Uttarakhand, the land of paradisiacal beauty set amid the lofty peaks of the Garhwal Himalayas, is famed for its many significant temples and pilgrimage spots. But the state deserves special mention for its many idyllic hill stations too. The beautiful hill stations in Uttarakhand are some of the most mesmerizing locations in the lap of pristine nature, far away from the hullabaloo and chaos of the cities on the plains. Each year, thousands of tourists and nature lovers make a beeline to the Uttarakhand hill stations to soak in the beauty of Mother Nature and the magnificence of the high Himalayan peaks, which inevitably leave you gaping with awe at their sublimity. To know in detail about the Uttarakhand hill stations, read on:
List of Hill Stations of Uttarakhand
1. Nainital
- Location: Kumaon region
- Best Time: March to June, Sept-Nov
- How to Reach: Pantnagar Airport (65 km), Kathgodam Railway (34 km)
- Attractions: Naini Lake, Naina Devi Temple, Tiffin Top
Nainital, commonly known as Uttarakhand’s ‘Lake District,’ is full of beautiful lakes, revered temples, exotic scenery, and salubrious weather. This beautiful hill station is cradled in the lap of the Kumaon Himalayas and offers tourists several exciting activities such as boating, horse riding, yachting, and trekking. The hill station has been named after the much-revered shrine of Naina Devi. The beauty of this hill station makes it a favorite hub for lovebirds from all across the country.
2. Almora
- Location: Kumaon region
- Best Time: March to June, Sept-Nov
- How to Reach: Pantnagar Airport (120 km), Kathgodam Railway (90 km)
- Attractions: Kasar Devi Temple, Almora Wildlife Sanctuary
Almora is a picturesque Himalayan hill resort in Uttarakhand. Almora boasts of a really bracing climate, enchanting natural beauty, marvelous cultural heritage, craft traditions, magnificent wildlife, and mouth-watering Kumaoni cuisine that steal the hearts of all passionate tourists.
3. Ranikhet
- Location: Almora district
- Best Time: March to June, Sept-Nov
- How to Reach: Pantnagar Airport (118 km), Kathgodam Railway (75 km)
- Attractions: Jhula Devi Temple, Ranikhet Golf Course
Ranikhet is one of the most popular hill stations in the country. The beauty of Ranikhet can be captured through its enchanting terrains, great trekking trails, oak forests, houses resembling the yesteryears in their pattern and architecture, and some of the most revered temples such as that of Katarmal Surya Temple, Binsar Mahadev Temple, and Jhula Devi Temple.
4. Binsar
- Location: Almora district
- Best Time: March to June, Sept-Nov
- How to Reach: Pantnagar Airport (150 km), Kathgodam Railway (120 km)
- Attractions: Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Zero Point
Binsar is a quiet, serene hill town decked with lush, grassy meadows, colorful rhododendrons, and woods of oak, deodar, and pine. The main tourist attractions in the Binsar hill station area include the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Binsar Mahadev Temple, and Kasar Devi Temple.
5. Lansdowne
- Location: Garhwal region
- Best Time: March to June, Sept-Nov
- How to Reach: Jolly Grant Airport (150 km), Kotdwar Railway (40 km)
- Attractions: Bhulla Tal, Garhwal Rifles War Memorial
Lansdowne is a small scenic hill station of Uttarakhand, perched at about 1,700 meters above sea level and is very much accessible from the country capital of New Delhi. Unpolluted environs, alpine meadows, and woods ablaze with colorful rhododendrons, refreshing breezes, and a quaint charm from the colonial era characterize the beauty of this hill station of Uttarakhand.
