7 Best Places to Visit Near Shimla Within 50 Kms: Day Trips & Hill Getaways

Exploring Beyond the Ridge: 7 Best Getaways Near Shimla Within 50 Kms

While the iconic Mall Road, the neo-Gothic Christ Church, and the colonial corridors of the Viceregal Lodge make Shimla's top attractions world-renowned, the true alpine tranquility of Himachal Pradesh lies just beyond the bustling city limits. Rising between 1,700 and 2,700 metres above sea level, the mountainous terrain surrounding Shimla is dotted with cedar-draped hamlets, historic sporting grounds, steaming geothermal springs, and sprawling apple orchards.

Whether you arrive via the legendary Kalka-Shimla toy train or take a convenient Volvo bus from Delhi, venturing into a 50-kilometre radius opens up some of the most rewarding day trips in the Western Himalayas. From the world's highest cricket pitch in Chail to the bubbling sulphur pools of Tattapani along the Sutlej gorge, here is the complete guide to the seven best places to visit near Shimla within 50 kilometres.

Quick Overview: Top Day Trips Near Shimla (Within 50 km)

1. Kufri (16 km) — Snow Slopes and Himalayan Wildlife

Situated at an altitude of 2,720 metres on the Hindustan-Tibet Road (NH 5), Kufri is Shimla's most popular high-altitude playground. Because of its significantly higher elevation than Shimla town (which sits at 2,200m), Kufri is consistently the first place in the region to receive heavy winter snowfall, transforming its slopes into a bustling hub for amateur skiing, tobogganing, and snow play between late December and February.

The highest point is Mahasu Peak, accessible on foot or via horseback along a rugged forest trail. On clear days, Mahasu Peak presents a sweeping panorama of the Badrinath and Kedarnath ranges. Wildlife lovers must visit the Himalayan Nature Park at Kufri, a sprawling conservation sanctuary home to rare high-altitude species including the elusive snow leopard, Himalayan monal (the state bird of Himachal Pradesh), musk deer, Tibetan wolf, and brown bear. For adventure enthusiasts, Kufri Fun World hosts the world's highest go-karting track perched on the mountain ridge.

• Distance: 16 km northeast on NH 5
• Drive Time: 40 to 50 minutes
• Ideal For: Snow sports, family adventures, and Himalayan wildlife observation

2. Chail (45 km) — The Royal Summer Sanctuary and Highest Cricket Ground

When Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala was banned from entering Shimla by the British Viceroy in 1891, he vowed to build an even grander summer capital on a higher surrounding peak. The result was Chail, an exquisite hill station perched at 2,250 metres across three forested hillocks (Rajgarh, Pandhawa, and Sadh Tiba), framed by magnificent deodar and chir pine forests.

Chail is home to the famous Chail Cricket Ground, built in 1893 after leveling the hilltop at an altitude of 2,444 metres, earning it the Guinness World Record as the highest cricket pitch in the world; read more in our dedicated Chail Cricket Ground guide. The Maharaja's magnificent palace, constructed in 1891 with ornate woodcarvings, sprawling royal lawns, and vintage suites, now operates as a heritage hotel managed by HPTDC. Beyond royal history, the Chail Wildlife Sanctuary protects barking deer, sambar, kalij pheasants, and leopards. Plan your full itinerary with our Chail travel guide.

• Distance: 45 km via Kufri-Kandaghat road or direct Dhalli-Kufri route
• Drive Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
• Ideal For: Royal heritage lovers, peaceful nature walks, and sporting history enthusiasts

3. Mashobra (10 km) — Italian Architecture and Whispering Pines

Located just 10 km from Shimla along the road to Naldehra, Mashobra is a peaceful, forested haven known for its crisp mountain air and quiet luxury. Unlike the bustling commercial streets of Shimla, Mashobra is largely uncommercialized, dominated by thick groves of oak, cedar, and blooming wild cherry trees.

The primary highlight is Craignano Nature Park, an estate originally designed in 1890 by Chevalier Federico Peliti, an Italian confectioner to the Viceroy. Perched at 2,146m, Craignano features the world's highest water lift, sprawling manicured fruit gardens, antique lamp posts imported from Europe, and walking tracks with vistas of the Shali Tibba peak. Mashobra is also home to The Retreat Building at Chharabra, the official summer residence of the President of India. Mashobra offers idyllic homestays and heritage forest resorts ideal for creative work, reading, or slow travel.

• Distance: 10 km via Dhalli Tunnel and Sanjauli road
• Drive Time: 25 to 35 minutes
• Ideal For: Quiet romantic weekends, heritage horticulture walks, and luxury retreats

4. Naldehra (22 km) — India's Oldest Alpine Golf Course

Nestled at 2,200 metres under the shade of ancient Himalayan cedars, Naldehra is famous for housing one of the oldest and most scenic 18-hole golf courses in Asia. Lord Curzon, the British Viceroy of India, was so captivated by the natural bowl-shaped clearing among the deodars in the early 1900s that he personally supervised the design of the course, even naming his youngest daughter Alexandra Naldehra after this beloved sanctuary.

The golf course features undulating carpet-grass fairways flanked by massive deodars that rise over 100 feet tall. Even non-golfers can obtain visitor passes to walk through designated perimeter pathways and enjoy high tea at the rustic clubhouse. In the heart of the course stands the ancient Mahunag Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna in the serpent form. Horse rides through the surrounding deodar woods leading to the Sutlej river viewpoint are popular with visiting families.

