Seasonal
Markha Valley Trek
Chilling, Leh, Ladakh
High 65 km 6-7 days4.8(496)
A classic high-desert traverse through Hemis National Park — river crossings, homestay villages and the Kongmaru La pass.
Markha Valley Trek
Chilling / Leh, Ladakh
OpenMedium 4.1(56 reviews)
A medium-grade Himalayan route from Chilling / Leh, catalogued from state tourism and community trail directories.
The numbers
Distance
18 km
Duration
5 hours
Elevation gain
1143 m
Max altitude
2925 m
Trail type
Point to point
Best season
June–September
Route map
Tentative point-to-point route · not survey-grade
Start: Chilling / Leh — confirm the exact trailhead locally before you startRoute type: Point to point18 km · +1143 m · 5 hours
What the difficulty actually means
Sustained uphill walking for several hours with uneven sections, but no technical climbing or ropes.
Fitness needed
Walk 5 km in about 45 minutes; happy with 4–6 hours on your feet
Technical exposure
Moderate — some narrow or loose sections
Terrain
Forest path, meadow and rocky moraine; snow outside summer
Recommended start: 5:30–7:00 am so you are down before evening weather
Trust & sources
Government and forest sources take priority for permits, closures and legal access. Recent hiker reports supplement them with on-ground conditions.
Verified trailhead
Community SubmittedChilling / Leh — confirm the exact trailhead locally before you start
Ladakh Tourism·Community·Checked 2026-03-10Source
Current status
Community SubmittedOpen — No closure notified at the last check. Conditions change fast — read recent reports below.
Ladakh Tourism·Community·Checked 2026-03-10Source
Permits & fees
Community SubmittedForest entry permit issued at the range check post; carry photo ID. Foreign nationals may need extra clearance.
Ladakh Tourism·Community·Checked 2026-03-10Source
Guide requirement
Community SubmittedOptional, but useful in the first hour where paths branch.
Ladakh Tourism·Community·Checked 2026-03-10Source
Getting there
Driving
Drive to Chilling / Leh and park at the last motorable point near the trailhead.
Public transport
State buses and shared taxis reach Chilling; the last leg is usually a local jeep.
Parking
Informal roadside or village parking; small fee common on weekends.
On the trail
Mobile coverage
Patchy — usually lost above the last village
Water
Carry all your water; no reliable source
Food
Tea stalls at the base only
Toilets
None on route
Family suitability
Not for children
Pets
Pets not allowed
Safety
- Altitude, weather and daylight are the real risks here, not the climbing.
- Tell someone your plan and expected return time; coverage is unreliable.
- Check with the local forest office on the morning of your hike.
Recent trail-condition reports
No condition reports yet. Be the first to file one.
Reviews
No reviews yet for this trail.
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