Shimla is one of those hill stations where you can easily spend several days exploring the town itself. But if you have an extra day, there is another option: get out of Shimla and explore the beautiful places around it.

Some of the best destinations are surprisingly close to the city. You can walk through deodar forests, explore a historic palace, ride a horse to a mountain viewpoint, discover quiet hill villages, wander through apple orchards or travel down towards the Sutlej valley for hot springs and river scenery.

I have visited several of these places myself, and each offers a very different experience.

Kufri is the most popular and commercial option, with Mahasu Peak, viewpoints and winter activities.

Naldehra is quieter and greener, with beautiful deodar forests and a pleasant walking trail.

Chail combines forests and mountain scenery with an interesting royal history and the famous Chail Palace.

Tattapani is completely different, taking you down towards the Sutlej valley and its hot springs.

And if you want to explore some of the quieter countryside around Shimla, Mashobra, Fagu and Narkanda are worth considering too.

If you are staying in Shimla for a few days, these are some of the best one day trips from Shimla to consider.

Best One Day Trips from Shimla

Destination	Approx. distance from Shimla	Best for
Kufri	20 km	Mountain views, Mahasu Peak, snow and activities
Naldehra	22 km	Deodar forests, walking and peaceful surroundings
Chail	45 km	Palace, forests, cricket ground and quiet scenery
Tattapani	50 km	Sutlej valley, hot springs and river activities
Mashobra	13 km	Forests, quiet surroundings and short escapes
Fagu	18 km	Apple orchards, mountain views and village scenery
Narkanda	60 km	Forests, orchards, mountain views and a quieter hill experience

Distances are approximate and can vary depending on your exact starting point and route.

1. Kufri – The Most Popular Day Trip from Shimla

If you have only one day outside Shimla and want to experience the classic tourist side of the surrounding hills, Kufri is probably the easiest choice.

Located about 20 km from Shimla, Kufri sits at a considerably higher altitude and offers views of the surrounding Himalayan landscape.

The most popular attraction here is Mahasu Peak, the highest point in Kufri. You can reach it by walking or by taking a horse or pony ride.

The route itself is part of the experience, although it can become quite busy because Kufri is one of the most visited destinations around Shimla.

At the top, you will find viewpoints, horses and yaks, small shops and various tourist activities. During winter, Kufri also becomes one of the popular places around Shimla for experiencing snow and skiing.

There is also the Himalayan Nature Park, which can be included if you have enough time.

Why visit Kufri?

Choose Kufri if you want:

• Easy access from Shimla
• Mountain viewpoints
• Mahasu Peak
• Horse or pony rides
• Snow in winter
• Tourist activities
• Himalayan Nature Park

A half-day can be enough for the main attractions, but you can comfortably spend most of a day here if you want to explore at a slower pace.

Read more: Kufri – Mahasu Peak, Views and Things to Do

2. Naldehra – A Quieter Alternative to Shimla

If the crowds and commercial atmosphere of Shimla and Kufri aren’t really your thing, Naldehra offers a very different experience.

Located about 22 km from Shimla, Naldehra is famous for its high-altitude golf course and beautiful deodar forests.

The best part of my visit wasn’t simply reaching a viewpoint. It was the walk through the forest.

The trail passes through tall deodar trees before reaching the golf course and the Mahunag Temple. The walk is relatively easy and feels more like a leisurely forest walk than a difficult trek.

Eventually, the trail opens up to viewpoints overlooking the surrounding mountains.

Naldehra is particularly enjoyable if you don’t want to spend the day rushing between attractions. You can walk, stop for photographs, sit among the trees and simply enjoy the surroundings.

Why visit Naldehra?

Choose Naldehra if you want:

• Deodar forests
• A peaceful atmosphere
• An easy walk
• Mountain views
• Mahunag Temple
• A break from crowded tourist areas

Naldehra can potentially be combined with other nearby attractions if you have your own vehicle, but I would avoid packing too many places into the day. The charm of Naldehra is in slowing down.

Read more: Naldehra – A Peaceful Walk Through the Deodar Forests

3. Chail – A Hill Station with a Royal Story

At around 45 km from Shimla, Chail is farther away than Kufri and Naldehra, but it offers something different.

The town was developed by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, who turned to Chail after his relationship with the British authorities in Shimla deteriorated. The story behind the town’s development is one of the reasons Chail is more than just another Himalayan hill station.

The highlight is Chail Palace, which was developed as the Maharaja’s summer retreat and has since been converted into a heritage hotel.

