Jaipur is surrounded by hills and offers a couple of hiking & trekking places in Jaipur. I have been hiking in Jaipur for the last few years. With the rising influence of social media, people keen to hike in Jaipur is increasing every year. There is a sudden rise in the amateur hiking and trekking clubs in Jaipur. Personally, I don’t appreciate joining such large groups because it takes away the essence of hiking. If you are keen to hike yourself, this blog intends to help you with the trekking & hiking places in Jaipur.

Most Popular Hiking & Trekking Places in Jaipur

The following are the most popular trekking & hiking spots in Jaipur. I have trekked to all these places many times over the years, therefore, I’m also mentioning the precautions and safety issues about each of these places.

1. Water Valley Trek Near Nahargarh Fort | Hathni Kund Trek

Water Valley Trek is also called Hathni Kund Trek or Aathuni Kund Trek. Please bear in mind this place possesses no connection with elephants – Hathni. The trek starts from Charan Mandir near Nahargarh Fort. The trail from Charan mandir to Hathni Kund is interesting and the descent followed by a flat walk until the Aathunia waterfall.

Water Valley Trek has become extremely popular. My visit to this trail has reduced owing to this place becoming a favorite site of alcoholics and a “noise-loving” crowd creating a raucous atmosphere. It is not uncommon to find empty liquor bottles and plastic litter all around.

To put it concisely, this has become a popular picnic spot. In the past, I rated Hathuni Kund as the best hidden spot in Jaipur. Read more about this trek in this pos – Hathni Kund Jaipur – The most popular trek in Jaipur?

Location of Hatni Kund Water Valley trek

Water Valley trek is near Charan Mandir on the way to Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur

The Starting Point of the Water Valley Trek in Jaipur is Charan Mandir

Trail Gradient – Easy and good for beginners. Do note the initial part of the trail is lined with loose gravel which can pose a problem during the rainy season. It is a short trek. Don’t miss the flowers of the beautiful sickle bush tree on this trail during the monsoon

Here is a picture of the waterfall at Hathni Kund in Jaipur during the monsoon season. Hathni Kund is the most popular trek in Jaipur during the monsoon.

2. Bhuteshwar Nath Mahadev Trek

I initially heard about the Bhuteshwar Nath trek trail from an elderly person who narrated his childhood experiences of trekking to this old temple. It was his weekend ritual to visit Bhuteshwar with the entire family. In those days, the hills were brimming with ferocious beasts. As a measure of precaution, they never trekked to Bhuteshwar Nath during dawn or dusk.

Bhuteshwar Nath trek entails trekking in Nahargarh wildlife sanctuary in Jaipur. This trek can be completed with a couple of options. The most preferred route starts from Nahargarh Biological Park as it is a flat route and doesn’t involve much ascending or descending. The temple can be reached from the VKI Area, too. The Sagar Lake route is popular among those seeking a little more adventure.

Location of Bhuteshwar Nath Mahadev trek

The Bhuteshwar Nath Mahadev trek is near Nahargarh Biological Park in Nahargarh Forest Jaipur

There are multiple Starting Points for the Bhuteshwar Nath Mahadev trek. The most popular is the one that originates near the Nahargarh Biological Park entrance.

Trail Gradient – Easy to moderate for people who have never hiked before. It is a slightly longer trek in comparison to Hathni Kund. Here is a picture of the Bhuteshwar Nath trek in Jaipur.

3. Chour Ghati Trek Amagarh

Chour Ghati Trek in Jaipur is situated in Amagarh near the Galtaji temple. The trek is also called Amagarh Trek. It is a desolate place that shot into prominence after a few commercially minded trekking guides started offering this trek on an adventure portal. In reality, this place has nothing to do with Chour or thieves. This entire area has been a sacred place for the last 500-600 years and some people consider it disrespectful to mention this area as Chour Ghati.

I avoid visiting the Amagarh or Chor Ghati trek after having noted the presence of leopards in the vicinity. It is not merely about our safety, but we should allow animals free movement in their own territory. Also, note that the Jhalana area has been extended close to Galtaji now. Read The Captivating Monkey Temple at Galtaji 

Location of Chor Ghati Trek

Chor Ghati trek is located near Galtaji also called Jaipur Monkey Temple

The starting point of Chor Ghat Trek is Galta Gate Jaipur

Trail Gradient – Easy to moderate for beginners. The trail is lined with loose gravel before the final ascend. It is shorter than the Bhuteshwar Nath Mahadev trek.

Read Galta Gate Then And Now

4. Nahargarh Fort Trek

Nahargarh Fort Trek is definitely one of the most popular treks in Jaipur. The trail with a cobbled path starts from Purani Basti. It ends near an old stepwell in Nahargarh Fort, a Baori where the Rang De Basanti Bollywood movie was filmed.

The significant advantage of hiking to Nahargarh Fort is it can be attempted during the dawn. In recent times, a considerable number of tourists have also hiked on this route. It requires 15 minutes for a fit person to complete the trail since the Nahargarh Fort height is 200 meters.

There are a couple of more places to trek in Nahargarh Fort but are on unmarked routes. Read Why Sunrise at Nahargarh Fort is a bad idea?

