One weekend, 6 Himalayan escapes, with Solan at the centre of it all. Learn about this underrated Himachal circuit, the best places to visit and why this town makes more sense than a rushed Shimla trip.
How many of you, and how many times, have you been to Himachal Pradesh on a weekend trip following this pattern: leaving the city before dawn, having breakfast somewhere near Murthal or Chandigarh, watching the plains fade behind you, and then continuing to drive until either Shimla or one of the better-known hill stations shows up on the map?
Have you ever noticed that, somewhere along that drive, most of you pass through an unknown tranquil escape, Solan? This is the time to stop and explore this place more closely.
Sitting between Chandigarh and Shimla, Solan is a forgotten gem that doesn’t make its presence felt like some of Himachal Pradesh’s most popular destinations. There is no iconic view to gawk at, no single attraction that defines the town. It’s not even a place where tourism is the reason for existence. Life here revolves around you: shops open for the day, school buses take the slopes, locals swarm the markets, and the aroma of freshly cooked food comes out from roadside eateries. Perhaps that is precisely where the town’s appeal is.
Solan works particularly well when you stop viewing it as a place to tick off in your checklist and start seeing it as a base for exploring this lesser-known, tranquil corner of Himachal Pradesh, from where Barog is around 7 km away, Kasauli about 27 km, the Dolanji Bon Monastery around 18 km, and Chail roughly 45 km away.
Add temples, forests, colonial history, mountain drives, and the Kalka-Shimla railway to the mix, and you will have enough to make a surprisingly rich weekend getaway. So, instead of driving straight through, spend 2 or 3 days in Solan, and I bet you will find yourself wondering why you did not come here earlier.
Get To Know Solan
Nestled in the lower Himalayan foothills of Himachal Pradesh, Solan is approximately 67 km from Chandigarh and 46 km from Shimla, according to Himachal Tourism. At around 300 km from Delhi, the town is a perfect weekend getaway from Delhi-NCR and Chandigarh.
Named after its presiding deity, Shoolini Devi, the area was once the princely state of Baghat, while British cantonments were later built in the surrounding hills. The place also earned two rather unusual nicknames, the ‘Mushroom City of India’ and the ‘City of Red Gold’ for growing mushrooms and cultivating tomatoes, respectively. Yet no matter how hard you look at the statistics or rely on the nicknames, Solan is still unknown, unexplained, and still waiting to be discovered.
If you are wondering, apart from the above, what makes this region so interesting, then I must tell you that it is the ‘location’. Imagine you are at a height where you know you have left the plains behind, but you haven’t travelled so far into Himachal that returning home on Sunday evening becomes an expedition. And that sweet spot makes Solan a very attractive weekend escape.
Start With Shoolini Devi Temple
Before you start to look for viewpoints and mountain roads, spend some time understanding where Solan gets its name. Maa Shoolini Temple, located close to the centre of the city, is one of the town’s most important religious landmarks. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Shoolini, who is deeply connected with the town’s identity. Every June, the annual Shoolini Fair brings different energy to the place, with celebrations lasting for over 3 days.
Outside the festival season, the experience can be much simpler and more laid-back. Come in the morning, explore the surroundings and the temple complex, and then walk back into the town in the afternoon. It is a great way to begin the trip, with cultural and historical background about the place you have come to see rather than following a checklist.
Jatoli Shiv Temple: Worth The Short Detour
A short drive from central Solan takes you to one of the region’s most striking religious sites, the Jatoli Shiv Mandir. The temple rises dramatically against the surrounding hills and is clearly visible as you approach.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Jatoli Temple is one of the prominent religious attractions in and around Solan. According to district authorities, Jatoli is about 8 km from Solan along the Rajgarh road, whereas Himachal Tourism lists it as about 15 km from certain landmarks.
Don’t rush for anything. Part of the pleasure here is simply finding a quiet corner, looking out over the surrounding hills and enjoying the change in pace. On a weekend, which is supposed to help you escape the daily city routines, moments like these matter more than squeezing another attraction into the itinerary.
Mohan Shakti: Solan’s Unexpected Stop Heritage Stop
Spread across an area of approx. 40 acres, Mohan Shakti Temple at Solan is part of the Mohan Shakti National Heritage Park near Harat, in the Ashwini Khud valley. The heritage complex includes landscaped grounds, a large temple, sculptures, and depictions inspired by the Vedas, Ramayana, and Mahabharata.
