Your intentions to escape to the mountains could have halted because Manali is overflowing with tourists. However, Himachal Pradesh is much more than just its well-known tourism attractions. The state is replete with historic towns and villages, parks, picnic areas, streams, waterfalls, and forest trails that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. In Himachal Pradesh, you can go to the following locations to avoid the crowds:

Mashobra

Mashobra provides all of your needs and then some. The village is home to fruit orchards, streams with foaming rapids, and colonial buildings. Because of its location within the Shimla Reserve Forest Sanctuary, there are lots of forest trails and possibilities for birdwatching. You can paraglide over the slopes or go rafting in the waterways. The Rashtrapati Nivas presidential retreat, which the Indian President visits each summer, is also located in Mashobra. The 173-year-old historic structure has been made available for public observation this year. The 10,628 square foot residential area with its lawns, orchards, and nature walks is now open for visitors.

Kotgarh

Kotgarh provides a panoramic view of the Sutlej, located approximately three hours distant from the busy Shimla. In addition, the hill station itself is replete with historical treasures and breathtaking scenery. This is the location of St. Mary’s Church from Rudyard Kipling’s Lispeth. It is gorgeous, with stained glass windows and cedar benches, and dates back to the British era. Numerous pathways lead through the reserve forests, which are dense with pine, oak, and deodar trees. Climb to the summit of the hill to take in the breathtaking view of the lower Himalayas. Saunter through the verdant apple orchards of Kotgarh and savor an abundance of fresh plums, apricots, and cherries. Additionally, there is the Tanni Jubbar Lake, the site of the annual Tanni Jubbar mela in June.

Narkanda

While Narkanda boasts year-round attractions, Shimla was British India’s summer capital. Huge apple and cherry orchards cover its hills. Apple cultivation in Himachal Pradesh is credited to American Satyananda Stokes, who started planting apples in Narkanda. In addition, there is the lovely Tanni Jubbar Lake with blue pine, cedar, and fir mixed forests. In winter, the town undergoes a full transformation. When it’s dusted with snow, it turns into a destination for winter sports like skiing. One of the most well-liked ski runs in the region, Hatu Peak rises to 3,400 meters and is encircled by a thick forest of oak, pine, and maple trees.

Landour

A small cantonment town near Dehradun, Landour is a quaint and quiet suburb of Mussoorie with architecture and aesthetics akin to what they were during the British Raj. The Chukker Trail is a three-kilometer walk that loops around the town and is the perfect way to take in the sights on foot. Stop by Landour’s Char Dukan, a cluster of four shops whose history can be traced back to the 1800s during the arrival of the British. Today, the shops have been split into six and sell snacks and refreshments and hill-station staples such as Maggi, omelette-pav and lemon tea. Near the marketplace, you’ll also find St. Paul’s Church, which is over 150 years old. For those who love nothing but good views and something to nibble on, Lal Tibba is a vantage point that offers a beautiful view of the valley and surrounding hills. The cafe nearby is perfect for a cup of coffee while you take in the sights.

Palampur

This charming village, 35km from Dharamshala, is surrounded by enormous tea estates that stretch for miles. In 1849, a tea bush was initially introduced to the town from Almora. European tea plantation owners soon flocked to Palampur, setting up their gardens all throughout the town. Near the town flows a lovely stream known as Neugal Khad, which makes for the ideal location for a quiet picnic where you may dip your toes in the refreshing water. Neugal Park, which is nearby, is lined with cafés and cafes where you can have a bite to eat while taking in the breathtaking vista of the Dhauladhar range. Another well-liked location for picnics is the Saurabh Van Vihar natural park, which offers climbing, boating, and bird watching.

