Easy does not mean flat. Every trek here involves climbing, altitude and cold. What makes them easy is that none of them requires prior trekking experience, technical skill or more than reasonable fitness.

What counts as an easy trek

Four things:

• Maximum altitude under about 12,500 feet
• Four to six hours of walking a day, not eight
• A clear, well-used trail
• Villages or road heads close enough to descend to quickly

By that measure, three Uttarakhand treks stand out.

The treks

Chopta, Tungnath and Chandrashila

Duration: 5 days, 4 nights Fitness: low to moderate Season: works almost year round

The gentlest introduction to Himalayan trekking. The walk to Tungnath, the world’s highest Shiva temple, is short and mostly stone-paved. The push to Chandrashila above it is steeper but brief, and the summit gives you Nanda Devi, Trishul and Chaukhamba in one sweep.

Kedarkantha

Duration: 6 days Fitness: moderate Season: December to March

The most popular beginner trek in India. Summit at 12,500 feet. The gain is spread over three days, which is what makes it manageable. The summit morning is the only genuinely hard part, and it is over in a few hours.

Brahmatal

Duration: 6 days, 5 nights Fitness: moderate Season: December to March

Slightly longer days than Kedarkantha, and a slightly higher payoff. 12,250 feet at the top, with Trishul and Nanda Ghunti in full view.

Easy treks compared

Trek	Duration	Max altitude	Daily walking	Season
Chandrashila	5D / 4N	Approx 13,000 ft [verify]	3 to 5 hours	Year round
Kedarkantha	6 days	12,500 ft	4 to 6 hours	Dec to Mar
Brahmatal	6D / 5N	12,250 ft	5 to 6 hours	Dec to Mar

The fitness you actually need

Nothing dramatic. If you can walk five kilometres on level ground without stopping, and climb four flights of stairs without needing to rest at the top, you are ready for any of these.

If you cannot, you have time. Start walking daily six weeks out. Add stairs in week three. Add a loaded backpack in week five. That is enough.

Altitude is the part fitness does not fully solve. Everyone feels it above 10,000 feet. The answer is pace, water and the acclimatisation days built into the itinerary, not being fitter.

What to carry

• Trekking shoes with ankle support, broken in beforehand
• Three warm layers, one of them waterproof
• Gloves, woollen cap, thick socks
• Sunglasses and sunscreen, which matter more in snow than on a beach
• Reusable water bottle
• Personal medication

Divine Trail sends a full checklist on booking.

Frequently asked questions