Location of Nahargarh Fort Trek

Nahargarh Fort trek is at the base of the Nahargarh Fort walking ramp in the Purani Basti area of Jaipur.

The starting point of Nahargarh Fort Trek is Purani Basti, Nahargarh Road

Trail Gradient – It is a steep ascend through a cobbled stone path. Many people like to use this for fitness activities. It is a short trail.

5. Chulgiri Trek

Chulgiri Hills offers a more rustic trekking experience. Chulgiri remains a prominent place being one of the most popular Digamber Jain temples in Jaipur. These hills are also home to many leopards since Chulgiri is on the border with Jhalana Forest. One of the most popular routes of Jhalana Leopard Safari called Zone 1 ends near the base of Chulgiri hills.

I wouldn’t suggest a trek into the jungle surrounding Chulgiri. However, one can opt to ascend the stairs which lead to the temple. The stairs offer panoramic views along with a cardio workout. Many runners love to run on the ramp which leads to the temple starting from the valley.

Location of Chulgiri Trek

Chulgiri Trek is near Ghat Ki Guni, Agra Road, Jaipur.

The starting point of Chulgiri Trek is Agra Road

Trail Gradient – This trail is through the paved path and is not very steep. It is good for beginners who want to build endurance. You will find plenty of Thor Danda in this terrain.

6. Garh Ganesh Temple Trek

Garh Ganesh Temple is presumably the oldest temple in Jaipur. Garh Ganesh Trek is one of the best treks in Jaipur for beginners. A few trekking groups refer to this trek as the Chabutara Trek of Jaipur. This name definitely sounds funny.

The original Garh Ganesh temple stairs are steep making it an ideal workout for a fitness freak. You can choose a simpler trail that originates from the left side. This route is popular among female hikers in Jaipur. Many hikers take the exit of the temple premises and hike towards the hill behind Garh Ganesh. After walking a couple of steps, one will come across a new temple dedicated to Shiva. It is a good point to sit and enjoy the views and weather. Read The Garh Ganesh Temple Guide

Location of Garh Ganesh Trek

Garh Ganesh Trek is in Brahampuri Jaipur and extends to Nahargarh Fort

The starting point of Garh Ganesh Trek is the parking area of Royal Gaitore

Trail Gradient – If you are using old stairs to Garh Ganesh Temple, it is short but challenging. The new path is gentle and good for beginners.

Read Dhok Trail Hike

7. Jhalana Treks

I would like to mention trekking in the Jhalana area in Jaipur. Jhalana was a good place to trek until this area was closed to visitors due to the Jhalana Leopard Safari. The Dhok tree dominates the hills of Jhalana, its natural habitat.

Here is a picture of Shikaar Odhi, a hunting lodge in the Jhalana forest which I clicked many years ago.

One needs a permit from the forest department for Jhalana Treks. I haven’t undertaken Jhalana Treks ever since Jhalana Leopard Safari came into being. There are other areas in the vicinity that one can explore as a soft trekking option. A good recommendation in this direction would be Mountaineering & Adventure Institute in Jhalana. One can find this near World Forestry Arboretum owned by the forest department. Here is a picture of the Mountaineering & Adventure Institute in Jhalana.

Read Golden Hours | Why hitting the snooze button is not a good idea

8. Watch Towers Of Amer Fort Wall Climb

Amer Fort Wall Rampart or the Great Wall Of Amer was one of the first places I started trekking & exploring 7-8 years ago. It was the easiest among all the trails; technically, it is not a trek. One can say, this is a good starting point for those wanting to start trekking in Jaipur. These watch towers of the Great Wall of Jaipur or Amer offer stunning views of Amer Fort. Over the last few years, like Hathuni Kund, the watch towers of Amer Fort have become exceedingly popular. It is not uncommon to encounter a substantial number of people on weekends at Amer Fort watch towers. This spot has also become hugely popular among Instagrammers and travel bloggers.

Read  The Great Wall of Amer Fort

Do not that the last few steps have a steep gradient and people intimidated by height might have issues while returning back. Also, during the monsoon, one needs to be extra careful because often algae pose a problem. Some travel bloggers call these Amer Ramparts as Jaipur Wall but this is not true. Some time ago, owing to an accident, access to the watch towers in front of Amer Fort was closed by the local administration. If you are planning to visit, kindly check with the prevailing rules.

Location of Amer Fort Ramparts

Maota Lake near Amer Fort

Starting Point of the Amer Fort Rampart climb is the staircase opposite Amer Fort/ Maota Lake.

Trail Gradient – It is a steady climb but with a steep gradient. The return through the staircase is challenging for many people.

Safety & precaution while trekking in Jaipur

If you are planning to trek in Jaipur, ensure that you carry adequate gear and sufficient water. Always respect nature and avoid creating a nuisance by playing loud music or disposing of trash, plastic, and other waste items in the forest.

