17 Mountain Passes to Explore in Himachal Pradesh

A flat terrain in Shimla, Annandale has been developed as the playground of the city. It is located approximately 3 kilometers away from the Ridge and is used to play cricket and to organize picnics, Golf, and Polo. It is quite a scenic spot as it gives a picturesque view of the Shimla city and its surroundings are occupied by deodar trees, oak trees, etc. Annandale is famous because earlier the British used this as a play ground for racing, polo, cricket and other entertaining activities.

Baralacha La Pass is a high mountain pass in the Zanskar range connecting Lahaul to Leh. The Bhaga river originated from the Surta taal lake, which is situated a few kilometers from the pass towards Manali.

Barot is a mesmerizingly beautiful village located in the serene valleys of Mandi District in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is a new found tourist destination and is located about 67 kilometers away from Mandi. If you are a backpacker, this destination is perfect to backpack through for a day or so. The scenic landscapes are captivating, and the unpolluted air draws travelers from across the world for sightseeing and much more.

Chail is one of the popular hill stations situated in the vicinity of Solan. Chail was the summer capital of Maharaja Adhiraj Bhupinder Singh of Patiala. The most important attraction of Chail is the Chail Sanctuary which covers an area of about 110 km, around the township. It was declared a sanctuary in 1976. This sanctuary is noted for its Chir Pheasant Breeding and Rehabilitation centre which was introduced to increase the number of Chir birds in the area.

Hamta Pass lies at an altitude of 4270 m . It is a small corridor between Lahaul's Chandra valley and Kullu valley of Himachal pradesh.The nomenclature of the trek was derived from Hamta Village, located below Sethan village, as part of the trek route. This pass is frequently used by shepherds of the lower Himalayan region, seeking high altitude grasslands in the summer, when the dry cold desert of Lahaul is barren.

A high mountain pass in the Dhauladhar Range of Himalaya, Indrahar Pass is located at an altitude of 4342 m. This alpine pass forms the border between Kangra and Chamba districts of Himachal Pradesh. Indrahar Pass runs down to the west of Mon Peak and is a notch in the skyline on the high ridge. The pass is a part of a popular trekking route from Dharamshala and attracts substantial trekkers

Jalori Pass is positioned away from the hustle and bustle of the tedious city life. The serene ambiance rendered by mighty Himalayas presents unmatched opportunities to unwind the body and savour the nature's exquisite. The seasonal flowers bloomed in the region along with the exotic flora and fauna in the midst of immaculate solitude of highlands relaxes the senses of every trekker. Trekking on this beautiful trail takes the tourists to the mesmerizing places

Kunzum Pass or Kunzum La, as it is called by locals, is one of the highest motorable mountain passes of India, located at an altitude of 4,551m above mean sea level. It serves as a gateway to the beautiful Spiti valley Via Kullu and Lahaul. It lies on the eastern Kunzum Range of the Himalayas and is at a distance of 122 km from Manali. Kunzum La offers an incredible 360-degree view of Bara- Shigri Glacier , a jaw-dropping vista of Chandrabhaga Range and a spectacular view of the Spiti valley.

Isolated from the rest of the world lies a solitary village in Malana Nala, which is a side valley of the Parvati Valley. Known as Malana or the Malana Village, it is located in the Kullu district. Widely known for its strong culture and religious beliefs, with various sentiments embedded in the past, it is a place meant for people who seek spiritual guidance. This place is also apt for all adventure lovers since the route to Malana is famous for trekking.

Manali is a resort town nestled in the mountains of the indian state of himachal. This small town os the beginning of an ancient trade route to Ladakh and from there over the Karakoram pass. It is a popular tourist destination and serves as the gateway to Lahaul and Spiti district as well as Leh.

This is a mountain that is fully covered with snow in the Lahaul and Spiti district. There is so much variety of Flora and Fauna. Trekkers paradise, mountaineering, rock climbing, etc.

Reckong Peo is situated at an altitude of 2670 m from the sea level, located 235 km from Shimla. It is the District Headquarter having a panoramic view of Kinner Kailash. Kinner Kailash mountain is regarded as one of the mythical homes of Lord Shiva, here is a 79 feet high rock formation that resembles Sivalinga. This Sivalinga changes the colour as the day passes. Also visible on the stretch is the peak of Raldang (5499 m). Reckong Peo has many hotels and rest houses.

Rohtang La is a mountain pass in the Himalayas that connects the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti valleys. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region, and is known for its stunning views and challenging trekking routes. The pass is situated at an elevation of 4,112 meters (13,497 feet) and is accessible only by a narrow road. Due to its high altitude and difficult location, Rohtang La is often closed during the winter months.

Sangla, a populous village, situated on the right bank of the Baspa river, is famous for its high fertile soil, at an elevation of 2621 m above the sea level and falls at a distance of 17 km from Karcham. It is built on a slope with the house rising one above the other; the scene being closed by the gigantic Raldang peaks towering behind. The forest scenery all-around and the eternal snow peaks are picturesque.

Shingo La is a mountain pass in India, on the border between Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. There is a shallow lake or pool 20m below the pass. The pass is on a long-distance footpath linking Zanskar and Lahaul. used often by locals and trekkers alike. For trekkers, it is one of the technically easiest 5000m passes in Indian Himalaya, involving no glacier trekking nor steep climbs. There is snow on the pass all year round, although in the summer only a small stretch of snow has to be passed.

Spiti Valley is a cold desert mountain valley located high in the Himalayas in the north-eastern part of the Himachal Pradesh. The name "Spiti" means "The middle land", i.e. the land between Tiber and India. The valley and surrounding region is one of the least populated regions in India and is the gateway to the northernmost reaches of the nation.

The Great Himalayan National Park offers a stunning experience of the Himalayan range. The landscapes are breathtaking, the ecosystems are well preserved and it shelters many ayurvedic plants and rare Himalayan animals like the Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Tahr, rare Himalayan Brown Bear, and the Phantom of the Mountains - the Snow Leopard. The colourful Western Tragopan (Jujurana) and the Monal Pheasant represent the birdlife.