One of the most famous towns of the Dharamshala districts, Palampur is home to a small population of welcoming locals, along with monasteries, temples, streams, hiking trails, and tons of natural beauty.
While there is a lot to do in Palampur, the areas that surround often don’t get the credit they deserve. Palampur is surrounded by some of the most magical hill stations of Himachal Pradesh, blessed with abundant natural beauty. These hill stations near Palampur are equally beautiful and are destinations worth beholding.
10 Hills Stations Near Palampur
If you are visiting Palampur, or have found yourself in the beautiful city, with a wish to extend your time in the hills, you’re in luck. Here’s a list of some of the most sought after hill stations near Palampur
1. Bir-Billing – 29 Km From Palampur
2. Mcleodganj – 42 Km From Palampur
3. Kangra – 36 Km From Palampur
4. Nadaun – 80 Km From Palampur
5. Shoja – 171 Km From Palampur
6. Raison – 158 Km From Palampur
7. Dalhousie – 144 Km From Palampur
8. Una – 132.3 Km From Palampur
9. Kullu – 144 Km From Palampur
10. Mandi – 95 Km From Palampur
1. Bir-Billing
Bir Billing is home to Asia’s highest paragliding site and thus, is the perfect destination for those seeking a heavy dose of adrenaline. The picturesque Himachali town houses, and is surrounded by, a number of noteworthy monasteries, including the Palpung Sherabling Monastery.
The small town is perfect to be explored on foot or on a bicycle ride. While there are a ton of accommodation options available in Bir Billing, hostels in this town are extremely popular.
Places To Stay: Bir High, Bir Kastle, Pink Park Hotel, Darshnik Homestay, Bir HotelDistance from Palampur: 29 kilometers
Elevation: 1525 meters
Places of interest: Palpung Sherabling Monastery, Baijnath Shiv Temple, Chokling Monastery, Bir BIlling Paragliding point
Best time to visit:March to July
Must Read: 16 Best Places To Visit In Palampur To Witness The Best Of Himachal’s Tea Capital
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2. Mcleodganj
Mcleodganj has been a popular vacation spot in Dharamshala district for decades now. Base to the famous Triund hike that offers panoramic views of the mighty Dhauladhar range, Mcleodganj is a typical hill station.
Dotted with cute and peculiar cafes, surrounded by monasteries, waterfalls, and some truly spectacular views, Mcleodganj is perfect for every kind of mountain-lover. Whether you’re looking for peace and tranquility or shopping sprees and heart pumping adventure, Mcleodganj will not disappoint.
Things To Do: Trek To Triund , Indulge In Star Gazing, Kareri River Trek , Visit Nechung Monastery, Bhagsu Trek
Places To Stay: RS Sarovar Portico, Hotel Rongla, The Bliss, Salah Palace, Hotel MunishDistance from Palampur: 42 kilometers
Elevation: 2082 meters
Places of interest: Bhagsunag Waterfall, Triund Trek, St. John In The Wilderness Church
Best time to visit:March to June
Suggested Read: 12 Palampur Resorts: Offering You A Perfect Holiday Staying Experience
3. Kangra
Nestled between the Dhauladhar Range on one side and the Shivalik Range on the other, Kangra is popular tourist place in the Dharamshala district. Possessing a heady fusion of rich history and spectacular views, the city of Kangra is home to welcoming locals that love to invite visiting tourists in their homes.
Kangra also acts as the base for the Kareri Lake trek. The trek to the glacial lake has recently become one of the most sought after trails in the recent past. Moreover, Kangra is also home to a number of important temples that boast a rich heritage, along with the Kotla Fort, which is perched atop a lonely hill and offers superb views of its surrounding valleys and mountains.
Things To Do: Triund: Go For A Trek, Bir Billing: Try Paragliding, Masrur Temples: Travel To The 10th Century, Shopping
Places To Stay: Bir camps , Raadballi Retreat, Camp Jungle Junction, Misty Woods
Distance from Palampur: 36 kilometers
Elevation: 733 meters
Places of interest: Kangra Fort, Kotla Fort, Bajreshwari Mata Temple, Kareri Lake
Best time to visit:March to June
Suggested Read: 12 Hotels In Palampur For A Memorable Staycation In Himachal
4. Nadaun
The former summer court of the King of Kangra, Nadaun is a well-known destination among Hindu pilgrims. Home to the Bil-Kaleshwar Temple, which was believed to have been by the Pandavas, Nadaun boasts a collection of many important places of religious significance.
