5 Hill Stations Near Delhi To Cool Off, Even If Just For The Weekend

Do you, like us, think that Delhi saw no spring this year and has jumped straight to summer? With the mercury rising, we are getting a gut feeling that this summer is going to be really nasty. The month of April has just started but the temperature is already 38 degree C! While eating light and staying hydrated may help keep you cool, there's no better way to beat the heat than running off to nearby hill stations even if it is for a weekend. Don't you agree?

For wandering souls, you only need any and every reason to pack your bag and travel. If you have been waiting for a long weekend to take off, here's some good news. These five hill stations are just a few hours away from Delhi and a weekend's time is enough to soak in its beauty and feel rejuvenated.

1. Lansdowne

A pretty cantonment town located in Uttarakhand, the best part about visiting Lansdowne is that it is not touristy. You will find no fancy resorts and hotels, but comfortable and homestyle places. If you love to trek around, you can head out and explore various spectacular viewpoints overlooking The Himalayas such as the famous Tip and Top. Other than that you can visit Bhim Pakora, Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple and Bhulla Taal.

Distance from Delhi: 260 km, takes about 6-7 hours

 

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2. Kasauli

Another cantonment town, Kasauli is located in Himachal Pradesh and is close to Shimla. It may not be as cool as some of the other hill stations in Himachal, but it is beautiful nonetheless. The old colonial charm is still very evident in not just its architecture but way of life too. Known as hiker's paradise, you can walk around the small town to explore various temples, viewpoints and the stunning countryside. The famous Mohan Meakin brewery is located here.

Distance from Delhi: 290 km, takes about 5-6 hours

 

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3. Mussoorie

Further uphill from Dehradun, Mussoorie maybe a crowded hill station, but if you keep away from Mall Road and instead pick the outskirts to stay, you will start to discover its true beauty. A paradise for food lovers, the town is dotted with many interesting restaurants and cafes serving local Himalayan food as well as European cuisines. Chances are that you may even bump into Ruskin Bond, who regularly visits a book store in Mall Road. Don't bother visiting the regular sightseeing points (other than Camel's Back Rock and Cloud's End). Instead get on foot and explore less travelled routes.

Distance from Delhi: 285 km, takes about 7 hours

 

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4. Naukuchiatal

Because of its proximity to Nainital and Bhimtal, most often it gets left out when it comes to visiting hill stations. This is exactly why it is a preferred destination for those who like to avoid the crowd. Here, the prime attraction is the lake which is surrounded by picturesque hills on the sides. In fact Naukuchiatal translates to 'a lake with nine corners' and is a popular picnic spot. For adventure seekers, you can take part in paragliding and parasailing, other than trekking.

Distance from Delhi: 320 km, takes about 7 hours

 

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5. Nahan

Nahan is nestled in the Shiwalik Hills in Himachal Pradesh. The places of interest here are Renuka Lake, Paonta Sahib, Trilokpur Temple and Suketi Fossil Park. There isn't much to explore in the town, and as such most travellers choose to stay in the outskirts to enjoy the greenery around and not be disturbed. It's the perfect place if you want to cut off and rejuvenate your soul.

Distance from Delhi: 250 km, takes about 4.5 hours

 

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Now that you know these places, it's time to start planning for a weekend getaway!