Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, is the heartland of the Ganges plain and home to the Taj Mahal in Agra, the ghats of Varanasi, the Buddhist site of Sarnath and the Nawabi culture of Lucknow. Its cities hold some of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world, Mughal-era monuments, major Hindu pilgrimage towns such as Ayodhya and Mathura, and a distinctive food tradition of kebabs, chaat and sweets.
Top trails
Routes worth lacing up your boots for.
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1
Kamadgiri Parikrama Walk
A paved, tree-shaded circumambulation of Kamadgiri hill that passes temples and shrines linked to the Ramayana tradition; the circuit takes roughly three to four hours on foot.
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2
Govardhan Hill Parikrama
A flat pilgrim circuit around Govardhan hill through Braj villages, kunds and shrines, walked barefoot by many devotees; the distance is a locally cited figure and varies by route.
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3
Dudhwa Forest Walks and Bird Trails
Short forest-edge and tourism-zone walks in the terai grasslands and sal forest of Dudhwa, home to swamp deer and rhino; movement on foot inside the reserve is restricted to permitted areas.
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4
Katarniaghat Forest and Girwa River Walks
Nature outings on permitted forest tracks and along the Girwa River in Katarniaghat, a gharial and Gangetic dolphin habitat; access follows forest department rules.
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5
Vijaygarh Fort and Kaimur Hills Trail
A walk to the ruined hill fort of Vijaygarh in the Kaimur range of the Vindhyan region, in a district known for forests, waterfalls and rock formations.
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6
Chunar Fort Ramparts and Ganga Bank Walk
A short ramble over the ramparts of Chunar Fort, which stands on a sandstone outcrop above the Ganga with wide river views.
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7
Varanasi Ghats Heritage Walk
A riverfront walk linking the ghats of Varanasi from Assi northwards past Dashashwamedh and Manikarnika, with temples, bathing steps and daily ritual life along the Ganga.
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8
Bateshwar Temples and Chambal Ravines Walk
Walks on the Yamuna bank around the Bateshwar group of temples, near the Chambal ravine country that borders the National Chambal Sanctuary.
Trail difficulty levels
Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.
Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.
Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.
Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.
Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.
When to hike
Seasonal conditions in Uttar Pradesh.
- Winter
- November-February - cool and dry; best for walking and wildlife
- Spring
- March - warming; early mornings are best
- Summer
- April-June - extreme heat; walk only at dawn, forest parks close mid-June
- Monsoon
- July-September - humid and wet; many forest parks closed
Local hazards
What to watch out for on the trail.
Hazard: Extreme summer heat above 40C; carry water and walk at dawn
Hazard: Venomous snakes and wildlife in terai and ravine areas; keep to permitted tracks
Hazard: Dense winter fog on roads in December-January delays travel
Hazard: Mosquitoes in forest areas; use repellent