When we think of vacations, the first thing that comes to our mind is a hill station. A trip to a hill town, especially the hill stations in North India, is the best way to relax, de-stress, and learn more about yourself. Peace, fresh air, trees, and snow are things people are willing to give anything for. North India has many beautiful hill towns, especially in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand. These places are perfect to escape the scorching heat. The beautiful snow-clad mountains, lush green forests, and enchanting valleys will take your breath away.
List of the 10 Most Beautiful Hill Stations in North India
1. One Of The Best Hill Stations – Srinagar
One of the most beautiful and famous holiday destinations in Srinagar. Srinagar is the largest and oldest city in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is also the capital of the state. The city is the most popular tourist destination in North India throughout the year because of its pleasant climate, beautiful Mughal gardens, houseboats, gorgeous mountains and vibrant Shikaras.
Srinagar is a city that you will never forget because of its beautiful Dal Lake and delicious Kashmiri food. Most of the people in Srinagar are Hindus or Muslims and they are very skilled artisans. People in Srinagar follow Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism. Kashmiri, Koshur and Hindi are the languages that people speak there.
People all over the world know Srinagar for its famous Kashmiri and Pashmina blankets and scarves. It is also known for the jewellery made there, exotic carpets, authentic spices, woodwork and more. Shikara ride is one of the best things to do in Srinagar. Shikaras are long boats that go around the Dal Lake and are a great way to travel to different places in Kashmir by water.
Kashmiri food is very distinct and delicious, so you cannot visit Srinagar without trying them. Taste Kashmiri kebabs and kawa (green tea) which are famous all over the world. Gushtaba, Yakhni, Seekh Kabab, Roganjosh and Dum Aloo are some other famous foods of the region. Shikara Ride, Hazratbal Dargah, Shalimar Bagh, Dal Lake and Nishat Bagh are some of the best places to visit in Srinagar.
- Things To Do – Visit Dachigam National Park to see wildlife, visit Wular Lake, and take a trip to Gulmarg and Yusmarg.
- Best Time To Visit – April to October
2. Pahalgam – Best Point In Hill Station
Pahalgam is 95 km from Srinagar. It is also known as the “Valley of Shepherds”. The most famous hill station in Jammu and Kashmir, it offers spectacular views of the snow-capped Himalayas and greenery. Many people going on the Amarnath Yatra prefer this route.
Pahalgam is the best place for those who like to try new things and do exciting things. They can go hiking and rafting on the Lidder River. The city hosts a two-day snow festival that showcases sports like skiing, golf, treks and more.
Apart from this, Pahalgam is a great place to shop. You can buy shawls, rugs and beautiful hand-embroidered clothes in Kashmir. Vegetarian food is available here and most places also serve delicious Mughlai, Indian and Continental food. But you must also try the street food.
Betaab Valley and Sheshnag Lake are the best places to visit in Pahalgam. Trekking on the Kolahoi Glacier, rafting on the Lidder River and visiting the Tarsar Lake are all fun and exciting activities.
- Things To Do – Trekking, White River Rafting, Shopping
- Best Time To Visit – March to November
3. Gulmarg Is A Popular Hill Station Among Tourists
It is the world’s largest 18-hole golf course and is also known as the “Field of Flowers”. Jammu and Kashmir is one of the best places to visit. Situated 2650 m above sea level, it is an astonishingly beautiful place that will take your breath away. The snow-capped hills and the beautiful high Himalayan mountains make it a great place for a holiday.
If you love sledging and snowboarding, the best time to visit Gulmarg is during snowfall. Also, take a ride on the famous Gondola ropeway. Gulmarg Golf Course, St. Mary’s Church, Strawberry Valley and Baba Reshi Temple are the best places to visit in Gulmarg.
- Things To Do – Gondola ride, Scuba diving, Skiing, Snowboarding
- Best Time To Visit – October to February
4. Mussoorie – The Famous Weekend Gateway
It is the most famous hill station and wedding destination. It is also called the “Queen of Hills”. This place is in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, 290 km from Delhi. Mussoorie is the gateway to Gangotri and Yamunotri. It is surrounded by the Shivalik range of the Himalayas and the Doon Valley. It is a paradise full of beautiful mountains and greenery.
Mussoorie’s Mall Road, which is full of shops, bistros and bars, is its main attraction. The colonial feel can be felt in the small houses of the city and the lamp posts that are spread all over the area. The ropeway to Gun Hill, the second-highest hill in Mussoorie, is another great thing to do. The view from the ropeway ride to Gun Hill is amazing. You can see the whole city and the Himalayas.
Landour, Bhatta Falls, Jhadipani Falls, Kempty Falls, Camel’s Back Road, Lal Tibba and Mussoorie Lake are the best places to visit in Mussoorie.
- Things To Do – Trekking, Paragliding, Angling, Zip Lining
- Best Time To Visit – Visit Mussoorie in summer to escape the scorching heat. The best time to see snow is in winter.
5. Manali Is the Top Famous Destination In Himachal
Manali is a beautiful city in Himachal Pradesh. It is situated on the banks of the Beas River. It is about 544 km from Delhi and is in the Kullu Valley, also known as the “Valley of the Gods”. The snow-clad Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar can be viewed beautifully from Manali.
The Spahi Valley and Ladakh are mostly reached by car from Manali. Manali has become a favourite holiday destination in the last few years. For working professionals, it has become the best place to visit the mountains during the COVID-19 pandemic. People prefer this place to live and work as it has good Wi-Fi and lots of small restaurants and bars.
There are also many exciting things to do in Manali, such as trekking and river rafting. People come to Manali to do exciting things like skiing, skydiving, and horse riding. Two famous places are Rohtang Pass and Solang Valley. Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass, Old Manali and Jogini Falls are the best places to visit in Manali.
