29 BEST HILL DESTINATION IN HILL STATE OF UTTARAKHAND

ALMORA

Thick forest of pine and fir trees surrounds this hilly region of Almora. Koshi and Suyal Rivers flow alongside and the soaring Himalayas add to the scenic beauty of this romantic place. The cultural heart of the Kumaon region of the Himalayas, Almora has a number of temples including Kasar Devi, Nanda Devi, Doli Daana, Shyayi Devi, Khakmara, Asht Bhairav, Jakhandevi, Katarmal, Pataal Devi, Raghunath Mandir, Badreshwar, Banari, Devi, Chitai, Jageshwar, Binsar Mahadev, Garhnath and Baijnath

How to Reach Almora :

Pantnagar is the nearest airport from Almora at a distance of about 115kms. If you are traveling by train, then get down at Kathgodam railway station which is 83kms away from Almora. A road trip to Almora is a fabulous idea as you get buses for this city from almost all the major cities of North India. Take NH87 and NH87E while driving down to Almora.

MUSSOORIE

Often called the Queen of Hills, Mussoorie is 2005 meters about the sea level. The green valleys, along with a wide array of flora and fauna add to the charm of this town. Mussoorie is even a famous honeymoon location. The romantic ambience of this place draws a number of couples towards it. Hop on the ropeway to get a bird’s eye view of the mesmerizing Mussoorie and the Doon Valley. Take a tour of the Mall Road and taste some delicious food and buy few souvenirs for friends back home.

How to Reach Mussoorie:

For those travelling by air Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport from Mussoorie. Dehradun Railway station is where you get down if you are traveling by train. If you are planning a road trip, then take a bus from Delhi or drive via NH58. Buses from major cities of Uttarakhand too can take you to Mussoorie.

NANITAL

1938 meters above the sea level, Nainital is the largest town in the Kumaon region. It is popularly known as the Lake District of India. Haldwani, Kaladhungi, Ramnagar, Bhowali, Ramgarh, Mukteshwar, Bhimtal, Sattal and Naukuchiatal are some of the important regions in this district. Admire the lofty Himalayas as you paddle on Naini Lake and enjoy a fun filled trip. The best season to visit Nainital is between May to October.

How to Reach Nainital:

Get down at Pant Nagar Airport which is 72kms away Nainital. From here you can get a taxi. Or you can Get to Delhi first and then take a bus. Nainital is 300kms away from Delhi. There are two trains from Delhi that take you to Kathgodam Railway station. Get on one of them and then take the road to Nainital.

AULI

Auli is India’s famous ski destination. Full of ski resorts and snow clad mountains, this picturesque town attracts a number of tourists every year. If skiing interests you then visit Auli between December- March for excellent experience. Coniferous forests and tall oak trees cover the mountains of Auli. Gurso Bugyal gives a fantastic view of some of the most imposing peaks of the Himalaya like the Nanda Devi, Trishol and Dron parvat. The iconic Chenab Lake attracts a lot of travelers and enchants them.

How to Reach Auli:

Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport. From here you need to travel a distance of 286kms by road. For rail passengers Rishikesh is the nearest railways station. A total distance of 264kms needs to be covered after that which can be done by buses or taxis. Take NH58 if you are travelling by road. Take a bus from Delhi to the important cities of Uttarakhand like Haridwar, Rishikesh and Srinagar and from there you can take a bus or a taxi for Auli.

BHIMTAL

A huge lake with an island in the center is the major attraction of Bhimtal. It is famous for Lake Bhimtal which is one of the largest lakes around Nainital. The small island in the center has a beautiful aquarium. The scenic beauty of Bhimtal is picture perfect. The famous Bhimeshwara Mahadev Temple built by the legendry character from Mahabharata, is another major attraction amongst the tourists. This ancient town was also a part of the historic Silk Route.

How to Reach Bhimtal:

Pant Nagar airport is the nearest airport. From here you need to take a taxi to reach Bhimtal which is 58kms away. By train you need to get down at Kathgodam. 30kms from here is Bhimtal which can be reached by taxis or buses. For road trip lovers, the roads are well connected to Bhimtal. You can either drive or take a bus to either Kathgodam or Nainital and then take another bus to Bhimtal.

