7 Best Road Trips From Chandigarh For The Travelers To Enjoy A Quick Escape!

23 Mar 2023

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Cover Image Credit: Wikimedia

The best way to discover yourself is to go on a road trip. Road trips help you free your mind and introspect into your life a little more. And which is a better place than Chandigarh, one of the union territories of India situated a short distance away from the Shivalik range, towards the southwest, between the two rivers of Sukhna and Patiali. When the start of the journey is from a place of such beauty, the journey is meant to be a great one as well. Especially, Chandigarh has a lot of routes for road trips starting from there. The place is surrounded by places great for excursion and suddenly get away. These are the best places for road trips from Chandigarh which one must plan to visit with friends right away.

7 Best Places For Road Trips From Chandigarh

Chandigarh itself is a mesmerizing place in terms of its beauty, is surrounded by places that would not disappoint you either. Here is a list of best places for road trips from Chandigarh which one cannot miss.

1. Manali – 291 Km From Chandigarh
2. Chail – 105 Km From Chandigarh
3. Auli – 255 Km From Chandigarh
4. Dalhousie – 313 Km From Chandigarh
5. Lansdowne – 309 Km From Chandigarh
6. Mussoorie – 202 Km From Chandigarh
7. Mcleodganj – 243 Km From Chandigarh

1. Manali

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A high altitude resort town in the Himalayas, the place has earned its fame as one of the most popular skiing and trekking areas. If you want, you can go skiing in the Solang Valley as well as go for a light trek in the Parvati valley. The place also harbours spots for paragliding and other air sports. It is situated in the stage of Himachal Pradesh. The roadway connecting Chandigarh with Manali is quite a picturesque one. It has such mesmerising charm that it can make people of about every age fall in love with. There is a good collection of dhabas on the way that might interest the foodies, while the camera lovers can click away as many pictures as they want as well.

Distance: 291 Kms
Time: 7 to 8 hours
Best time to visit: October to June and December to February.
Attractions: Ecological park named Solang Valley.

Must Read: 8 Beautiful Resorts Near Chandigarh For A Rejuvenating Retreat

2. Chail

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The place is known for its verdant forests and mesmerising beauty. It is situated in the Himachal Pradesh itself and is about forty-four and forty-five kilometers away from Shimla and Solan respectively. The place is reached in awes trucking beauty and so is the road connecting it to the city of Chandigarh. This place was a late spring retreat for the British and justly so. Part of the journey is the end and the road leading to the destination is as beautiful as the place itself. Adventure thirsty people can enjoy throughout the road trip, even before they have reached the place. The trip is a treat to the eyes to watch from your window seat.

Distance: 107 Kms
Time: 2 to 3 hours
Best time to visit: April to June
Attractions: Sukhna Lake and the Open Hand monument

3. Auli

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Nanda Devi and Nar Parvat circles this city of a skiing resort in the state of Uttarakhand. The place has a mesmerising beauty attached to its name and is a favourite destination for all nature lovers and travellers. It is surrounded by oak and coniferous trees and forests and a ropeway link it to the town of Joshimath. Along with the picturesque sites, the place is also famous for its temples and just like the destination, the road leading us to it is equally mesmerising. Amidst all its oak and pine plantations, Auli has retained its popularity from as long as the eighth AD. The beauty of the route is best explained only by seeing it with one’s own eyes.

Distance: 226 Kms
Time: 8 to 9 hours
Best time to visit: December to March.
Attractions: Trishul peak and the Chenab lake

4. Dalhousie

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Towards the north of Himachal Pradesh, near the Dhauladhar mountain range, this is a high altitude stunning little city, blooming in all its beauty amidst green valleys stretching as far as the eyes can see and under the bluest of skies. It covers almost five hills of the Dhauladhar range and harbours buildings that date back to the era of British rule in India. Along with the hints of British India, and views that will be remembered for a lifetime, the road venture leading to it from Chandigarh, does not fall short to astonish us either.