• Apart from the above, do not venture to Hathni Kund during rains as it is a water channel and in case of a heavy downpour, it will be extremely difficult to get back to Nahargarh road. The sheer amount of water is immense as it is a valley; this is the reason for a waterfall.
• With the rising number of leopards in Jhalana, the surrounding areas are not safe.
• Amer Fort watch towers in monsoon and rains are risky. Often, algae forms on the stairs resulting in slippery surfaces. There have been instances of people being killed by lightning at Amer Fort watch towers. Check out this news – Shock, panic, and grief: How a trip led to the death of 11 youths at Amer
• Chour Ghati trek too is not safe because leopards are frequently spotted at this location.

9. Chauhde Ke Hanuman Ji Temple Trek | Sagar Climb

Chauhde Ke Hanuman Ji Temple is one of the most frequented treks among first-time trekking enthusiasts in Jaipur. This is very easy to reach and requires very little effort. The trek starts near Sagar Lake not far from Amer Fort, Panna Meena Kund in Amer Town. It is a very short trek. The trek is supposed to end at Hanuman Ji temple on the hilltop but some people continue the trail further.

Location of Sagar Climb Trek

Sagar Climb Chauhde Ke Hanuman Ji Temple Trek is in Amer Town

The starting point of Garh Ganesh Trek is Sagar Lake in Amer

Trail Gradient -The new path is gentle and good for beginners; can be attempted without hiking shoes.

People looking for adventurous places near Jaipur will find this list of hiking spots in Jaipur of great help. I have posted one of my favorite hikes near Jaipur – What makes a hike along the Dhok tree trail alluring?

Frequently Asked Questions on Trekking in Jaipur

Which is the longest trek in Jaipur?

It is difficult to list any single trek as the longest trek in Jaipur. However, among all these the most popular longest trek in Jaipur is the Bhuteshwarnath Mahadev trek for beginners.

How long is Nahargarh Trek?

The Nahargarh Trek using the old cobblestone path takes around twenty to forty minutes to reach up. In all, the Nahargarh Trek can be completed within one and a half to two hours.

How is My Experience with Trekking Groups in Jaipur?

There are many hobbyist trekking groups in Jaipur. The members are connected via a common interest- hiking and trekking. Usually, finding a way into such a club is through connections. They don’t operate by charging money. My experience in all these hiking & trekking groups in Jaipur has been great as most of the people I met were accomplished in their own fields. While I certainly can’t claim this for every club in Jaipur. I have never paid money for hiking activities in any of these clubs in Jaipur.

Jaipur Trekking Club Information

I have been frequently asked by people for information about joining the Jaipur trekking club. The connection can be found on social media; it is a private club.  However, many of the people who have connected with the administrator of the Jaipur trekking club have shared bizarre and strange conditions as a prerequisite for joining. People have been asked to share their Facebook profiles so the admins can screen the profile before allowing them into the Jaipur Trekking Club. At times, they were asked to share their Aadhar Card or alternative identification copy. Yet another has shared that the membership for Jaipur Trekking Club was open only to couples. I don’t have any personal experience with this club. I’m merely sharing this information based on experiences narrated by a few; I don’t claim the accuracy of these experiences. Many trekking clubs in Jaipur are connected for the love of trekking and hiking; Jaipur Trekking Club is one of them but certainly not the only option.

How to join trekking clubs in Jaipur?

It is difficult to find like-minded hiking enthusiasts without any connection. Also, getting connected with trekking and hiking groups is not easy. I have already shared the experiences of people with one such trekking group in this post. The most successful way that I can recommend is to join fitness clubs and gyms that organize hiking activities in Jaipur on weekends. Lately, many gyms in Jaipur have been proactive in organizing hiking in Jaipur as a fitness activity.

Are Sports shoes recommended for Hiking and trekking in Jaipur?

Using sports shoes for hiking and trekking in Jaipur has been a mixed experience among the trekkers I know of. There are hikers in Jaipur who have used sports shoes successfully for many months. There are examples where the soles came off during a hike. In a few cases, using sports shoes on the Jaipur trek led to faster wear and tear. There are many factors for such varied experiences. If you intend to hike regularly in Jaipur, it is cheaper to invest in a hiking shoe.

Which are The Best trekking shoes in Jaipur?

The most popular trekking shoe in Jaipur tends to be the Quechua or Arpenaz models. These are easily available in Jaipur at Decathlon outlets. This explains its popularity. Many people use sports shoes for trekking in Jaipur because they don’t want to buy another shoe or they don’t feel the justification for investing in one. I have used Hi-Tec brand trekking shoes. They are not easily available in India. An Anglo-Dutch brand was once well-known for its Suash/Tennis/Badminton shoes. If you prefer, you can read more about this review of Hi-Tec trekking shoes. Finding the best trekking shoes in Jaipur requires some explorations and trials. Not an easy process but not impossible as well.

Where is Twin Tower Trek in Jaipur?

I have already shared a detailed blog on the Twin Towers trek in Jaipur. You can read the entire blog along with pictures. Hiking in Jaipur during golden hours.

Which is the best Hike in Jaipur for beginners?

Among many treks and hikes in Jaipur, Nahargarh Fort is the easiest as detailed above. Hatuni Kund trek is also the best hike for beginners.

Have you ever been to a hiking place in Jaipur or in your hometown? What do you enjoy the most when it comes to hiking?

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