Treks in Dharamshala
From easy walks to epic Dhauladhar adventures
Dharamshala sits right below the Dhauladhar range, making it one of the best bases for trekking in Himachal Pradesh. We've guided visitors up Triund, Kareri Lake, Indrahar Pass and the high Dhauladhar ridges since 2014 — always with born-and-raised local guides, fair pricing, and full support for permits, camping and transport. Fourteen routes run from a half-day forest walk to the 4,600 m Thamsar Pass shepherd crossing, including village trails to roadless Rajgundha and Barot. Browse below, or message us on WhatsApp to plan a custom route.
New to the area? Read our ranked guide to the best treks in Dharamshala, or compare Kareri Lake vs Triund before you choose. Heading up high? Our Indrahar Pass planning guide and Dhauladhar packing list cover the details. Trekking off-season? See winter in Dharamshala for snow-line conditions, and read the story of the Gaddi shepherds of the Dhauladhar whose trails these routes follow.
First Himalayan treks — easy does it
Triund Trek (Easy, 2D/1N, from ₹1,200). The classic — about 9 km from McLeod Ganj through oak and rhododendron forest to the 2,875 m Triund ridge, the full Dhauladhar wall on one side and the Kangra Valley on the other. The right first Himalayan overnight, done properly: authorised campsite, real meals, local guide.
Guna Devi Forest Day Hike (Easy, half day, ₹1,200) for families and slow mornings — deodar shade, birdsong and a small forest temple above Dharamkot. Snowline Trek (Easy–Moderate, 2D/1N, ₹1,500) camps a step above Triund at 3,100 m, where the snow starts. Laka Glacier Trek (Moderate, 3D/2N, ₹2,500) goes one step further to the glacier snout under the Indrahar wall — old snow underfoot most of the year.
Quiet valleys & village trails
Rajgundha Valley Trek (Easy–Moderate, 3D/2N, ₹4,800). The friendliest multi-day in the Dhauladhar — a 13 km contour path from the Billing paragliding ridge to a genuinely roadless village, two homestay nights, then down the Uhl gorge to Barot. More real Himachal per kilometre than anything else at this grade.
Kareri Lake Trek (Moderate, 3D/2N, ₹3,500). Pine forest, stream crossings and a clear glacial lake at 2,934 m, fed by the snows of the Minkiani ridge — far fewer people than Triund. Thatharana Trek (Moderate, 3D/2N, ₹2,500) climbs from the Khaniyara side to an open grazing meadow almost nobody visits — our favourite sunset ridge.
High passes & summits
Indrahar Pass Trek (Difficult, 4D/3N, ₹6,500). The historic 4,342 m Gaddi crossing above McLeod Ganj — scree, the Lahesh Cave bivouac, and real altitude. Moon Peak Trek (Difficult, 4D/3N, ₹7,500) is the summit version: 4,610 m, the highest point most trekkers can reach from the Dharamshala side.
Minkiani Pass Trek (5D/4N, ₹8,500) is Indrahar's quieter twin — the 4,250 m shepherd line above Kareri Lake. Kundli Pass Trek (4D/3N, ₹6,500) crosses above the Thatharana meadow on a route almost no commercial groups walk. Thamsar Pass Trek (Difficult, 5D/4N, ₹11,500) follows the working Gaddi migration route from Bir over Rajgundha and Plachak to the 4,600 m Thamsar Jot — flocks on the trail, almost zero trekkers.
Expeditions & culture treks
Seven Sisters Lake Trek (Difficult, 5–6D, ₹9,500). To Lam Dal — the largest of the seven sacred lakes of the Dhauladhar at about 3,960 m, holy to Shiva, linked by high passes and pilgrim paths. Gaddi Kingdom Trek (6D/5N, ₹9,500) follows the shepherds themselves — gots, shrines and stone dhogris across the high pastures, with guides who grew up in these valleys.
Need kit before the trail? We rent trekking gear and camping equipment locally. See the full best treks in Dharamshala guide for how to choose. All prices are per person for groups of two or more, including guide, camping or homestay, meals on trek and permits.
Need more trekking confidence?Seasons, permits, gear and guiding
We recommend trekking from March to June, then again after mid-September. The trails are clearer, the weather is dry, and high passes like Indrahar and Kareri are safest with a local guide.
Want to keep it easy? Choose Triund or Kareri Lake. If you're ready for something bigger, our guides handle permits, camping kit and route planning so you can focus on the views.
Need local trek support?Guides, permits, pickup and kit
Our local guides handle permits, forest entry and route details so you can enjoy the trail without the logistics. We also arrange pickup from McLeod Ganj and drop back after the trek.
Need rental kit? We can add trekking poles, backpacks, rain gear and camping equipment to your plan so you arrive ready for the mountains.
