Sightseeing
Day Trips from Kufri: Narkanda and Hatu Peak, Chail, Naldehra, Tattapani and Mashobra
The best day trips from Kufri, with real road distances, what to see in each place and how to plan the day.
By The Pinewood Homestay Kufri4 min read
In this article
The short answer
The best day trips from Kufri are Narkanda and Hatu Peak (about 39 km), Chail (about 35.5 km), Naldehra (about 32 km, with Tattapani beyond it) and Mashobra (about 19 km). Each makes a comfortable day out from a base near Kufri.
| Day trip | Approx. distance from Pinewood | Approx. drive time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mashobra | 19 km | 45 minutes | Forest walks, quiet views |
| Naldehra | 32 km | 1 hour 10 minutes | Deodar forest, golf course |
| Chail Palace | 35.5 km | 1 hour 35 minutes | History, palace, cricket ground |
| Narkanda | 39 km | 1 hour 20 minutes | Hatu Peak, apples, winter skiing |
Measured on Google Maps from The Pinewood Homestay Kufri, October 2026. Mountain roads are slow — allow extra time, especially in winter.
Narkanda and Hatu Peak
Narkanda is a hill town on NH 5 at about 2,708 m, known for Hatu Peak, apple orchards and skiing in winter. From Pinewood it is about 39 km — roughly 1 hour 20 minutes — along the same highway through Theog.
- Hatu Peak lies about 8 km from Narkanda and is topped by the Hatu Mata Temple. The road climbs through fir and deodar forest to views over the surrounding ranges.
- Apples: Narkanda is the gateway to the Kotgarh–Thanedar apple belt. See our apple season guide.
- Winter: Narkanda is known as a ski area, with snow cover typically from November to March.
Plan: leave by 8:30 am, go up to Hatu Peak first while the sky is clear, and come back through Narkanda for lunch.
Chail: palace, cricket ground and sanctuary
Chail is a quiet hill town at about 2,250 m that served as a summer retreat for the Maharajas of Patiala. From Pinewood the drive is about 35.5 km via the Kufri–Chail road (around 1 hour 35 minutes).
What to see:
- Chail Palace: according to Wikipedia, Maharaja Rajinder Singh of Patiala built the first palace on Rajgarh hill in 1891–92; the present palace was completed in 1951.
- Chail cricket ground: built in 1893 at about 2,444 m, and widely described as the highest cricket ground in the world.
- Chail Wildlife Sanctuary: notified in 1976 and home to species such as ghoral, sambar and pheasants.
- Kali Ka Tibba (Sidh Tibba): a hilltop temple with wide views.
Naldehra and Tattapani
Naldehra is a meadow ringed by deodar forest at about 2,200 m, home to one of India's oldest golf courses. It is about 32 km from Pinewood (around 1 hour 10 minutes).
- The golf course is associated with Lord Curzon, and the Mahunag Temple stands within it.
- Horse rides and forest walks are popular around the meadow.
Tattapani is about 29 km beyond Naldehra on the banks of the Sutlej in Mandi district, known for its hot springs. Combining both makes a long day, so start early.
Mashobra
Mashobra is a forested area at about 2,148 m, around 19 km (45 minutes) from Pinewood, known for calm walks and apple orchards.
- Shimla Water Catchment Wildlife Sanctuary: a protected reserve forest that supplies much of Shimla's water and is home to many bird species.
- Craignano Nature Park: landscaped gardens with mountain views, created by the Italian photographer Federico Peliti.
- The Retreat, Chharabra: one of the President of India's official retreats (open to visitors at certain times — check before you go).
Shimla
Shimla's Ridge and Mall Road are about 21–24 km from Pinewood (roughly an hour). Combine the Ridge, Mall Road, Christ Church and a stroll through the old bazaars. Weekends are crowded, so a weekday visit is more relaxed.
How to choose your day trip
- Short on time? Mashobra or Shimla.
- Want snow in winter? Narkanda and Hatu Peak, if roads are open.
- Love history? Chail.
- Travelling with grandparents? Naldehra's gentle meadow walk.
Base yourself between Kufri and Narkanda
The Pinewood Homestay Kufri sits on the Fagu–Theog side of Kufri — about 6.7 km from Theog — which puts Narkanda and Hatu Peak within easy reach while keeping Shimla a short drive away. See rooms or book the whole house for a group trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is Narkanda a day trip from Kufri? Yes — about 39 km from Pinewood, around 1 hour 20 minutes each way.
How far is Hatu Peak from Narkanda? About 8 km.
Is Chail worth visiting from Kufri? Yes, for its palace, history and the famous high-altitude cricket ground — about 1 hour 35 minutes each way from Pinewood.
Can I combine Naldehra and Tattapani? Yes, but it is a long day; Tattapani is about 29 km beyond Naldehra.
Sources: Wikipedia — Narkanda, Chail, Tattapani; Incredible India — Naldehra; Outlook Traveller — Mashobra; distances measured on Google Maps from The Pinewood Homestay Kufri (October 2026).