At a time when the scorching heat is sparing no one, the search for off-beat places in the mountains has intensified. While popular hill stations like Shimla and Manali are already overwhelmed with the heavy influx of tourists, we have compiled a list of lesser-known towns and villages in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh where one can reach within six hours. However, it is advisable to plan the trip well in advance and make bookings in advance to avoid hassle and disappointment.
1. Feed
A quaint village in Himachal’s Mandi district, Barot is about 230 km from the City Beautiful. Nestled along the Uhl River, the place boasts of hidden waterfalls like Lapas Village, ancient hiking trails, trout farms and the Funicular Railway Track, a one-of-a-kind cable railway system. Other attractions near Barot include the Dev Pashakot Temple and the Nagru Wildlife Sanctuary. Accommodation options in and around the village range from luxury tents to guest houses and homestays. Barot has good network connectivity and most properties also offer free WiFi, making it suitable for working remotely as well.
2. Thanedar
A perfect apple basket near Narkanda, this hidden gem is three hours away from Shimla on the erstwhile Hindustan-Tibet road. Thanedar is surrounded by pine forests and the snow-capped peaks of upper Himachal and Uttarakhand are in the background. The village also has several options for accommodation, be it relaxing in orchards or houses for rent. On the way to Thanedar, around 200 km from Chandigarh, you will be greeted by Tani Jubbar, a small lake; Nag Devta temple; and several stone fruit orchards.
3. Shangarh
If you thought vast green meadows were the specialty of Kashmir, you would be surprised by what Shangarh has to offer. It took some time for the place to make its presence felt on the travellers’ map, but now that it is there, there is no excuse to skip this town, about 230 kilometres from Chandigarh. Close to the Great Himalayan National Park – a UNESCO heritage site – Shangarh can be reached in a little over five hours by car. Accommodation options include hostels, homestays and hanging tents, as well as riverside cottages. A visit to the ancient temple of Shangchul Mahadev, Raila Fort and waterfalls and a trek to Sara Lake can also be included in the itinerary.
4. Shoja
Synonymous with peace, Shoja, also called Sohja, ticks all the right boxes in terms of being a different kind of chilling spot. The village, which falls in the Tirthan Valley, is about 220 km from Chandigarh. Over time, it has gained a cult status among backpackers and lovers of cafe culture. It does justice to this tag and offers plenty of unique properties for a comfortable stay. The abundance of forest trails, water bodies and historical places nearby make Shoja a must-visit place on your travel list. Jhalori Pass, Raghupur Fort, Serolsar Lake and Jibhi Waterfall are among the major attractions nearby.
5. Karol Valley
You read that right. Not Kasol, but Karol Valley finds a place in this list for housing the highest peak in Solan. One of the most accessible trekking points near Chandigarh, the moderate-level climb to Karol Tibba passes through dense foliage, pine trees, an ancient cave of the Pandavas, and grasslands, and then reaches a temple atop the hill. From there, one gets a 360-degree view of the Himalayan mountain range, which is worth the trek after a climb of about three hours. There are two routes to Karol Tibba, one from Solan (70 km from Chandigarh) and the other from Kandaghat (90 km from the city). Both these places are located on the Chandigarh-Shimla highway. It is a one-day trek and accommodation options are available at both the base points.
Note for passengers:
1. Check the weather and road map before setting out on a trip.
2. Do not spread garbage and throw it only at the designated place.
3. Keep the volume of portable speakers and soundbars low.
4. If you are going into the forest or on a trekking trip, take the help of a local guide.
5. Do not pluck fruits from the orchards without permission.
6. Respect local culture and communities and do not harm flora and fauna.
