Best Treks & Nature Trails in Andaman

Why Trek in Andaman

Trekking is the one way to see the side of Andaman the beaches hide. Most of the islands are still covered in dense tropical rainforest, and the few marked trails lead somewhere a boat or a road cannot: the 732-metre summit of Saddle Peak, the forest beach at Elephant Beach, a sunset viewpoint over the sea at Chidiya Tapu, or limestone caves reached through mangrove. The treks are short by Himalayan standards, most are half-day walks rather than multi-day expeditions, but they are humid, green and rich in birdlife, with endemic species you will not see elsewhere in India. That makes Andaman trekking a complement to a beach-and-diving trip rather than a separate expedition: a morning trail, then back to the coast by afternoon.

In short, the trails give you three things the coast does not:

• Forest and viewpoints: summit and ridge trails to the highest points in the islands, with views over the sea and the rainforest canopy.
• Wildlife and birding: endemic and migratory birds, butterflies and the occasional reptile along quiet, low-traffic trails.
• Short and combinable: most trails are easy-to-moderate half-day walks you can slot between beach and diving days, not separate trips.

Andaman Treks at a Glance

Use the table to match a trek to your fitness, your time and your base island, then read the trail you want in full below. Figures are indicative: confirm current trail conditions, timings and permits locally before you set out.

Mount Harriet Trek (Mount Harriet – Madhuban)

Where: near Port Blair, across the harbour (Mount Harriet National Park, now Mount Manipur N.P.) · Difficulty: Moderate · Duration: 4–5 hours one way · Distance: ~16 km (Mount Harriet to Madhuban) · Best time: November–April · Permit: national-park / forest-department entry

Mount Harriet is the classic Andaman forest trek and the easiest to combine with a Port Blair stay. At around 365 metres it is one of the highest points in South Andaman, and the view from the top, the one printed on the back of the old INR 20 note, looks out over the harbour and the islands. The signature route is the roughly 16-kilometre forest trail from Mount Harriet down to Madhuban beach, through dense rainforest with good birdlife and butterflies along the way. To reach the trailhead, cross the harbour from Port Blair (Chatham / Bamboo Flat jetty) and continue by road to the park gate. For timings, entry fees and full park details, see the Mount Harriet National Park page before you go.

Saddle Peak Trek: Diglipur (the islands' highest point)

Where: Saddle Peak National Park, near Diglipur, North Andaman · Difficulty: Challenging · Duration: 6–8 hours round trip · Distance: ~8 km one way · Best time: November–April · Permit: national-park permit required

Saddle Peak is the highest point in the entire Andaman and Nicobar chain at about 732 metres, and its summit trek is the most demanding trail in the islands, a steep, humid climb through thick rainforest, usually starting near Lamiya Bay / Kalipur outside Diglipur. It is a full-day effort and a forest guide is recommended; you will also need a national-park permit from the forest department at Diglipur. Because Diglipur sits in the far north (a long road-and-ferry journey of roughly 325 km from Port Blair), this trek suits travellers already heading to North Andaman for Ross & Smith or Alfred Caves. For a full account of the route and the park, read our Saddle Peak trek guide.

Elephant Beach Trail: Havelock

Where: Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), off the Radhanagar road · Difficulty: Easy–moderate · Duration: 30–40 minutes one way · Distance: ~2 km · Best time: November–April (muddy in monsoon) · Permit: none

Elephant Beach is the one beach in Andaman you can reach on foot instead of by boat, and the short jungle walk to it is the most accessible trek on Havelock. The trail starts off the Radhanagar road and runs about two kilometres through forest and a patch of mangrove to the beach, muddy and slippery after rain, so it is best in the dry season and in proper shoes. At the end you get the same close-to-shore reef as the speed-boat crowd, usually with fewer people if you walk in early. It pairs naturally with snorkelling or sea walking; for the water activities there, see the Andaman adventure activities guide.

Chidiya Tapu – Munda Pahad Trail

Where: about 25 km south of Port Blair · Difficulty: Easy–moderate · Duration: 1–1.5 hours · Distance: ~1.5–2 km · Best time: November–April · Permit: none

Chidiya Tapu, "Bird Island", is the best short nature trail near Port Blair, and the only trek you can do on your arrival or departure day without crossing to another island. The trail climbs gently through forest to the Munda Pahad (Black Mountain) viewpoint, ending at a rocky headland that is the area's prime sunset point, with mangroves and forest that make it one of the best birding spots in the islands at first light. Keep to the marked path and finish before dark, swimming and lingering after dusk are not advised because of saltwater crocodiles in the creeks. For everything to do in the area, see things to do in Chidiya Tapu.