Chail also has another unusual claim to fame: its cricket ground is located at an altitude of around 2,144 metres and is widely known as one of the highest cricket grounds in the world.

Beyond the palace and cricket ground, the surrounding forests and quieter roads are part of the attraction.

You can also visit places such as Kali Ka Tibba and Sadhupul.

Why visit Chail?

Choose Chail if you want:

• A quieter hill station
• Chail Palace
• Royal history
• Forest landscapes
• The famous cricket ground
• Kali Ka Tibba
• A less commercial alternative to Shimla

Because Chail is farther away, I would keep most of the day for it rather than trying to combine it with several other destinations.

Read more: Chail – Palace, Cricket Ground and a Quiet Hill Station

4. Tattapani – From Himalayan Hills to the Sutlej Valley

Tattapani is perhaps the most unusual day trip on this list.

While Kufri, Naldehra and Chail remain in the familiar high-altitude hill-station landscape around Shimla, the road to Tattapani takes you steadily downhill towards the Sutlej River.

Tattapani is about 50 km from Shimla and sits at a much lower elevation. The journey itself is one of the attractions, with winding mountain roads and increasingly dramatic views of the Sutlej valley.

The name Tattapani literally means “hot water”, and the destination was traditionally famous for its natural hot sulphur springs.

However, the landscape around Tattapani has changed considerably over the years following the development of the Kol Dam reservoir. Some of the hot springs that were once visible along the original riverbank are now submerged.

Geothermal activity continues in the region, but the hot-spring experience is not the same as it was when many older travel articles and photographs were published.

So if the hot springs are your main reason for visiting, check the current conditions before making the trip.

Tattapani also offers river-based activities, including rafting during suitable conditions, as well as opportunities for cycling, trekking and exploring nearby places such as Shiva Gufa.

Why visit Tattapani?

Choose Tattapani if you want:

• A scenic drive from Shimla
• Sutlej River views
• A completely different landscape from Shimla
• Hot springs, subject to current conditions
• River rafting
• Cycling and trekking

Read more: Tattapani – Hot Springs, Sutlej Valley and the Journey from Shimla

5. Mashobra – A Quiet Escape Close to Shimla

If you don’t want to travel far from Shimla, Mashobra is one of the easiest places to consider.

Located only around 13 km from Shimla, Mashobra offers a quieter setting surrounded by forests and mountain scenery.

The area is particularly appealing if your idea of a day trip is not about visiting a long list of attractions, but simply getting away from the busy centre of Shimla.

The roads around Mashobra pass through forests and small settlements, and the surrounding countryside provides opportunities to enjoy the quieter side of the Shimla hills.

Mashobra can also work well as a short excursion rather than a full-day outing. You could combine a visit here with other nearby areas if you have your own vehicle.

Why visit Mashobra?

Choose Mashobra if you want:

• A short trip from Shimla
• Forest landscapes
• Quiet surroundings
• A relaxed drive
• A less touristy atmosphere

If you have only half a day rather than a full day, Mashobra is one of the better options on this list.

6. Fagu – Apple Orchards and Mountain Landscapes

Located roughly 18 km from Shimla, Fagu is another good option if you want to see a quieter side of the hills.

The landscape around Fagu is characterised by forests, orchards and mountain slopes, with views stretching across the surrounding valleys.

The area is particularly attractive when the orchards are in season. Depending on when you visit, you may see apple orchards changing with the seasons—from flowering trees in spring to fruit-laden branches later in the year.

Fagu is less about a single major monument or attraction and more about experiencing the landscape.

The drive itself is part of the appeal, with winding roads passing through forests and villages.

Why visit Fagu?

Choose Fagu if you want:

• Apple orchards
• Forests and mountain scenery
• A quiet hill village experience
• Scenic drives
• A short escape from Shimla

Fagu can also be considered together with Kufri because both lie in the same general direction from Shimla.

7. Narkanda – Forests, Orchards and Himalayan Views

If you have an entire day and don’t mind travelling farther from Shimla, Narkanda is one of the more rewarding options.

Located around 60 km from Shimla, Narkanda is surrounded by forests and orchards and offers a more remote mountain atmosphere than the busy tourist areas closer to Shimla.

The journey towards Narkanda is itself scenic, with roads winding through the hills and forests.

The region is also known for its apple orchards, making it particularly interesting during the apple-growing season.

For travellers who prefer quieter landscapes over crowded tourist attractions, Narkanda can be a better choice than Kufri.

You can also explore nearby viewpoints and forested areas, depending on the time available.

Why visit Narkanda?