Goes without saying, Nadaun, like most other Himachal Pradesh hill stations, offers some truly spectacular views of the surrounding hills and valleys.
Distance from Palampur: 80 kilometers
Elevation: 510 meters
Places of interest: Kareri Lake, Pragpur, Baglamukhi Temple, Bil-Kaleshwar Temple, Jwala Temple
Best time to visit:May to July
Suggested Read: 8 Homestays In Palampur And Around The Town That Will Welcome You With Utter Warmth
5. Shoja
Lying in close proximity to the famous Tirthan Valley, Shoja is an absolute delight for adventure lovers and photographers. The amount of scenic views from the little known hill station are absolutely astonishing.
Its proximity to the famous Jalori Pass, Serolsar Lake, and Raghupur Fort makes it one of the best places to set up a base camp for these hikes. Another place of great tourist interest is the Waterfall Point of Shoja, which lies just a kilometer away from the city center, making it the perfect destination for a morning walk in the hills.
Places To Stay: DreamLand Home stay, Lambhari Hills, Hotel De Luxe, iverdale Camps & Cafe, Norwegian wood
Distance from Palampur: 171 kilometers
Elevation: 2368 meters
Places of interest: Jalori Pass, Raghupur Fort, Jibhi Waterfall, Mata Budhi Nagin Temple, Seruvalsar and Manimahesh Lake
Best time to visit:April to June
Suggested Read: 5 Excellent Cottages In Palampur For A Relaxing Stay Amidst Nature
6. Raison
Raison is another little known hill station that lies close to Palampur, and a number of other noteworthy hill stations like Kullu. Situated on the banks of the Beas River, Raison is a popular destination for white water rafting. Rainson is also a well-known destination for camping experiences and is home to vast stretches of campgrounds maintained by the Himachal Pradesh Government.
Apart from adventure activities, Raison is also home to the famous Raghunath Temple dedicated to Lord Ram. The temple attracts thousands of devotees to Raison every year.
Distance from Palampur: 158 kilometers
Elevation: 1433 meters
Places of interest: Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery, Murlidhar Krishna Temple, Mahadevi Tirth
Best time to visit:April to June
Suggested Read: Himachal Pradesh In May: 16 Places To Escape The Busy Life In Summer
7. Dalhousie
Located in the Dhauladhar Ranges, Dalhousie is perhaps one of the most well known hill stations on this list. Known for its collection of remarkably scenic views, Dalhousie is also home to a number of prominent churches.
The small town, spread over just 13 square kilometers, also houses the Chamba Palace. In face, Dalhousie is often referred to as the gateway to Chamba Valley.
Things To Do: Khajjiar – Go Paragliding, Chamera Lake – Go Boating, Satdhara Falls – Take A Dip, Dainkund Peak – Go For A Scenic Hike, Chamunda Devi Temple – Offer Prayers
Places To Stay: Hotel Nature View, The Devdar Hotel, Hotel Mini Swiss, Hotel Orchard Green, Hotel Venice
Distance from Palampur: 144 kilometers
Elevation: 1970 meters
Places of interest: St. John’s Church, St. Francis’ Church, St. Patrick’s Church, Jot Pass, Daikund, Khajjiar Lake
Best time to visit:March to May
Suggested Read: 8 Restaurants In Palampur To Enjoy Tasty Food With Magnificent Views
8. Una
Una is a well known destination of great religious importance. What the small town lacks in terms of elevation, it makes up with the presence of many important pilgrimage destinations such as the Gurudwara of Baba Bharbhag Singh and the Bagana Lathian Piplu Temple, among many others.
The close proximity of this town to major cities like Delhi and Chadigarh make it an idea spot for a spiritual stopover for those travelling to Palampur.
