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Best trails in Khangchendzonga National Park

Best trails in Khangchendzonga National Park

4.7(47 reviews)

·

India
: 
#10 of 102 national parks

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The Khangchendzonga National Park, located in northern India's state of Sikkim, features a diverse range of plains, valleys, lakes, glaciers, and beautiful, snow-capped mountains covered in forests, including the world's third-highest peak, Mount Khangchendzonga. Mythological legends are related to this mountain and a variety of natural components (caves, rivers, lakes, etc.) that are revered by Sikkim's indigenous people. The holy significance of these stories and traditions has been incorporated into Buddhist beliefs and serves as the foundation for Sikkimese identity.

Top trails

  1. #1 - Goechala Trek

    4.8(19)
    ·Hard
    ·35.8 mi
    This route offers a classic Himalayan experience, culminating in close-up views of the Kanchenjunga massif. The trail follows the Prek Chu River, crossing it on suspension bridges, and passes through several distinct vegetation zones. A key landmark is the tranquil Samiti Lake, whose still, turquoise waters perfectly reflect the surrounding snow-covered peaks, including the formidable Mt. Pandim. The changing scenery provides a rich visual journey.

  2. #2 - Goechala Trek: Yuksom - Tshoka Section 1

    4.1(12)
    ·Hard
    ·6.5 mi
    This is a beautiful trail in the valleys of Sikkim in the Gyalshing district that takes one deeper into the Khangchendzonga National Park. This leg of the journey is pretty green and along with being green, it is highly biodiverse as well with many different species of animals, birds, and plants to explore and observe. Majorly the forest type of this region remains predominant with alpine species like Birch, Shrubs, Rhododendrons, Alpine Grasses, etc. Fauna species that one can encounter...

  3. #3 - Dzongri Top Trail

    4.0(6)
    ·Hard
    ·21.8 mi
    Yuksom-Dzongri is one of the shorter alternates to the longer Goeche-La Pass Trek. Although the views aren't as fabulous as Goeche-La but aren't any less mesmerizing. In actual fact, Dzongri and Dzongri La (viewpoint) is the paramount spot to get a view of the spectacular mountains and their towering peaks in the Sikkim Himalayas. As part of its fauna offering, the park gives you a mix of mammals like the takin, snow leopard, goral, musk deer, serow, clouded leopard, blue sheep, Tibetan wild...

  4. #4 - Goechala Trek: Thansing - Goechala Section 3

    5.0(5)
    ·Hard
    ·8.5 mi
    This massive pass of Goeche La is located in the lovely valleys of Sikkim's Gyalshing region. The sceneries of this place include spectacular vistas of the surrounding high Himalayan peaks. Around 12 huge peaks can be viewed from here, with Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest mountain, taking the center stage. Other peaks visible from this route are the Talung, Rathong, Kabru N, Koktang, Simvo, Kabru S, Kabru Dome, Kabru Forked, Pandim, Tenchenkhang, and, of course, Jupono (mentioned in...

  5. #5 - Goechala via Dzongri

    5.0(2)
    ·Hard
    ·36.7 mi
    This trek follows a historic route into a protected sanctuary. The path winds through sub-tropical forests, which gradually thin out to reveal a high-altitude landscape of meadows and glacial moraine. Key viewpoints along the way offer stunning, up-close perspectives of the Kanchenjunga massif and its surrounding peaks, including Pandim and Kabru. The area is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, noted for its unique flora and cultural significance.

  6. #6 - Goechala Trek: Tshoka- Thansing Section 2

    5.0(2)
    ·Hard
    ·7.1 mi
    This trail lies in mystical Khangchendzonga National Park, which is unparalleled and rich in biodiversity, recently it was also notified as a biosphere. This park is one of the first mixed heritage sites for India that lies in India, Nepal, and even parts of Tibet. There are numerous glaciers inside the national park with the Zemu glacier being the most significant one. The high altitude of this reserve is home to a large variety of flora and fauna, some of which are rare and endemic to...
  7. Green Lake Trek

    #7 - Green Lake Trek

    Strenuous
    ·36.4 mi
    This expedition-grade route culminates at the base of Mt. Kanchenjunga, following a treacherous path deep into North Sikkim. The initial stages involve navigating difficult terrain through dense rhododendron thickets and over landslide debris in the Zemu Chu River Valley. The highest sections require navigating rough, indistinct trails across boulder fields and moraine to the Rest Camp. The final push is a strenuous climb over rocky, high-altitude terrain to the exposed Green Lake basin.
  8. Thansing - Lampokhari Lake

    #8 - Thansing - Lampokhari Lake

    Hard
    ·8.3 mi
    Lampokhari Lake not unlike the Artiar Lake located in Lampokari village is a lesser-known lake of the Khangchendzonga National Park, hidden deep inside the wilderness. It is one of the must-visit treks nearby Thansing and Goechala. It is often looked over as it is off the path from Goechala. This region is pretty green with majorly alpine kind of vegetation and an environment that is highly biodiverse with many different species of animals, birds, and plants to explore and observe. The...

  9. #9 - HMI Advanced Base Camp Trail

    Strenuous
    ·36.3 mi
    The trail ascends rapidly into the high alpine zone, transitioning from dense rhododendron and conifer forests to exposed glacial moraine. The path is defined by a chaotic mix of large, unstable boulders, loose scree, and icy patches requiring focused footwork. Near the Advance Base Camp, the environment is dominated by rock and permanent snowfields, where glacier travel protocols and the use of crampons or microspikes are necessary for safe negotiation of the hard-packed ice and frozen...
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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Khangchendzonga National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Khangchendzonga National Park is Goechala Trek, which has a 4.8 star rating from 19 reviews. This trail is 35.8 mi long with an elevation gain of 13,208 ft.

What is the longest trail in Khangchendzonga National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Khangchendzonga National Park is Goechala via Dzongri. This trail is estimated to be 36.7 mi long.

How many trails are in Khangchendzonga National Park?

There are 9 trails in Khangchendzonga National Park.These trails have an average 4.7-star ratingfrom 47 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Khangchendzonga National Park?

HMI Advanced Base Camp Trail has the most elevation gain with 14,540 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Goechala via Dzongri, which has 14,025 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Khangchendzonga National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 9 camping trails in Khangchendzonga National Park and the most popular is Goechala Trek with an average 4.8 star rating from 19 community reviews.

Are there any trails with huts in Khangchendzonga National Park?

Yes, there are 5 trails with huts in Khangchendzonga National Park, including Goechala Trek, Dzongri Top Trail, Goechala via Dzongri, Goechala Trek: Tshoka- Thansing Section 2, and HMI Advanced Base Camp Trail.

Are there any trails with glaciers in Khangchendzonga National Park?

Yes, there is one trail with a glacier in Khangchendzonga National Park: Green Lake Trek.

Are there any trails with lakes in Khangchendzonga National Park?

Yes, there are 3 trails with lakes in Khangchendzonga National Park, including Goechala Trek, Goechala Trek: Thansing - Goechala Section 3, and Goechala via Dzongri.

Are there any trails with scenic mountain peak views in Khangchendzonga National Park?

Yes, there is one trail with a scenic mountain peak view in Khangchendzonga National Park: Dzongri Top Trail.

Are there any trails with rivers in Khangchendzonga National Park?

Yes, there are 8 trails with rivers in Khangchendzonga National Park, including Goechala Trek, Goechala Trek: Yuksom - Tshoka Section 1, Dzongri Top Trail, Goechala Trek: Thansing - Goechala Section 3, and Goechala via Dzongri.