without the usual tourists.

5. Brahmatal Trek (Uttarakhand)

For a trek offering breathtaking vistas of the Himalayan peaks and the opportunity to camp at high elevations, the Brahmatal trek is the ideal weekend outing.

• Distance from Delhi: About 480 km (10-12 hours of road journey)
• Duration: 2-3 days
• Best Time to Visit: December to March

The Brahmatal trek is traversed through dense oak and rhododendron forests and provides a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains such as Trishul and Nanda Ghunti. The trek is easy, and the frozen Brahmatal Lake that is frozen is a beautiful sight, thus, it is an experience that you will always remember. It’s an excellent choice for someone who wants to go snow trekking.

Why Choose This Trek: Brahmatal provides a real winter wonderland, ideal for people who want to get away from Delhi and have a snowy paradise in the hills.

6. Har Ki Dun Trek (Uttarakhand)

For a dose of adventure along with some cultural discovery, Har Ki Dun presents an excellent weekend trek from Delhi.

• Distance from Delhi: Approximately 300 km (8-9 hours by road)
• Duration: 2-3 days
• Best Time to Visit: March to June, September to November

This is one of the most scenic treks in the Indian Himalayas. The walk has an easy to moderate terrain and goes through lovely villages, green forests, and meadows. You might see some other bird and animal species too while going on the walk. The Har Ki Dun Valley is picturesque as well as full of a cultural heritage that reflects the Indian heartland at its best.

Why Choose This Trek: Har Ki Dun is a wonderful option for beginners or anyone seeking a moderate trek with some cultural experience en route.’

Tips for Planning Your Weekend Trek

With your list of short treks around Delhi, here are some tips to enhance your weekend getaway:

• Pack Smart: Make your backpack light with items such as water, snacks, a good pair of shoes, sunscreen, and warm clothes.

• Check the Weather: Always check the weather forecast for the trek you have selected, particularly if you’re visiting during the rainy season.

• Book in Advance: If you’re taking treks that need permits or guides, ensure you book early.

• Leave Early: Leave early in the morning to miss traffic and ensure you get the most out of your weekend.

• Carry Cash: Some places are far away from ATMs, so it’s always better to carry sufficient cash.

• Acclimatize: If you’re trekking to higher elevations, give yourself time to acclimatize to prevent altitude sickness.

Conclusion

Trekking is not merely about physical endurance; it’s about witnessing the majesty of nature and taking a respite from the chaos of city life. The weekend treks from Delhi mentioned above provide an ideal means to escape into nature, be it solitude amidst mountains, wildlife encounters, or vistas of river and valley.

With these Delhi hiking trails, you can experience the varied topography of the surroundings, yet enjoy a quick respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. And the cherry on the cake? You don’t have to plan weeks ahead or venture far. Just grab your bags and off you go!

These nature retreats within Delhi provide you with the chance to unwind, rejuvenate, and live life in all its glory in a short period of time. If you are a newcomer or a seasoned trekker, there is something for everyone. So, select your next adventure, don your shoes, and enter the gorgeous world just a few hours’ drive away from Delhi.

Frequently Asked Questions