About 15 km from Solan city, the road leading into the valley is an integral part of the experience. As the main highway disappears into the horizon behind you, the surroundings become greener and tranquil until the elaborate temple complex emerges from the hills. Even those who don’t usually plan their holidays around religious attractions may find the architecture and grandeur of the place worth experiencing.
Take your time getting there and enjoy the surroundings, rather than viewing it as a pit stop on the way to somewhere else.
Barog: A Quiet Escape Near Solan
If Solan feels more like a lived-in mountain township, Barog, on the other side, is quieter and subdued. Although it is only about 7 km from Solan, the atmosphere changes quickly as pine forests appear to take over the landscape. On clear days, one can get stunning views of the mountain peaks, including the Churdhar Peak.
Barog was once renowned primarily as a halt along the Kalka-Shimla route, but nowadays, it has become a natural extension to a trip to Solan.
Interestingly, the historic Kalka to Shimla railway line runs through this landscape, with Barog station and its famous tunnel forming part of the route. For your information, the Kalka-Shimla railway is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
There is no need to rush here. There are no airport security queues or frantic boarding announcements, just railway tracks, mountains, and the feeling that time is moving a bit more slowly.
If your weekend is supposed to be a getaway, stay in or around Barog for a night instead of just driving through.
Dagshai: A Colonial Secret In The Hills
On the outskirts of Barog and Dharampur lies another hidden destination: Dagshai, a place many travellers passing along the highway barely notice. An old cantonment town established during the British period, surrounded by forested hills and colonial remnants, this small town has a completely different character compared to Solan.
One of the most interesting places you can visit here is the museum at Dagshai Jail. The old prison offers a glimpse into the area’s colonial past and adds something unusual to an itinerary which is otherwise dominated by temples and mountain scenery.
You don’t need half a day to explore Dagshai; that is why it fits into this circuit so well. All you have to do is stop here, stroll around, read about the history, and then head to Kasauli.
Kasauli: Familiar, But Still Hard To Resist
About 27 km from Solan, Kasauli needs little introduction. Yet despite its familiarity, its charm has not completely faded.
Situated at an altitude of about 1,951 metres, Kasauli still shows clear signs of its 19th-century colonial character, unlike Solan. The place is known for its narrow hillside roads, old buildings, churches and dense forests of pine, Himalayan oak and horse chestnut.
Walk rather than drive whenever you can. Here you can browse the little shops, stop for a cup of tea without worrying about the time, find a bench with a view, and in the evening, head for Sunset Point. Another popular viewpoint to visit is Manki Point, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding plains and hills.
It is advisable to arrive early, especially on weekends and during peak travel times, when Kasauli can get busy. Rather than making Kasauli the sole focus of your trip, consider treating it as one stop on your Solan circuit before moving on to the next destination. This small change makes all the difference to the experience.
Dolanji & The Menri Monastery
If there is one excursion around Solan that deserves more attention from travellers, it is Dolanji.
Around 18 km from Solan lies the Menri Monastery, an important centre of the Bon tradition. Founded in 1969, it is one of the relatively few important Bon institutions outside Tibet. Its hilltop setting, Tibetan-influenced architecture, and gardens create a sense of separation from the crowded highway towns nearby.
Come here quietly, walk around, observe the architecture, and just let the place remain as it is rather than using it as another backdrop for photographs. Sometimes travel leads you to places which don’t require much description, and this is one of them.
Chail: Save More Time For This Drive
If you have a third day or want to make your second day longer, extend the trip to Chail. The drive itself is worth it, as the road winds through forests and small settlements, making the weekend feel more like a road trip and less like a series of tourist stops.
Chail was built as a summer retreat by the Maharaja of Patiala during the British era. The legacy of the royal connection remains in the Chail Palace, but the hill station is also well-renowned for its cricket ground and Kali Tibba.
Chail Wildlife Sanctuary is home to animals such as sambar, goral, and barking deer, as well as birdlife such as the cheer pheasant. Himachal Tourism also recommends trekking routes in the region for travellers who wish to explore beyond the town. But there is no need to make an overly ambitious plan. A forest walk, a visit to the palace area, some time around Kali Tibba and a slow lunch are enough to make the excursion worthwhile.
