Delhi to Shimla Road Trip: Three Best Routes

Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and one of the most visited hill stations in India.

It was a summer capital for the Britishers during the colonial times and is considered the favourite destination for honeymooners in India.

Its popular attractions are The Mall, The Ridge, Chadwick Falls, Jakhoo Hills, Viceregal Lodge, Tara Devi, Scandal Point, Annandale. Shimla is also a great place to trek, hike, eat and shop.

Best Time To Visit

The popular tourist season in Shimla is March to June. The weather is cool and pleasant for sightseeing and outdoor adventure activities. The average temperature is around 20 degrees celsius.

Winters are an ideal time to watch snowfall and enjoy living in the snow-covered mountains in the region. Monsoons are also a great time to go except one has to be extremely cautious while navigating the hilly terrain.

How To Get There

There are affordable taxi services which take you to Shimla for a price as low as Rs. 2500. Take a self-drive car or choose to go by bike. Buses go frequently from Delhi to Shimla, with prices starting from Rs. 600. Our recommendation is to take a bike trip as the distance is roughly 350 kilometers which you can travel within 7 to 8 hours.

Route Options

There are three great routes you can take to Shimla. Find them listed below and pick your favourite.

Route 1: The Ambala Route

Route Map

Delhi → Panipat → Karnal → Kurukshetra → Ambala → Pinjore → Kasauli → Shimla

View Map

This is the shortest route leading to Shimla from Delhi. It takes around 7 to 8 hours via NH 44, 152 and 5. There are plenty of places to stop and explore along the way. We list them below.

Popular Stopovers on the Road Trip from Delhi to Shimla

Purana Quila: Visit this historical mosque, library and park in Panipat.
Karnal Lake: After crossing Karnal, you will come across this small lake which can make for a quick stop. A peaceful place.
Sheikh Chilli Tomb: Check out this beautiful mausoleum of a famous Sufi Saint in Kurukshetra.
Jyotisar Birthplace of Bhagavad Geeta: This holy place in Kurukshetra is where Lord Krishna delivered the Geeta sermons during the mythical war of Kurukshetra.
Rock Gardens of Chandigarh: This is a must-see unique spot, a garden made of trash and recyclable material, creative and interesting.
Sukhna Lake: A well-maintained, clean and serene lake in Chandigarh.
Le Corbusier Centre: Do visit this gem of a place that houses photographs and other archival material of Le Corbusier, the great architect of the city.
Sarkaria Cactus Garden: Located in Panchkula, near Chandigarh this is a unique garden that exhibits a variety of cacti.
Jal Mahal in Pinjore: Upon crossing Chandigarh, visit this Rajwadi garden with multiple fountains and perfectly manicured garden.
Monkey Point Hanuman Temple: A trek uphill will take you to this great spot with spectacular views in Kasauli.
Christ Church: In Kasauli, visit this old British church with pretty murals.
Sunset Point: Fully equipped with an observation tower, this spot is breathtaking. Also in Kasauli.
Tara Devi Temple: Before reaching Shimla, stop by at this quiet and quaint temple in the middle of pretty meadows.

Also check Hotels Near Shimla General Post Office

Route 2: The Yamunanagar Route

Route Map

Delhi → Panipat → Karnal → Yamunanagar → Solan → Chail → Shimla

View Map

This route will take you roughly 10 to 11 hours via NH 44 and 5. The below itinerary below is designed for wildlife enthusiasts and you can spend quite a bit of time exploring these options.

Popular Stopovers on the Road Trip from Delhi to Shimla

Kalesar National Park: Located near Yamuna Nagar, this national park is located amidst dense forests. Enjoy a jungle safari and spot a variety of wildlife including leopards, deer, sambar, python, king cobra and a variety of birds. Also go trekking in the forest.
Chail Sanctuary: Head straight to Chail which is some kilometres before Shimla. Here you can spot European Red Deer, Himalayan Black Bears, Golden Eagles, leopards and other wildlife species.

Route 3: The Dehradun Route

Route Map

Delhi → Ghaziabad → Meerut → Muzaffarnagar → Dehradun → Kolar → Barog → Shimla

View Map

This will be the longest route to take but has amazing sights enroute, which we have listed below. It will take you around 12 to 13 hours via NH 334 and 7.

Popular Stopovers on the Road Trip from Delhi to Shimla

Augharnath Mandir: Visit this historical temple in Meerut which is associated with the 1857. Revolt.
Shukratal: Visit this Hanuman temple with a sacred wish fulfilling banyan tree in Muzaffarnagar.
Tibetan Buddhist Temple: This is a soulful monastery one must visit in Dehradun for its sheer ambience.
Robber’s Cave: Located in Guchupani in Dehradun, these are highly recommended for an adventurous cave river walk.
Forest Research Institute: Located on Chakrata Road in Dehradun, this place is a must visit for its museums, parks and colonial-era architecture.
Sahastradhara: A natural spring with a sulphur pond and a quaint temple. Interesting and unique.
Tiger Falls: Hidden away among hills in Chakrata, these waterfalls are a delightful and fresh.
Tapkeshwar Temple: Located inside a cave, this Shiva temple is famous for water dripping from the cave walls.

Safety Measures and Tips

The roads from Delhi to Chandigarh are in great shape. But do leave early to avoid traffic.
The road condition up upto Dehradun is also not bad.
Once you enter the winding hilly terrain towards Shimla, off the main highway, the roads will become narrow and slightly difficult to navigate.
Drive carefully Pinjore onwards.
Beware of landslides that commonly happen in these areas. So check the internet before you plan your trip.
It is best not to travel during night. Make an overnight stay in Chandigarh, Dehradun or Yamunanagar.
Highway dhabas will be plenty and many places will offer delicious Punjabi and Himachali food.
Hire a taxi with a driver if you are not an experienced driver on hilly terrains.
Dress comfortably in sensible shoes since you will be trekking, hiking and walking a lot.
Make sure your vehicles are serviced properly before you take off.
Consult GPS or download a route app. Don’t hesitate to ask the locals for help. There may be many tricky diversions and bypasses that you may miss.
Watch out for sign boards.

The road trip from Delhi to Shimla will be exciting, adventurous with a lot of gorgeous landscapes, photo ops and little gems you will discover on your excursions and explorations.

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