The drive from Naggar to Manali covers just 22 kilometres, but it's one of the prettiest short drives in the Kullu Valley — hugging the left bank of the Beas River past apple orchards, pine slopes and a string of stops worth a pause. Done without stopping, it takes 30–45 minutes; give it half a day and you'll see a proper cross-section of the valley.
Getting Onto the Highway
From Naggar, the road drops down through the village's lower lanes to join the main Kullu–Manali highway running along the Beas. From here it's a straight run north, with the river on one side and terraced fields and orchard slopes on the other. The road is paved and well-maintained the whole way, though it narrows in places near Katrain, so take the blind curves slowly, especially if you're on a scooter.
Worth a Stop Along the Way
- Chamunda Bhagwati Temple, Nishala — a short detour off the main road, about 4km from Naggar, this quiet hillside temple is worth the climb if you have an extra half hour.
- Katrain — roughly the midpoint of the drive, known for its trout farms and thick apple orchards; a good spot to stretch your legs and buy fruit straight from a roadside stall in season.
- Jana Waterfall and Jana Gaon — a short detour off the highway leads to a forest walk and a waterfall that's especially full just after monsoon.
- Raison — a riverside stretch popular for camping, with open views across the Beas that make for an easy photo stop.
Entering Manali
As the road approaches Manali town, it passes close to Hadimba Devi Temple's cedar forest before joining the traffic around Mall Road. If your plan is Old Manali rather than the main town, stay left at the fork before the main bazaar and cross the river a little earlier — it saves you fighting through the Mall Road crowds.
Practical Tips
A taxi from Naggar to Manali costs roughly ₹600–800 one way; shared buses run through the day from the main road at the bottom of Naggar village for a fraction of that price. Self-driving is straightforward — fuel up before you leave, since Naggar itself has no petrol pump, and the nearest one is on the highway. The drive is manageable after dark too, but you'll trade the orchard and river views for headlights, so an early start is worth it if photography is part of the plan.
If you're looking for a comfortable base to return to after a day exploring the valley, Ghar in the Hills is a cozy homestay right in Naggar village — book your stay to wake up to valley views before your next drive out.
Whether you're headed into Manali for the day, using it as the start of a run up to Solang or Rohtang, or simply passing through, the Naggar–Manali road is a short but scenic warm-up worth taking slowly.