Solan Beyond Sightseeing: Forests, Trails & Views
Not all weekends are about monuments. If your idea of a weekend is away from the madding crowd of Delhi, Chandigarh or wherever you live involves putting the phone away and taking a walk somewhere green, then Solan has options for that as well.
The lower Himalayan landscape around Solan has plenty of great wooded trails and viewpoints. One popular route starts around Karol Tibba, near Chambaghat, and leads up into the hills above Solan. It is better suited to tourists who wish to spend a few hours walking rather than moving from one sightseeing spot to another.
For those interested in the region’s natural scenery, the Shilli Wildlife Sanctuary near Solan is another option.
If you plan to hike, especially during or right after the monsoon, check the local weather and the trail conditions before you leave. Mountain paths can change quickly after heavy rainfall.
What To Eat In Solan?
Don’t come to the hills with the intention of eating only at Instagram-famous cafes. Some of the most enjoyable food experiences on a Himachal road trip happen in places whose names you may forget, but flavours you remember.
A steaming plate of momos when the evening turns cold, parathas and chai to cure the morning hangover after an early start, a comforting bowl of rajma-chawal or a North Indian thali after a long drive, fresh fruit bought from a roadside vendor, and that extra cup of tea you didn’t really need but ordered because the view from the cafe was too good to miss.
Solan is a lived-in town, less geared toward tourists and more focused on serving its local community. Alongside the usual cafes and hotels, you will find plenty of simple, no-frills eateries where the experience is less about presentation and more about the food.
Here you can explore the market in the evening and follow the crowd rather than relying on social media. Sometimes locals standing outside a tiny shop give a better recommendation than a thousand pictures online.
Best Time To Visit Solan
Another advantage of this place is that there is really no single Solan season. You can visit here at any time during the following months:
It is important to keep your expectations realistic when visiting Solan in winter. Unlike Manali, Solan does not typically experience extreme snowfall. Situated in the lower Himalayas, the town has a comparatively milder winter climate than its counterpart.
How to Reach Solan
Solan Weekend Itinerary For 2 Days
Day 1: Solan + Barog
Reach Solan in the morning and check in. Start with Shoolini Devi Temple and then proceed to Jatoli Shiv Temple.
Have lunch in town, then spend the afternoon at Mohan Shakti Heritage Park.
In the evening, drive towards Barog. Stay until the evening light settles over the pine-covered hills. You can either return to Solan for the night or opt to stay in Barog for a more serene experience.
Day 2: Dagshai + Kasauli
Start as early as possible and go towards Dagshai. Explore the old cantonment surroundings and Jail Museum before moving to Kasauli.
Spend the rest of the day walking around Kasauli, exploring its colonial-era landmarks and viewpoints, stopping for lunch, and simply unwinding. Depart for Chandigarh or Delhi before evening sets in.
3 Days In Solan? Make It Much Better
If you have an extra day, don’t add more attractions to the same route; rather, take a different way and make the most of it.
On the third morning, you can either spend some time at Dolanji and Menri Monastery before continuing through the hills, or choose to spend your day at Chail. That makes for a much more satisfying trip.
Where To Stay In Solan?
Choose your base according to the kind of weekend you want.
Another good idea for a two-night road trip is to spend the first night near Solan or Barog and the second night closer to Kasauli. This means you won’t be repeating the same journey back to your hotel as you move from one place to the next.
Travel Tips
So, Is Solan Worth A Weekend?
If you are hoping for snow-capped Manali or bustling Shimla Mall Road, Solan might be a bit of a disappointment. But wait! Give it a chance.
The town’s greatest advantage is that it doesn’t have to carry the entire weekend on its shoulders.
Solan gives you a comfortable base. Barog brings pine forests and railway nostalgia. Dagshai adds history. Kasauli brings colonial charm. Dolanji offers stillness. Chail takes you deeper into the hills.
Together, these experiences create something more meaningful than a checklist of tourist attractions. They turn the journey into a road trip.
Perhaps that’s the best way to experience this part of Himachal Pradesh: roll down the car windows when the weather allows, let a playlist play softly in the background, stop for chai more often than planned, and resist the urge to rush towards the next point on the map.
If next time the road climbs from Chandigarh towards Shimla and the signboards for Solan start to appear, you know exactly what to do: take the turn, and your weekend could be there, waiting for you.
