The best way to discover Shimla is by walking. Shimla is located on a ridge while the motorable road encircles the mountains at a lower level. Thus if one is willing to walk, not only does it take less time than travelling by car but the visitor can still find and explore the Old Shimla as it used to be and not have to contend with traffic jams and honking cars.

Heritage Walk

Chapslee to Viceregal lodge and back. For details please see the section on heritage Shimla.

Upper Jakhoo Round

A lovely walk part of which is through deodar forest. Start at Chapslee, turn left at the top of Lakkar bazaar towards IGMC – go past IGMC. Take the Road going upto the boys hostel – keep climbing till Jakhoo Temple with Deodar trees on either side.– walk down to St Bedes Chowk and then get on to the forest hill road and walk along, passing Woodville Palace Hotel, Hainault, and ending up at the Christ Church and then back to Chapslee. Distance 7 km.

Northwood walk

From Chapslee to Longwood and then take the road up which passes the Sainik rest house and Sterling castle up above on the left. Beautiful views of Mashobra and Shali peak and the snows on a clear day greet you as u walk along. After Harvington the road descends through Rhododendron tress all the way till Northwood a beautiful English cottage owned by the family, where you can enjoy a cup of tea! You can walk further on if you like through Bharari Bazaar, pass Dudhli village to Kamyana where the care can meet you to bring you back. If not, turn around at any point and walk back to Chapslee.

The Cchota Shimla Walk

Start at the Christ Church and walk down to the Mall past Ladies Park. Take a left and walk towards Combemere Bridge. Further on you will see Clarks Hotel, which was one of the first hotels started by Rai Bahudur Oberoi and is still an Oberoi venture. Carry on walking and the crowds will thin out. You will pass Chalet School above on the left and then much further on Cedars or the Punjab Govt State Guest house and even further, Oak Over, the official residence of the CM of Himachal. Carry on past Raj Bhawan and after Woodville Palace Hotel, take a left to Ram Chandra Chowk, carry on past Hainault( the residence of the Raja of Jubbal) till you come back to the Christ Church, from where you started your walk.

The Mall Road and Lower Bazaar

Begin your walk at Scandal Point by turning left towards the Town hall square. Notice the lovely Tudor style shops on the right, although more and more are sadly giving way to modern structures. The Mall has traditionally had the more fancy and up market shops and you will pass a number of them on the way. Don’t miss the Maria Bros, the shop famous for antique books which still retains its old character. Once you reach Shere-e-Punjab, take the road right and enter Lower Bazar. This is truly the people’s market and is always buzzing with activity. It is a fascinating stretch of shops on both sides, cheek to jowl, selling almost everything. After jostling with crowds along this narrow road you come out the other end at the DC office and on turning right make your way back to Scandal point.

Walk to Jakhoo

If you feel like a steep 45 minute walk to the monkey temple of Jakhoo which is also the highest point in Shimla and offers some great views, then start off at Christ Church and make your way upwards past Hollylodge and Rothney castle till you reach the top. As you climb be careful of the bold and aggressive monkeys who will snatch any and everything you may carry.

Cable car to Jakhoo

If you don’t feel like the walk you can take a cable car from Ritz Theatre ( provided it is functional) .

A slice of the Kalka Shimla Toy Train

The actual train journey from Kalka to Shimla takes 6 hours and although picturesque is quite slow. And yet it is interesting and worthwhile to experience a slice of this journey. For this you have to walk or take a car one way and then take the toy train back! You need walk to Summer Hill Railway Station via Indian Institute of Advance Studies gate and then Return by train….Himalayan Queen – 17:12 hours…..reaching Shimla railway station at 17:30 hours (prior reservation required). For an extended train experience you can take a taxi to Tara Devi Railway station and get onto the train there as well.