Bike Rental in Shimla Scooty on Rent in Shimla for Jakhu, Mashobra & Hill Rides

The Mall Road and the Ridge are the heart of Shimla, lined with colonial buildings, cafés, bookshops and the Gaiety Theatre, which first opened in 1887. Scandal Point, where the two meet, is the city's favourite meeting place. Both are pedestrian zones, so park your bike at a designated lot below and walk up by the lift or the steps. Festivals and winter carnivals fill the Ridge, and the State Library and the Town Hall, restored in recent years, add to the colonial character. Ice cream and roasted corn sellers keep the promenade busy late into the evening.

Jakhu Temple stands on Jakhu hill, the highest point in Shimla, and is dedicated to Hanuman. A huge orange Hanuman statue, unveiled in 2010, towers over the trees and can be seen from across the town. Monkeys are bold here, so keep food, glasses and phones out of sight. The road is very steep, so ride carefully in low gear. An aerial ropeway from near the Ridge also runs up to the temple, which is handy if you prefer not to ride the steepest stretch. On clear days, the view from the top takes in the snow ranges to the north.

The Viceregal Lodge , now called Rashtrapati Niwas, was completed in 1888 as the summer residence of the British Viceroys. It houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, and guided tours cover its wood-panelled halls and gardens. Check tour timings and closing days before you ride, and allow time to walk the lawns. The lodge was built in an English Renaissance style from grey stone, and many key meetings before Independence, including the Simla Conference of 1945, were held here. Its gardens and woodland walks are among the quietest spots in the city.

Christ Church is one of the oldest churches in north India and a landmark on the Ridge. Its stained glass windows and the clock tower make it one of the most photographed buildings in Shimla. It is especially beautiful under snow or at Christmas, when carols are sung inside. The church's windows represent faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility, and the clock on its tower has been a landmark for generations of Shimla residents.

Tara Devi Temple sits on a hill on the Shimla–Kalka side of town, dedicated to the goddess Tara. The ride up through forest and the views over the valleys make it worth the climb. The approach road is narrow and steep, so ride in daylight and give way to buses. An annual fair is held at the temple during the Navratri season, and the hilltop also gives a fine view of the Kalka–Shimla railway line winding through the valley below.

Mashobra is a peaceful village surrounded by pine and deodar forests, a short ride from Shimla. It has a summer retreat of the President of India and is a favourite spot for picnics and forest walks. Continue to Naldehra for its meadows and golf course, one of the oldest in India. The road to Mashobra is lined with cedar and pine, and small cafés along the way serve hot momos and thukpa. On a Hire N Ride motorcycle the round trip makes a relaxed half-day outing.