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Shimla offers much to the visitor as well as to those fortunate enough to live here throughout the year. To us it means long walks through the deodar forests of Seog, views of the snow-covered Himalayas from Potter’s Hill, gathering violets in the spring, picking wild raspberries in the summer and delighting in the fact that, although it is a capital city, Shimla has somehow retained the charm of a village.
Many of Shimla’s best known landmarks are clustered around The Mall. At its eastern end stands Jakhu temple, edicated to Hanuman, commanding sweeping views across the surrounding mountains.
At the western end, beyond The Oberoi Cecil, lies the magnificent former Viceregal Lodge, an imposing Scottish Baronial mansion that served as the summer residence of the Viceroys of British India until Independence in 1947.
The walk from here through to Chhota Shimla passes many of the town’s finest colonial buildings and forms the heart of Shimla’s Heritage Zone.
Below Jakhu Hill is The Ridge, Shimla’s open square, dominated by the elegant Gothic-style Christ Church and the half-timbered State Library. The Heritage Zone is filled with remarkable buildings, many beautifully weathered by time, whose architecture recalls Shimla’s years as the summer capital of British India.
A beautiful walk through the thick deodar forests on Shimla’s north face, beginning at Kennedy House or the Legislative Assembly, leads to Annandale, home to the Army Heritage Museum. Set within one of Shimla’s oldest and most picturesque glades, the museum traces the history of the Indian Army through thoughtfully curated displays, while Annandale itself, once the social and sporting heart of British Shimla, remains one of the town’s loveliest open spaces.
Among Shimla’s most rewarding spring walks is the climb through rhododendron forests to Tara Devi Temple from the old highway just outside the town.
About 15 kilometres from Shimla is the spectacular Oberoi Wildflower Hall. Perched amidst cedar forests, it is the perfect place to stop for lunch or afternoon tea before exploring the surrounding woodland on one of the property’s guided nature walks.
For those looking for a more challenging outing, Shali Tibba , at 10,496 feet, is the highest peak in the region and rewards walkers with magnificent panoramic views of the Himalayas. After your descent, we can arrange a traditional Himachali meal in the village at the foot of the mountain, providing the perfect end to a memorable day’s walk.
The Mashobra Valley Walk through Sipur follows quiet woodland trails beneath ancient deodars, passing orchards, scattered cottages and small villages. It is one of the best ways to experience the quieter, more rural side of Shimla.
Golfers should not miss the historic course at Naldehra, particularly in spring and early summer when the fairways are dotted with daisies. Kufri, Fagu and Chail also make delightful excursions from Shimla, each offering its own character, scenery and leisurely pace.