Solang Valley Manali is also known as the ‘Snow Valley,’ which is famous for hosting various winter adventure sports like skiing, parachuting, paragliding, trekking, and mountaineering. This dazzling valley is one of the most picturesque sights in Manali and is located at an average altitude of 2,560 meters above sea level. It is one of the most favorite trekking hotspots of the tourists, holidaying in Manali. Solang Valley is located between the Solang village and Beas Kund and offers majestic views of glaciers and snow capped mountain.
The Mountaineering Institute of Manali has installed a ski lift for training purpose and there is a small hut and a guest house that belongs to the Mountaineering and Allied Sports Institute. The winter skiing festival is also organized in Solang every year and the activities like Zorbing, Horse riding & Snow Motor Bikes riding are offered for the entertainment of tourists Manali Tour Packages.
History of Solang Valley
Solang in Himachal Pradesh was a pasture and grazing land where local shepherds took their cattle for grazing. The verdant pasture land was replete with abundant flora. Gradually, the popularity of this place spread far and wide, and soon Bollywood movies started to get picturised here. The picturesque views were liberally captured in the camera lens. After witnessing this beautiful and unexplored destination close to Manali on cinema screens, people were excited to visit it. Soon, it became one of the major attractions for people visiting Manali and Rohtang Pass.
Gradually, locals started enjoying this destination for some fun-filled activities like paragliding. It resulted in adventure enthusiasts visiting the valley in large numbers and enjoying adrenaline-pumping activities. The natural, verdant, rolling slopes of the valley seemed perfect for skiing. Later, a bar lift was placed here to make skiing possible. Today, this area has become the hub of adventure-based activities that attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Things to Do at Solang valley
Solang Valley is one of the best & famous destinations for adventure lovers. There are a wide variety of activities and adventure sports available.
- Zorbing.
- Paragliding.
- Skiing (only in winters).
- Parachuting.
- Horse riding.
Among these, paragliding is perhaps the most pursued activity here.
Places to Visit in and around Solang Valley
Nestled amidst Solang Village and Beas Kund, Solang Valley is a picturesque destination that beckons tourists from far and wide areas. People love exploring its natural attractions and engaging in diverse adventure-based activities. Let us have a look at the top 10 places to visit in and around Solang Valley Manali and make the trip to this place memorable.
- Rohtang Pass
A beautiful place that every tourist must visit, the picturesque views of Rohtang Pass seem like a page straight out of a fairy tale book. An awe-inspiring place covered with snow adds irresistible charm and appeal. It is approximately 42 km away from Solang Valley and is simply a glorious place.
- Kothi
A quaint village located 5 km away from Solang Valley. This old rustic village is the perfect place to spend some time admiring nature’s marvels in perfect solitude. If you are tired from the fast-paced city life with a cacophony of sounds constantly assailing your senses, come here and spend a few days and soak in the beauty spread all around.
- The Great Himalayan National Park
It is the perfect place to visit for wildlife lovers, photography enthusiasts, and adventure buffs. Located 77 km from Solang Valley, the Great Himalayan National Park is biodiversity-rich. Enjoy amazing adventure experiences at this beautiful place located at the periphery of Kullu Valley and engage in activities like camping, hiking, bird watching, trekking, rock climbing, etc.
- Beas Kund
A beautiful pond filled with emerald green water is nestled in the mighty cliffs, approximately 3700m high. Beas Kund is also famous among adventure enthusiasts who love hiking, trekking, and rock climbing activities. It is the place where the Beas River originates from the Beas glacier. The trek to Beas Kund starts from Solang Valley. Trekkers can admire breathtaking views of Friendship Peak, Hanuman Tibba, Seven Sisters, and Shitidhar on the way.
- Jogini Falls
Jogini Falls, a pretty place known for its crystal clear water stream, peace and tranquility, incredible shrines, and a gorgeous destination for hikers and trekkers, is worth exploring when visiting Solang Valley, which is just 12 km away.
- Bhrigu Lake
A famous mountain reservoir at an altitude of 4,300 m, Bhrigu Lake is a beautiful alpine lake surrounded by snow-carpeted peaks. This place has religious association and is believed to have been the meditation place of Maharishi Bhrigu. The lake is simply exquisite in looks.
- Rahala Waterfalls
Situated on Manali-Leh Highway, Rahala Waterfalls are 22 km away from Solang Valley Manali. The water gushes down from 8500 ft and creates a mist. It is a layered, cascading waterfall surrounded by verdant woodlands, peppered with silver birch and deodar trees. There are many picnic spots close to clear streams flowing by.
- Hot Water Spring
Also known as the Vashistha Kund, it is a popular hot water spring close to Solang Valley. The sulfurous hot water spring has medicational properties, which brings a lot of visitors to this place. There are separate bathing rooms for men and women. After taking a bath in the spring, they enter the temple dedicated to Lord Rama and Shiva.
- Hidimba Temple
Located 15 km away from Solang Valley, Dhungri Temple or Hidimba Temple is another major attraction worth exploring. Dedicated to Hidimba Devi, wife of Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers, it is a popular and ancient cave temple. The location of this temple amidst extensive arboreal beauty consisting of cedar trees makes it truly stunning.
- Nehru Kund
It is located 8 km away from Nehru Kund and is a famous freshwater spring. Photographers and nature lovers lovingly explore the area. Spend some time amid verdant forests and admire the scenic charm of the place. The sound of gushing water nearby plays music to the ears.
Best Time to Visit Solang Valley
The weather in Solang Valley is at its best from April to June. People can also plan a trip to this awe-inspiring destination from December to February and enjoy the scenic views of snow covering the trees, roads, buildings, and more, creating a white paradise. Summers are perfect for enjoying summer-based activities like zorbing, trekking, parasailing, etc., while winters are best for skiing, snow gliding, etc. Solang Valley Manali temperature hovers around 25°c in the daytime while touching 10°C in the night summers. In winters, the temperature often falls to around 0°C. Adrenaline junkies can visit this incredible destination any time of the year and enjoy nature’s scenic beauty.
How to Reach Solang Valley?
Manali can easily be accessed via roadways, railways as well as airways. Solang Valley Manali is located at a distance of around 13 kilometres from Manali. So, you can hire a taxi from Manali and witness the picturesque Solang Valley. Manali is one of the most popular hill stations in India and tourists from different parts of the country visit this beautiful place.
By Road
One can drive from Kalka to Manali which is approximately 285kms and if you are planning your trip from Delhi to Manali, then en route to Chandigarh, you can drive to Manali which is approximately 550kms. Daily buses also ply from Delhi, Chandigarh and Dehradun for Manali. One can also reach Manali by train and the nearest railway station is Jogindernagar. The approximate drive from Jogindernagar to Manali is 3-4 hours via Mandi and Bhuntar.
By Air
If you are planning to reach Manali by air, then the nearest domestic airport is Chandigarh and the closest International airport is at New Delhi. The Bhuntar airport which is situated approximately around 50kms from Manali has been shut down. Activities to do in Solang Valley
By Rail
The Jogindernagar railway station is the nearest railway station to reach Solang Valley. It is well connected to all major cities of India and serves many railways from different states. After deboarding, take a cab or a taxi to reach Solang Valley Manali and enjoy scenic views enroute.