Popular Hill Stations in Himachal Pradesh

If Himachal Pradesh is on your bucket list this holiday season, you have a range of hill stations to explore, Shimla being the most popular one among them. It is a good idea to stay in one of the heritage hotels in Shimla and explore the scenic beauty of all the hill stations in the vicinity. Wondering which are the popular hill stations? Here are some of them:

•   Shimla is one of the top destinations in Himachal Pradesh. Shimla has something to offer every kind of traveller, from scenic beauty, adventure sport opportunities, temples, shopping etc. It is a charming hill town with a lot of British history and heritage. If you are looking at accommodation in this hill station, it would be fitting to stay in one of the heritage hotels in Shimla. These hotels have a charm of their own, and remind you of the British Raj era. Pick one of the most famous heritage hotels in Shimla to experience the charm and elegance of the bygone era. If your hotel is located on the famed Mall Road, you can have a nice walk to all the famed tourist attractions, including Groton Castle, Rothney Castle, Viceregal Lodge, the cinemas of yore and other heritage buildings.

•   Another favourite among travellers to Himachal Pradesh is Manali. It is popular for trekking, skiing and other adventure sports. The valley is surrounded by wondrous peaks and clusters of trees, and beckons families, solo tourists and honeymooners alike. Manali is also noted for the sulphur springs (in the Vashisht or Old Manali region). 

•   Kasauli is also a popular hill station and has a charming old-world feel to it. You can trek along the hills with the tall trees or take a walk around the town, exploring its local market and a tiny monastery. 

•   If you are based in one of the heritage hotels in Shimla, and don’t want to travel too far away from the town, you could explore Chail, a charming hill station, just over 60 km from Shimla. It was once the summer capital of the erstwhile royal Patiala state. There is a palace, a cricket ground and military school that remain symbols of the region’s royal heritage. Chail is a beautiful hill station with deodars and pines, lush stretches of land, great views of the peaks all around and plenty of trekking routes. 

•   Chail, Shimla and Kufri form the golden triangle, so it is time to head to Kufri next. Kufri is very close to Shimla, a mere 20 km away. It was founded during the British era, and is the starting point for many a trek to Shimla, Manali and other places. It is also famous for the winter sports fest held here in February every year.

Best time to visit

There is no shortage of places to visit in Himachal Pradesh, a state blessed with natural bounty. The ideal time to visit is during summer, when the weather is pleasant and cool. However, if you’d like to experience snow, you must head to one of these hill stations during the December-February period.