Places To Stay: OYO 67033 Hotel Sahil Plaza, Krishna Hansraj Hotel, Hotel Royal Plaaza, OYO 70204 Hotel City Heart
Distance from Palampur: 132.3 kilometers
Elevation: 368 meters
Places of interest: Chintpurni Temple, Pong Dam, Kila Baba Bedi Ji, Thaneek Pura
Best time to visit:March to May
Suggested Read: Honeymoon In Dharamshala: 6 Places That Will Fire Up Your Romantic Life
9. Kullu
Once believed to be home to the Gods themselves, one look at the scenic views of Kullu and it becomes clear why. The valley is loaded with a remarkable abundance of natural beauty. Steep mountains, dense deodar forests, powerful rivers, Kullu is surrounded by marvels of nature in all directions.
Kullu is also home to a number of popular hiking trails and a collection of ancient temples and religious sites, some of which date back to the 1st century.
Things To Do: Trekking Around Prashar Lake, Rafting In River Beas, Paragliding In Kullu Hills, Camping Under The Stars
Places To Stay: Apple Country Resorts, The Orchard Greens Resort & Spa, Kalista Resort, Sterling Manali, Larisa Resort Manali
Distance from Palampur: 144 kilometers
Elevation: 1230 meters
Places of interest: Raghunath Temple, Bijli Mahadev, The Great Himalayan National Park, Rupi Palace, Jagannathi Temple
Best time to visit:March to July
Suggested Read: 70 Incredible Places To Visit Near Delhi: Within 600 KM From The Capital!
10. Mandi
Mandi is one of the busiest towns in Himachal Pradesh. The town acts as a hub for smaller towns in the area and is part of a number of major routes cutting across Himachal Pradesh.
Apart from holding great civic importance, Mandi is also an important pilgrimage destination as it houses over 300 shrines dedicated to Hindu deities Shiva and Kali, among other important religious sites like the Bhoothnath Temple which was built in 1520 and Gurudwara Gobind Singh, a renowned pilgrimage spot for Sikhs.
Things To Do: Trek To The Gorgeous Prashar Lake, Camp Under The Stars In Barot Valley, Visit The Fascinating Rewalsar Lake, Enjoy Thrilling Water Sports At Pandoh Dam
Places To Stay: Hotel Sweet Basil, Hotel Valley View, Polo Regency Luxury Hotel, The Regent Palms Hotel, Hotel Park View
Distance from Palampur: 95 kilometers
Elevation: 760 meters
Places of interest: Gurudwara Gobind Singh, Prashar Lake, Panchvaktra Temple, Ardhanarishvara Temple, Triloknath Temple, Bhoothnath Temple, Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary
Best time to visit:March to July
Further Read: 13 Things To Do In Palampur For An Entertaining Vacay
There is a reason that Himachal Pradesh has been a top holiday destination for Indian and foreign tourists for decades. Warm, friendly locals, offering a variety of unique activities against a backdrop dominated by the mighty Himalays, the hill stations near Palampur will make your Himachal vacation worthwhile.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hill Stations Near Palampur
What is the best way to reach Mcleodganj?
Mcleodganj is connected to major cities in the vicinity by some truly delightful roads and thus, driving or taking a bus remain the two most viable options to reach this quaint hill station. The closest airport is the Gaggal airport which is 20 kilometers away from Mcleodganj and the nearest railway station is situated in Pathankot, which is about 90 kilometers away from Mcleodganj.
What is the best way to get around the towns close to Palampur?
The towns around Palampur are well connected through a network of buses. The most trustworthy bus service running along these roads is the HRTC bus service which is operated by the Himachal Pradesh Government.
How much time is required for paragliding in Bir?
The activity itself lasts for about half an hour max. However, it takes about an additional hour to reach the paragliding site. Moreover, your experience may be delayed because of the weather. With so many uncontrollable factors at play, it is advisable to reserve one full day for paragliding in Bir.
Which is the nearest airport to Bir Billing?
Gaggal airport is the nearest airport to Bir Billing. It lies at a distance of about 68 kilometers from Bir.
Is Himachal Pradesh safe for solo travelers?
Yes, Himachal Pradesh is one of the safest states in India for solo travelers.
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