Quick answer: Chadwick Falls is a forest waterfall on the western side of Shimla, a few minutes from Summer Hill and about 7 km from the city centre. It sits at about 1,586 m above sea level, in deodar and pine forest, and is reached by road followed by a short walk. Himachal Pradesh Tourism says it is best seen in the rainy season, roughly July to September, when the flow is strongest; in the dry months it can shrink to a trickle. There is no official entry fee or timing, so go in daylight.
Chadwick Falls at a glance
| Detail | What we verified (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Location | A few minutes from Summer Hill, in the forest below Shimla’s western hills |
| Distance | About 7 km from Shimla city centre (Himachal Pradesh Tourism; Shimla district administration) |
| Altitude | About 1,586 m above sea level (Shimla district administration) |
| Access | By road, then a short walk through forest; can also be walked from Summer Hill |
| Best time | Rainy season, about July to September (Himachal Pradesh Tourism) |
| Entry fee and timings | No official fee or hours published; visit in daylight |
| Time needed | Two to three hours including the walk |
An earlier version of this article listed timings of 6 am to 6 pm every day. No official source publishes opening hours for the falls, which are in open forest, so we have removed them. Plan to be back on the main road well before dark.
About Chadwick Falls
Chadwick Falls is a seasonal waterfall that drops into a deep, wooded gorge in the forest below Summer Hill, on the edge of the Glen forest. The walk to it passes through dense deodar and pine, with a cool, damp, shady feel even in summer, and this quiet, away-from-the-crowds setting is a large part of its appeal.
Travel guides usually give the drop as about 86 m; an earlier version of this article said both “around 100 metres” and 86 m. We could not confirm the height on an official source, so treat it as approximate.
How did Chadwick Falls get its name?
A local story says the falls were once called “Chidku Jhaar”, from chidku (sparrow) and jhaar (waterfall), because only sparrows could reach the top, and that the British turned the name into “Chadwick”. This is a popular explanation rather than a documented one. An earlier version of this article also repeated a story that the falls were named after a man called Chadwick who died here; we found no source for it and have removed it.
When to visit
Himachal Pradesh Tourism recommends the rainy season, about July to September, when the falls are at their fullest. The weeks just after the monsoon can still have good flow with drier paths. In winter and in the dry months before the monsoon, the flow is much weaker.
The monsoon is also when the forest paths are wettest and most slippery, and when landslides can affect hill roads around Shimla. Wear shoes with a good grip, avoid the edges of the gorge, and do not try to climb on the rocks around the falls.
How to reach Chadwick Falls
- By road: Take a taxi from central Shimla towards Summer Hill and the Glen forest road, then walk the last stretch to the falls. The Shimla district administration describes the route as a road journey followed by a short walk.
- On foot from Summer Hill: Himachal Pradesh Tourism says the falls are walkable from Summer Hill. Summer Hill has a station on the Kalka–Shimla railway.
- From the airport: Shimla Airport at Jubbarhatti is about 22 km away, according to the Shimla district administration.
An earlier version of this article gave the distance as “5 km from Shimla Railway Station” in one place, “1 km from Shimla Railway Station” in another and “7 km from the city centre” in a third. We have used the 7 km figure, which both Himachal Pradesh Tourism and the district administration give.
Tips for visiting
- Go in a group if you can, and tell someone where you are going; the forest paths are quiet.
- Head back well before dusk. The forest gets dark early under the trees.
- Carry water and snacks; there are few or no stalls near the falls.
- Take all your litter back with you.
- Check the weather forecast before you set out, especially in the monsoon.
Places to visit nearby
Combine the falls with a walk on Summer Hill or the nature trails of the Glen. The Viceregal Lodge on Observatory Hill and the Army Heritage Museum at Annandale are a short drive away. (An earlier version of this article listed the Lutru Mahadev Temple as nearby; that temple is near Arki in Solan district, well away from the falls, and has been removed from this list.)
Frequently asked questions
How far is Chadwick Falls from Shimla?
About 7 km from the city centre, according to Himachal Pradesh Tourism and the Shimla district administration.
What is the best time to visit Chadwick Falls?
The rainy season, about July to September, when the water flow is strongest.
Is there an entry fee for Chadwick Falls?
No official fee is published. The falls are in open forest; visit in daylight.
How high is Chadwick Falls?
Travel guides usually give a drop of about 86 m, but we could not confirm this on an official source. The falls are at about 1,586 m above sea level.
Can I walk to Chadwick Falls from Summer Hill?
Yes. Himachal Pradesh Tourism describes the falls as walkable from Summer Hill.
Checked in October 2026 against Himachal Pradesh Tourism’s Shimla page and the Shimla district administration’s Chadwick Falls page. Forest paths change with the weather, so ask locally before you go.
