A good trek route to try for beginners is through the scenic mid-altitude, broad leafs- temperate forests that engulf an array of flora and fauna. The walk is easy throughout and highly recommended for those looking for a light and gentle trek that allows you to soak up the diverse landscapes, culture and nature of this region.
The first route is from Nainital to Kilbury, is a short trek of 12 km. Kilbury is elevated at 2528 mts and famous for bird watching. You also get a view of the Tarai and Bhabhar regions of the Himalayas from here.
This second route covers a distance of 20 km beginning from Nainital downhill to Kainchi [1400 mts] and will take you a complete day to reach. This place is famous as a pilgrimage centre established by Baba Neem Karoli, a saint sometime during the 1960s.
This trek route is the long and takes 4 days to complete. Ascent to Binayak perched at 2225 mts covering a distance of 18 km from Nainital. After a night's rest at Binayak, continue your climb to Kunjkharak covering 18 km and elevated at 2600 mts high. You can do some sightseeing here and stay overnight. The next day you hike to your final destination that covers 12 km to Betalghat.
The next trek also covers some excellent path and takes 5 days to complete. Early morning you hike to Pathariya elevated at 2200 mts from where you can view the entire town of Nainital. After an overnight rest, the next day welcomes you with one of the finest paths covering 14 km and that takes 9 long hours but hardly tiring as you cross through rich cedar forests, small streams and enchanting landscapes to one of the highest ridges in Vinayak at 2600 mts above sea level which offer a good view of the Himalayas. This is where you might get a view of the elusive Serow and the rare Himalayan Black Bear. The foot trails from here also leads you to Naina Peak [Cheena Peak, 2600 mts] from where you can follow a narrow path leading to the Sigri ridges [2350 mts] and Pangot.
You can trek back to Vinayak and stay at a lovely forest bungalow or camp within the nursery compound. Vinayak also offers a spectacular view of the sun setting behind the Himalayas, a definite delight to watch. After dinner and a night's rest, continue east on your main path along the Kunjkharak ridges. After hiking for 5 hours over 15 km you come across the Jhoola forest and a grand view of a 380 km stretch of the Himalayan ranges. A kilometre ahead you arrive in Kunjkharak [Kharak means 'Pass'] where you camp at the forest department compound.
The route from Kunjkharak leads you through temperate forest as you descend down towards south you are faced with Tall Oak trees, Chestnut trees and Rhododendrons accompanied with colourful Jays, Thrushes and Magpie species of Birds. Half-way through your hike you come across beautiful mountain streams where you can stop for lunch and continue further 4.5 km to arrive in Akashkhanda [1600 mts] where you can camp at a forest bungalow located amidst tall Pine trees and from where you can see Nanda Ghunti Peak [6309 mts] and Trishul Peak [7120 mts]. After a long trek of 6 hours, rest here and continue on the last stretch of 16 km to Kumeria that takes about 5 hours to reach. The trails leads you to Mon Village through sharp narrow descend of the coniferous forest. At Mon primary school you can rest awhile and carry on through the old district board road that winds along River Kosi to Okhaldhunga Village [500 mts] where you reach a well maintained lane that converges with a narrow feeble lane leading you to the Kosi riverbanks of Kunkhet Village where you cross over a suspension bridge to arrive at Kumeria.
