Naldehra is the kind of green, unhurried break that most people pass through on the way to somewhere busier, and then wish they had stayed longer. Roughly 22 km from Shimla, in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh, this small hill retreat wraps around one of India’s oldest golf courses, with deodar (Himalayan cedar) forest crowding the fairways and a short, flat meadow that locals call a glade. It works as a half-day drive from Shimla or a quiet overnight.
Naldehra is a small hill retreat about 22 km from Shimla, in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh, set around a historic golf course and ringed by deodar forest. It sits near 2,200 m and makes an easy half-day trip or an overnight escape from the crowds of Shimla.
Key takeaways
- Naldehra lies about 22 km from Shimla (around 50 minutes by road), in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of about 2,200 m, per the District Administration, Shimla.
- The golf course was laid out after Viceroy Lord Curzon first visited in 1905; Incredible India describes it as one of the oldest in India and says the original 9-hole layout was later expanded to 18 holes.
- The best months are March to June and late September to November; January can fall to about -2°C, per Incredible India climate figures.
- The nearest airport is Shimla (Jubbarhatti), about 44–45 km away with limited Alliance Air service; Chandigarh (about 138 km) is the more reliable air gateway, per HPTDC.
- HPTDC runs Hotel Golf Glade on the edge of the course, with log huts and cottages; book through the HPTDC site and reconfirm tariffs before travelling.
- Tattapani, on the Sutlej about 30 km on (indicative), adds hot-spring soaks and river rafting to a Naldehra trip.
About Naldehra
Naldehra is a forested ridge-top glade about 22 km from Shimla, in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh, best known for its golf course and deodar walks. The District Administration, Shimla, places it at an altitude of about 2,200 m and roughly 50 minutes by car from Shimla town.
The name comes from a local deity, Nal Deo. According to local belief recorded by the district administration and Incredible India, two hill gods once quarrelled over precedence and scorched the trees and melted the stones here, which is why the central glade is open meadow rather than forest. That is told as folklore, not history.
What makes Naldehra easy to recommend is its restraint. There is no long sightseeing list and no ropeway queue. You come for the deodar forest, the old golf greens, a hill temple in the middle of them, and a short walk or horse ride through the cedars. Many visitors treat it as a calm counterpoint to a Shimla stay rather than a destination in its own right.
Best time to visit Naldehra
The best time to visit Naldehra is March to June and late September to November, when the days are mild and the forest is at its best. Avoid the July–September monsoon, when heavy rain raises landslide risk on hill roads and can suspend the Kalka–Shimla toy train.
Incredible India’s climate figures for Naldehra show January as the coldest month, at about -2°C to 17.5°C, and June as the warmest, at about 12°C to 29°C, with July–August monsoon temperatures of roughly 14°C to 26°C. Winter can bring occasional snow at this altitude, so carry proper layers from December to February.
| Season | Months | Weather | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring–summer | March–June | Mild; up to about 29°C in June | Golf, forest walks, horse rides, picnics |
| Monsoon | July–September | Heavy rain, about 14–26°C; landslide risk | Green views, but travel can be disrupted |
| Autumn | Late September–November | Clear, crisp, cooling nights | Best clarity for mountain views |
| Winter | December–February | Cold; January about -2°C to 17.5°C; occasional snow | Snow spotting, quiet stays |
How to reach Naldehra
You reach Naldehra by road from Shimla in about 50 minutes, covering roughly 22 km, since the last stretch has no rail or air link of its own. Most visitors fly or take the train to Shimla or Kalka, then drive up through Mashobra and the deodar forest.
By air, the nearest airport is Shimla (Jubbarhatti), about 44–45 km from Naldehra per the district administration and roughly 22 km from Shimla town. Alliance Air lists limited flights from here to Delhi and Dharamshala, but service has been thin: Airports Authority of India figures reported for April 2025 to March 2026 show only about 8,052 passengers, down sharply year on year. Most travellers instead use Chandigarh’s Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, about 138 km (around 3.5 hours’ drive) from Naldehra per HPTDC, which has far more flights.