Baratang Limestone-Cave Trek

Where: Baratang Island, ~100 km north of Port Blair via the Andaman Trunk Road · Difficulty: Easy · Duration: ~1.5 km walk each way (plus boat) · Distance: ~1.5 km · Best time: November–April · Permit: ATR convoy + Jarawa Tribal Reserve passage rules

Baratang is the gentlest "trek" on this list and the most unusual: after a boat ride through dense mangrove creeks, a short walk of about 1.5 kilometres on a boardwalk and forest path leads to a chamber of natural limestone caves. The day starts very early because the Andaman Trunk Road from Port Blair runs in a vehicle convoy through the Jarawa Tribal Reserve, where stopping, photography and interaction are strictly prohibited by law. The same trip can take in Baratang's mud volcanoes. It is an easy outing suitable for families, but it is a long day, plan a pre-dawn start from Port Blair.

Madhuban & Other Lesser-Known Trails

Where: Madhuban, on the far side of Mount Harriet National Park near Port Blair · Difficulty: Moderate · Duration: 3–4 hours · Distance: ~8 km (forest route) · Best time: November–April · Permit: forest-department entry

Madhuban is the forest beach on the far side of the Mount Harriet range, historically linked to the islands' elephant-logging camps. You can reach it by the forest trail down from Mount Harriet (the back half of the classic 16-km route) or by boat from Port Blair, and it makes a quiet alternative to the busier coast. Beyond these, North Andaman around Diglipur has the trail to Alfred Caves and short walks near Lamiya Bay, while Havelock and Neil have easy coastal nature walks for casual trekkers. These lesser-known routes are best done with a local guide, as trail markings are limited.

Best Time to Trek, Permits & What to Pack

Best time to trek in Andaman

The best time to trek in Andaman is November to April, the cool, dry season, when trails are firm, leeches are fewer and the forest is comfortable to walk. The southwest monsoon (roughly June to September) makes trails slippery and muddy, raises river and creek levels, brings out leeches and can suspend the Baratang convoy and outer-island boats, it is the weakest window for trekking, though the forest is at its greenest. October and May are workable shoulder months. Start treks early to avoid the midday heat and humidity and to be off the trail well before dark.

Permits

Indian nationals do not need a special permit for the main islands, carry photo ID. Beyond that, three trail-specific rules matter: Saddle Peak National Park requires a forest-department permit from Diglipur; Mount Harriet and Madhuban charge national-park / forest entry; and the Baratang route runs by vehicle convoy through the Jarawa Tribal Reserve, where stopping and photography are prohibited by law. Foreign nationals should check current entry rules for protected and national-park areas. For entry-fee specifics, see the Andaman trekking entry fees page.

What to pack & safety

• Footwear & clothing: broken-in trekking shoes with grip, quick-dry clothing, and a light rain layer even in the dry season.
• Essentials: at least 1–2 litres of water, insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat, and anti-leech precautions for shaded trails.
• Guide & timing: use a local guide for Saddle Peak, Madhuban and lesser-known routes; start early and stay on marked paths.
• Wildlife caution: do not swim or linger near creeks after dusk (saltwater crocodiles), and keep your distance from wildlife.

Plan Your Andaman Trekking Trip

When you are ready to turn these trails into a trip, TravelTriangle's Andaman adventure & trekking packages bundle the trailheads, ferries, transfers, guides and the diving or island days around them into customisable itineraries through verified local agents, backed by 40 Lac+ travellers since 2011. A typical plan bases you in Port Blair for Mount Harriet and Chidiya Tapu, adds Havelock for Elephant Beach and the reef, and, if you want the Saddle Peak summit, builds in the North Andaman leg to Diglipur. Every itinerary is shaped around your dates, fitness and budget, with the trail logistics arranged for you.

Planning an Andaman trip? Browse the full Andaman travel guide for islands, ferries and itineraries, read the complete guide to trekking in Andaman, or jump straight to bookable Andaman adventure & trekking packages.