Distance: 236 Kms
Time: 9 to 10 hours
Best time to visit: March to June.
Attractions: Garam Sadak and the Dalhousie Khajjiar road

5. Lansdowne

An astonishing high altitude hill station in the state of Uttarakhand, this is also a founding and establishment of the British Raj and speaks a lot about the era. It was founded as a military garrison for the Raj, and now the historical buildings present here add up to the natural beauty of the place. Near to the St. Mary’s Church, there is a viewpoint named the Tip and Top viewpoint that overlooks the verdant forests of the place, the whole scenario inflicting upon you a feeling of a faraway land. Along with the church, showcasing the diversity of our nation is a temple of Lord Shiva where Hindu devotees pray. The Kaleshwar temple is centuries old and yet has retained its popularity.

Distance: 310 Kms
Time: 9 to 10 hours
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
Attractions: The churches and temples here are worth a visit while at Lansdowne

6. Mussoorie

Known for its religious places and provincial legacy, Mussoorie is a place located six thousand feet above sea level. If you are someone who is looking for peace and serenity on your next road trip, then this is the ideal destination for you. The road is as aesthetic as the place itself and is lined by Pine trees with snow-peaked mountains in the background. Given the epithet “Queen of Hills,” Mussorie is one that will take you to the heavenly realms and peaceful environment.

Distance: 208 Kms
Time: 5 to 6 hours
Best time to visit: September to June
Attractions: Gardens, viewpoints and roads the Bhatta Falls and the guns hills

7. Mcleodganj

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If you are a travel buff or someone who seeks or likes a tinge of adventure in every aspect of life, then this is an ideal location for you. The place is quite good for trekking and is surrounded by naturally aesthetic trekking routes that would make you feel as though you are walking on the stairway to heaven. The journey that leads to this heavenly place is equally beautiful as well and is worth a try for people who love travelling.

Distance: 204 Kms
Time: 8 hours
Best time to visit: March and June and October and February
Attractions:.The Kangra valley and the Indrahar pass

Further Read: 6 Spas In Chandigarh For A Rejuvenating Experience In ‘The City Beautiful’

Now you are equipped with a list of routes you would want to follow to in turn discover and follow your heart. Whether it be the slopes or some fields, these mesmerising road trips from Chandigarh are most likely to leave you awestruck. So if you’re planning a vacation in Chandigarh make sure to take a drive to these places in the vicinity and have a great time. This year spread your wings as you sore high in the freedom beneath the blue skies with horizons as your limits.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Road Trips From Chandigarh

What is the best time to visit Chandigarh?

The city is a perfect combo of the old and the new. Situated near the foothills of the Shivalik range, the city is best visited in the fall when the weather is neither too cold nor too hot.

What should one pack for a road trip?

Essentials for road trips include enough cash, a paper map, toilet roll, an extra tire and such. Make sure that you have all the vehicle-related papers with you and secured.

When is the best time to go on a road trip?

There is no rule to this. However, it is recommended to travel during the day as you are going explore places unknown to you and in case god forbid something abrupt happens, you would have the entirety of the day to deal with it.

Which is the nearest road trip from Chandigarh?

The nearest of the road trips from Chandigarh is the one to Chail. It takes just about 2 hours and 20 minutes to reach the place

What are the places to see in Chandigarh?

There are a variety of places to visit while you are in Chandigarh. You could visit the wide range of parks and gardens and churches and museums that the city has. The Open Handed Monument, which is the symbol of the city, is a special mention.

Can one take children on these road trips?

Surely kids can accompany you on the road trips. The journeys are through places which people of all age groups are bound to enjoy as they appreciate the beauty that nature is.

Are there any hilly areas near Chandigarh to go on a road trip?

Most of the places around Chandigarh to go on a road trip from the place are hilly regions. Two of the most famous and beautiful of them hilly areas are Dalhousie and Lansdowne.

Which would be a better choice of vehicle- a car or a bike?

The vehicle you travel on is complete of your choice and about your comfort zone as you will have to cover large distances. However, it is advised to take a car for the hillier terrains as the weather in hill stations changes in the blink of an eye and in that case cars are the safer option.