Unexplored Hill Stations near Chandigarh

Chandigarh, a wonderous city often dubbed as the hub of North India, is an urban centre and the epitome of the urban lifestyle. Being a popular place for people to visit Chandigarh, also the hub from where the path leads to some of the best hill stations in North India. With some scenic destinations nearby, finding a hill station near Chandigarh for small weekend plans is not hard at all. Himachal Pradesh, for example, is full of hill stations near Chandigarh within 100-200 km that received thousands of tourists each year from this urban marvel.

You can find some of the best hill stations near Chandigarh within a 100-200 km radius. The hill stations to visit near Chandigarh include favourites such as Manali, Shimla, and so on, as well as some lesser-known places like Morni and Barog. The hill stations to visit near Chandigarh range from serene hillocks to towering towns in the midst of the Himalayan ranges, all of which combine to form a rich experience as you explore the best hill stations near Chandigarh.

To help you plan the perfect weekend from the city, here’s a list of famous hill stations in India that you can visit from Chandigarh.

1. Kullu

Kullu is not just one of the prime hill stations to visit near Chandigarh but is also popular throughout India for its natural beauty and stunning scenery. Located at a distance of about 230 km from Chandigarh, Kullu is a paradise for nature lovers. This popular hill station near Chandigarh is situated at an altitude of 1230 meters. The serene town allows one to enjoy panoramic views of the stunning Himalayan ranges. The great Himalayan National Park is also one of the popular attractions in Kullu. The park is home to some of the rarest endangered wildlife species such as the Himalayan Thar, the blue sheep, snow leopards, and so on. The park is surrounded by the Greater Himalayan ranges, rendering a picture-perfect backdrop on three sides. The park looks like a place right out a fairly-tale in the winters, when a thick sheet of snow covers everything in the valley and is one of the reasons why Kullu is counted among the most popular hill stations to visit near Chandigarh. The town has some of the coldest winters, where the temperatures drop down to about -4 degree Celsius. The summers are fairly pleasant in the town and one can enjoy the outdoors during this period of the year.

The best season to visit Kullu is during the months of October to February, wherein the snowfall begins in the month of January, covering everything in a white sheet.

2. Manali

Often coupled with Kullu, Manali is one of best hill stations near Chandigarh and one of the most famous ones in northern India. Panoramic views of the Himalayas, apple orchards, adventurous snow trails, and elegant cafes, all define a vacation to Manali. Being one of the favourite hill stations for most tourists, each year, Manali welcomes thousands of travellers seeking leisure, adventure, and breath-taking views.

Located at a distance of 307 kilometres from the city, Manali is a very well-known hill station near Chandigarh and is situated at an altitude of 2050 meters. Fantastic views of the snow-clad Pir Panjal and the Dauladhar ranges surround this marvellous hill station and are only some of the reasons behind Manali’s fame as a tourist destination.

The town is often dubbed as the ‘adventure capital’ of Himachal as there are several adrenaline-inducing activities one can enjoy here. Rohtang Pass is a destination that is very popular among photographers due to its surreal beauty, while Solang Valley is known for adventure activities such as zorbing, skiing, and tobogganing. You can also engage in other adventure sports such as river rafting, paragliding, trekking, etc. when in Manali.

Apart from adventure, you can also just relax at this perfect hill station near Chandigarh with its score of chic cafes and coffee shops that offer exquisite Indian and global cuisines to cater to the heavy international tourism that the town receives. One cannot really go wrong with a trip to Manali as it is definitely one of the best hill places near Chandigarh.

3. Morni Hills

Morni is a hill station near Chandigarh which is a great example of simple beauty. Morni is probably the nearest hill station near the town of Chandigarh; located a breezy 1-hour drive away in Haryana at a distance of about 41 km, the journey is short and pleasant to Morni. Being the only hill station in Haryana, Morni is a popular tourist destination for the locals from the region.

Along with being a site of natural beauty, Morni is a hill station near Chandigarh that has archaeological importance as well. The Thakur Dwar temple houses carvings dating back all the way to the 7^th century.

Although the journey from Chandigarh to Morni is short, it is an eventful ride. The lush forests and towering pine trees stretch all the way to the Shivalik hillocks and align with the hill station of Morni. If you’re looking for hill stations near Chandigarh within 100 km, Morni is a great destination that you can consider.

The hill station is famous for its 2 lakes that are connected yet detached. The Tikkar lakes are considered to be auspicious by the locals and are often the epicentre for cultural activities. The two lakes, Bhim tal and Draupadi tal are separated in the middle by a hillock and yet connect in a manner that the water levels in both lakes always remain equal. This hill station is easy to access from Chandigarh and is so close by that it often also features on a list of places to visit in Chandigarh.