Andretta

When Irish theatre artist, producer and environmentalist Norah Richards came to Himachal Pradesh from Lahore in the 1920s, the village of Andretta became an artists’ colony and remains one even today. Located near Palampur and set against the backdrop of the Dhauladhar mountain range, Andretta is a great escape for those looking to find inspiration amidst nature. At the heart of Andretta is a pottery studio Mansimsingh and Mary Singh, where you can visit and watch resident ceramic artists at work. If you want to unleash your creative side, the studio also offers a 15-minute guided session at the potter’s wheel. During your stay in Andretta, you can also visit the Shobha Singh Art Gallery, which houses renowned works that date back to the 20th century including sculptures and paintings of personalities like Prithviraj Kapoor, Shaheed Bhagat Singh and more. The Wah Tea estate in Palampur which was established in 1857 is also worth a visit. 

Bir

If you’ve always wanted to paraglide, visit Bir in Himachal Pradesh. A Tibetan colony has also resided in the area since the 1960s because Tibetan refugees fled their country during the 1959 rebellion and settled there. As a result, you can visit a number of Buddhist monasteries there, including the Drukpa Kagyu Monastery, the Chokling Monastery, and the Sherabling Monastery. After you’ve had your fill of adventure sports like hang gliding, paragliding, mountain biking, camping, and paragliding, head over to the Himalayan Film School, a renowned institution in the nation that offers filmmaking and photography training. You can also spend time at the nearby Deer Park Institute, a cultural hub founded by the Dalai Lama in 2006. Take a leisurely walk around the Tibetan settlement during the day.

Chail

Located at 2,250 meters above sea level in Chail, you will be surrounded by majestic deodars, pine trees, and clouds. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, who converted the village into his summer getaway after Lord Kitchener refused to let him enter Shimla, is responsible for the hill station’s attractiveness. The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) currently oversees the Maharaja’s holiday residence, the Chail Palace, which is accessible to the public for visits and stays. When you’re here, check out the Chail Cricket Ground, which is 2,444 meters above sea level and the highest cricket ground worldwide. Wildlife enthusiasts will find heaven in the Chail Sanctuary, which is home to happy pheasants, porcupines, barking deer, goral, sambar, and langurs.

Naggar

Naggar, which was formerly the seat of the Kullu monarchy, is located along the banks of the Beas River. Raja Sidh Singh of Kullu constructed the Naggar Castle in the sixteenth century, and it has withstood a significant earthquake in the area in 1905. It is now a heritage hotel with a terrace restaurant offering views of the Kullu valley. The Roerich Museum, which has an assortment of uncommon paintings by Russian artist Nicholas Roerich, is also housed in the hotel. Visit the Gauri Shankar Temple, which is devoted to Lord Shiva, or the Tripura Sundari Temple, which is a pagoda-style temple constructed entirely of deodar wood. In order to gain additional insight into the town’s past, take some time to examine the weapons, paintings, and photos.

Tirthan Valley

Like Manali, Tirthan Valley is best suited for people who just enjoy spending time in nature. It also arrives sans Manali’s throngs of people. It is the entry point to the Great Himalayan National Park, making it the ideal location for day trips and overnight hikes that offer views of gurgling streams and verdant woods. The Tirthan River—from where the valley receives its name—is considered to be one of the finest sites for catching trout. The Chhoie waterfall is one of the valley’s most breathtaking scenery spots, among others. Its name originates from Chhoi Mata, a local deity revered by the locals. From Nagini village, it’s a about three-kilometer climb uphill to the waterfall. River crossings, rock climbing, and paragliding are a few of adventure activities.

Sangla

Similar to Spiti, Sangla Valley was off-limits to tourists until the 1990s. There are now a ton of things to do and see in this stunning valley. The Baspa river flows through the area, and there are several riverside campsites with a variety of adventure sport options, including rock climbing, rappelling, and river crossing. Enjoy a peaceful day of trout fishing amidst the swinging cedar and walnut trees. Trout are plentiful in the river. But do make sure you adhere to the catch-and-release protocol and obtain prior authorization from the department of Fisheries. Trekking with a view of the Kinnaur-Kailash peaks, seeing monasteries and centers for Tibetan wood carving, or just lounging on the grass in apple orchards during the leisurely afternoons are all options.