Narkanda is a picturesque town in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. At an elevation of 2708 meters above sea level, Narkanda is accessible through the Hindustan Tibet Road or the NH 22. You can hire a cab from Shimla that lies at a distance of around 65 km from Narkanda. This place in Himachal Pradesh is mainly a retreat for adventure sports lovers as there are many opportunities for trekking, rock climbing and skiing during winter.
About Narkanda :
The beautiful Narkanda hill station is situated at an altitude of around 2700 meters and offers a stunning view of the lofty ranges of Himalayas. Narkanda hill station is at a distance of 60 kilometers from Shimla. It is an ideal getaway for people who seek to relax in an undisturbed and tranquil location, far away from the bustling city life. The place is famous for its apple and peach plantations. The dense forests are always successful in attracting tourists who enjoy each and every moment walking in the dense thickets of the slopes. The Narkanda hill resort near Simla should be visited in case you are visiting Shimla.
Places to see in Narkanda :
Hattu Peak – Hattu Peak is the highest point of the Narkanda region situated at a distance of 5 km. It has an elevation of 3136 meters above sea level and offers the best views of the Shivalik range, surrounding forests and the Himalayas. The surrounding areas have also emerged as popular picnic spots.
Hattu Mata Temple – The ancient shrine dedicated to Hatto Mata is situated atop the Hattu Peak. It is of significance to both locals and tourists.
Thanedhar – Large expanse of magnificent apple orchards make Thanedhar an interesting place of visit in Narkanda. Apart from scenic views, you can engage in photography on a sunny day. Other attractions in Thanedhar are Tanijjabar Lake and the St Mary’s Church constructed in 1872. Both pilgrims and tourists also visit the stone temple of Parsmyyotir that reflects the Pahari style of architecture.
Stokes Farm – The place is named after its founder Satyananda Stokes, who played an important role in boosting the economy of Himachal Pradesh by producing orchards of ‘Shimla Apple’, known for its unique taste. Later, several farms started producing this variety of apples and the farms are called ‘Stokes Farm’.
Excursion from Narkanda :
Few important places of interest around Narkanda are just few kilometers drive from the hill town includes:
Kotgarh – Popularly referred to as the ‘land of apples’ because of its apple orchards, Kotgarh falls on the Hindustan-Tibet Road and is a drive of around 16 km from the town of Narkanda. Apples from the Kotgarh orchards are the best buys.
Tannu Jubbar Lake – This scenic lake falls on the way to Kotgarh and there is a Nag Devi temple on its banks.
Rampur – This was the erstwhile capital of Bushair, a princely state and a major center for trade. The Bhimkali Temple in the village of Sarahan is the prime attraction
Climate :
In winter, the temperature can hover around freezing point when heavy woolens are required. During summer, the climate is pleasant and cottons / light woolens are suggested. Narkanda receives heavy snowfall in winters.
How to get there :
By air: Shimla’s airport is at a distance of 90 kilometers at Jubbarhatti. The Airport is well connected to Chandigarh, Kullu and Delhi. Jagsons Airways offer excellent services and connect Shimla to various parts of the country.
By rail: Kalka, located at a distance of 60 kilometers from Shimla is the nearest railhead. From Delhi you can take a train to reach Kalka. In any case you have to change the train, as there are no direct trains to Shimla.
By road: Narkanda is at a distance of around 60 km from Shimla. A fine network of roads connects Shimla to all major cities in India.
State: Himachal Pradesh
Distt: Shimla
Destination: Narkanda
Altitude: Narkanda is situated at an altitude of about 2,708 metres.
Best time to visit: All the year round.