By rail, Shimla is the nearest station, reached on the Kalka–Shimla Railway, the narrow-gauge “toy train” inscribed in 2008 as part of UNESCO’s Mountain Railways of India. The broad-gauge railhead is Kalka, where the toy train begins. Check IRCTC or the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) for current services and fares, as monsoon damage occasionally suspends the line.
| Mode | Route | Distance / time |
|---|---|---|
| Air (nearest) | Shimla (Jubbarhatti) airport, then taxi | About 44–45 km to Naldehra; limited flights |
| Air (reliable) | Chandigarh airport, then road via Shimla | About 138 km / 3.5 hours (HPTDC) |
| Rail (scenic) | Kalka–Shimla toy train to Shimla, then taxi | Shimla station about 22–25 km from Naldehra |
| Rail (mainline) | Broad gauge to Kalka, then toy train or road | Kalka is the nearest major railhead |
| Road | Shimla to Naldehra via Mashobra | About 22 km / 50 minutes |
| Road | Delhi to Naldehra via Chandigarh and Shimla | About 370 km |
The Naldehra golf course and its history
The Naldehra Golf Course is one of India’s oldest, laid out on the forest glade after Viceroy Lord Curzon first visited the site in 1905. Incredible India records that a 9-hole course was built here and was later expanded to 18 holes, and describes it as one of the oldest in the country.
Curzon is closely tied to the place. By several travel accounts he camped here for days and kept in touch with the Viceregal Lodge in Shimla by heliograph, and he is said to have been so taken with the glade that he gave one of his daughters the name Naldehra. Those naming stories are widely repeated rather than formally documented, so treat them as colour, not record.
A practical note for non-golfers: the greens and fairways are a playing course, not a public park, so you cannot simply wander across them. You can, however, walk the perimeter paths, sit in the forest around the glade, and visit the temple at its centre. If you want to play, arrange a round and club hire locally in advance and reconfirm green fees on the day, as these are not published centrally.
Things to see and do
The main things to do in Naldehra are walking the deodar forest around the golf glade, visiting the Mahunag temple at its centre, and taking a guided horse ride into the cedars. Most of it is slow, low-effort and suited to families, with one steeper trek for the fit.
- The golf glade and forest walks. The flat central meadow ringed by deodar is the heart of Naldehra. Easy, near-level paths loop the perimeter, ideal for an unhurried hour or two.
- Mahunag temple. Incredible India records a temple in the middle of the golf course dedicated to Karna, known locally as Mahunag, built in the pahari (hill) style. It is the one built landmark most visitors stop at.
- Horse and pony rides. Guides offer short rides from the glade into the surrounding forest. Agree the route and price before you set off; rates are not fixed.
- Shaily Peak trek. For walkers wanting more, Incredible India lists a trek to Shaily Peak, which it describes as challenging. Start early, carry water, and go with a local guide.
- Mahakali temple. A smaller shrine near the Mahakali river, dedicated to the goddess Maha Kali, makes a quiet add-on.
| Spot / activity | What it is | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Golf glade and perimeter walk | Open meadow ringed by deodar forest | 1–2 hours |
| Mahunag temple | Hill-style shrine at the centre of the course | 20–30 minutes |
| Forest horse ride | Guided pony ride into the cedars | 30–60 minutes |
| Shaily Peak trek | Longer uphill forest walk (challenging) | Half day |
| Round of golf | Play the historic course (arrange locally) | 2–4 hours |
A suggested two-day itinerary
A relaxed two-day plan pairs a Naldehra base with a Tattapani side trip, which is how the retreat works best. Keep distances short and leave buffer time, since hill roads slow down in rain and after dark.
- Day 1 — Shimla to Naldehra. Drive up from Shimla via Mashobra in the morning (about 50 minutes). Walk the golf glade, visit the Mahunag temple, and take an afternoon forest ride. Stay overnight at Naldehra.
- Day 2 — Tattapani and back. Drive on to Tattapani on the Sutlej for a hot-spring soak and, in season, a short rafting run from Chabba. Return to Shimla or Naldehra by evening.
If you only have a half day, treat Naldehra as a morning drive from Shimla: walk, see the temple, have lunch, and head back. For more context on building a wider Himachal route, see our Himachal Pradesh travel guide and the detailed Shimla travel guide.
