Dalhousie

Dalhousie is a hill station in Chamba district. It is built across five hills at about 1,970 m. It is named after the Earl of Dalhousie, who was Governor-General when the British took the site in the 1850s. The town keeps a quiet colonial air. You can see St Francis and St John churches, and the Gandhi Chowk and Subhash Chowk market areas. Long walks along Mall Road go under deodar and pine. Panchpula, with its spring and small waterfall, and Dainkund Peak are easy outings. Khajjiar, the Kalatop sanctuary and the temples and old capital of Chamba are within day-trip distance. The town is far less crowded than Shimla or Manali, so it is a good slow stop on a Dhauladhar circuit that also includes Dharamshala. The nearest railhead is Pathankot, about 80 km away. The road in is steady rather than steep. Summer is pleasant. Winters are cold, with some snow.