Kalka–Shimla Railway
Haryana to Himachal Pradesh, India · 96 km · about 5 hours
A narrow-gauge hill railway climbing through pine forests, tunnels and arched stone bridges.
A toy train to the summer capital
When the British made Shimla the summer capital of India, the only way up was a long journey by road. The Kalka–Shimla Railway, opened in 1903, solved that with a narrow-gauge line that climbs from the plains at Kalka, around 650 m above sea level, to Shimla at more than 2,000 m in just 96 km.
The track is only 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) wide, which lets the small trains take tight curves around the hillsides. More than a hundred tunnels and hundreds of arched stone bridges carry the line, and in 2008 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Mountain Railways of India, alongside the Darjeeling and Nilgiri lines.
What you see on the way up
The first hour out of Kalka climbs through dry scrub and Shivalik foothills, with the plains falling away behind you. The train loops around spurs and crosses multi-arched gallery bridges that look like Roman aqueducts.
Barog, roughly halfway, is known for its long tunnel, the longest on the line at a little over a kilometre. The station is a traditional stop, and many trains pause long enough for tea. Beyond Solan the slopes are covered in pine and deodar forest, and on clear days the snow peaks of the higher Himalaya appear in the distance.
The final stretch winds into Shimla past Summer Hill and the old colonial buildings, ending at a small station below the Mall Road.
When to go
March to June is the most popular time, with pleasant weather in Shimla while the plains are hot, so trains are busy and seats should be booked well ahead. The monsoon, July to September, brings mist and green hills but also occasional landslides. October and November usually have the clearest mountain views. In winter, from December to February, Shimla can get snow, and the ride through frosted forest is beautiful, though cold.
Choosing a train
Several trains run each day, ranging from basic second-class services to trains with reserved first-class seats and glass-roofed sightseeing coaches. The ride takes about five hours whichever you choose, because the speed is set by the curves rather than the train. Early-morning departures connect with overnight trains from Delhi arriving at Kalka.
Seats sell out quickly in peak season and on weekends. If you cannot get a reservation for the whole route, consider riding the most scenic section between Barog and Shimla, or travelling one way by train and returning by road.
Tips for the ride
On the way up, the valley views open out on both sides, so there is no single best side; a window seat matters more than which window. Carry a light jacket even in summer, since tunnels and higher sections are noticeably cooler. If you are prone to motion sickness, the many curves are worth preparing for. At the end of the ride, walk up from the station to the Ridge for the classic view across the hills.
Places worth getting off for
- Barog tunnel
- One of the longest tunnels on the line, with a station and tea stop at Barog. Pause at the station cafe while the train waits.
- Solan
- A hill town surrounded by pine ridges and orchards. Views open up on both sides after the stop.
- Shimla Ridge
- An open promenade with colonial buildings and Himalayan views. Walk up from the station at the end of the ride.