Loved by backpackers for its laidback mountain towns and cafe culture, this is where I found the right mix of easy going trails in my newbie hiker days, and tougher climbs as I grew more ambitious. This province bridges the gap to Ladakh and is the gateway to the trans-himalaya, its road route (Manali-Leh) is one of the most scenic driving trips in India, and increasingly popular as a mountain biking route as well. Himachal Pradesh is home to the stunning Tirthan Valley, where the Tirthan river flows through a lush valley criss-crossed with easy hikes, juxtaposed with the stark Spiti Valley guarded by mountains that can be traversed only via some truly imposing passes.