Quick answer: Shaily Peak, properly called Shali Tibba, is a forested summit in Shimla district crowned by a small temple of the goddess Bhima Kali, worshipped locally as Shali Mata. Himachal Pradesh Tourism gives its height as 2,872 m and says you reach it by a steep uphill trek from Khatnol village, about 45 km from Shimla by road; the trek is roughly 7 to 8 km each way. There is no entry fee or ticketed timing, but there are few facilities on the trail, so start early and carry food and water.
Shali Tibba at a glance
| Detail | What we verified (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Location | Above Khatnol village, Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh |
| Height | 2,872 m (about 9,420 ft), per Himachal Pradesh Tourism; other sources give about 2,862 m |
| Temple | Bhima Kali (Shali Mata), built in the traditional kath-kuni style of stone and timber |
| Trek | About 7 to 8 km each way from Khatnol; steep |
| Road distance to Khatnol | About 45 km from Shimla, per Himachal Pradesh Tourism (other sources say about 36 km, depending on the route) |
| Entry fee and timings | None; it is an open trail and a village temple. Trek in daylight only |
| Time needed | A full day from Shimla |
About Shali Tibba and its temple
“Tibba” means a hill or peak, and Shali Tibba is one of the higher summits close to Shimla. Its top has a small temple dedicated to the goddess Bhima Kali, who is also identified with Shailaputri and is worshipped locally as Shali Mata. The temple is built in kath-kuni, the traditional Himalayan method of building with layers of stone and timber. Local devotees climb to it throughout the year, and Navratri is its main festival.
The well-made trail to the top is said to have been built in 1936 by the then ruler of Faridkot state, after a wish he had made at the temple was fulfilled. Sources differ on who renovated the temple itself, so treat the details of the story as local tradition.
From the summit, Himachal Pradesh Tourism describes 360-degree views. On a clear day you look out over the forested ridges around Shimla and, in good weather, distant snow peaks.
The trek from Khatnol
The trek starts at Khatnol and climbs steadily through forest and village fields to the summit. Himachal Pradesh Tourism calls it a “gruelling” uphill walk. Most accounts put it at about 7 to 8 km each way. The path is broad and zig-zags to ease the gradient, but it gains a lot of height, so fit walkers should allow most of a day for the round trip, including time at the top.
- Start early. Leave Shimla in the morning so that you are back at Khatnol well before dark.
- Carry food and water. There are few or no shops on the trail.
- Wear proper shoes. The path is rocky in places and slippery after rain.
- Check the weather. Mist can hide the views, and in winter the upper trail can be covered in snow or ice. Clear days in spring and autumn usually give the best views.
- Respect the temple. Remove your shoes where asked and follow local customs at the shrine.
Some accounts say the road has been extended a short way beyond Khatnol towards the peak, and that ponies can sometimes be hired locally. Ask in the village; an earlier version of this article quoted horse-ride prices that we could not verify, so they have been removed.
How to reach Khatnol
- By road from Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Tourism puts Khatnol about 45 km from Shimla. A hired taxi is the simplest option for a day trip; ask at the Shimla bus stands about local buses.
- Getting to Shimla: Shimla is connected by road with Delhi and Chandigarh, by the Kalka–Shimla railway, and by flights to Jubbarhatti airport, about 23 km from the city.
Corrections to the earlier version
- It placed Shali Tibba “23 km from Naldehra, close to Mahakali Lake” in one paragraph and “30 km from Naldehra and 44 km from Shimla” in another. We have used Himachal Pradesh Tourism’s distance from Shimla to Khatnol instead.
- It said Lord Curzon built a golf course “right at the slopes” of the peak. Shali Tibba has no golf course. The original seems to have mixed it up with Naldehra, a separate meadow about 22 km from Shimla that has a golf course and is said to have charmed Lord Curzon so much that he named his daughter after it.
- Its list of nearby cafés included places in Shimla town and Naldehra hotels that are far from the trail; it has been removed.
Other hilltop temples around Shimla
If you cannot manage a full-day trek, Shimla has easier hilltop shrines: Jakhu Temple, on the highest of Shimla’s hills, is a short climb from the Ridge, and Tara Devi Temple sits on a hill just outside the city. For snow and winter sports closer to town, see our guide to Kufri.
Frequently asked questions
What is the height of Shali Tibba?
Himachal Pradesh Tourism gives 2,872 m (about 9,420 ft). Other sources give slightly lower figures, around 2,862 m.
How long is the Shali Tibba trek?
About 7 to 8 km each way from Khatnol village. It is steep, so plan for most of a day.
Which goddess is worshipped at Shali Tibba?
Bhima Kali, worshipped locally as Shali Mata.
Is there an entry fee for Shaily Peak?
No. It is an open trail with a village temple at the top.
When is the best time to trek Shali Tibba?
Clear days in spring and autumn usually give the best views. Avoid the monsoon, when the trail is slippery, and treat winter snow and ice with caution.
Checked in October 2026 against Himachal Pradesh Tourism’s Shimla page and published descriptions of the Shali Mata temple and trail. Road and trail conditions change, so ask locally before you set out.
