Weekend getaways from Chandigarh

An 1842 British cantonment hill town of pine forests, Victorian cottages and quiet Mall walks, just 58 km up from Chandigarh. On clear nights Monkey Point looks straight down at the city lights.

Best time: Year-round; Oct to Jun clearest

The former summer capital of British India: the Ridge, Mall Road, Jakhoo temple and Tudor-era buildings at 2,200 m. Reachable by road or the UNESCO Kalka-Shimla toy train. Expect weekend crowds in peak season.

Best time: October to June; Jan for snow

The Patiala Maharaja's summer capital: a deodar-forest hill station at 2,250 m with the 1891 Chail Palace (now a heritage hotel), the world's highest cricket ground and a quiet wildlife sanctuary. Far calmer than Shimla.

Best time: March to June, Sept to November

Haryana's only hill station, 45 km from Chandigarh in the Shivaliks: pine-trail treks, the twin Tikkar lakes with a 10th-century temple site, and an old fort museum. An easy one-day escape; summers get hot.

Best time: September to March

Sikhism's holiest city: the Golden Temple and its vast free langar, Jallianwala Bagh, the Wagah border ceremony and the best kulcha-chhole in Punjab. The longest haul on this list, so plan a full two days.

Best time: October to March

A tiny do-nothing hill stop 60 km from Chandigarh, built around a storybook station on the UNESCO Kalka-Shimla railway, right after its longest tunnel. Pine walks, train-spotting and valley views; pair it with Solan.

Best time: April to June, Sept to November

The closest hills to the tricity: ride the Timber Trail cable car over the Kaushalya valley to a hilltop resort, tour the Mughal-style Pinjore Gardens en route and stock up on Himachali fruit jams. A relaxed day out.

Best time: October to March

Punjab's royal city, a 1.5 h drive away: the 1763 Qila Mubarak fort, the frescoed Sheesh Mahal, Baradari Gardens and bazaars famous for juttis, Patiala salwars and phulkari. Come hungry; leave with shopping bags.

Best time: October to March

The birthplace of the Khalsa (1699) on the edge of the Shivaliks: Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, the striking Virasat-e-Khalsa museum and historic gurdwaras. At Hola Mohalla in March the town hosts Sikhism's biggest gathering.

Best time: Oct to March; Hola Mohalla in Mar

Himachal's largest natural lake, a Ramsar wetland shaped like a reclining goddess, ringed by a 3 km forest parikrama and the Renukaji temple. Go via the old hill town of Nahan; November brings the five-day Renuka fair.

Best time: October to June; fair in November