12 Famous Places To Visit Near Dharamshala For An Exciting Trip To Hills

Explore the breathtaking natural scenery of the places to visit near Dharamshala

Dharamshala is a town in Himachal Pradesh that perfectly blends natural beauty and cultural richness. Being home to the Dalai Lama, it is prominent in its Tibetan Buddhist beliefs. Places to visit near Dharamshala is surrounded by amazing natural beauty, with cedar forests on the edge of the Himalayas. Known for its spiritual ambience, Dharamshala houses the largest Tibetan temple in India. As beautiful as Dharamshala is, it has endless places and sights nearby for tourists to visit during their getaway.

12 Popular Places To See Near Dharamshala

Explore the best places to see near Dharamshala, from scenic treks and ancient forts to serene viewpoints and peaceful monasteries nestled in the Himalayas.

1. McLeodganj

View of McLeodganj city, one of the captivating places to visit near Dharamshala

Photo: Aditya Chache / Unsplash

McLeodganj is one of the popular places to visit near Dharamshala and is a favourite among trekkers. Located in the shadows of Dhauladhar Mountain, it is home to The Dalai Lama. Mcleodganj showcases a beautiful blend of Tibetan culture with British influence. This village is at an elevation of 2082 metres. From April to June, you can experience the pleasant and breezy summers. From July to September, the place exhibits the most beautiful and one of the beautiful hill stations near Dharamshala, which is drenched in the rain. If you want to experience snow, visit McLeodganj between October and February.

Distance From Dharamshala: 9.1 km

Suggested Read: Places To Visit Near McLeodGanj For A Memorable Outing

2. Bir

An alluring view of a person paragliding in the valleys of Bir in Himachal Pradesh

Photo: Arun Kashyap / Unsplash

Bir is a small village situated in the Kangra District of Himachal. It is known as the Bir Paragliding Capital of India. This village is situated in the north of Joginder Nagar Valley. Bir is a centre of Tibetan Refugee Settlements and a crucial spot for meditation, eco-tourism, and spiritual learning. This place is the landing ground for the paragliding activities that take off at Billing. Bir has some Tibetan monasteries teaching spirituality and Tibetan culture. The village also has a large Stupa situated, making it one of the popular tourist places near Dharamshala.

Distance From Dharamshala: 63.4 km
How To Reach: Buses are available from Dharamshala to Bir which take about 2.2 hours. Cabs are also available from Dharamshala to Bir.

3. Naggar

Explore the rich cultural heritage at Naggar, one of the places to visit near Dharamshala

Photo: Schwiki / Wikimedia Commons

The beautiful town of Naggar, one of the places to visit near Dharamshala, is situated between the very popular cities of Himachal, Manali, and Kullu. When you see the Naggar valley from the balconies of the Naggar castle, it exhibits a whole different beauty of Himachal Pradesh. The town is filled with deodar trees and ancient temples. The Naggar castle situated in this town is over 500 years old and holds the heritage of the best times that this place has seen.

Distance From Dharamshala: 199 km
How To Reach: Cabs and taxis are available from Dharamshala and takes about 4.5 hours to reach Naggar. Buses from Dharamshala take approximately 6.5 hours to reach from Dharamshala.

Suggested Read: Best Things To Do In Naggar On Your Next Trip

4. Mandi

A breathtaking aerial view of Mandi with a scenic backdrop of lush green mountains

Photo: Harvinder Chandigarh / Wikimedia Commons

Places to visit in Mandi, which was once known as Mandav Nagar, is the place where sage Rishi Mandav performed his spiritual meditation. The city of Mandi was once the capital of the princely state of Mandi. It is situated on the banks of River Beas and at the convergence of the Suketi Khad Stream. Mandi is situated at an elevation of 2507 feet in the midlands of the Himalayas. March to June marks the peak season and the tourists visit Mandi in large numbers.

Distance From Dharamshala: 125.3 km
How To Reach: Buses are available from Dharamshala to Mandi and take approximately 2 hours. Cabs can also be availed.

5. Prashar Lake

Visit Prashar Lake, one of the amazing places to visit near Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh

Photo: Yogeshvhora / Wikimedia Commons

Prashar Lake is situated in the Mandi district and is one of the places to visit near Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. The lake is named after Sage Prashar, who meditated on the bank of this river. The lake has a three-storied temple which Raja Ban Sen built in the 14th Century. River Beas flows from right underneath, making the scenery stunning. The floating island here is created by decomposing plant remains at a different pace and maintained afloat by the oxygen from the roots. April to May showcases the most amazing greenery and December to February is ideal to experience the snowy white mountains near Prashar Lake.

Distance From Dharamshala: 157.5 km
How To Reach: Buses and cans are always available from Dharamshala to Mandi.

Suggested Read: Lakes In Himachal

6. Triund

A mesmerising view of tents on the Triund Trek amidst the majestic Dhauladhar ranges

Photo: Nikhil Singh / Unsplash

Triund is a small hill station situated at the foot of the Dhauladhar Mountains, with the perfect view of Dhauladhar on one side and the Kangra Valley on the other. This place is very popular for its trekking sites and attracts a lot of tourists every year. Triund Trek is very popular because it is easily accomplished by any age group. The way for the Triund Trek goes through the beautiful forest of oak, rhododendrons, and Deodhar. May to June and September to October are the most suitable times for trekking.

Distance From Dharamshala: 6 km
How To Reach: Gaggal or Kangra Airport is the nearest airport. Pathankot is the nearest Railway Station from Dharamshala from where you can take a cab or bus to Triund.