6. Auli
- Location: Garhwal region
- Best Time: Dec-Mar (snow), Apr-June, Sept-Nov
- How to Reach: Jolly Grant Airport (280 km), Rishikesh Railway (250 km)
- Attractions: Auli Ski Resort, Nanda Devi Peak, Cable Car Ride
Auli is famed globally for being one of the most premium ski destinations in the world. Perched at about 2,800 meters above sea level, Auli has many scintillating ski resorts dotting the Himalayan ranges around it. The hill station is thronged with skiers and seasoned adventure enthusiasts during the winter months, and the snow-cloaked slopes of Auli offer them an incredible opportunity to test their skills. Auli’s cable car ride is one of the major tourist attractions of this scenic hill station.
7. Mussoorie
- Location: Garhwal region
- Best Time: March to June, Sept-Nov
- How to Reach: Jolly Grant Airport (60 km), Dehradun Railway (35 km)
- Attractions: Kempty Falls, Gun Hill, Camel’s Back Road
Mussoorie, another beautiful hill station of Uttarakhand, enjoys the honorable metaphor of the ‘Queen of Hills.’ The hill station is perched at an elevation of nearly 6,000 feet above sea level. The scenic hill station of Mussoorie features many beautiful waterfalls, mind-blowing flora, and architectural marvels. The vestiges of the colonial era can still be witnessed in Mussoorie. The Mall Road of Mussoorie is the major tourist attraction and always bustles with large crowds and activities. Picture Palace and the Two-End Library are the chief attractions of the Mussoorie Mall.
8. Kausani
- Location: Kumaon region
- Best Time: March to June, Sept-Nov
- How to Reach: Pantnagar Airport (170 km), Kathgodam Railway (132 km)
- Attractions: Anashakti Ashram, Tea Gardens, Nanda Devi View
The magnetic charm of Kausani is simply unparalleled. Set amid the undulating Kumaon hills, Kausani sports beautiful emerald meadows and tea gardens, delectable fruit orchards, pebbled walks amid forests for a leisurely nature walk, small quiet ashrams such as Lakshmi Ashram and Anashakti Ashram, and some incredible trek routes such as the Adi Kailash route and the Bageshwar-Sundardunga route.
9. Chopta
- Location: Garhwal region
- Best Time: March to June, Dec-Mar (snow)
- How to Reach: Jolly Grant Airport (210 km), Rishikesh Railway (180 km)
- Attractions: Tungnath Temple, Deoria Taal, Chandrashila Peak
Chopta, surrounded by a multitude of snowy peaks, is a scenic valley of Uttarakhand where explorers, adventure enthusiasts, and nature lovers can have a really memorable time. If you are new to the realm of adventure, then Chopta is one single valley of Uttarakhand where you could brush up on your adventurous skills. The main tourist attractions in and around Chopta are Tungnath Temple, Deoria Taal, and Kanchula Korak Musk Deer Sanctuary.
10. Dhanaulti
- Location: Near Mussoorie
- Best Time: March to June, Sept-Nov
- How to Reach: Jolly Grant Airport (60 km), Dehradun Railway (35 km)
- Attractions: Eco Park, Surkhanda Devi Temple
Dhanaulti is a hill station of mesmerizing beauty, and the beauty is such that it gradually sinks into your psyche, just like a sweet dream. Far away from the madding crowd, Dhanaulti flaunts its most enchanting natural beauty only to refresh you to the very core.
11. Mukteshwar
- Location: Kumaon region
- Best Time: March to June, Sept-Nov
- How to Reach: Pantnagar Airport (94 km), Kathgodam Railway (70 km)
- Attractions: Mukteshwar Temple, Chauli Ki Jali, Views of Himalayan Peaks
Mukteshwar is a beautiful hill station in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand and is perched at an elevation of 2,286 meters above sea level. You can catch spell-binding views of the surrounding mountains and valleys from Mukteshwar. Chauli-ki-Jali at Mukteshwar is a place with numerous overhanging cliffs and is ideal for all adventurous enthusiasts who wish to defy the challenging terrain.
These hill stations offer a perfect blend of natural beauty, tranquility, and adventure, making Uttarakhand a must-visit destination for all travelers.