Every summer, our hearts quietly start counting down to Mashobra—our serene little escape just 10 kilometres from Shimla. Yet, despite the proximity, we often hesitate to visit the hill capital. The reason? The chaos of summer—snarled traffic, impossible parking and streets overflowing with tourists. What should be a short drive stretches into an ordeal lasting anywhere from 45 minutes to over an hour, and in the monsoon, treacherous roads and occasional landslides make the journey even less appealing. So, even though Shimla is practically at our doorstep, we usually save our visits for special occasions.
This year, a pleasant surprise awaited us: a new walkway, called Sky Walkway, linking Mashobra to Shimla. Our first reaction was skepticism—how scenic or practical could it be? But curiosity won, and we set out on this adventure. We took a cab to Sanjauli, roughly halfway to Shimla, and there it was—a beautifully constructed walkway, part of the Smart City initiative. The design is thoughtful and elegant: a covered roof of transparent glass lets in sunlight while shielding against the rain, open sides allow cool mountain breezes, and the paved surface is smooth and level—perfect for a relaxed stroll.
No honking cars, no impatient drivers, just the gentle rhythm of our footsteps. The 2–3 kilometre walk, which could have been a stressful drive, passed in less than half an hour, leaving us pleasantly energised as we approached Lakkar Bazaar. From there, we wandered toward Shimla’s iconic spots—Christ Church, Scandal Point and the vibrant Mall Road.
Near Christ Church, a hidden treasure caught our attention: a small jalebi and samosa kiosk attached to a cozy restaurant. The halwai, with deft hands, prepared each item fresh, right before our eyes. The aroma of frying jalebis in pure, golden desi ghee—crystal-clear, unlike the dark oil used in typical street kitchens—was irresistible. Next door, the Brew House offered a refreshing tap beer, the perfect pause after a long, pleasant walk.
Mall Road itself is a culinary wonderland. Gelato beckons from Willow Banks, soft-serve tempts from Embassy, while Trishul offers eclairs, patties and delicate pastries. From Chinese and Himachali specialties to Punjabi, Kashmiri, Italian and Continental delights, the variety is overwhelming. Street food lovers can lose themselves in the offerings at Sitaram & Sons—a paradise for the adventurous palate.
For our return, we paused at the rustic Wood Street Café in Lakkar Bazaar, savouring one last taste of mountain charm before retracing our steps to Sanjoli Chowk and catching a cab home to Mashobra. The day had been everything a summer outing should be: effortless, clean, economical in time and money, and wonderfully healthy. Even indulging in sweet jalebis and savoury samosas felt like a reward earned through a gentle, rejuvenating walk.
This walkway has changed the way we experience Shimla. What was once a stressful, traffic-laden journey has become a leisurely, sensory delight—a reminder that sometimes, the simplest pleasures, like walking through sunlit paths with the hills around you, are the most memorable.
Poonam Kirpal is a Post Graduate in Child Development from Delhi University. Essentially associated with academics at the school and college level, she has been in touch with the young and the old at a personal and professional level. A freelance counsellor, she has three books to her credit: ‘Fast Forward’, ‘Saccharine and a Lot of Spice’, ‘Amma’ and ‘Ma + Ma = Grandma’. You can read her blog at www.midlifeuphoria.blogspot.in
