Chail Travel Guide | Tourist places in Chail

The former ’summer capital’ of Patiala, Chail is 43-km from Shimla and dwelling in the midst of a lush green setting. At 2,250m, it has the world’s highest cricket pitch and a polo ground, the old palace, now a hotel and the possibility of some angling are added attractions.

Chail doesn’t have a mall, but just a few shops. Its best offers are leisurely walks in summer and autumn and fun in the ponder snow in winters. Spread over three hills Pandhawa, Rajgarh and Siddh Tibba chail is also ideal for picnics and hikes.So you can enjoy your trip.

Chail is hiker’s paradise. The area is very peaceful away from the hustle and bustle of Shimla. 3 kms from the city centre is the worlds highest Cricket ground. Close by is a National Park, which has limited number of birds and deers.

In 1891, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala incurred the wrath of Lord Kitchener, the then Commander-in-Chief. As a result, he was banned entry into the summer capital of the Raj, Shimla. This enraged the Maharaja and he vowed to build a new and better summer capital for himself. He looked around and after quite some time realized it had all the while been in his possession. Chail, a little village close to Shimla, was a ’slice of heaven’ surrounded by lush forests with a commanding view of the snow-capped Himalayas. He rebuilt the city according to his requirements and built himself a wonderful palace.

The picturesque resort located amidst scented forests of chir pine and gigantic deodars. Overlooking Satluj Valley, Shimla and Kasauli are also visible at night from here. Chail has also the highest cricket ground in the world. Well kept and well maintained the ground is surrounded by huge trees of deodar and pine. On the other side of the town are situated the massive Himalayan ranges spectacularly gleaming in the sun and snow-covered every thing under it.

Tourist spots in Chail

For a visitor, Chail offers numerous options of sightseeing, from wildlife to places of worship. Spending a couple of days amidst the heart-stirring beauty of Chail can keep you coming back here over and again

Chail Sanctuary

The Chail sanctuary, is a regular haunt of tourists and holidaymakers. The Deodar and Oak forests with grasslands around the township are the abode of wildlife. sanctuary was notified on 21st March 1976 near Chail Town in District Shimla and covers an area of 10,854.36 hectares. The vegetation of the sanctuary consists of oak forests, deodar forests and grasslands. Major wildlife species that can be spotted here include goral, red deer, Himalayan black bear, flying squirrel etc.

Cricket Ground

Surrounded by gigantic deodar and well maintained Chail Cricket ground is the most-elevated cricket ground (highest cricket ground) in the world. Built in 1893, this cricket pitch located at the height of 2,144m is also used as polo ground. Massive trees of deodar surround the ground from all sides.

Chail Palace Hotel

The magnificent Rajgarh palace, with elaborate furnishings, was built in the year 1891. With comfortable log huts and cottages, dense forests and serene walks, sprawling lawns, a children’s park, a `lovers hill’, and sports facilities this place is an ideal tourist destination for nature lovers. Besides, this the dense forests impart irresistible charm to this palace. This palace built by Maharaja of Patiala is now converted into a heritage hotel.

Sidh Baba Ka Mandir

Maharaja Bhupinder Singh had originally intended this to be the site of his palace, and had even started building it, but as is believed, a ’sidh’, saintly person appeared in the Maharaja’s dream, and declared that this was the place where he had meditated. Consequently, Bhupinder Singh shifted his venue and built a temple on the spot. The temple is situated on the hill sandwiched by Rajgarh and Pandhawa. Set in the army cantonment area, the temple sits next to the cricket gound currently being used by the Army.

Angling

Head for the Giriganga River 29 km from Chail on the Gauda Road for a spot of angling. Trout is only an occasional visitor here.

How to reach Chail

Chail by Air

Chail is 63 km from Jubbar Hati Airport, the closest from the town. The airport has connecting flights to Delhi and Chandigarh, the capital of Punjab and Haryana.

Chail by Rail

The ideal way of covering the Kalka-Shimla track is by the toy train. It takes five hours from Kalka to get to Kandaghat and the distance is about 50 Kms. The toy train with a maximum of seven bogies chugs through the most thickly forested tracks, breathtaking bends, deep ravines and never-ending tunnels. Kandaghat is the station to get down and take a cab further for the remaining 20 km journey to Chail.

