Best trails in Hemis National Park
Hemis National Park is one of the largest parks in South Asia with a whooping area of 4400 sq km. This park is home to many indigenous species then be it in terms of animals, birds, and plants, so much so it is also known as the Snow Leopard Capital of India. Some of the other animal species that are found in this region are the Asiatic Ibex, Ladakhi Wild Sheep, Eurasian Brown Bear, and Tibetan Wolf and these are just to name a few. It is no slouch in terms of the variety of birds that are found here as well, some of the many birds that can be observed here are the Spot Golden Eagle, Fire Fronted Serin, and Lammergeier Vulture. Along with the fabulous animals and birds, this is one of the parks that have pastoral communities residing within the premises rich with culture, heritage, and tons of history. It is a fabulous experience to visit this park, with its amazing biodiversity, views that are out of this world, and a lesson in the passage of time.
Top trails
- (19)•Moderate•7.1 miThis is section 3 of the larger multi-part trail that begins from Chilling and ends at Hemis and goes through the fantabulous Hemis National Park. Hemis National Park also known as the Snow Leopard capital of India is home to various different flora and fauna. This trail lies in the Markha valley and takes one on a journey through the harsh terrains of Ladakh, and the rich heritage and culture that has remained unhampered, thanks to the great expanses of the Himalayas.
- (19)•Hard•6.9 miThe route begins from Hankar, right at the palace of Hankar. One will enjoy incredible views of the many valleys, and an enjoyable descent down through the rocks and boulders. Yaks grazing on green plains at high altitudes, white snow-covered peaks, extensive valleys surrounded by huge, rocky mountains, and Tibetan culture paints up the landscapes of this location. This trek is perfect for those seeking both stunning Himalayan landscapes and experiencing real Tibetan culture. There are...
- (22)•Hard•12.7 miSection 3 of the multi-part trail starts from Chilling and ends at Hemis, passing through the breathtaking Hemis National Park, which is renowned as the Snow Leopard capital of India and boasts of diverse flora and fauna. This trail runs through the Markha valley, offering a challenging trek across the rugged landscapes of Ladakh while also providing an opportunity to explore the region's rich cultural heritage, which has remained intact in the vast expanses of the Himalayan mountains.
- (16)•Hard•44.2 mi•Est. 24 hr+Markha Valley is one of the valleys that lie in the beautiful expanses of Ladakh. Untouched by human interventions Ladakh has always been one of those locations where people came to experience the amazing wilderness and nature's unending beauty. Markha Valley has been the largest valley that lies in the Hemis National Park. Furthermore, this trek takes one through various different high altitude terrains, and within them lies the many beautiful little hamlets. The majority of the trail...
- (15)•Hard•10.6 miThis is pretty much the last leg of the larger Markha Valley trail that begins from Chilling, basically, this is the last part before the road begins. During this trail, one will also come across the fabled Kongmaru La pass which is the last pass that one comes across on this journey. Spectacular views make up the surroundings of this location comprising majorly of the snow-covered Himalayan peaks. Being in the Hemis National Park this location is known to be home to Snow Leopards and is...
- (8)•Hard•8.9 miShingo to Rumbak is section 2 of the longer Markha Trail and lies on the alternate route that takes one deeper into the Hemis National Park and Markha Valley. This particular trail also goes through the Ganda La Pass, which is one of the lesser-known passes. These villages and regions are some of the most remote sections on earth, located right by the Himalayas. Most of the terrain in this location is desert-like and devoid of vegetation, with few oases of green patches of shrubs and bushes....
- (7)•Hard•38.7 miThe trail starts from Kaya one of the villages nearby Chilling and takes one to the fabulous Shang Sumdo village. The trail passes through Ozang, Chokdo, Choskyurmo, Lartse, Nimaling Tent Stay, Tachyungtse, Hankar, and Umlung, and the summit of Skiumarkha. The trek lies in Hemis National Park, which is a famous wildlife destination in Ladakh and is famous for its high population of snow leopards and a wide variety of birds. A few of the many species found here are the robin accentor,...
