Why Trekking Changed My Life & Why It Might Change Yours Too
Introduction
I still remember the first time I laced up my hiking shoes, clueless about what lay ahead. It was in Uttarakhand, on the Deoriatal–Chandrashila trek — my very first time walking through dense pine forests, brushing past rhododendron trees, and feeling my breath sync with the rhythm of the mountains.
That trek wasn’t just a physical journey. It was an awakening — the beginning of something bigger than I ever imagined. I didn’t know it back then, but the mountains were about to change me from the inside out.
In the Silence, I Found Clarity
There’s something about trekking that gently strips away the noise we carry in our minds.
On the trail, it’s just you, your breath, the rustle of leaves, and the occasional birdcall echoing in the valley. The deeper you walk, the quieter everything becomes — both around you and within you.
You’re not racing. You’re not scrolling. You’re simply present. And that presence is powerful.
Every step uphill was a reminder that I am stronger than my doubts.
Every pause in the forest was a moment to breathe in calm and exhale chaos.
Every night spent in a tent, away from city lights, brought a stillness I didn’t know I needed.
On the trail, it’s just you, your breath, the rustle of leaves, and the occasional birdcall echoing in the valley. The deeper you walk, the quieter everything becomes — both around you and within you.
You’re not racing. You’re not scrolling. You’re simply present. And that presence is powerful.
Every step uphill was a reminder that I am stronger than my doubts.
Every pause in the forest was a moment to breathe in calm and exhale chaos.
Every night spent in a tent, away from city lights, brought a stillness I didn’t know I needed.
The Beauty of People and Their Stories
One of the most fulfilling parts of trekking is the people you meet — fellow travelers, local guides, porters, and villagers who cross your path. Every one of them has a story, and those stories stay with you.
You get to know people from all over the world — their food, their music, their customs, and how they live in harmony with nature. You learn how different we all are, and yet, how similar our hearts beat when we’re walking through the same forest under the same sky.
Conversations on trails aren’t small talk.
They’re real, raw, and sometimes life-changing.
You connect without screens, without pretenses — just by walking side by side and sharing the love for the outdoors.
You get to know people from all over the world — their food, their music, their customs, and how they live in harmony with nature. You learn how different we all are, and yet, how similar our hearts beat when we’re walking through the same forest under the same sky.
Conversations on trails aren’t small talk.
They’re real, raw, and sometimes life-changing.
You connect without screens, without pretenses — just by walking side by side and sharing the love for the outdoors.
Trekking Mindfully — The Only Way to Trek
The more I trek, the more I understand how delicate these beautiful landscapes are — and how urgent it is for us to protect them.
I’ve seen trails littered with snack wrappers, single-use plastics fluttering from bushes, and tourists being careless with sacred spaces. It hurts. These aren’t just scenic spots — they’re homes for flora, fauna, and communities that rely on them.
That’s why I always:
I’ve seen trails littered with snack wrappers, single-use plastics fluttering from bushes, and tourists being careless with sacred spaces. It hurts. These aren’t just scenic spots — they’re homes for flora, fauna, and communities that rely on them.
That’s why I always:
- No campfires – respect nature’s rhythm
- No Maggi or packaged food – I avoid processed items
- Carry reusable bottles and eco-bags
- Pick up trash on the way, even if it’s not mine
- Use minimal water – it's a limited mountain resource
It’s our collective responsibility to keep the trails clean for those who’ll walk them after us.
Grateful for the Smallest Things
Trekking humbles you.
Suddenly, a simple bowl of warm daal or a dry pair of socks after a rainy hike feels luxurious. You sleep in tents, wash your face with cold stream water, and still feel at peace.
You become grateful for:
Suddenly, a simple bowl of warm daal or a dry pair of socks after a rainy hike feels luxurious. You sleep in tents, wash your face with cold stream water, and still feel at peace.
You become grateful for:
- A cozy sleeping bag after a long hike
- A sip of warm tea shared under the stars
- The sound of distant temple bells in the early morning mist
- A quiet sunrise that fills your soul before it lights the valley
In the mountains, less becomes more.
And suddenly, you find yourself being grateful — deeply and sincerely — for things you once took for granted.
You realize that you don’t need much to feel whole. Just clean air, kind people, your own breath, and a trail that leads somewhere beautiful — or within.
And suddenly, you find yourself being grateful — deeply and sincerely — for things you once took for granted.
You realize that you don’t need much to feel whole. Just clean air, kind people, your own breath, and a trail that leads somewhere beautiful — or within.
A Message for Every Fellow Trekker
Trekking isn’t about reaching the top — it’s about discovering who you are on the way up.
It’s about reconnecting with the Earth, respecting the land, cherishing the people, and understanding the privilege of simply being there.
So if you ever walk a trail:
It’s about reconnecting with the Earth, respecting the land, cherishing the people, and understanding the privilege of simply being there.
So if you ever walk a trail:
- Walk gently.
- Respect the land
- Be kind, curious, and grateful
- Leave nothing but footprints
- Say no to plastic.
- Be kind to fellow hikers and to yourself.
- And when you come back — carry that mindfulness with you, not just in your gear, but in your heart.
Because the real summit is not on a peak — it’s in the clarity, gratitude, and compassion you gain along the way.
Let the mountains change you — and leave them better than you found them.
Let the mountains change you — and leave them better than you found them.
Final Thoughts
The Deoriatal–Chandrashila trek didn’t just show me stunning landscapes — it opened my heart.
Trekking has become more than a hobby. It’s a way of life. A teacher. A healer. And a constant reminder to live simply, travel mindfully, and care deeply.
Trekking has become more than a hobby. It’s a way of life. A teacher. A healer. And a constant reminder to live simply, travel mindfully, and care deeply.
Have a trek that changed your life?
Share your story in the comments or drop a message—I would love to hear about your journey.
Rinkal
Rinkal is a passionate traveler from Ahmedabad who loves exploring hidden gems, savoring local foods, and sharing adventures with fellow wanderers. Rinkal’s goal is to inspire others to travel on a budget while truly experiencing the essence of each place.
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