- Things To Do – Skiing, Rafting, Paragliding, Horse-riding
- Best Time To Visit – The best time to visit Manali is from October to June as the weather is pleasant and the flowers are in bloom. The best time to see snow is from December to February.
6. Shimla – The Most Visited Hill Station For Honeymooners
Himachal Pradesh is an Indian state and Shimla is its city. Honeymooners love to visit this city in summer because of its beautiful Victorian buildings. Many people visit this hill town in summer because it is very cool and the architecture is very beautiful. Shimla’s buildings and other infrastructure have a British touch as it used to be a British summer town.
Shimla is easily accessible from many nearby cities. It is just four hours away from Chandigarh. It has an airport and is famous for the train line that runs from Kalka to Shimla. Kufri and Chail are the two most famous hill towns close to Shimla. Kufri is a beautiful place with snow-capped mountains all around. Chail is known for its huge house and the world’s highest cricket ground.
Kufri, Chail, The Mall Road, The Ridge, Green Valley and Jakhu Temple are the best places to visit in Shimla. Shimla has a lot of shops, bars, dhabas and restaurants that serve food from all over the world, including Chinese, South Indian, North Indian, Continental, etc.
- Things To Do – Skiing in Kufri, Jakhoo ropeway, Kalka-Shimla toy train
- Best Time To Visit – The best time to visit is from March to June as the weather is pleasant during this time. Winter from November to February is the best time to see snow.
7. Nainital – One Of The Best Tourist Places
Nainital, located in Uttarakhand, known as the “City of Lakes”, is one of the most popular hill towns. It is located at the foot of the Kumaon range. It is a great place to spend the weekend in North India and is close to both Delhi and Dehradun. A famous lake called Naini Lake is in the centre of the city. Mall Road and Thandi Sadak surround it.
The best thing about Nainital is how close it is to other lovely hill towns like Pangot, Ranikhet and Almora. You can ride the ropeway from Snow View Point to Naini Lake or go fishing in the beautiful lake.
From the Mall Road of Nainital, you can buy things like blankets, candles and woollen clothes for local shopping. If you love food, you must try Garhwali and Kumaoni food. Apart from this, Bal Mithai is another famous sweet that you will find in the nearby candy stores.
There is a lot of discussion about how to educate Nainital. Some of the most famous schools in India are St. Joseph’s College, Birla Vidya Mandir and Sherwood College. Many famous Indian people have studied in these famous schools, such as Mr Amitabh Bachchan, Kabir Bedi and Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.
- Things To Do – Boating in Naini Lake, Naina Devi Temple, Snow View Point, Tiffin Top.
- Best Time To Visit – The best time to visit is from March to June as the weather is pleasant during this time. Winter from November to February is the best time to see snow.
8. You Can See The Nature Beauty In Dalhousie
Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh is a famous hill town. The town is a treat to the eyes, with its spectacular snow-capped mountains of Dhauladhar, lovely waterfalls, dense forests, and overall stunning scenery. The town was built 1970 meters above sea level and was named after Lord Dalhousie. It was a popular summer spot for British tourists. Hence, the churches in Dalhousie are built in Victorian style which reminds us of the time when the country was a colony.
Dalhousie has a lot of delicious food for guests to choose from, such as Mughlai, Tibetan, North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, and of course Himachali food.
When you visit Dalhousie, the best places to visit are Khajjiar, Panchpula, Chamera Lake, and Satdhara Waterfalls. When tourists visit Dalhousie, they should always visit Khajjiar, which is only 21 km away. Khajjiar is called “The Little Switzerland of India” because of its beautiful snow-capped mountains and greenery. Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary is another great place to visit in Khajjiar. It is home to many unusual and rare species.
- Things To Do – River Crossing and Rafting, Satdhara Falls, Dainkund Peak, Panchpula.
- Best Time To Visit – The weather is good from March to June and you can enjoy the beautiful views of nature. However, winter is the best time to go out.
9. Dharamshala – Famous In Himachal
Dharamshala is located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Based on the altitude, it is divided into two sub-divisions: Upper and Lower. The upper one is called McLeodganj and the lower one is called Dharamshala.
The famous Buddhist leader Dalai Lama and his followers once visited Dharamshala. They were so impressed by the beauty of this place that they decided to stay there. After that, they made Dharamshala even more beautiful and named it “Little Lhasa”. Therefore, for almost 30 years, most of the people who come to Dharamshala in search of peace, tranquillity and happiness use it as a place to meditate. There is also a study centre where people can learn about Buddhism and Tibetan culture.
Most people say that Dharamshala Cricket Stadium, Triund, Namgyal Monastery in McLeodganj, St. John’s Church and Library of Tibetan Works are the best places to visit in the city.
- Things To Do – Visit Dharamshala Cricket Stadium, Library of Tibetan Works, St.John Church, and War Memorial.
- Best Time To Visit – February – June
10. Almora – The Croudless Calm Place In North India
Almora is one of the most famous hill stations in India. It is located in the beautiful horseshoe-shaped Kumaon mountains and is known for its rich culture and history. Almora is a great place for tourists to make many memories as it is known for its unique wildlife, delicious food and beautiful handmade items. Koshi and Suyal are two famous rivers that flow through this city.
There are a lot of interesting places to visit in Almora, such as museums, monuments and churches. Nanda Devi Temple and Kasar Devi Temple are two famous temples of mountain deities. If you visit Almora, you must try the sweets made there, especially Bal Mithai and Singori. Other delicious North Indian food is also available here.
- Things To Do – Mountain Biking, Trekking
- Best Time To Visit – March-May
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