RANIKHET

Ranikhet is a cantonment town on Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. 1829kms above the sea level, this area offers a picturesque view of the mountains and the valley. The tall pine trees, lush green mountains and exotic wildlife makes this place a very important tourist attraction. The quiet ambience brings the traveler a lot of comfort. It offers retreat from the busy city life.

How to Reach Ranikhet:

Pantnagar airport is the nearest to Ranikhet. 115kms away from Ranikhet you can hire a taxi or board a bus. Kathgodam is the nearest railway station which is 88kms away from Ranikhet. From here too you can take a bus or a taxi. You can even get down at Ramnagar railway station which is at a distance of 96kms from Ranikhet. If you are taking the road, then you can either drive down or take a bus from Delhi which will take you to Kathgodam or Almora from where you can take a taxi or a bus.

ABBOT MOUNT

Situated in the district of Champawat and at an altitude of 6400 feet, Abbott Mount is a picturesque hill station that takes you far away from the city life. Look at the snow capped Himalayas from the patio of your cottage as you sip a hot cup of tea. Spend your nights at the bonfire, gazing at the twinkling stars and surrounded by chilled breeze. The serenity of the mountains, the tall deodar and pine trees, the singing of the melodious birds, the fresh and tasty pears and the crunchy walnuts, all make your Abbott Mount vacation a cherished one.

How to Reach Abbott Mount:

Abbott Mount is well connected through roads. You can take a bus or a taxi to Lohaghat and then take another taxi to Abott Mount. For those driving from Delhi, take NH 24 via Rampur, Haldwani and Nainital. From NH 24 take NH 74 and then NH 87.

BHOWALI

1706 meters above the sea level is this little town in the district of Nainital. Lush green valley, lovely blossoms adorn Bhowali. Bhimtal, Sattal, Naukuchiyatal, Nal Damyanti Tal, Sukha Tal, and Khurpa Tal are some of the lakes that can be found at a little distance from this town. Bhowali is famous for its hill fruit mart. The scenic beauty of this place also makes it a famous romantic destination among couples. Bhowali is at a close distance to other hill stations like Nainital, Bhimtal, Mukteshwar, Ranikhet and Almora.

How to Reach Bhowali:

Pantnagar Airport is the nearest airport from Bhowali. From here you need to travel a distance of 39kms by road. If you are traveling by train, then get down at Kathgodam. From here you can take a bus or taxi to reach Bhowali which 29kms away. Or those planning a road trip, you can either drive via NH 24 or take a bus to Nainital or Kathgodam. Buses and taxis from these places are easily available for Bhowali.

MUNSYARI

Located in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, Munsiyari is a treat to the eyes of the beholder. The snow capped mountains can be easily seen from here. Perched at an altitude of 2200 meters, Munsiyari is often the basecamp of mountaineers and glacier enthusiast and trekkers. It is situated on the banks of Gangotri River which even gives it a religious significance. A famous tourist destination, this town is even well known among couples who are here to celebrate their love.

How to Reach Munsiyari:

The only way to reach Munsiyari is by road. Take a bus from Delhi to Champawat, Almora, Tanakpur, Haldwani or any other important town of Uttarakhand. From there you can take a bus or a taxi to Munsiyari. For those who are willing to drive, there are three route options. Trust your GPS and take the one that suits you best. You can take NH 24 and then go on NH 71 followed by NH 121. Next you move to NH 87 followed by SH 37. You can also take NH 74 after NH 24 and then take NH 309A. From here you can get to SH 37. For those who want to try a different and longer route can take NH 58 after NH 24. Next take up NH 119 and then turn to SH 12. NH 74 comes next followed by NH 121, NH 87, NH 309A and at last SH 37.

BINSAR

Located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, Binsar is a place to admire the lofty mountains of the Himalayas. It was the summer capital of the kings of Chand Dynasty. At a height of 2,412 meters above the sea level, this town gives you the opportunity to admire the 300kms long range of the mighty Himalayas from Zero Point. It is also well known for the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. Nature lovers can take a tour of this sanctuary and explore the wide range of flora and fauna. Look at the high peaks of Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Shivling and Panchchuli from this scenic town of Binsar and admire the grandeur of Nature.