Tattapani and Sutlej side trips
Tattapani is a riverside spot on the Sutlej known for hot springs and rafting, about 30 km on from Naldehra (indicative; reconfirm locally). It sits across the district line in Karsog, Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, and is the most popular day add-on from a Naldehra base.
The name means “hot water” in the local tongue. Travellers once bathed in riverbed springs, but reporting since the Kol Dam was built notes that the old riverside pools have changed, and visitors now use bore-well pools and resort facilities. Any curative claims are local belief, not medically established, so treat them as such.
In season, the Sutlej offers river rafting. Guides commonly describe a run of roughly 12–14 km from Chabba to Tattapani with Grade II–III rapids, with shorter stretches from Sunni. Rafting generally runs in the drier months (roughly March–June and October–November) and stops during the monsoon; always check with a licensed operator on the day about water levels, equipment and safety, and these figures are indicative.
Where to stay in Naldehra
The signature stay in Naldehra is HPTDC’s Hotel Golf Glade, set on the edge of the golf course, alongside private resorts and a handful of homestays. Naldehra itself is small, so many visitors also base in Shimla and drive up for the day.
- Government (HPTDC) — Hotel Golf Glade. The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation runs log huts and jungle cottages here with a restaurant and bar (phone 0177-2747739; email naldehra@hptdc.in). Tariffs are not published on the official page, so book through the HPTDC booking site and reconfirm rates. An older travel listing put rooms in a roughly ₹1,800–₹8,500 band, which is a planning estimate only — reconfirm.
- Mid-range to luxury resorts. Private cottage resorts around the glade offer wood-finished rooms and forest views. An older listing indicated a luxury property in a roughly ₹8,000–₹36,000 band; treat this as indicative and reconfirm current tariffs.
- Homestays. Small family homestays in and around Naldehra and nearby villages give a simpler, cheaper option with home-cooked meals. Book ahead in peak season (May–June and holidays), when the few rooms fill quickly.
Food to try
Food in Naldehra is mostly hotel and dhaba (roadside eatery) fare, with HPTDC’s restaurant serving Indian, continental and Chinese dishes. For local flavour, look for Himachali Pahari cooking either here or back in Shimla, where the choice is wider.
- Siddu (a steamed wheat-flour bun, often stuffed with a spiced walnut or poppy-seed filling) — a Himachali staple, best fresh and warm.
- Madra (chickpeas or kidney beans slow-cooked in a yoghurt-based gravy) — a classic from the Himachali dham, the traditional festive meal.
- Chha gosht (lamb cooked in spiced yoghurt and gram-flour gravy) — a richer Pahari dish for non-vegetarians.
- Babru (a Himachali stuffed fried bread, a local take on kachori) — good for breakfast.
Carry snacks and water for forest walks, as options thin out away from the hotels. Many small kitchens are vegetarian, so ask ahead if you want meat dishes.
Budget breakdown
A two-day Naldehra trip costs roughly ₹4,500–₹12,000 per person, depending on whether you choose a homestay or a resort and how you travel. The figures below are planning estimates as of October 2026 and exclude long-distance travel to Shimla or Kalka; reconfirm all rates before booking.
| Item | Budget (₹) | Mid-range (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (1 night, per head) | 900–1,800 | 2,500–5,000 |
| Food (2 days) | 600–1,000 | 1,200–2,000 |
| Local taxi from Shimla (shared) | 800–1,500 | 1,500–2,500 |
| Activities (ride, temple, entry) | 300–700 | 700–1,500 |
| Buffer / extras | 400–800 | 900–1,800 |
| Approx. total | 3,000–5,800 | 6,800–12,800 |
Assumptions: two people sharing one room, local transport by shared taxi, and no flights. A round of golf, rafting at Tattapani or a private cab will add to these totals.
Permits, rules and practical tips
No special permit is needed to visit Naldehra: it lies in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh, which is open to Indian and foreign travellers without an Inner Line Permit. The main rules are courtesy ones around the golf course, the temple and the forest.
- Golf course access. The fairways and greens are a playing course, not a walking park. Stay on perimeter paths unless you have arranged a round.
- Temple etiquette. Dress modestly and remove footwear at the Mahunag and Mahakali shrines; ask before photographing worshippers.
