Shimla Day Hikes

An Overview

The best way to know Shimla is to walk on some of its quiet roads. In spite of a lot of construction in recent years, some of the roads still reatin a certain old-world charm. There are enchanting experiences to be found in deodar and oak woods, pleasant weather, deep blue skies, the play of shade and light as you walk through groves of trees and new vistas opening up after the curve. On these walks, you can stop and sit in the rain shelters with sloping tin roofs or on roadside parapets not because you are tired but because it is a pleasure to just sit and watch the mists rising and settling around you.

Our various Hikes includes:

Forest Road Walk:

This 10 km long walk starts from the Ridge. You will hike through the eponymous Lakkar Bazaar to Sanjauli Chowk to the narrow road towards the Jakhoo hill. You will also pass through Upper Forest Road and Five Bench. Attractions en route include Chana kulcha and tikkis at Sita Ram and Sons, the famous snack shop at Lakkar Bazaar. Enjoy the view of snow-clad Himalayan peaks as you pass through the way. Bask in the silence, birdsong and dappled sunlight on your way to Five Benches, and finish your walk, with mouth-watering chaat on top of the Ridge at Takka Bench.

Summer Hill/ Kamna Devi Walk:

This 8 km long walkk starting from the Mall, goes to Kali Bari Temple. After passing through the headquarters of the ARTRAC, we reach Chaura Maidan via Vidhan Sabha and view the historic Cecil Hotel, where the Oberoi Group had its beginnings, followed by a visit the State Museum at Inverarm Hill. A walk on the lawns of Advance Studies adds to this wonderful experience. Visit this beautiful building and continue for Summer hill where Himachal Pradesh University is Located. Carry on your walk till the pretty forest area of Potter’s Hill for a lovely hike. One other option is to go Kamna Devi Mandir near Boileauganj from Advance Studies. Attractions along this trail include the State Museum at Chaura Maidan, the Aviary, the IIAS (Indian Institute of Advance Studies) and sunset at Kamna Devi.

Jakhu Temple Walk:

This 4 km long walk starts from the Ridge towards a proper road leading to Hanuman temple on Jakhu Hill. Legends claim that Lord Hanuman had tarried here when he was carrying the Sanjeevani booti (the miracle herb). Descend the same way or wind down to Five Bench on the Forest Road Walk.

Glen/Annandale Walk:

This 9 km long walk starts from The Mall and follows the route via Vidhan Sabha and descends to the Annandale Meadow, followed by a descend left to the Glen via the Broad Road.

St. Bede’s Walk:

This 7 km long walks starts from The Mall. We walk through Oakover to Chotta Shimla and Raj Bhawan. From here we take the road to Lover’s Lane. It is a quiet road winding through oak and conifer trees, past Churail Baori (the Witches’ Spring) to the crossroads above St. Bede’s College.

Shimla was declared the summer capital of India in 1864 by the British and before that; it was a part of Nepal.
Shimla is home to the legendary mountain biking race MTB Himalaya which is regarded as the biggest event in South-East Asia.
Shimla got its name from a Hindu Goddess ‘Shyamala Devi’ who is another incarnation of Goddess Durga.
The train route from Kalka to Shimla has more than 806 bridges and 103 tunnels! Better connectivity means more opportunities to visit the beautiful hill station of Shimla! The Kalka-Shimla railway route is recognized as a World Heritage Site and is described as the ‘most authentic mountain railways in the World’ by UNESCO itself
Here is a Chotta Shimla and New Shimla both in Shimla. You can experience old-world charm and glimpses of British Raj here!
On your way to viceregal Lodge, there is a stretch of old wooden houses known as Yarrows where Muhammad Ali Jinnah once lived.
You can buy handmade Chinese shoes if you place an order in advance from stores like Tatung, Hopson or Fook Chung. Bet this was one of the unknown facts about Shimla.
Shimla is home to South Asia’s only natural ice skating rink.
There is a Scandal Point at the Ridge which marks the spot where the Viceroy’s daughter and the Maharaja of Patiala used to have a romantic rendezvous in colonial times.
Indian Institute Of Advanced Studies – IIAS Had Power Supply Way Back in 1888.
Shimla is Located on 7 Hills; namely-Prospect Hill, Observatory Hill, Summer Hill, Inverarm Hill, Bantony Hill, Jakhoo Hill and Elysium Hill.
Shimla is one of the Youngest Cities in the Country.
The Town Hall was built In 1888. It is an Earthquake-proof building.
The corridors of IGMC are believed to be trolled by a gang of ghosts. They push you around and sometimes even make the lift stop for hours. They might even call out your name, people say. The Chudail Baudi near Nav Bahar Beckons All Single Men. Your car will slow down on its own and your back seat might be occupied by a lady in a white saree.
Shimla is the Birthplace of Anupam Kher, Prem Chopra, Balraj Sahni, Priya Rajvansh.
The Jakhoo Temple Shrine, Believers Say, Holds the Footprints Of Lord Hanuman.
The Maria Brothers Have In Its Custody The “Arya Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita” Of 16-17th Century Compilation In Tibetan Script.
Auckland House School Is The Only Girl School In India To Introduce Scuba Diving.
The Jonang Takten Phuntsok Choeling Monastery in Sanjauli is one of its kind in India. There is only one other in Tibet that teaches the practice of ‘Kalachakra. ‘
BCS Shimla Is One Of The Oldest Boarding Schools In Asia. The school has been operational since 1863. They actually have a closed door in the building from where 100 Muslims students left at partition.
The First Road Of Shimla Was Constructed In 1828.
The Mall was actually called the ‘Thandi Sarak’ in the British Era.
You will get no food in Shimla after midnight.
From the North Side of Ridge the rainwater drains into Sutlej River and is carried into the Arabian Sea, Southside drains into the Yamuna and flows to the Bay of Bengal.

Day 1

Delhi to Shimla via car/bus. Arrival in Shimla. Briefing about the location and the hills around. Dinner and Night stay in Shimla.

Day 2

After breakfast, day hike to Inveram hill, Observatory hill, Prospect hill, Summer hill, Kamna Devi, Advanced studies, Annandale and Glen along with the refreshments in between. Dinner and night stay in a good hotel.

Day 3

After breakfast, day hike to Jakhoo hills alongside forest walk and back to the Mall road via St.Bede’s college along with refreshments in between. Then evening walk through Mall road, Lakkar bazar, Bantony hill and finally visiting the famous Kalibari temple. Dinner and night stay in a good hotel.