How to Reach Binsar:

If you are flying, then Pantnagar Airport is your stop. From here take a taxi to Binsar which is at a distance of 152kms. For train journey, Kathgodam is the nearest station from Binsar. Hire a taxi or board a bus from here to Binsar. You can even take a bus from Delhi to Haldwani, Nainital and Almora. From these places you can get a taxi or a bus.

CHAKRATA

Placed between Tons and Yamuna River, Chankrata was an army cantonment area. It is a famous tourist destination in Uttarakhand. The green valley, pleasant weather is always there with open arms to welcome its visitors all round the year. The place is heaven at all time of the year. A retreat from the hustle bustle of city life, Chakrata bring to you peace. Visit the beautiful Tiger Fall, the alluring Kansar, the enchanting Moigad Falls and the dense forest of Devban.

 How to Reach Chakrata:

Road is the only way to reach Chakrata. You can take a bus from Delhi to Chakrata or drive. Take NH 1 and then turn to SH 7. Get on to NH 73 followed by NH 123 and SH1. It takes about 7 hours to reach Chakrata by road.

GWALDAM

Nestled between the Garhwal and Kumaon Hills, Gwaldam is an attractive hill station with green hills and apple orchards. This unspoilt location is best for those who are looking for some peace. A relaxing holiday in Gwaldam will bring relief to your mind body and soul. Gwaldam naag, Badhangari, Angyari mahadev, Machchi taal, Budhdha temple are some of the important attractions of Gwaldam. You can even view the lofty Nanda Devi and Trishul from here.

How to Reach Gwaldam:

Pantnagar is the nearest railway station. It is 205kms away from Gwaldam, so take a taxi from here. Kathgodam is the nearest railway station at a distance of 169kms. Hire a taxi or get of a bus from Kathgodam to reach Gwaldam. This town is even well connected by roads. You can either drive down to Gwaldam or take a bus from Delhi to any major town of Uttarakhand and then take another bus from there to Gwaldam.

HARSIL

Situated on the banks of River Bhagirathi, Harsil is a small village in Uttarakhand. The scenic beauty and quiet atmosphere draws a lot of tourists towards this village. At an altitude of 2,620 meters above the sea level, Harsil is a romantic tourist destination. it is even a famous destination among pilgrims as there are a number of small temples in this region. It is only 25kms away from the Hindu Pilgrimage site of Gangotri.

How to Reach Harsil:

For people travelling through air, Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport. From here you can take a taxi to cover the rest of 232kms. Rishikesh is the nearest railway station and is 215kms away from Harsil. Take a taxi or a bus from here for Harsil. For those travelling by road, take a bus to Rishikesh, Tehri or Uttarkashi and then take another bus from there to Harsil. Driving freaks can take their cars down to Harsil by taking NH 108.

HAMBA (TEHRI)

1,676 meters above the sea level is the hilly town of Chamba in Uttarakhand. It offers its visitors incomparable scenic beauty. Rest in the lap of Himalaya as you take a break from your busy city life. Admire the snow clad mountains, the tall pine and deodar trees and the green valley to unwind yourself. It is a top tourist destination among those who are looking for a peaceful and unspoilt holiday location.

How to Reach Chamba:

Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport. Take a taxi from here to reach Chamba which is at a distance of 75kms. Rishikesh is the nearest railway station. Avail the taxi or the bus facility from Rishikesh to cover a distance of 58kms. For those travelling by road, you can get a bus from Delhi for Chamba. You can even drive your own car as it is well connected by road.

LANSDOWNE

Situated in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, Lansdowne is a beautiful hill station, unspoilt and unexplored. 1,700 meters above the sea level, this picturesque town is a relief from the tiring life. Thick oak trees and blue pine trees surround this amazing hilly land. Santoshi Mata Temple, Regimental Museum, Bhullatal Lake, St. Mary’s Church, Lover’s lane are some of the major attractions of Lansdowne. Go to the Tip n top view point to get magnificent view of the Shivalik range.