- (5)•Hard•4.9 miSkiu to Shingo is section 1 of the longer Markha Trail and lies on the alternate route that takes one deeper into the Hemis National Park and Markha Valley. These villages and regions are some of the most remote sections on earth, located right by the Himalayas. Most of the terrain in this location is desert-like and devoid of vegetation, with few oases of green patches of shrubs and bushes. Trees are a rarity at this altitude. Although Hemis is known for a wide variety of fauna species...
- (3)•Hard•23.2 miThe trail starts from Kaya and passes through Skiu, (also known as Skyu), which are adjacent villages in the Markha River valley. As this location is low in terms of vegetation most of the greenery is limited nearby the villages and majorly consists of farming. Although don't consider this location to be a slouch in terms of biodiversity in terms of fauna and avifauna. There are multiple species of animals, and birds that can be spotted in this region. Skiu and Kaya two villages right at...
- (6)•Hard•15.2 miThe trek starts from Rumbak, a village in the Leh district of Ladakh, India. It is located in the Likir tehsil and lies within Hemis National Park. Hemis National Park is also known as the Snow Leopard Capital of India and is named after the famous monastery of Ladakh Hemis Gompa. Indus River flows on the northern periphery, and the Park covers much of the catchments of the lower Zanskar valley. It is the second-largest contiguous protected area in India, after Nanda Devi Biosphere...
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to hike in Hemis National Park?
According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Hemis National Park is Markha Valley Trail: Markha - Hankar Section 3, which has a 4.6 star rating from 19 reviews. This trail is 7.1 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,751 ft.
What is the longest trail in Hemis National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Hemis National Park is Tantse Gompa. This trail is estimated to be 75.5 mi long.
How many trails are in Hemis National Park?
There are 47 trails in Hemis National Park. These trails have an average 4.5-star rating from 179 AllTrails community reviews.
Which trail has the most elevation gain in Hemis National Park?
If you're looking for elevation gain, Hemis National Park has you covered. Tantse Gompa boasts the most elevation gain with 30,262 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Zangla - Shade Village Trail, which will get you 22,572 ft of elevation gain.
Are there camping trails available in Hemis National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, there are 41 camping trails in Hemis National Park and the most popular is Markha Valley Trail: Markha - Hankar Section 3 with an average 4.6 star rating from 19 community reviews.
Are there any trails with scenic viewpoints in Hemis National Park?
Yes, there are 8 trails with scenic viewpoints in Hemis National Park, including Markha Valley Trail (Alternate Trail): Shingo - Rumbak Section 2, Kaya - Ganda La Pass Trail via Skyu, Ganda La, Zinchan - Gandala, and Kaya - Stok via Stok La.
Are there any trails with rivers in Hemis National Park?
Yes, there are 13 trails with rivers in Hemis National Park, including Markha Valley Trail: Markha - Hankar Section 3, Markha Valley Trail: Skiu - Markha Section 2, Chilling - Shang Sumdo, Kaya - Ganda La Pass Trail via Skyu, and Wanla - Chilling.
Are there any trails with historical monuments in Hemis National Park?
Yes, there are 4 trails with historical monuments in Hemis National Park, including Stok La Pass Trek, Kaya - Stok via Stok La, Zinchan - Stok Kangri Trail, and Chilling - Stok Trek.
Are there any trails with scenic mountain peak views in Hemis National Park?
Yes, there are 5 trails with scenic mountain peak views in Hemis National Park, including Stok Kangri, Kang Yatze II Base Camp - Summit, Zinchan - Stok Kangri Trail, Lhato - Kang Yatse Peaks, and Shang Sumdo - Kang Yatse Peaks.
Are there any trails with springs in Hemis National Park?
Yes, there are 4 trails with springs in Hemis National Park, including Stok La Pass Trek, Kaya - Stok via Stok La, Zinchan - Stok Kangri Trail, and Chilling - Stok Trek.
Are there any trails with historical ruins in Hemis National Park?
Yes, there are 3 trails with historical ruins in Hemis National Park, including Chilling - Shang Sumdo, Kaya - Nimaling via Skiumarkha, and Chatang - Shade Village via Phuktal Trek.
