7 commercial Himalayan trails you should totally avoid.

Are you tired of your boring life and planning to make a quest for a serene place? Away from the chaos and hustle-bustle of the polluted and overcrowded cities, there lie numerous mountain treks in India that will allow you to rejuvenate and connect better with nature. The Himalayan treks are an absolute beauty that would make you jaw touch the floor. Since the inception of the increasing popularity of treks, the human traffic on these treks has increased several folds. Humans have littered these beautiful places and this is why even the mountains are getting polluted. The beauty of the treks is constantly fading because of human pollution in the mountains. The pollution tends to increase every year and it is high time that we need to keep a check on it.

Here are the 7 commercial treks that you need to avoid despite the breathtaking beauty that it offers. They are:

Triund Trek:




Triund Trek is situated at a distance of 18 kilometers from Dharamshala. The whole trail is covered with serene forest and an impeccable view of the Kangra valley. The trek starts from Mcloedganj and has quite a steep ascent. The trail provides a refreshing walk through rhododendron and oak trees. This is one of the most preferred treks which is quite popular for beginners. Moreover, it is one of the cheapest treks which assure an amazing trek experience. These are reasons that have accounted for the increasing population for the Triund Trek. This increase in population has an adverse effect and ultimately the beauty of the place tends to deteriorate because of human pollution.





Kheerganga:




The trek from Kasol to Kheerganga is one of the most populated trails in the Himalayas. The lush green surrounding and blue fluffy clouds will certainly take you by surprise It lies at an altitude of 13,000 feet. The overall trek length is around 12 kilometers, You are certain to fall in love with the weather of this place. The famous hot water spring at such a place where the temperature is very low will prove to blur away your worries. The soothing touch of warm water on your body will replenish the tiredness that you encountered during the journey. This trek is also one of the most common treks and human pollution increases every year. During the summer season, it is completely overcrowded. In recent times, this trek has become almost like a tourist place rather than a place where you can find peace and serenity.





Bhrigu Lake:




If you are bored with your corporate life in the plains and planning to make a quest for a quick escape from the large mass into the mountains, Bhrigu Lake trek is one of the best options. The climb starts right out of Manali and you can witness the fading of Manali as you keep on ascending this amazing destination. You will come across a large covering of alpine meadows ahead of you. The fresh lush green surrounding won't agree to subside with the extension of your sight. Finally, at the top of your trek, you will find glimpses of a calm Bhrigu Lake, which remains frozen in the monsoon. It takes around 4 days to complete the whole trek and the difficulty level is considered to be moderate. But due to easy access and cheap trek prices, there is an increase in the number of tourists and hence the serenity of this place is gradually fading.





Kedarkantha Trek:




Kedarkantha is one of the treks that has picked up the spotlight quite recently and was shocked by the number of people it attracted. Famous for its 360-degree view it attracts a lot of traffic in winter. So it should be avoided if you are in a quest for peace and serenity. If you anyhow want to witness the majestic beauty of the trek with less crowd, then there is no better time than the autumn months of September, October, and November. The panoramic view from the top of the summit entitles an amazing 360 degree in the vicinity. The view will surely be worth the tiredness. The difficulty level of Kedarkantha Trek is considered to be easy to moderate and it takes around 4 days to complete the whole trek to and fro from the initial starting point.





Roopkund Trek:




Roopkund Trek is situated in the Chamoli district of Garhwal. The difficulty level is considered to be moderate to difficult. The maximum elevation hovers around 15,600 feet and it takes around 8 days to complete a trail of 53 kilometers. This trek in Uttarakhand is famous for its glacial lake which is also called mystery lake. It is said that around more than five hundred skeletons of the human body are found in the vicinity of the lake. The snow covering adds up to the beauty of the place. The whole trail is beautiful yet ruined by humans because of the plastic filled footprints.





Chadar trek:




Chadar trek is situated in Leh, Ladakh region in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The difficulty level is considered to be high because of the freezing temperatures in the vicinity which goes as below as -30-degree centigrade. The maximum trekking altitude is 11,100 feet and it takes around 9 days to cover a complete trail of 62 kilometers. It is known as the "Chadar trek" because of the thick blanket of snow that is formed throughout the trail. Walking on the frozen Zanskar river is like a dream coming true. The snow-laden mountains and whirly passes along with the frozen river entices a lot of trekkers throughout the world. This is why it is crowded and has now become a part of a human polluted isolated place. The overcrowding has led to the gradual deterioration of this natural beauty.





1. About the Author

   Harshit Patel : Co-Founder at Trekmunk. A certified Mountaineer, Skiier, has led more than 50 high altitude treks in the Indian Himalayas. He is an Engineer by profession but a traveler by passion. He has led treks in Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Sikkim and Nepal. He is a NOLS certified First Aid Responder and has covered 185,000+ km on Motorcycle. A Poet, Drone Pilot and Videographer at Insane Traveller Productions.