blog cover

Travel

Explore The 10 Best Surreal Hill Stations In Uttarakhand

By Swati Mishra

Updated - May 9, 20248 min read

Download App
Get your backpacks ready as we've curated a list of best hill stations in Uttarakhand for your next vacation. Witness the surreal beauty of the hills calling you to enjoy picturesque views. These 10 surreal hillstations in Uttarakhand are counted as the best places to visit in Uttarakhand - you just can't miss out on them. It's a treat to explore the real beauty of flora and fauna at these mesmerising hill stations.
 

1. Mussoorie

It is a very popular tourist destination among travellers as it never fails to mesmerize them with its scenic beauty. This place is also popularly known as "Queen Of Hills" - It's located 34kms away from Dehradun. The town is also referred as "Mansoori" by most Indians, it was founded by Lt. Frederick Young of East India Company. The highest point in Mussoorie is 'Lal Tibba', at altitude of about

mussoorie_image
Best Time To Visit: March to June and September to November 
Highlights: Kempty Falls, Lake Mist Benog Wildlife Sanctuary, Nag Tibba Trek, Shedup Choepelling Temple
How To Reach: Nearest railway station is Dehradun Railway Station - 36kms - once can continue the journey by taking a taxi further.
 

2. Almora

It's another hill station with extremely picturesque views and sights along with a rich cultural charisma. One should definitely pay a spiritual tribute at beautiful temples like Nanda Devi, Golu Devta and also an 800-year-old sun temple known as Kataragama. Almora was founded in 1568[5] by King Kalyan Chand - it's also considered as the cultural heart of the Kumaon region.
almora_image
Best Time To Visit: April to June and September to November 
Highlights: Devi Mandir, Kasar Devi Temple, Chitai Temple, Jageshwar, Zero Point, Binsar
How To Reach: The nearest railway station is Kathgodam - 91km away
 

3. Auli

Auli is the perfect place for adventure sports junkies and winter lovers - it's a ski destination in Chamoli district, attracting hundreds of tourists each year. It's surrounded by oak forests and is the perfect place to witness panoramic view of the peaks of Himalayas. You can also enjoy trekking from Auli to Badrinath for an extraordinary trekking experience. It is one of the must visit in Uttarakhand. 
auli_image
Best Time To Visit: Throughout The Year
Highlights: Skiing in Auli, Joshimath, Trekking, Trishul Peak, Gurso Bugyal
How To Reach: Railway stations closest to Auli are in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Kotdwar and Dehradun.
 

4. Bhimtal

Bhimtal is specifically famous for its mesmerising lake surrounded by lush greenery which gives it an exemplary view which will leave you awestruck. If we talk about the weather then it won't be wrong to call it a complete paradise with a pleasant weather throughout the year. Bhimtal is  named after Bhima of Mahabharata - Bhimeshwara Mahadev Temple, an old Shiva temple in the bank of Bhimtal lake, is believed to have been built when Bhima visited the place during the banishment (vanvas) period of Pandavas.
bhimtal_imageBest Time To Visit: March to June and September to November 
Highlights: Bhimeshwar Temple, Bhimtal Lake, Boating, Hanuman Garhi, Victoria Dam
How To Reach: The nearest railway station is Kathgodam at a distance of 30 km from Bhimtal. Two trains run daily between Delhi and Kathgodam. From Kathgodam, buses and taxis are available for Bhimtal.
 

5. Abbott Mount

Abbott mount is popular but not as much as the other hill stations but the panoramic beauty of this place will woo you away at the first glance. Abbott Mount is covered with the dense forest of Deodar and Pine trees, it's located at the height of 6400ft above the sea level. Don't forget to take your camera along as you'll witness breath-taking views which will blow your mind. 

abbottmount_image
Best Time To Visit: Throughout The Year
Highlights: Mayawati Ashram, Pancheshwar, Lohaghat
How To Reach: Drive from Delhi - it's 437 kms away, The nearest airport is Pantnagar Airport which is 180 kms away from your destination.
 

