New Delhi, April 22 -- More young professionals these days are trading longer vacations for bite-sized weekend hikes and domestic trekking. This trend has picked up immensely across India's busy metros and cities.

The government has recognized India's potential to offer world-class trekking and hiking experiences. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed steps in the Union Budget 2026-27 to develop trails in various parts of the country, including ecologically sustainable mountain trails in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir.

Domestic trekking has gained traction. Whether it is a Rs.1,500 monsoon trail in the Sahyadris, a range that stretches over 1,600 km along the west coast, or a Rs.16,000 expedition on a frozen ...