The Ridge, Shimla
A broad open square at the heart of Shimla with Christ Church, the State Library and views of the Himalayan snow ranges.
Overview
The Ridge is the open heart of Shimla and one of its best-known attractions. It links the Mall, Christ Church, Lakkar Bazaar and the path to Jakhu Temple.
The Ridge is the large open space running east to west through the centre of Shimla, parallel to and above the Mall Road. Himachal Tourism calls it the cultural hub of the city: state events, fairs and festivals such as the Summer Festival and Winter Carnival are staged here. On a clear day, or just after light rain, there are views of the snow peaks of the Himalayan ranges to the north.
The main landmarks around it are the neo-Gothic Christ Church, the Tudorbethan State Library building of 1910, the Gaiety Theatre roofline and the Town Hall, along with statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Dr Y.S. Parmar (the first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh) and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Beneath the Ridge is a water reservoir built in the 1880s that still supplies a large part of the city's water.
The Ridge joins the Mall at Scandal Point on the west side, while its eastern end leads to Lakkar Bazaar and the walking route up to Jakhu Temple. It is flat, paved and easy to walk, which makes it the natural starting point for exploring central Shimla on foot.
Entry fees
Entry
All visitors
Public open space; no entry charge. No official source explicitly states 'free'.
Free
Needs verification
No charges for the Ridge itself.
We only show an amount when a source backs it. Prices change, so confirm locally before you go.
Opening hours
Open 24 hours
Open public space, accessible at all times.
May be partly cordoned off during official events and festivals.
Visitor information
- Best time to visit
- March to June and September to November; December to February for snow
- Best time of day
- Morning on a clear day for mountain views; evening for atmosphere
- How long to spend
- 1–2 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Families
- Suitable for families
Good to know
- Vehicles are not driven onto the Ridge
- Access may be restricted during official functions
Location
Photos
The Ridge, Shimla. Photo: Virusism / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Ridge, Shimla. Photo: User:Numerounovedant / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 The Ridge from the eastern viewpoint. Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0 The Ridge after snowfall. Photo: ShashankSharma2511 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0 Winter Carnival on the Ridge. Photo: Poojilsharma07 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entry fee for The Ridge?
No, The Ridge is a public open space with no entry fee.
Can you see the Himalayas from The Ridge?
Yes. Himachal Tourism notes that on a clear day, or after light rain, the snow peaks to the north are visible.
How far is Jakhu Temple from The Ridge?
About 2–2.5 km uphill on foot; a ropeway also runs from near the Ridge area.
Information sources
Where the facts on this page come from, and what still needs confirming.
Information last checked 28 September 2026
Not yet confirmed
- free entry not explicitly stated by an official source
- Wikipedia – The Ridge, Shimla · Encyclopedia
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