6. Chakrata

Chakrata is quite popular amongst the tourist for trekking to Kharamba peak which is an admirable trekking destination in India. The views of hills and forests make it a perfect destination for a peaceful and refreshing trip for a getaway. The northern area of Chakrata also gives you an undefined pleasure of skiing and trekking. The town also has some breath-taking waterfalls, colossal caves and ancient temples for you to explore and get the best out of this beautiful hillstation in Uttarakhand.
chakrata_image
Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year except January and Feburary - Chilly weather months.
Highlights: Budher caves, Tiger Falls, Skiing, Trekking, Chilmiri Neck
How To Reach: Dehradun railway station is the closest as it's just one hour away from Chakrata. It's about 46kms away from Dehradun Airport as well.
 

7. Lansdowne

Lansdowne was founded and named after then Viceroy of India (1888-1894), Lord Lansdowne in 1887. It's one of the quietest hill stations in Uttarakhand,  the whole town is covered with oak and blue pine trees. The War Memorial, at the Parade Ground of the Garhwal Rifles Center is one of the major tourist attractions. Durga Devi Temple and Jwalpa Devi are one of the most famous temples in Lansdowne.
landsowne_imageBest Time To Visit: March to June
Highlights: St Mary's Church, Garhwali Mess, Garhwali Museum, Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple
How To Reach: It is the nearest hill station from Delhi and can be reached from Delhi by either road or train, nearest railway station is Kotdwar.
 
Suggested Read:

 

8. Nainital

Nothing can beat the real beauty of flora and fauna at Nainital, you'll be awestruck by the essence of Nainital Lake - where can even go for a boat ride throughout the day. The whole town is surrounded by high magnificent mountains making the town look more breath-taking. The highest point nearby is Naina Peak or China Peak, with an elevation of 2,619 m.

nainital_imageBest Time To Visit: March to June and October To February
Highlights: Naina Peak, Tiffin Top, Nainital Lake, Mukteshwar Temple, Kainchi Dham
How To Reach: Kathgodham Railway Station, located around 34 km away, is the nearest railhead to Nainital. Plenty of trains connect Nainital with Delhi and Dehradun. 

 

9. Dehradun

It's the interim capital of Uttarakhand, during the British Raj - the official name of Dehradun was Dehra. It is well-connected with one of the top places in Uttarakhand like Mussoorie, Rishikesh and Haridwar. Dera means settlement and Doon means valley. Tourist destinations in Uttarakhand include the Dehradun Zoo, Kalanga Monument, Chandrabani, Himalayan Gallary and Tapovan.

dehradun_image
Best Time To Visit: March to June 
Highlights: Rajaji National Park, Malsi Deer Park, Robber's Cave
How To Reach: Dehradun's airport is the Jolly Grant Airport, which is located 20 km away from the city centre, almost every top airline like Jet Airways and Air India have regular flights to Dehradun.
 
 

10. Dhanaulti

A getaway from your getaway, one should drive down to Dhanaulti from Mussoorie as it's only 24kms away. The two main tourist attractions in Dhanaulti are the Eco-Parks - Amber and Dhara, which is affiliated with adventure sports such as walking over flying fox and burma bridges and riding horses.dhanaulti_image

Best Time To Visit: September To June
Highlights: Surkanda Devi, Camp Calista, Burans Khanda, Dhanaulti Adventure Park
How To Reach: The hill station is 293 km away from the capital, Delhi which is roughly 8-9 hours drive. 
 
 
Suggested Read:

FAQ

Q. Which are the most famous treks in India?
A. 1. Chadar
    2. Gangotri Gomukh
    3. Ladakh – Markha Valley
    4. Kuari Tapovan
    5. Nanda Devi
    6. Valley Of Flowers
    7. Goecha La
    8. Dodital
    9. Roopkund
    10. Stok Kangri

 

Q: Which are the best places to visit in Uttarakhand?

A: Valley Of Flowers, Nanda Devi, Lake Mist, Badrinath Temple

Related tags:

Tourist Attractions

Atta Market

Getaways

Uttarakhand

Before You Go... Check These Out!