Hill Stations Near Delhi: 15 Picks by Distance and Drive Time

1. Lansdowne

A small cantonment town in the Garhwal hills, run by the Army and kept clean and quiet as a result. There is little to "do" beyond forest walks, the church and the war memorial, which is the point. It is the closest proper hill station to Delhi and works for a two-night weekend.

2. Chakrata

A cantonment at 2,118 m surrounded by deodar forest, waterfalls and Jaunsari villages with their own customs. Foreign nationals need permission to stay in the cantonment area, and facilities are basic, which keeps the crowds away. The road climbs from Vikasnagar beyond Dehradun.

3. Mussoorie

The busiest hill station on this list, with a crowded Mall Road, Landour's quieter lanes above it, and views of the Doon valley. Stay in Landour or on the Camel's Back Road side if you want peace. The Delhi–Dehradun Expressway, opened in April 2026, has cut the drive to Dehradun to around 2.5 hours, so Mussoorie is now within easy reach.

4. Kasauli

A small colonial-era town above Dharampur, about an hour off the Kalka–Shimla road. Pine and oak walks, old churches and the Monkey Point viewpoint (inside an Air Force area, with fixed visiting hours) fill a day; it suits a short break rather than a long stay.

5. Nainital

A lake town in Kumaon, with boating, the Mall Road, Snow View and Tiffin Top, and quieter lakes like Sattal and Bhimtal nearby. It is one of the easiest hill trips with children. Read the Nainital travel guide or the Delhi to Nainital road guide for the drive.

6. Dhanaulti

A forest stop 25 km beyond Mussoorie, with eco-parks under deodar and a short walk to Surkanda Devi temple. It is quieter than Mussoorie and works as a base for both.

7. Kanatal

A meadow-and-forest hamlet at 2,590 m on the ridge above Tehri Lake, popular for camping. The Surkanda Devi trek starts nearby, and the lake below has water sports in season.

8. Chail

Once the summer retreat of the Maharaja of Patiala, Chail is a forested ridge with a palace hotel and one of the highest cricket grounds in the world. It is a quiet alternative to Shimla, about 45 km away.

9. Shimla

The old summer capital of British India: the Ridge and Christ Church, the Mall, Jakhu Temple, the Viceregal Lodge and the UNESCO-listed toy train from Kalka. Start with the Shimla travel guide and the best time to visit Shimla.

10. Mukteshwar

A small Kumaon town on a ridge with some of the widest Himalayan views of any hill station near Delhi on clear days, from October to February in particular. It is about 50 km beyond Nainital and far quieter.

11. Kufri

Shimla's snow point at 2,720 m, 16 km out of town. In January and February it is the most reliable place near Shimla to see snow; the rest of the year it is a crowded pony-ride bazaar on weekends and a quiet ridge on weekdays.

12. McLeod Ganj

The Dalai Lama's town above Dharamshala: monasteries, Tibetan food, cafés and the start of the Triund trek, a 9 km walk to a 2,850 m ridge under the Dhauladhar range. Plan at least three days.

13. Shangarh

A sacred meadow at 2,200 m in the Sainj valley, with a kath-kuni temple, deodar forest and homestays. There is no town and very little to buy, which is exactly why people go. See the Shangarh travel guide.

14. Manali

The biggest mountain base within reach of Delhi: Old Manali, Vashisht's hot springs, Solang Valley, the Atal Tunnel to Sissu and, on a permit, Rohtang Pass. It needs three to five days. Read the Manali travel guide and the Delhi to Manali road guide.

15. Dalhousie

A quiet colonial hill station spread over five hills in Chamba district, with the Khajjiar meadow and the Kalatop forest nearby. It is the furthest on this list and the least crowded of the Himachal classics.

• Summer (April to June): all of them are pleasant, but Shimla, Mussoorie and Nainital are crowded. Chakrata, Kanatal, Mukteshwar, Shangarh and Dalhousie stay quieter.
• Snow (January and February): Kufri and Narkanda near Shimla, Solang Valley near Manali, Dhanaulti and Kanatal near Mussoorie, and Mukteshwar have the best chance. Shimla and Nainital town get snow only on some days. See snowfall in Shimla for timing.
• Monsoon (July to September): landslides close hill roads in both states every year. If you go, pick the shortest drive (Lansdowne or Kasauli), avoid driving after dark and check road status each morning.
• Autumn (October and November): the clearest Himalayan views of the year, and the best all-round time for most of this list.

Which is the nearest hill station to Delhi?

Lansdowne, at about 250 km, is the nearest proper hill station to Delhi, followed by Chakrata, Mussoorie, Kasauli and Nainital, all within about 300 km.

Which hill station near Delhi is best for a weekend?

For a two-night weekend, pick one within seven hours: Lansdowne, Mussoorie, Kasauli or Nainital. Shimla works if you leave very early on Friday or take a long weekend.

Which hill station near Delhi has snow?

In January and February, Kufri and Narkanda near Shimla, Solang Valley near Manali, and Dhanaulti and Kanatal near Mussoorie have the best chance of snow. Snow is never guaranteed, so keep your dates flexible.

Which hill station near Delhi is least crowded?

Chakrata, Mukteshwar, Chail and Shangarh see far fewer visitors than Shimla, Mussoorie, Nainital or Manali, especially on weekdays.