How to Reach Lansdowne:

Lansdowne can be reached by road. Take a bus to Kotdwar or Duggada from Delhi. From there you can easily get a taxi to Lansdowne. You can even drive to this town via NH 119.

CHAMPAWAT

Champawat was the first capital of the Chand Dynasty. It is famous for the Baleshwar Temple. It was built in the 16th century. It is located at an altitude of 1,610 meters above the sea level. This place has a religious significance too as it is supposed to be the place where Lord Vishnu took the form of turtle. This ancient town also features in the Mythological stories of Mahabharata.

How to Reach Champawat:

Pantnagar Airport is the nearest airport to Champawat. You can hire a taxi from here. Get down at Tanakpur Railway station if you are travelling by train. Take a bus or a taxi to cover the rest 60kms to reach Champawat. You can even take a bus to Tanakpur from Delhi to reach Champawat.

DHANAULTI

Situated between Mossoorie and Chamba, Dhanaulti is a small hill station in the Tehri district of Uttarakhand. It is at an altitude of 2286 meters above the sea level. It is an unexplored area and not much of tourists visit this place. Dhanaulti is famous for its two Eco Parks, Amber and Dhara separated by a distance of 200 meters. Dense alpine, oak and rhododendron forest surrounds this beautiful and unexplored hill station.

How to Reach Dhanaulti

For those travelling by air, Jolly Grant Airports the nearest airport. From here you can book a taxi. Rishikesh or Dehradun is the stop for those travelling by train. You can avail bus or taxi service from both these places. You can even take the road to reach Dhanaulti. Take a bus from Delhi to Mussoorie, Dehradun, Rishikesh or Tehri. You can get a bus to cover the rest of the journey. Driving to Dhanaulti is a great idea by taking either NH 58, NH 1 or NH 72A.

CHAUKORI

Set in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, Chaukori is a mesmerizing hill station with Tibet in the North and Terai in the South. A an altitude of 2,010 meters above the sea level, this beautiful town of Chaukori amazes its visitors with its serenity. The abundant tea garden with green bushes is awesome. Look at the gorgeous sunrise and the breathtaking sunset from here and admire the wonders of nature. For the religious soul, Chaukori is full of a lot a temples like Mostamanu temple, Ghunesra Devi temple, Kedar Temple, Nalukeshwar Temple, Kamaksha Temple, Kapileshwar Mahadev Cave Temple, Jayanti Temple Dhwaj, Arjuneshwar Shiv Temple and the Dhaulinag, Kalinag, Feninag, Bashukinag, Harinag Temples.

How to Reach Chukori:

Pantnagar is the nearest Airport for Chukori. From here take a taxi to reach Chukori which is 205kms away from here. Kathgodam is the nearest railway station. Take a bus or a taxi to cover the next 180kms. All the major cities of North India are well connected to Chukori by road so you can even drive. Or you may take a bus to Almora and then another one from there to Chukori.

KAUSANI

Get the most wonderful view of the 300kms long range of the majestic Himalayas. Perched at a height of 1890 meters above the sea level, this little town is an excellent tourist destination. The peaks of Nanda Devi and Panchavhuli can clearly be seen from here. The quiet atmosphere, the chirping of birds, the tall pine trees and the green valley make this place nothing less than a paradise for nature lovers. The cool breeze adds a bit of romance in this wonderful town of Kausani.

How to Reach Kausani:

Kausani can only be reached by road. Take a bus to Almora or Kathgodam and then take another bus from there to Kausani. You can hire a taxi or get on a bus to Kausani from all the major towns of Uttarakhand.

CHOPTA

A tiny village in the Hilly state of Uttarakhand, Chopta is the starting point of trek to Tungnath. Located at a height of 2,700 meters, this place takes you in the lap of nature and gives you the opportunity to explore more and more on the mountains. Dense forest of pine and oak trees surround the area. Get a vivid picture of the snow laden Himalayas from this little hamlet of Chopta. The soothing characteristic of this place is unique and remarkable.

