No doubt, Rishikesh is famous for ashrams, yoga, meditation, and the spiritual experiences that one goes through. But it is also famous for many adventurous activities, and amongst those, trekking is certainly one of the most exciting things to do. There are lots of places in the Himalayas to trek in and around, but Rishikesh has a variety of landscapes, difficulties, and beauty to all these treks. There are different types of trails for trekking in Rishikesh, following are those:
Waterfall Treks
Neer Garh Waterfall Trek: This waterfall is located in the region of the famous Lakshman Jhula, a short 3 km from the bridge, and about 6 km trek from Tapovan. Neer Garh is perfect for morning exercise and to spend a quiet time amongst nature. This trek is a bit challenging as compared to the other waterfall treks.
Garud Chatti and Phool Chatti: Garud Chatti is located 5 km away from Lakshman Jhula and has tea and food stall along the way. Here one can enjoy the scenic beauty of the waterfall or go for a swim. 3 km trek away from Garud Chatti is Phool Chatti, while trekking this route one has to be careful as the trail is slippery.
Patna Waterfall Trek: This trek is located in the park, and it takes about 30 minutes to complete it. It is another short hike and makes for a perfect walk in the park amidst the jungle with plenty of amazing scenery.
Temple Trekking
Kunjapuri Temple Trek: Kunjapuri Trekking is popular half-day trekking in Rishikesh. This trek provides a spectacular view of Himalayan peaks and Doon valley. During this trek, you will see the beautiful view of the green fields and the villages, one can also experience the spectacular view of sunrise and sunsets from here.
Neelkanth Mahadev Trek: This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the total length of this trek is 14 km. This place gives a good trekking experience to the devotees with an amazing view of the flora and fauna surrounding the mountain from the top. This trek is an escape from the busy daily life to nature.
Surkanda Devi Temple: Surkanda Devi temple is located 87 km away from Rishikesh and is one of the most scenic places. This temple is located in Tehri district and is a wonderful 2.5 km uphill trek. It is located in the midst of the lush green forest and is mostly visited by pilgrims.
Trekking near Rishikesh
Kauri Pass Trek: This trek was discovered by Viceroy Lord Curzon and is also known as Lord Curzon. It is special for various reasons; it encompasses Auli, the famous ski resort in India. It also provides a spectacular view of Mt Kamet, Trishul, and Nanda Devi. The ideal time to visit this place is during winter.
Chandrashila Trek: Chandrashila trek is not for you if you are a beginner, but it is considered as one of the most popular Uttarakhand treks. It is a six days trek located in Chopta-Chandrashila-Deorital trek and presents the best of Himalayas. This trek is known as a winter trek and will give you absolute fun.
Valley of Flowers: This trek is combined with Hemkund Sahib and starts from the Ghangaria base. It is one of the most mesmerizing treks in the Himalayan region. This trek is popularly known as flower paradise with hundreds of floral species, painting the mountain colorfully. This trek takes about four days from Govindghat.
Apart from these treks, there are also a small number of popular trekking camps in Rishikesh. Such as Camp Aqua forest, Camp Rapid-fire, and Camp Gold Coast. These camps arrange different types of adventurous activities, mostly trekking, rappelling, rock climbing, cliff jumping, and river rafting.