Best nearby Destinations & Day Trips

Best nearby Destinations & Day Trips

Solan is surrounded by scenic hill stations, historical forts, spiritual retreats, and adventure spots, making it an excellent base for day trips and weekend getaways. Here are the best nearby destinations to explore:

1. Kasauli (25 km) – A Serene British-Era Hill Station

✔ A quaint and peaceful hill station with colonial charm and pine forests.
✔ Visit Monkey Point, Christ Church, and Gilbert Trail.
✔ Best for nature walks, photography, and relaxation.

 Travel Time: 45 minutes from Solan.

2. Chail (45 km) – The Royal Retreat of Maharajas

✔ Home to the Chail Palace, a former royal summer retreat.
✔ Visit Chail Wildlife Sanctuary and Kali Ka Tibba Temple.
✔ Explore the highest cricket ground in the world (2,444 meters).

 Travel Time: 1.5 hours from Solan.

3. Shimla (48 km) – The Queen of Hills

✔ The capital of Himachal Pradesh, known for its colonial architecture.
✔ Visit Mall Road, The Ridge, Jakhoo Temple, and Kufri.
✔ Best for shopping, sightseeing, and winter snowfall experiences.

 Travel Time: 1.5 hours from Solan.

4. Barog (7 km) – The Best Sunrise & Toy Train Spot

✔ A quiet hill station with stunning sunrise views.
✔ Visit Barog Tunnel (longest tunnel on the Kalka-Shimla Toy Train route).
✔ Ideal for camping, photography, and picnics.

 Travel Time: 15 minutes from Solan.

5. Kufri (60 km) – The Snow Paradise

✔ Famous for skiing, snowboarding, and horse riding in winter.
✔ Visit Kufri Fun World, Mahasu Peak, and the Himalayan Nature Park.
✔ Best for snow lovers, adventure seekers, and families.

Travel Time: 2 hours from Solan.

6. Nalagarh Fort (40 km) – A Heritage Stay in a 15th-Century Fort

✔ A heritage fort-turned-resort with stunning views of the Shivalik Hills.
✔ Ideal for luxury stays, royal dining, and history lovers.
✔ Enjoy horse riding, cultural performances, and fort exploration.

 Travel Time: 1.5 hours from Solan.

7. Kuthar Fort (25 km) – A Hidden Rajput Fort

✔ A 700-year-old Rajput fort with secret tunnels and beautiful architecture.
✔ Offers scenic views of the surrounding valleys.
✔ A great offbeat destination for history and architecture lovers.

 Travel Time: 1 hour from Solan.

8. Dagshai (11 km) – A British-Era Cantonment Town

✔ One of India’s oldest British cantonments, built in 1847.
✔ Visit Dagshai Jail Museum, where freedom fighters were once imprisoned.
✔ Offers colonial charm, scenic landscapes, and a peaceful atmosphere.

 Travel Time: 30 minutes from Solan.

9. Bir Billing (130 km) – The Paragliding Capital of India

✔ One of the world’s best paragliding sites, offering stunning aerial views.
✔ Take off from Billing (2,400m) and land in Bir.
✔ Also famous for Buddhist monasteries and Tibetan cafés.

 Travel Time: 4 hours from Solan.

10. Majathal Wildlife Sanctuary (40 km) – A Hidden Wildlife Haven

✔ Home to the Himalayan black bear, barking deer, and pheasants.
✔ Best for wildlife photography, birdwatching, and jungle safaris.

 Travel Time: 1.5 hours from Solan.

11. Morni Hills (90 km) – Haryana’s Only Hill Station

✔ A peaceful hill retreat with trekking trails and waterfalls.
✔ Visit Tikkar Tal Lake for boating and camping.
✔ Best for nature lovers looking for a quiet getaway.

 Travel Time: 3 hours from Solan.

12. Pinjore Gardens (65 km) – A Mughal-Style Garden

✔ A beautiful terraced garden built in the 17th century.
✔ Features royal pavilions, fountains, and lush greenery.
✔ Ideal for family picnics, photography, and cultural exploration.

 Travel Time: 2 hours from Solan.

13. Tattapani (80 km) – Hot Springs & River Rafting

✔ Enjoy natural hot water springs known for their medicinal properties.
✔ Try river rafting on the Sutlej River.
✔ Best for adventure seekers and those looking for relaxation.

 Travel Time: 3 hours from Solan.

14. Renuka Lake (100 km) – The Largest Lake in Himachal

✔ A serene lake surrounded by lush hills and temples.
✔ Enjoy boating, nature walks, and wildlife spotting.
✔ Visit Renuka Temple and the Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary.

 Travel Time: 3.5 hours from Solan.

Which Destination to Choose?

✔ For a Quiet & Scenic Escape: Barog, Kasauli, Chail.
✔ For Adventure & Trekking: Karol Tibba, Kufri, Bir Billing (paragliding), Tattapani (rafting).
✔ For History & Heritage: Kuthar Fort, Nalagarh Fort, Dagshai Jail Museum.
✔ For Wildlife & Nature: Majathal Wildlife Sanctuary, Renuka Lake.
✔ For a Spiritual Experience: Shoolini Mata Temple, Jatoli Shiv Temple.

Best Time to Visit These Destinations

✔ Summer (March–June): Best for hill stations, trekking, and nature walks.
✔ Monsoon (July–September): Best for lush greenery and waterfalls but avoid long road trips due to landslides.
✔ Winter (October–February): Best for snow adventures in Kufri, Shimla, and Chail.

How to Travel to These Places?