How to Reach Chopta:

The nearest airport for Chopta is Jolly Grant Airport. From here you need to travel a distance of 221kms by taxi. For rail passengers, Rishikesh is nearest to Chota. From here you cover the distance of 220kms via NH 58 by road. For road lovers, there are buses from Delhi to Rishikesh and Srinagar. You can take a bus or a taxi from any major district of Uttarakhand for Chopta. Driving to Chopt is another adventurous option.

KHIRSU

The panoramic view, the snow clad mountains, the tall oak and deodar trees and the lovely apple orchards make Khirsu an important tourist destination in Uttarakhand. The ancient temple of Gandhiyal Devi gives this religious significance too. Located around 19kms away from Pauri and perched at a height of 1700 meters, this amazing town of Khirsu amazes one to quite an extend. Even thought it has not been explored by the tourist much, this place still remains a major hill station of Uttarakhand.

How to Reach Khirsu:

Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport for Khirsu. From here you can take a taxi to travel the remaining 145kms. Rishikesh is the nearest railway station and from here you can take a bus or a taxi to cover the nest 132kms. You can reach by road to as it is connected well from all the major towns of Uttarakhand. From Delhi you can take a bus to Pauri, Kotdwar and Srinagar and then take another bus from these places to reach Khirsu.

MUKTESHWAR

Located in the Nainital district and set in the Kumaon Hills at an altitude of 7500 feet above the sea level, Mukteshwar is a major tourist destination of Uttarakhand. It is famous for its ancient Mukteshwar Dham Temple. Get an imposing view of the lofty Himalayas from this amazing town. The orchards of apples and dense forest of coniferous trees surround Mukteshwar. Chauli-ki-Jali, is a cliff near Mukteshwar which is well known for excellent climbing and rappelling opportunities.

How to Reach Mukteshwar:

Mukteshwar is 94kms away from the nearest airport i.e., Pantnagar Airport. From here you need to hire a taxi to Mukteshwar. Get down at Kathgodam if you are traveling by train. Taxis and buses for Mukteshwar are easily available from here. You can even take a bus from Delhi to Mukteshwar.

PATAL BHUVNESHWAR

Patal Bhuvneshwar is a limestone cave temple in Uttarakhand. Located in the district of Pithoragarh, this holy destination is a major tourist attraction among pilgrims. You need to go through a long a narrow tunnel to reach this temple. This cave is said to be the home of 33 crore Gods and Goddesses. It is 160 meters long and 90 feet deep from the entrance point. You can see a number of stalagmites and stalactites in this cave.Visiting this amazing cave will be a memorable experience for you.

How to Reach Patal Bhuvneshwar:

The nearest airport for Patal Bhuvneshwar is Pantnagar Airport. From here you need to travel the next 244kms by taxi. Tanakpur is the nearest railway station and is 154kms away from Patal Bhuvneshwar. Take a bus or a taxi to cover the rest of the distance. You can take a bus from any major district of Uttarakhand to Patal Bhuvneshwar. Take a bus from Delhi to any important place in Uttarakhand and then take another bus from there to Patal Bhuvneshwar.

PITHORAGRAH

the eastern most district of Uttarakhand, Pithoragarh is surrounded by Nepal in the East and Tibet to the North. It lies in the Soar Valley. This pictorial town of Uttarakhand gives you a magnificent view of the Panch Chulhi, Nanda Devi and Nanda Kot. Often described as miniature Kashmir, Pithoragarh is perched at a height of 1,514 meters above the sea level. It has a number of tourist attractions like ChandaI(the temple of Manu), Askot Sanctuary, Pithoragarh Fort and Thal Kedar.

How to Reach Pithoragarh:

The nearest airport to Pithoragarh is Pantnagar Airport. 241kms from here Pithoragarh can be reached by taxi. Tanakpur is the nearest railway station. You need to cover the remaining 138kms from here by either bus or taxi. You can take a bus from Delhi to Pithoragarh. Bus and taxi services for Pithoragarh are available from all the major places in Uttarakhand.