By Road Chail is well connected by road. One travels on the NH 22 from Chandigarh / Kalka towards Shimla. This is a two lane highway. Stations in between are Parwanoo, Dharampur, Solan. At Kandaghat leave the highway and take a right turn towards Chail. If coming from Shimla, take the road to Kufri and there is a diversion to Chail from the Kufri bazaar.

Distances from Chail

New Delhi to Chail via Kandaghat – 336 km, Chandigarh to Chail – 86 km, Kalka to Chail – 56 km, Kandaghat to Chail – 20 km, Shimla to Chail – 45 km

Nature walks in Shimla: Hiking

Why do we go hiking?

Hiking is a recreational activity where we walk because we want to, not because we have to. The journey is more important than the destination.  Shimla is a hikers paradise and is best seen by walking and all major points the ridge the mall etc are covered on foot only. As the temperatures are pleasant and the natural scenes outstanding complete with cool air the environment drives you to walk in Shimla to enjoy its beauty.You need to carry woolen cloths.

Hiking is a great way to explore nature. Hiking win Shimla will bring you back to nature.

From Scandal Point to the Former Vice regal Lodge

A round trip will cover approximately six kilometers along level stretches and slopes. From Scandal Point on the mall, this walk goes to the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, the former Viceregal Lodge.

With twists and turns, the route is across the non-shopping areas of the mall; and this walk is designed to include as many of the interesting site that lie along or just off the track.

The following places will come en-route

Start: Scandal Point, General Post Office (GPO), St. Andrew’s Church, Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), Bantony, Kali Bari Temple, Railway Board Building, Gorton Castle, The Vidhan Sabha , Chaura Maidan, The Cecil hotel,  State Museum, AIR Shimla,  Viceregal Lodge (now, the Indian Institute of Advanced Study), and while comming back State Bank Of India heritage building  ,St. Michael’s Cathedral, telegraph Office.

The Glen and Annandale Walks

The Glen Walk

From Scandal Point to the Glen which is a narrow valley through which a stream flows. This is more of a nature trail that goes to one of Shimla’s most popular picnic sport. This walk covers about seven to eight kilometers from Scandal Point. Plan for three hours or longer. On the way see the trees, the little stream, the birds, and perhaps some deer and butterflies while we are at it.

The Annandale Walk

This passes through thick deodar woods to reach a large open glade. The walk towards Annandale is largely downhill and all uphill on the return. From Scandal Point on the mall, this cover a distance of six seven kilometers. Plan for three hours or more. The routs may also be dovetailed with the Glen Walk, which will then take a total of around five hours or more and will cover eight to twelve kilometers.

Trip to Jakho temple

Jakho (Jakhoo, Jakhu) is the hill that dominates Shimla and is topped by the temple dedicated to lord Hanuman. The walk starts from the Ridge to the Hanuman temple and back. The total walk route covers a little over five kilometers. Plan for two hours or more. The views from the top are excellent. This is also the highest peak in Shimla.

A short walk through Shimla’s Lower Bazaar.

The Lower Bazaar runs roughly parallel to the Mall. This walk starts at the deputy commissioners office and winds up at the Sher-e-Punjab restaurant end.  Depending on the time you take to dissect the shops, sample the wares, jostle and be jostled, the walking time is just about half an hour. The distance is barely a kilometers and a half.

Look for the architecture, the shops, the Ganj and the the tunnel

From Boileauganj to the temple of Kamna Devi

This petite and beautiful temple is dedicated to Kamna Devi. It is on top of the Prospect Hill. A 15 minute climb from  Prospect Hill is another favorite walk in Shimla and vantage point with breath-taking views. Boileauganj is on the western part of Shimla beyond Indian Institute of advance studies.

From Scandal Point to Chadwick Falls and back through Summer Hill after a glimpse of Potters’ Hill.

Chadwick Falls – which everyone includes, is his or her itinerary but never gets around to visiting – lie in the western edges of Shimla, as dose potters Hill. This is a long walk and if you intend using your legs all the way from Scandal Point and back, plan for five to six hours. You will cover between twelve to fifteen kilometers along slopes and level stretches. The last leg of two Kilometers or so is along a narrow path in a forest.

Highlights Built heritage up to the former Viceregal Lodge, Summer Hill, The woods and views, Chadwick Falls, Potters’ Hill, Summer Hill Railway Station, Boileauganj (if included), Prospect Hill And the temple of Kamna Devi (if included)