Choose Narkanda if you want:

• A quieter mountain destination
• Apple orchards
• Dense forests
• Mountain views
• Scenic driving
• A longer day trip from Shimla

Because Narkanda is considerably farther away than Kufri or Naldehra, I would treat it as a full-day excursion rather than trying to combine it with several other destinations.

Which One Day Trip from Shimla Should You Choose?

There isn’t one destination that is best for everyone.

Your choice depends on what you want from the day.

For the easiest trip: Kufri

Kufri is the obvious choice if you don’t want to travel far. It is close to Shimla and has plenty of activities and viewpoints.

It is also one of the best options if you are visiting Shimla during winter and want to look for snow.

For a peaceful day: Naldehra

Choose Naldehra if you prefer forests, walking and quiet surroundings over crowds and tourist activities.

For me, this is one of the most relaxing alternatives to spending another day in Shimla.

For history and scenery: Chail

Chail is the better choice if you want something beyond viewpoints. The palace, royal history and cricket ground give the destination more character.

The longer drive is also worthwhile if you enjoy quieter hill roads.

For a completely different landscape: Tattapani

Tattapani is the most different destination on this list.

The dramatic drop in altitude takes you away from Shimla’s cool mountain environment and towards the Sutlej valley. The drive itself makes the journey worthwhile.

For a short escape: Mashobra or Fagu

If you don’t want to spend the entire day travelling, Mashobra and Fagu are good choices.

Both offer forests and mountain scenery without requiring a long journey from Shimla.

For a quieter full-day trip: Narkanda

If you don’t mind travelling farther and prefer orchards, forests and a less commercial mountain environment, Narkanda is worth considering.

Can You Combine These Places in One Day?

Technically, you can combine some of these destinations if you have a private vehicle and are willing to spend most of the day travelling.

But I wouldn’t recommend trying to visit all of them in one day.

Kufri and Fagu can potentially be combined because they lie in the same general direction.

Mashobra and Naldehra can also be considered together depending on your route and how much time you want to spend at each place.

Chail deserves more time because of the longer journey from Shimla.

Narkanda is better treated as a separate full-day trip.

Tattapani is also better treated as a separate day trip because the route takes you in a completely different direction.

One of the biggest mistakes with day trips from hill stations is trying to maximise the number of places rather than enjoying the journey.

If you have only one free day, pick the destination that matches your interests rather than trying to collect several destinations in a single day.

How to Plan a Day Trip from Shimla

Start Early

Mountain roads can be slow, particularly during weekends and holidays. Starting early gives you more time at the destination and reduces the pressure to rush back.

This becomes particularly important for Narkanda, Chail and Tattapani, where the journey itself can take a significant part of the day.

Check the Weather

Weather can change quickly in the hills. Fog, rain or snow can affect both visibility and road conditions.

This is particularly important if you are travelling during winter.

Decide Between a Taxi and Public Transport

A private taxi gives you much more flexibility, particularly if you want to combine nearby places.

Public transport can be cheaper, but it requires more planning and gives you less control over your schedule.

For destinations such as Kufri, local buses can be practical. For destinations farther away, a taxi may make the day considerably easier.

Don’t Underestimate Mountain Distances

A destination that looks only 40–60 km away on a map can take considerably longer than the same distance on a highway.

Allow extra time for winding roads, traffic, photography stops and weather conditions.

More Places to Explore Around Shimla

These destinations are not the only places you can explore around Shimla.

The surrounding hills are full of smaller villages, viewpoints, forests and orchards that can be explored if you have more time.

But you don’t necessarily need to travel far.

If your stay in Shimla is short, the destinations on this list give you plenty of choices—from the busy tourist atmosphere of Kufri to the quiet forests of Naldehra, the royal history of Chail, the Sutlej valley of Tattapani and the quieter countryside around Mashobra, Fagu and Narkanda.

Planning Your Shimla Trip?

If you’re exploring Shimla for the first time, don’t spend all your time rushing between attractions.

Spend at least some time walking around the town itself. The Ridge, Christ Church, Scandal Point and Mall Road are all close enough to explore together during an evening.

If you’re arriving in Shimla by road from Chandigarh, don’t overlook the journey itself. The route to Shimla passes through winding mountain roads, valleys, forests and hill villages, while the famous Kalka-Shimla toy train offers a completely different way to experience the landscape.

And if you have an extra day, choose one destination from this guide rather than trying to squeeze everything in.

Shimla works best when you leave some room in your itinerary to simply enjoy the hills.

After all, you don’t always need another attraction.

Sometimes, the road, the forest and the view are enough.