Looking for a peaceful weekend getaway from Delhi without driving all the way to Shimla or Manali? Barog, a small hill station in Himachal Pradesh, is worth considering.
Located along the Kalka–Shimla highway in Solan district, Barog offers pine-covered hills, fresh mountain air, quiet surroundings and a slower pace of life. At around 290 km by road from Delhi, it can make a convenient short escape from the city, depending on traffic and road conditions.
I discovered Barog during a motorcycle road trip. Since I was still getting comfortable with longer rides, I preferred breaking my journey rather than riding for too many hours in a single day. That led me to places I might otherwise have driven straight past, including Kalagarh during my Delhi to Munsiyari Road Trip.
On this trip, that place happened to be Barog.
What I liked about Barog was its quieter atmosphere. It isn’t a destination you visit for a packed sightseeing itinerary, bustling markets or a long list of tourist attractions. Instead, it is a place to slow down, explore the surrounding countryside, enjoy the mountain scenery and spend a day or two away from the city.
If your idea of a weekend getaway from Delhi is a scenic drive, a peaceful stay in the hills and a break from everyday life, here’s what you should know before planning a trip to Barog.
Barog: A Weekend Getaway Destination From Delhi
Barog is a small hill station in Solan district, Himachal Pradesh, situated along the Kalka–Shimla highway. It lies roughly 290 km by road from Delhi and around 60–70 km from Chandigarh, depending on the route and exact starting point.
Unlike larger Himachal destinations such as Shimla and Manali, Barog has a quieter, less commercialised atmosphere. Pine forests, surrounding hills and views towards the mountains make it appealing to travellers who prefer peaceful surroundings over busy tourist centres.
Barog is also associated with the historic Kalka–Shimla railway, making it an interesting stop for anyone who enjoys heritage rail journeys and mountain scenery.
The biggest advantage of visiting Barog is its accessibility from the plains. You can plan a short road trip, spend a night or two in the hills and return without committing to a longer holiday. However, journey times can vary considerably with traffic, especially on weekends and during holiday periods.
Speaking of its geographic location, Barog has nearly 2000m above sea level elevation, with the temperature ranging between 4 to 14 degrees Celsius in winters and around 20-27 degrees in summers.
What To Do In Barog
To be honest, it isn’t a place for exploring tourist highlights or ticking some high points off a list. In fact, there isn’t much to do in town. But if you still want to do something when you’re there you can explore the Graveyard, Choor Chandni Peak and Dolanji Bon Monastery.
You cannot compare Barog with its neighbours like Chail and Shimla and Kufri, but given its easy location (that guarantees no traffic) it is a great place to spend a quiet and relaxing day and go back to Delhi.
During my one-day stay in Barog, I just explored a few local villages and rode my motorcycle around. And since it isn’t a popular tourist destination I got to see a strong village culture, with unspoiled nature. I would find a cosy corner and just enjoy the freshness of the place.
If you are still into bucket lists here are some of the thins to do in Barog…
1. Visit Barog Railway Station
Barog Railway Station is one of the area’s most distinctive attractions. Located on the historic Kalka–Shimla narrow-gauge railway, it offers a glimpse into the railway heritage of the hills. Even if you aren’t taking the train, visiting the station can be a worthwhile addition to your trip.
2. Experience the Kalka–Shimla Toy Train
The Kalka–Shimla railway is famous for its winding mountain route, tunnels and scenic views. If your schedule allows, consider travelling on a suitable section of the railway or incorporating a train ride into your journey to Barog. Check the current timetable and ticket availability before planning around a particular service.
3. Explore the Surrounding Villages
One of my favourite things about exploring lesser-known hill destinations is simply getting off the main road and discovering the surrounding countryside. During my stay, I rode around nearby villages, enjoyed the mountain air and stopped wherever the scenery caught my attention.
If you enjoy slow travel, photography and quiet drives, exploring the area around Barog can be more rewarding than rushing between attractions. Be respectful of private property and local residents when visiting villages.
4. Enjoy Nature and Quiet Walks
Barog’s wooded surroundings and mountain scenery are ideal for travellers who want a break from city noise. Spend time outdoors, take a leisurely walk where access is permitted, enjoy the views or simply relax at your accommodation.
Conditions can change with the weather, so choose suitable walking routes and avoid unfamiliar trails in poor visibility or heavy rain.