BARKOT

1,120 meters above the sea level, Barkot is an important tourist destination in Uttarakhand. Situated in the Uttarkashi district, Barkot is just 49kms away from Yamunotri Dham. The mesmerizing landscape, the beautiful apple orchards, and the holy Yamuna River make this town a magnificent wonder. Banderpoonch along with few other Himalayan peaks can be clearly seen from here. Barkot even offer trekking options to those interested a trekking excursion.

How to Reach Barkot:

Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport to reach Barkot. Take a taxi from here to cover the next 161kms. Rishikesh and Dehradun are the nearest railway stations near Barkot. 132kms from Dehradun and 160kms from Rishikesh, Barkot can be reached by either bus or taxi. Buses for Barkot are available from all the major destinations in Uttarakhand. You can even drive to Barkot from Delhi or take a bus from Delhi to an important district of Uttarakhand and then take another bus to Barkot.

DEOBAN

The clam and peaceful environment of Deoban is the best for a vacation away from the maddening crowd of the city. Located at an altitude of 2,200-3,025 meters above the sea level, this picturesque town in the district of Chakrata is a paradise for nature lovers. You can spot a number of exotic birds in the dense forest of Deoban. It also serves as a home to a number of migratory birds during the winters. The famous Vyas Shikhar is a important attraction of this place as it is here that Ved Vyas wrote the Mahabharata.

How to Reach Doeban:

Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport and from there you need to take a taxi for the next 125kms. If traveling by train you can get down at Dehradun Railway Station and cover the next 100kms by a bus or a taxi. 13kms from Chakrata, Doeban can be reached via SH1.

GOPESHWAR(CHAMOLI)

Situated at a height of 1308 meters above the sea level Gopeshwar is the district headquarter of Chamoli. The ancient Shiva Temple is the main attraction of the town as a number of pilgrims come here to visit it each year. Gorgeous mountain ranges, terrace farms and small lakes make this town a wonderful tourist destination. Vaitarni Kund and Oak view are the other important attractions of Gopeshwar. It is surrounded by some important pilgrimage sites like Tungnath, Anasuya Devi, Badrinath and Rudranath.

How to Reach Gopeshwar:

Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport for Gopeshwar. You can take a taxi from here to travel the remaining 225kms. Rishikesh is the nearest railway station. Take a bus or a taxi to cover the rest of 205kms. Take a bus from Delhi to Rishikesh or Srinagar and then take another bus from there to reach Gopeshwar. Buses for Gopeshwar are available from all the major districts of Uttarakhand.

MUNDALI

Mundali is a hot tourist spot 36kms away from Chakrata. It sees a rise in the number of tourists as it is an excellent skiing destination. It has skiing opportunities for both experts as well as beginners. November-April is the best time to visit Mundali if you are interested in skiing. The lush green forest and rolling meadows and the outstanding views of the Himalayas give it a scenic look during the summers. It is even an excellent destination for couples as the town is full of elements of love and romance.

How to Reach Mundali:

Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport which is 156kms away from Mundali. Hire a taxi from here. Dehradun is the nearest railway station. From here you can take a bus or a taxi. You can reach Mundali by road. You can take NH2 if you are driving to Mundali. It is 1,586kms away from Delhi and you can reach there in almost 26 hours.

KANATAL

At an altitude of 8500 feet above the sea level and at a distance of 33kms from Mussoorie, Kanatal, is a picturesque town in the state of Uttarakhand. The enchanting beauty of this place never fails to amaze its visitors. The scenic beauty of Kanatal is unexplored and hidden. The tranquil surrounding, the place makes it a favorite tourist destination among those who are looking for a secluded and quiet place for vacation. The Surkhanda Temple is a major attraction of this place. You can even visit the Kodia Jungle, and get to explore the wildlife of Uttarakhand. It is a dense forest area located at a distance of around one kilometer away from Kanatal.

How to Reach Kanatal:

If you plan to travel by air then Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport to reach Kanatal. Take a taxi to cover the rest of the 92kms by road. Dehradun and Rishikesh are the nearest railway stations. From her you can avail the bus or the taxi service. Driving to Kanatal too is a wonderful option. If not you can take a bus from Mussoorie, Rishikesh or Chamba and then take a bus or a taxi to reach Kanatal. Buses are available from all major districts of Uttarakhand for Kanatal.

Source:-

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