7. Palampur

A mesmerising view of the lush green landscape with snow-clad mountains in the background

Photo: Rajputcenation / Wikimedia Commons

Palampur, the town situated in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, is very popular for its endless tea gardens and mesmerising Deodar Forest surrounding the town. Places to visit in Palampur caught the eyes of the British and eventually became a base for commerce and trade. The influence of the British is still very evident in the town, which has Victorian-style architecture for castles and mansions. Rafting, trekking, paragliding in Dharamshala, and many more sports are conducted in Palampur, and the surroundings make all these experiences so much more memorable.

Distance From Dharamshala: 33.7 km
How To Reach: Palampur Himachal Railway Station is the nearest narrow-gauge station and Pathankot is the nearest broad-gauge station. Kangra Airport or Gaggal Airport is the nearest Airport

Suggested Read: Places To Visit Near Palampur

8. Barot

View of a stream of water moving through big boulders and mountains in the backdrop

Photo: Timothy A. Gonsalves / Wikimedia Commons

Barot Valley is located in the Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh. This place was quite unexplored until the Haulage Trolley Ride from Joginder Nagar to Barot started attracting a huge number of tourists. This small town was developed for the Shanan Hydel Project, which is aimed at utilising the scope of generating hydroelectric power in megawatts at the height of 6000 ft. This town is also known for being the entrance of Nagru Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to Ghoral, black bears, morals, and more.

Distance From Dharamshala: 109.6 km
How To Reach: Joginder Nagar is the nearest Railway Station and Kullu Airport is the nearest airport.

9. Kangra Fort

Image of Temple inside Kangra Fort - One of the best places to visit near Dharamshala

Photo: Kartik Gupta / Wikimedia Commons

Kangra Fort is one of the oldest forts in India. It offers a fascinating glimpse into Himachal’s royal history and features ancient stone walls, gates, and temples within the complex. The fort is perched on a hill and provides stunning views of the Kangra Valley and Banganga River. It’s a great place for history lovers and photographers. The site also has an audio guide facility to help visitors understand the significance of each section.

Distance From Dharamshala: 19.7 km

Suggested Read: Places To Visit Near Kangra For An Unforgettable Trip

10. Masroor Rock Cut Temples

Image of Masroor rock-cut temple and adjoining water tank with historical significance

Photo: Kartik Gupta / Wikimedia Commons

The Masroor Rock Cut Temples are a group of ancient stone temples carved out of a single rock. These temples are believed to date back to the 8th century. They resemble the famous Ellora Caves and are dedicated to Lord Shiva. The carvings are detailed and impressive, making it a unique historical spot. Surrounded by hills and a small lake, the area is peaceful and perfect for those who enjoy heritage sites and natural beauty.

Distance From Dharamshala: 40.8 km

11. Bhagsu Waterfall

Image of Bhagsu waterfalls Macleodganj ,Himachal pradesh - tourist enjoying

Photo: Nishat.ch100 / Wikimedia Commons

Bhagsu Waterfall is a popular natural attraction near McLeodganj, just a short trek from Bhagsunag Temple. The waterfall is surrounded by lush greenery and rocky terrain, making it a refreshing place to visit. During monsoon or after rains, the waterfall is in full flow and looks especially beautiful. There are small cafés nearby where visitors can relax and enjoy the view. It’s a great spot for a short hike, nature photography, or simply spending some peaceful time in the hills.

Distance From Dharamshala: 12.2 km

Suggested Read: Waterfalls In Himachal Pradesh

12. Naddi View Point

Picturesque view of Naddi is a small tiny village just 3 km away from MacLeod Ganj

Photo: Sitikantha kheti / Wikimedia Commons

Naddi View Point is a scenic spot located just 4–5 km from McLeodganj. It offers breathtaking views of the Dhauladhar mountain range and is especially popular for watching sunrise and sunset. The area is peaceful and less crowded compared to other tourist spots. On a clear day, the snow-capped peaks look absolutely stunning. It’s a great place to unwind, take photos, or just sit and enjoy the cool breeze. There are also small eateries nearby serving tea and snacks.

Distance From Dharamshala: 11.2 km

Dharamshala is a place that holds immense beauty and historical heritage. It is beautiful all through the year with each season exhibiting a very different view to be cherished by the visitors. The town is surrounded by picturesque views and filled with fun, adventurous sports and Dharamshala Monasteries. Dharamshala has something for everyone to enjoy and thus is a very popular part of Himachal Pradesh. With TripXL, plan your next trip to Dharamshala and enjoy all that this captivating hill station has to offer.

Cover Photo: Sanket Barik / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Frequently Asked Questions

While you are in Dharamshala, do not miss out on a visit to the gushing Bhagsu Waterfall, ancient Kangra Fort, and Victorian-style mansions & castles.
Dharamshala is unique in its scenery, cuisine, cultural fusion, and rich heritage. It is a place of spiritual learning and lets you enjoy some of the best trekking sites, paragliding, and other adventure sports.
Dharamshala has a very unique cuisine with dishes like Thukpa, Momos, Shapta, Tudkiya Bhat, Mithha, Dham, Bhagsu Cake, and Alu Phing Sha.
Dharamshala offers different charms in different seasons and is beautiful throughout the year, especially from April to June and November to February.
Dharamshala is called little Tibet as it displays a strong prominence of Tibetan culture. In 1959, the Dalai Lama came to Dharamshala after the Chinese occupation of Tibet, along with the Government in exile.
Yes, Kangra Fort and Masroor Rock Cut Temples are two prominent historical sites located within 40 km of Dharamshala.
Yes, most nearby places can be covered in 2–3 days with a well-planned itinerary.
McLeodganj is a suburb of Dharamshala, located just a few kilometres away. It’s known for its Tibetan culture, monasteries, and vibrant cafés.

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