- Connectivity and cash. Mobile coverage is patchy in the forest; download maps offline. Carry cash, as ATMs and reliable UPI are easier to count on in Shimla than at the glade.
- Health and safety. The nearest full hospitals are in Shimla, about 22 km away, so carry personal medicines. At about 2,200 m most people feel fine, but go slow on the Shaily Peak trek if you are not acclimatised.
- Solo women travellers. Naldehra is a small, low-key spot generally considered calm; still, prefer daytime travel on hill roads and keep someone informed of your plans.
- Packing. Warm layers and rain cover year-round (sharp evening drops; monsoon showers July–September), sturdy shoes for forest paths, and sunscreen for the open glade.
- Eco rules. Himachal Pradesh restricts single-use plastics; carry out your litter and avoid plastic bags in the forest.
Nearby places
Naldehra pairs naturally with Shimla and a short list of nearby forest and riverside stops, most within an hour or so by road. The table below gives approximate distances to help you build a loop.
| Place | Distance from Naldehra (approx.) | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Shimla | About 22 km | The Ridge, Mall Road, Viceregal Lodge, toy train |
| Mashobra | On the Shimla–Naldehra road | Orchards and quiet forest walks |
| Tattapani (Mandi district) | About 30 km (indicative) | Hot springs and Sutlej rafting |
| Chabba | Near Tattapani | Common starting point for Sutlej rafting |
| Kufri | About 20 km (indicative) | Viewpoints and seasonal snow |
With more days, Naldehra also slots into a wider Himachal circuit; onward you might combine it with the Kangra valley and our McLeod Ganj and Dharamshala travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Naldehra and how far is it from Shimla?
Naldehra is a small hill retreat in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh, about 22 km from Shimla town, or roughly 50 minutes by road, per the District Administration, Shimla. It sits at an altitude of about 2,200 m, surrounded by deodar (Himalayan cedar) forest and built around a historic golf course.
What is Naldehra famous for?
Naldehra is famous for its golf course, one of the oldest in India, laid out after Viceroy Lord Curzon first visited in 1905, according to Incredible India. It is also known for deodar forest walks, the Mahunag hill temple at the centre of the course, horse rides and easy access from Shimla.
What is the best time to visit Naldehra?
The best time to visit Naldehra is March to June and late September to November, when days are mild and skies are clearer. Avoid July to September, when monsoon rain raises landslide risk and can disrupt the toy train. Winter is cold, with January dropping to about -2°C and occasional snow at this altitude.
How do I reach Naldehra by train or air?
You reach Naldehra by taking the Kalka–Shimla toy train or a flight to Shimla, then driving about 22 km by road. The nearest airport is Shimla (Jubbarhatti), about 44–45 km away with limited Alliance Air flights; Chandigarh, about 138 km away, is the more reliable air gateway, per HPTDC.
Can anyone visit the Naldehra golf course?
Yes, anyone can visit Naldehra and walk the forest paths around the golf glade and the Mahunag temple, but the greens and fairways are a playing course, not a public park, so you cannot wander across them. To play a round, arrange it and hire clubs locally in advance and reconfirm green fees, which are not published centrally.
Is Naldehra worth an overnight stay or just a day trip?
Naldehra is worth an overnight if you want a quiet forest break; otherwise a half-day drive from Shimla covers the glade, temple and a short walk. Staying over lets you add a Tattapani hot-spring and rafting side trip the next day and enjoy the deodar forest in the still early morning.
Last updated and sources
Naldehra suits travellers who want a calm, green pause rather than a packed sightseeing list, especially golfers, families and anyone already in Shimla. Go in spring or autumn for the clearest weather and the forest at its best.
Last updated: 12 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: District Administration, Shimla — Naldehra tourist place page (hpshimla.nic.in, last updated 7 August 2025); Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism — Naldehra (incredibleindia.gov.in); HPTDC — Hotel Golf Glade / Naldehra Cottages (hptdc.hp.gov.in); UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Mountain Railways of India, Kalka–Shimla Railway inscribed 2008 (whc.unesco.org); Airports Authority of India passenger figures for Shimla Airport (April 2025–March 2026), as reported. Accessed September 2026.
