3 Offbeat Himalayan Trails to Explore This Summer

The Himalayas aren’t just about the popular trails you see on every travel feed. This summer, we invite you to take the trail less travelled. This is your insider guide to three offbeat Himalayan adventures that promise solitude, raw beauty, and unforgettable stories. Whether you're just stepping into the trekking world or are a seasoned weekend explorer, these trails offer something truly special.

Let’s explore 3 offbeat gems for your Summer escape.

1. Phulara Ridge Trek - Uttarakhand

📍 Location: Sankri Region, Uttarkashi 

📆 Duration: 5 days 

🔍 Difficulty: Easy 

🔻 Altitude: 2,000m to 3,700m

Phulara Ridge is one of the only ridge treks in India, offering a rare experience of walking along an exposed ridgeline with panoramic 360° views. Think green meadows, blooming wildflowers, and majestic sights of Swargarohini, Kalanag, and Bandarpoonch ranges. A scenic, less crowded trek perfect for beginners.

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Dehradun to Sankri

• Distance: ~200 km (10-11 hrs drive)

• Altitude Gain: 450m to 1,950m

• Highlights: Drive through Mussoorie, Tons River valley, pine forests

  
  

Day 2: Sankri to Juda ka Talab

• Distance: 4 km

• Altitude Gain: 1,950m to 2,700m

• Highlights: Oak and pine forests, serene high-altitude lake campsite

  
  

Day 3: Juda ka Talab to Bhoj Gadi

• Distance: 4.5 km

• Altitude Gain: 2,700m to 3,300m

• Highlights: Gradual climb, clearings with mountain views

  
  

Day 4: Bhoj Gadi to Pushtara via Phulara Ridge

• Distance: 6 km

• Altitude Gain: 3,300m to 3,700m (ridge), descend to ~3,200m

• Highlights: 360° ridge views, snow-capped peaks, wild meadows

  
  

Day 5: Pushtara to Taluka; drive to Sankri/Dehradun

• Distance: 8-10 km trek + 10 hr drive

• Altitude Loss: 3,200m to 1,900m to 450m

• Highlights: Descent through forests, drive back through scenic route

2. Baraadsar Lake Trek - Uttarakhand

📍 Location: Ridge between Rupin & Supin Valleys 

📆 Duration: 7 days 

🔍 Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult 

🔻 Altitude: 2,000m to 4,300m

A mystical high-altitude lake trek few have even heard of. Baraadsar Lake is revered locally and remains largely unexplored. It offers ridge-top walks, views of snow-bound peaks, and campsites beside whispering forests and streams. This is a spiritual and physical journey into the raw Himalayas.

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Dehradun to Dhaula

• Distance: ~200 km (9 hrs)

• Altitude Gain: 450m to 1,600m

• Highlights: Riverside views, pine valleys, Purola village

Day 2: Dhaula to Bitri

• Distance: 5 km

• Altitude Gain: 1,600m to 2,400m

• Highlights: Forest trails, quiet campsite near village

Day 3: Bitri to Masundha Dhar

• Distance: 6 km

• Altitude Gain: 2,400m to 3,100m

• Highlights: Ridge views begin, alpine vegetation

Day 4: Masundha Dhar to Dev Bhasa Dhar

• Distance: 5 km

• Altitude Gain: 3,100m to 3,700m

• Highlights: Windy ridgeline walk, panoramic campsites

Day 5: Trek to Baraadsar Lake and return

• Distance: 8-9 km (round trip)

• Altitude: 3,700m to 4,300m, then back

• Highlights: Sacred lake, prayer flags, glacial water

Day 6: Dev Bhasa Dhar to Bitri

• Distance: 10 km

• Altitude Loss: 3,700m to 2,400m

• Highlights: Long descent, retracing ridges

Day 7: Trek down to Dhaula and drive to Dehradun

• Distance: 5 km + 200 km drive

• Altitude Loss: 2,400m to 450m

• Highlights: Final forest descent, end of the trail

3. Dev Kyara Trek - Uttarakhand

📍 Location: Supin Valley, near Jakhol 

📆 Duration: 7 days

 🔍 Difficulty: Moderate 

🔻 Altitude: 2,000m to 4,100m

A hidden paradise, Dev Kyara is often described as "the Valley of Flowers, minus the tourists." Endless meadows, grazing sheep, glacier-fed rivers, and snowy peaks make this trek a nature-lover’s dream. Remote and peaceful, it’s ideal for those seeking true Himalayan silence.

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Dehradun to Jakhol

• Distance: ~200 km (9 hrs)

• Altitude Gain: 450m to 1,900m

• Highlights: Through Mori & Purola, Tons River drive

Day 2: Jakhol to Obra Gad

• Distance: 6 km

• Altitude Gain: 1,900m to 2,500m

• Highlights: Forest walk, camping by the stream

Day 3: Obra Gad to Bhawa

• Distance: 5 km

• Altitude Gain: 2,500m to 3,200m

• Highlights: Wildflowers, open landscapes, sheep herders

Day 4: Bhawa to Dev Kyara meadow

• Distance: 6 km

• Altitude Gain: 3,200m to 4,100m

• Highlights: Glacier basin views, expansive alpine meadows

Day 5: Rest and explore at Dev Kyara

• Optional: Glacier hike or photography

• Highlights: Day trek, glacier view, wildflower spotting

Day 6: Return to Bhawa

• Distance: 6 km

• Altitude Loss: 4,100m to 3,200m

• Highlights: Downhill walk with mountain backdrop

Day 7: Trek to Jakhol and drive to Dehradun

• Distance: 11 km + 200 km drive

• Altitude Loss: 3,200m to 450m

• Highlights: Scenic descent, drive back with river views

Ready to #GetOut?

These trails are more than destinations. They’re invitations to rediscover silence, test your comfort zone, and meet a version of yourself that thrives in the wild.

These trail plans were created using GetOutAI - our free, expert-built outdoor planning tool by Reccy. It’s trained on real trekking insights and delivers clear, structured responses to help you choose the right route, prep your gear, and get adventure-ready.

Try it now at getout.reccy.in and start planning your next escape smarter.