When urban routines begin to feel stifling, nothing resets the soul like a long weekend road trip winding through cedar forests and mist-covered mountain switchbacks. Here are three accessible mountain drives engineered for maximum scenic payoff.
Bypassing the crowded tourist corridors of Manali, the detour through Aut Tunnel into Banjar Valley opens up a tranquil alpine paradise. Following the crystal-clear Tirthan River, this drive leads to ancient wooden towers in Chehni Kothi and the mist-laden heights of Jalori Pass.
Perched at 8,500 feet, the ridge road past Mussoorie towards Chamba offers 180-degree panoramic vistas of the snow-clad Garhwal Himalayas. The road is flanked by thick deodar forests and cozy apple orchards with mountain-view cafés.
Always inspect tire pressure, brake pads, and coolant levels before embarking on mountain hairpin bends. Give ascending vehicles right of way on narrow single-lane passes.