• Distance: 22 km via Mashobra road
• Drive Time: 50 minutes to 1 hour
• Ideal For: Golf enthusiasts, colonial history buffs, and serene woodland strolling

5. Tattapani (50 km) — Geothermal Sulphur Springs and Sutlej Rafting

Dropping down from the high mountain ridges to the river valley floor at an altitude of just 650 metres, Tattapani (literally meaning 'hot water' in the local dialect) is situated along the surging banks of the Sutlej River. Tattapani is famous for its natural hot sulphur springs, which emerge naturally from the riverbed and are believed to possess therapeutic healing properties for skin ailments, joint pain, and stress relief.

In addition to wellness and geothermal bathing at modern thermal pool resorts, Tattapani has emerged as a premier hub for white-water river rafting in Himachal Pradesh. The 12-to-14 km rafting stretch from Chaba to Tattapani features Grade II and Grade III rapids against the backdrop of limestone gorges and river pine forests. Exploring the ancient Shiva Cave, located 4 km from Tattapani, is another popular excursion.

• Distance: 50 km via Naldehra and Suni
• Drive Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Ideal For: Geothermal wellness, hot spring hydrotherapy, and white-water river rafting

6. Fagu (20 km) — Cloud-Kissed Ridges and Apple Orchards

Perched dramatically along a narrow saddle ridge at an altitude of 2,450 metres, Fagu is an enchanting hamlet that overlooks both the Giri Valley on one side and the snow-clad peaks of the Pir Panjal range on the other. Because of its unique geographic position where low clouds drift continuously across the ridge, Fagu remains shrouded in romantic fog and mist for most of the monsoon and autumn seasons.

Fagu serves as the gateway to Himachal's world-famous apple country. The mountain slopes surrounding Fagu and the nearby rural hamlet of Cheog are covered with tiered apple, plum, and apricot orchards that burst into fragrant white and pink blossoms during March and April, and hang heavy with red fruit in July and August. The quiet walking trail to the summit of the local Deshu temple offers sweeping 360-degree sunset views over the entire Shimla hill complex.

• Distance: 20 km east on NH 5 (just 4 km beyond Kufri)
• Drive Time: 45 to 50 minutes
• Ideal For: Landscape photography, apple orchard walks, and avoiding tourist crowds

7. Shoghi (13 km) — Pine Groves and Spiritual Solitude

Located 13 km southwest of Shimla along the National Highway towards Chandigarh, Shoghi is an unpretentious village situated at an altitude of 1,750 metres. Surrounded by dense forests of oak, pine, and rhododendron, Shoghi provides an immediate sanctuary from the tourist bustle of Shimla, making it a favourite for quiet weekend stays and family picnics.

The crown jewel of Shoghi is the sacred Tara Devi Temple, perched on the summit of Tara Parvat at 2,100 metres. The temple, built over 250 years ago by the Sen Dynasty rulers of Bengal, offers magnificent panoramic views of Shimla town on one side and the distant Kasauli hills on the other. Visitors can also explore walking trails parallel to the UNESCO-listed toy train tracks, spotting Himalayan whistling thrushes, magpies, and deer along the tranquil forest floor.

• Distance: 13 km south on NH 5
• Drive Time: 25 to 35 minutes
• Ideal For: Birdwatching, forest hikes, Tara Devi Temple visits, and offbeat camping

Planning Tips: Combining Excursions from Shimla

To make the most of your stay in Shimla, structure your day tours into cohesive geographic circuits:

1. The Forest & Golf Circuit (Mashobra + Naldehra + Tattapani): Leave Shimla in the morning, stop for a nature walk at Craignano in Mashobra, enjoy lunch by the deodar fairways of Naldehra, descend to Tattapani for hot sulphur baths or rafting in the afternoon, and climb back up by dusk.
2. The Alpine Ridge Circuit (Kufri + Fagu + Chail): Head to Kufri early to beat the horse-riding crowds at Mahasu Peak, continue to Fagu for panoramic orchard photos, and drive through the winding cedar forests to Chail for palace high tea and cricket ground exploration.
3. The Spiritual Foothill Circuit (Shoghi + Tara Devi): A relaxing half-day excursion combining Tara Devi Temple with forest trekking and birdwatching around Shoghi.

Best Time to Visit Getaways Around Shimla

The ideal season depends heavily on what kind of mountain experience you are seeking; check our detailed breakdown on the best time to visit Shimla:

• Spring & Summer (March to June): Perfect weather with daytime temperatures between 15°C and 26°C. Excellent for golfing in Naldehra, orchard blossoms in Fagu, and sightseeing in Chail.
• Monsoon (July to August): Lush greenery, misty cloud formations around Fagu, and ripe apples across the orchards, though road conditions should be checked following heavy downpours.
• Autumn (September to November): Sparkling blue skies, crisp mountain air, and crystal-clear visibility of the high Himalayan snow peaks across Kufri, Mahasu Peak, and Chail.
• Winter (December to February): The ultimate season for snow enthusiasts. Kufri and Fagu become winter wonderlands with regular snowfall, skiing, and cozy fireplace evenings.

Conclusion

Shimla's charm extends far beyond its historic Mall. By venturing within just 50 kilometres, travelers can experience the regal heritage of Chail, the royal golf links of Naldehra, the winter snow playgrounds of Kufri, and the therapeutic geothermal baths of Tattapani. Each of these seven destinations showcases a distinctive facet of Himachal Pradesh's mountain beauty, making them essential additions to any Shimla travel itinerary.