8 Long Distance Hikes in the Himalayas

There are 8 long distance hiking routes totaling 9 thousand km across the Himalayas, Pamir and Tian Shan mountain ranges in Bhutan, Nepal, India, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Xinjiang China. Except for the Karakoram in Pakistan these form a nearly continuous route across Southeast and Central Asia. The routes were recently mapped or updated in Open Street Maps putting them on the de-facto map of the international outdoor community

• Trans Bhutan (Himalayas) – 400km
• Great Himalayan Trail Nepal (Himalayas) – 1400km
• Great Himalayan Trail India (Himalayas) – 950km
• Trans Uttarakhand (Himalayas) – 600km
• Pamir Trail (Tajikistan) – 1500km
• Trans Tajikistan & Kyrgyzstan (Taj+Kyr) – 1850km
• Trans Feiniao (Xinjiang China) – 1400km
• 大横断S线 (Xizang & Sichuan China) – 1100km
• Total – 9200km

I am in the process of mapping additional long distance traverses on the Tibet side of the Himalays.

Trans Bhutan

This 400km long sub-4000m routes with 24 thousand meters elevation gain takes you across the length of Bhutan connecting Arunachal and Sikkim in India. Best season is Mar-May and Sep-Nov excluding the monsoon season in Jun-Aug. Bhutan charges a 100USD/day SDF (Sustainable Development Fee) making it expensive.

Great Himalayan Trail Nepal

Well known Internationally is the Great Himalayan Trail across the length of Nepal through the Himalayas. 1400km long with 83 thousand meters of elevation gain. This is a mostly high altitude route (4000-6000m) close to the border with Tibet in the North requiring permissions and mandatory local guide in some sections. Best season is Mar-Jun or Sep-Nov avoiding the monsoon during mid-Jun-mid-Sep. Higher passes will be cold / closed during winter Dec-Mar. The route was recently mapped and updated in OSM. Alternatively we can also look at a less restricted / mid altitude traverse across Nepal using 1:25K and 1:50K topo sheets which have a wider season.

Great Himalayan Trail India

A 950km long route across the Indian Western Himalayas through high passes in Uttarakhand, Himachal, Ladakh and Kashmir. A high route in the 4000-6000m range with 41 thousand meters elevation gain. Avoid Uttarakhand during the Jul-Aug monsoon. Kashmir and Ladakh are protected from the monsoon. Beas season would be Jun->Sep East->West or Jul->Oct West->East. As you can see below there s a good amount of road sections to be hitched/skipped. A good season / route planner for the Western Himalayas can be found over here. Information on most passes can be found over here.

Trans Uttarakhand

A 600km long sub-4000m mid-range route with significant elevation gain of 48 thousand meters hopping across 15 valleys and passes in Kuamon and Garhwal. Best season is May-Jun or Sep-Nov avoiding the monsoon during Jul-Aug. The route takes you through the lush green foothills. Details on all passes can be found over here.

Trans Pamir

A 1500km long route across the Pamir mountains from Afghanistan to Northwest Tajikistan between 3000 to 5000m with 60 thousand meters of elevation gain. Best season to hike is Jul-Sep. The route was recently mapped in OSM and is detailed on pamirtrail.org. Another excellent resource for Tajikistan is www.takali.org.

Trans Tajikistan/Kyrgyzstan

A 1860km long route across the Pamirs and Tian Shan mountains in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan recently mapped in OSM based on the 2022 traverse documented by Jeremy Bige. Best hiking season is Jul-Sep.

Trans Feiniao

A 1400km long route across the Tian Shan mountains in Xinjiang in Western China. A sub-4000m traverse with 56 thousand meters of elevation gain. Best hiking season is mid July to early Sep. The route was recently mapped in OSM based on GPS logs sent from different Chinese hikers / agencies.

Xizang & Sichuan China

A 1124km long route in Xizang and Sichuan provinces of China with 56 thousand meters of elevation gain in the 4000-5000m elevation range. OSM mapping partly completed