By Yashpal Sharma
Joyride on a cable car is probably the best way to catch a bird’s eye view of Himachal’s green slopes and laidback hamlets. This not only gives you an adrenal rush but also offers the best views possible of the far away mountain ranges and the verdant valleys below. Few ropeways are also the way to reach the Almighty! The Naina Devi ropeway in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh is a popular transportation for devotees who come to visit the temple, which is situated high up in the mountains.
Presently, there are three famous ropeways in the state and each one is seeing an ever increasing influx of tourists. Are you already getting excited about riding these magnificent ropeways? Then let us not make you wait any further, here are some special ropeways of Himachal.
Parwanoo Timber Trail
Some 30 km away from Chandigarh, on Himalayan Express Highway beyond Parwanoo, lies the Parwanoo Timber Trail. It is definitely one of the engineering marvels of Himachal Pradesh. The ropeway here connects two neighboring hilltops, separated by a deep gorge. This long ropeway goes over the Kaushalya river transporting the cable car from the edge of the NH 22 to the courtyard of the Timber Trail Resort, placed up in the hills amongst thick deodar forests.
As soon as the ride starts, you will realize it’s much more than normal ropeways. Here, the heights increase every second and tall trees, buildings start looking like miniature objects soon. When the ride ends you are ushered into a beautiful Himalayan resort called Timber Trail Heights Resort, where you can enjoy a drink or two, or just simply enjoy the splendid views of the forested valley below..
Travel Tips
- Time for a Single Ride: 8 minutes
- Charges: Rs 625 for adults, Rs 500 per children
- Timings: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (All days of the week)
How to reach?
- By train: Kalka is the nearest railhead at a distance of 6 km
- By road: Chandigarh ISBT available at Sector 43
Solang Valley Ropeway
There are people who might not have heard of Solang Nala, but Manali is a name that needs no introduction. Manali and its surroundings have everything to offer an adventurer seeker, which includes soaring high in the air. All you have to do is move out of the town and drive for about 14 km to reach Solang Valley where you will find magnificent views, plus a ropeway and smooth ski slopes.
Once you board the cable car at Solang ropeway-cum-ski center, be ready to soar as high as 1600 feet from the ground. The ropeway is 1.3 km long and connects Solang Nullah to the mighty Burwa top. The view from the cable car is magnificent with the mountains close to the Rohtang Pass on the top and Manali town down below. Once you are done with the ropeway ride, you can try some adventure sports such as paragliding, skiing, snow scooter, ATV ride and zorbing.
Travel Tips
- Time for a Single Ride: 10 minutes
- Charges: Rs. 450
- Timings: 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM
How to reach?
- By train: Joginder Nagar is the nearest railway station at a distance of 175 km.
- By road: Catch a local bus from Manali
Naina Devi Ropeway
After enjoying lakeside view of Gobind Sagar in Bilaspur (a manmade lake built on Sutlej River) you can drive along the lake to reach Ghuwanal. It is the starting point to the sacred Naina Devi Temple. When there, you can either choose to climb thousands of steps or take an exhilarating ropeway ride. But the ropeway doesn’t drop you right inside the temple complex. You have to climb few more stairs after de-boarding the cable car at the mountain top. After paying your obeisance to the goddess, you can walk all the way down to the starting point or simply book a return ticket in advance and enjoy bird’s eye view of Gobind Sagar.
Travel Tips
- Time for a Single Ride: 20 minutes
- Charges: Rs. 35
- Timings: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
How to reach?
- By Train: Nearest railhead is at Anandpur Sahib Railway Station
- By Road: Chandigarh ISBT, Sector 43
When are you taking these exhilarating rides?
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