5. Visit Nearby Dolanji Bon Monastery
If you’re interested in Buddhist culture and monasteries, consider a trip to Dolanji Bon Monastery in the wider Solan area. It is an excursion beyond Barog itself, so check the road distance and allow time for the drive before including it in your itinerary.
6. Explore the Area Around Choor Chandni Peak
The surrounding mountain landscape is another reason to visit this part of Himachal Pradesh. Choor Chandni Peak is associated with the area’s mountain views, although reaching a suitable viewpoint or attempting a longer walk requires checking local access and route conditions first.
You don’t need to cover every attraction during a short visit. In Barog, a relaxed drive, a few scenic stops and time spent enjoying the surroundings can be enough to make the trip worthwhile.
Where To Stay In Barog
Barog has a range of accommodation options, from comfortable hotels and resorts to smaller guesthouses, homestays and private cottages in the surrounding hills. The right choice depends on your budget, group size and the kind of holiday you have in mind.
If you want easy access to the railway station, local transport and the main road, look for accommodation close to Barog’s main settlement. Travellers who prefer privacy and quieter surroundings can consider properties a little farther away, where the setting may be more scenic and secluded.
Homestays and guesthouses can be a good option for couples and solo travellers looking for a simple, comfortable stay. Families and groups travelling together may prefer a cottage, apartment or an entire private property with a shared living area and, where available, kitchen facilities. Those looking for additional comfort can explore resorts and premium stays around Barog.
Before booking, check the property’s exact location, road access, parking, heating arrangements during winter, meal availability and distance from the attractions you plan to visit. Some properties marketed as being near Barog may be several kilometres from the main settlement, so confirm the location rather than relying on the listing title alone.
My suggestion is to choose accommodation that allows you to enjoy the surroundings instead of treating Barog as just a place to sleep before moving on to another destination.
Is It Worth Visiting?
As I said earlier, if you’re comparing it with the towns like Shimla or Manali or Mcleod Gunj – a town with a big market and enough tourist highlights to explore locally, you will be disappointed. Barog offers nothing beyond a simple hill station, and its advantage lies only in its location. Where Delhi to Shimla takes around 9 hours because of traffic and Delhi to Manali takes 14 hours, Delhi to Barog is only 6 hours away.
If you’re one of those people for whom the idea of holidaying is driving not too far and finding a peaceful corner in the foothills of the Himalayas, Barog can be a great destination. It is a great place to spend a day or two with your friends/family.
But if you’re looking for a big town, with a lot of tourist highlights, then visit Shimla or Chail.
Here’s another great resource where I have discussed My Favorite Destinations In Himachal Pradesh.
And here’s the video of my Delhi to Barog ride…
How To Travel From Delhi
Since it makes no sense to travel on a flight, we are not going to discuss that.
Self Drive
Since Delhi to Barog is a short 5 hours drive the best way to travel, of course, is in a self-driven car. You can also book a taxi, like an ola-outstation if you want. Take National Highway 44 until you reach Ambala. From Ambala, take Ambala-Zirakpur road. From Zirakpur, Barog is only 60km.
A good thing about planning a trip to Barog is that, unlike Shimla, there are fewer chances of getting stuck in traffic, hence a self-drive trip is no pain.
By Train
If you don’t mind a change of transportation during your journey, taking the train is also a great way to travel between the two destinations. Take Delhi to Kalka train. There are many options but I suggest you take the one that leaves around 7:30 from Delhi (there are a couple of options). These trains drop you in Kalka between 12 pm and 1 pm.
From Kalka, take the Kalka-Shimla train and get off at Barog station. This way, you also cover a highlight without actually doing any extra effort.
By Bus
If you’re travelling by bus you will be happy to know that there are hundreds of daily buses for this route – both during the day and at night. Just catch any bus going to Shimla and get off at Barog. It has located around 50 km from Shimla.
Please note that there are two bus boarding points: Kashmere Gate and Majnu Ka Tila. Kashmere Gate is for government Himachal Roadways buses. Majnu ka tile is for private buses. I suggest you take the government HRTC bus because they have very good connectivity and they always run on time. You can book a Himachal Roadway bus using this website.
Have you been to Barog? Would you call it a great weekend getaway destination from Delhi or a lame one?
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