Pack in a couple of pullovers and a pair of sneakers and you're good to go. Drive past noisy Shimla and head to these quaint little towns that lie before and beyond.
Twenty-three km from town, at a height of 2,044 m, you'll find Naldehra. It must have caught the fancy of Lord Curzon at one time, for he personally supervised the laying down of a mini golf course here amidst a grove of deodars. The nine-hole golf course takes credit for much of Naldehra's charm, with the famous Nag temple in the centre of the course.
A few kilometres beyond Naldehra, you can hike up to the thick forests of Mashobra or make a trip to the hot sulphur springs of Tatapani, which lies further off.
Once in Mashobra, a part of the the Shimla Reserve Forest sanctuary and catchment area, you can take your pick of several refreshing trails.
One path leads to Bekhalty, a nearby hamlet from where you can see some of the most famous peaks of the Himalayas. Traditionally, the President of India makes a trip to Mashobra at least once a year, and his/her core office finds a place at The Retreat in Chharabra.
The famous Wildflower Hall in this little place, once home to Lord Kitchener, commander of the British Indian army, is now a celebrated Oberoi group hotel.
Another option for some quiet would be Shoghi, a little before Shimla. It's a charming, green suburb with a view of pretty Chail in the distance.
It's the perfect place to meander around, find your own path or even take off on village treks. A two-kilometre trek up the Taradevi mountain leads to a temple. For a taste of the local flavour, look out for Minchy's fruit product stands along the highway.
For a challenging trek, however, Churdhar peak is promising at 3,647 m. To get there, en route to Shimla, take a detour at Solan. From base camp Nauradhar, you'll know the trek up to the peak is well worth it when you see a glorious frame of the upper Himalayas from there.
The hike up is not without its share of steep slopes, icy ridges and frozen streams. If you prefer to keep the adventure down, at the base itself there's plenty to do. You'll find log huts to stay in, a wildlife sanctuary beyond, and activities like archery and fishing in and around the area to spend your day.
Fortunately, in the mountains, there's always an untrodden trail to be found.
