The lesser-known and unexplored Best Offbeat Hill Stations in Himachal Pradesh.
After the pandemic related lockdown restrictions are lifted, the travel-bug will have bitten almost everyone and people are expected to travel a lot once the situation is manageable. The heavy inflow of the tourists from Delhi and Punjab can already be seen in the popular destinations such as Manali and Shimla.
The famous hill stations in Himachal Pradesh are already seeing a rising trend in the number of travel received by the hotels and tour agencies. Most of the Himachal tour packages that are being promoted through the Social Media channels are the famous hill stations in Himachal Pradesh that are already known to be very crowded.
We have listed some of the best kept secret or lesser-known hill stations and destinations that worth exploring for your next vacation in Himachal Pradesh. If are residing in a city and want an escape from the city air and for some self-reflection, following are some of the best hill stations in Himachal Pradesh which lesser known compared to the popular destinations.
Best Offbeat Hill Stations in Himachal Pradesh to Travel To:
1. Barog
The Haunted tunnel 33 in Barog (image source: Wikimedia Commons)
Barog is located on the way towards Shimla. It is usually a stopping point for tourists going towards Shimla. Most of these tourists do not know that the small town of Barog is a very good destination for travelers.
The beautiful green scenic beauty of this town makes it one of the best offbeat hill stations in Himachal. Barog is a great place for families and small groups to have a picnic or to stay for an amazing short vacation. The most popular attraction in Barog is the Renuka Lake which is dedicated to the deity goddess called Renuka. This lake is revered by the locals for its religious significance.
Barog has increased in the popularity among the tourists in recent years. However, to some extent it is still a lesser-known destination compared to Shimla and Manali. The other main attractions of Barog include the Peak of Choor Chandni and the Dolanji Bon Monastery. Barog is also known for a haunted tunnel which is dedicated to ‘Colonel Barog’ who committed suicide here. The Choor Chandni Peak is a beautiful spot which is situated at the height of around 3600 meters and the view from this place is simply breathtaking.
Barog is an offbeat hill station in Himachal Pradesh which is great for camping and for picnics. You can find some of the oldest places to eat here, one of them being the famous Spencer restaurant. There are several resorts and hotels available for accommodation as well.
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2. Sirmaur
Renuka Lake in Sirmaur (image source: Wikimedia Commons)
Compared to the other popular destinations such as Manali and Mcleodganj, Sirmaur is still one of the much less traveled to Himachal hill stations. The quaint little town of Sirmaur is situated in the south of Himachal Pradesh.
Sirmaur is surrounded with beautiful lush green areas rich in bio-diversity along with the river of Giri. For trekking enthusiasts, the trek to the peak Churdhar is the best tourist activity you can engage in. The scenic beauty that can be observed from the peak of Churdhar is truly breathtaking that makes Sirmaur a beautiful hill station of Himachal Pradesh.
Although, since the past few years, Sirmaur has gained popularity but still it is not as famous as other destinations. One of the most important destinations that are worth visiting in Sirmaur is the Gurudwara of Paonta Sahib which is a site for pilgrimage for the people of the Sikh community.
You can also visit the gorgeous lake of Renuka which is situated near the temple of Renukaji. Tourists can also find boating and fishing activities to enjoy here. You can also find various temples which are important for the locals here and are worth visiting. These temples give you a glimpse of the local culture of the people living here.
The roads leading to Sirmaur are well connected and you can easily reach from Chandigarh or from Shimla. Sirmaur is one of the most beautiful hill stations of Himachal Pradesh that is ideal for people wanting to escape the other crowded tourist destinations in India.
3. Pabbar Valley
Hatkoti Town in Pabbar Valley (image source: Wikimedia Commons)
This beautiful valley is located in Rohru which is around 130 kilometers away from Shimla. This destination is known to a few people who visit regularly and these travelers come here to escape the huge crowds of Shimla.
Rohru is perfect for spending your summer vacation and is one of the best Himachal hill stations. You can find yourself relaxing along the beautiful river of Pabbar which is surrounded by lush green forest areas. The view of the green meadows and apple trees are something straight out of story books.
The Pabbar Valley’s most famous tourist activity is Trout Fishing. The experience of fishing and then eating that fish cooked in various ways is the best experience you have in Pabbar Valley. For the trekkers, the trails of Kuper Valley and the Chanshal Pass are available. These trekking trails require a certain stamina and courage for adventure.
Another famoust tourist attraction available here is the village of Hatkoti, famous for its temple and scenic beauty. The area of Pabbar Valley can be considered as one of the best offbeat hill stations in Himachal, but in the coming years you can expect to see a lot of new tourists visiting this beautiful region.
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4. Mashobra
Mashobra, Himachal Pradesh (image source: Wikimedia Commons)
This small town is situated in the district of Shimla. Mashobra is a beautiful town blessed with natural beauty to admire. The lush green areas blooming with life is due to the reason that Mashobra is part of a Wildlife Sanctuary.
Shimla Water Catchment Wildlife Sanctuary is located along the town of Mashobra. This destination is one of the ideal offbeat hill stations in Himachal Pradesh.
Apart from the natural scenic beauty, there are many tourist activities available for the travelers visiting this town. In the recent years, many tour operators have been working towards making this town an important travel destination. This has resulted in many adventure sports and activities being introduced in this area.
Camping in Mashobra is particularly great because of its beautiful forest camping areas. You can avail many additional services from certain Himachal tour packages for your camping. These services include bonfires, food, additional adventure activities etc.
Some of the other adventure activities to consider experiencing include Biking, Trekking, Paragliding and Rappelling. There are many tour operators working in this area to popularize adventure tourism. Mashobra is one of the best hidden hill stations in Himachal Pradesh which has the potential for becoming a leading adventure tourism destination.
5. Kiarighat
Kamna devi Temple near Kiarighat (image source: Wikimedia Commons)
Kiarighat is one of the most beautiful and best offbeat hill stations in Himachal Pradesh. You can reach this hill station by traveling on the Shimla-Kalka main road. The scenic beauty is mesmerizing and memorable for the tourists. It is also an Instagram-friendly destination for travelers who post their adventures on social media.
There are some tourist attractions in this area which are worth your time. For example, there is an old temple dedicated to Shiva called the Jatoli temple. This temple is an ancient structure which attracts pilgrims from all over Himachal Pradesh.
The other known destinations are the Bon Monastery and the Chail Wildlife Sanctuary. Both these places are beautiful destinations that provide the ideal spot for relaxation and self-reflection. There are forest areas where tourists can camp as well.
Many tourists who visited this place considered it as one of the most beautiful hill stations of Himachal Pradesh. The summer months are the best months to visit Kiarighat because of the pleasant weather. The temperatures can get extremely cold during the winter season.
Accommodation options for both budget travelers and tourists seeking a luxurious experience are available here. Many luxury resorts and homestays can be found easily in Kiarighat. As far as the food options are considered, you can find traditional Himachali food, Indian cuisine and various continental dishes in the restaurants in this area.
Some of the most attractive destinations within Kiarighat include the Kamna Devi Temple, Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharaja’s Palace and the Solan Brewery. All these attractions are worth visiting because of their cultural significance, natural beauty and historical importance. Once the COVID-19 vaccine is successfully introduced, we can expect more and more people travelling to these destinations of Himachal Pradesh. For the budget-conscious travelers, many unexplored destinations are also the cheapest hill stations in Himachal Pradesh. Only time will tell if these lesser known but best offbeat hill stations will end up being the most popular tourist places in Himachal.
