Shimla Day Hiking Options



If you really want to experience Shimla then go for a walk on some of its quiet roads. Even after lots of commercialization, these roads still retain a certain charm. All your walk start from Mall and you can pick any trail you want to go.

1. Forest Road Walk Distance : 10 kms
Time : 3 - 4 Hours
Level : Easy
Start your walk from Ridge and move toward north to Lakkar Bazzar and the turn toward east and walk for 3 Kms to Sanjauli Chowk, from there if you turn right and move up a narrow road ascending steeply up the Jakhu Hills. On this walk try Chana Kulcha and tikkis at Sita Ram and Sons the famous snack shop of Lakkar Bazaar. Enjoy the view of snow clad Himalayan Peak to the north-west as you walk past the India Gandhi Medical Hospital. Bask in the silence, birdsong and dappled sunlight on your way to Five Benches and finish your walk with tasty snacks on top of the Ridge.

2. Summer Hill/Kamna Devi Walk
Distance : 8 kms
Time : 3 - 4 Hours
Level : Easy
From the Mall Road, you have two option going west: one to take the road going past the GPO towards the Kali Bari Temple. After the temple, descend to the Mall road near the Railway Board building. The second option is to walk the complete Mall road and reach to the Railway Board Building, on your way at left you will see the headquarters of Army Training Command. On this route you will be able to visit State Museum and Indian Institute of Advance Study.

3. Jakhu Temple Walk
Distance : 4 kms
Time : 3 Hours
Level : Easy
Starts at the ridge and climb east up to Hotel Dreamland, and then to Rothney Castle, A proper road lead to the Hanuman Temple on Jakhu Hill (2,453 m). Legend claims that Hanuman had tarried here when he was carrying the sanjeevani booti to cure Lakshman, who was injured in battle with Ravan. Descend the same way or wind down to Five benches on the forest walk.

4. Glen/Anandale Walk
Distance : 9 kms
Time : 4-5 Hours
Level : Easy
Start from the Mall and walk west to the Vidhan Sabha. Follow the road going down to the right (north). Past he HP state Electricity Board Office and a concrete rain shelter, the road turns right to descend to the Anandale Meadows a golf course , while a broad path goes on straight before descending left to the Glen.

5. St Bede's Walk
Distance : 7 kms
Time : 2-3 Hours
Level : Easy
Start from the Mall heading south-east to Chotta Shimla. The road goes past Oak Over, official residence of chief minister. Take the road going left, leading to Raj Bhavan (the erstwhile Barnes Court), the governor residence, It was in this historic building that the 1972 Shimla Agreement was signed between India and Pakistan. At the entrance of Raj Bhavan, take the road going left to Nav Bahar. This road is known as Lover Lane. It is a quiet road winding through oak and conifer trees, past Churail Baori (the witches spring) to the crossroad above St Bede’s College.