4. Barog

Barog is one of the prime offbeat hill stations near Chandigarh within 100 km that provides travellers with a serene experience. Located at a distance of 60 km from Chandigarh on the Chandigarh-Shimla route, Barog is a paradise that everyone passes by. The quaint town is as slow-paced and relaxed as one might expect it to be. The town also offers breath-taking views of clouded mountain peaks and lakes in the valley of Solang.

At an altitude of 1860 meters, Barog experiences a chilly wind from the north that makes for a serene environment for everyone that visits this picturesque town. Highly non-commercial when compared to its nearest neighbours in Himachal Pradesh, Barog is a great hill station near Chandigarh for peace-seekers and travellers looking to unwind.

The Dolanji Bon Monastery is an epicentre of Buddhist beliefs in the region and is a destination that you must visit on your trip to Barog.

Also, being one of the nearest hill stations near Chandigarh, the town is not only easily accessible but is also mostly free from a barrage of tourists and falls under the offbeat hill stations near Chandigarh that you can visit to unwind and relax.

5. Kasauli

Kasauli, located in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, is a small hill station near Chandigarh falling within a 100 km distance. The hill station is situated about 60 kilometres away from Chandigarh and is famous for its antique charm. The colonial history of the town can be experienced through its architecture and infrastructure. Cradled in the pine and cedar forests of the lower hills of the Himalayas, Kasauli is the perfect tourist destination to relax and let your hair down.

The town is not known for general tourist attractions but is widely popular for its excellent atmosphere and colonial ambience that has lingered over from the several decades under the British empire.

The enchanting atmosphere that the town exuberates during the winter season can only be experienced once you get there. The elegant British structures, when coupled with the serene atmosphere of the town, create an experience that is unique in itself.

The weather in Kasauli during the months of January and December is extreme and can restrict outdoor activities, but the rest of the months during the winters offer a perfect exhibit of the winters in the foothills of the Himalayas. The summer here, on the other hand, is when the climate is most suitable for people to explore and really get in and about the quaint town, which is why it is also during this period that the tourist season peaks here. Kasauli, as a town and a weekend getaway, is one of the best hill places near Chandigarh.

6. Kufri

Kufri is one of the most exciting hill stations near Chandigarh to visit. One of the unexplored hill stations near Chandigarh, Kufri is a treat to visit. Located 128 kilometres away from Chandigarh, the hill station is a casual drive away from the metropolitan. This hill station near Chandigarh is all about temples and scenic views of the Great Himalayan ranges. It’s proximity to Shimla turns it into a hotspot for tourists, while also keeping the masses away, creating a very balanced experience. So much so that several tourist groups on a Chandigarh package visit the town simply as a tourist spot on their way to the more popular tourist town of Shimla.

Kufri has a lot to offer in terms of experience, with exclusive activities such as skiing, horse riding, and so on. Mahasu Peak is a trekking experience that all enthusiasts must embark on. With lush forests on both sides of the trail, the trek in itself is a unique and exciting experience.

The Himalayan National Park is another attraction in the region. Home to over 180 species of rare and endangered birds and animals, the park is a destination worth visiting. There are several tours of the park available for tourists to enjoy this attraction, the longest of which extends for 8 days.

Kufri is a great location for travellers looking to dodge the crowds of Shimla. It can easily be called one of the best unexplored hill stations near Chandigarh and Shimla.

7. Narkanda

Narkanda is another one of the unexplored hill stations near Chandigarh and is known for its extreme winters and panoramic views of the Great Himalayas. This hill station is one of the highest destinations on this list, standing tall at the great altitude of 9000 ft. Located beyond Shimla and Kufri things are rather white in the region of Narkanda. The town enjoys a handsome amount of snow every year and is a centre for snow sports. The people visiting Narkanda are usually adventure seekers or explorers that end up at this amazing white capped town.

The views from the town include the amazing Himalayan peaks that stand between the clouds and are covered in pristine white snow throughout the year. The town is also home to the famous Tannu Jabar Lake along with a plethora of apple orchards. And despite being popular, the region remains fairly untouched by tourists and can be included to your list of unexplored hill stations near Chandigarh.

Located so close to the Himalayan ranges, one might never run out of awesome hill stations to visit from Chandigarh. Each destination offers a unique experience and all of it culminates into a beautiful journey that one can cherish forever.