Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, Dehradun is a beautiful city and the capital of Uttarakhand state. Dehradun itself is blessed with scenic beauty, pleasant weather, and a rich cultural heritage. But what makes this city even more remarkable is its proximity to a wide variety of tourist destinations—all within a 200-kilometre radius. Whether you’re a nature lover seeking serene hillscapes, a spiritual soul on a divine quest, or an adventure enthusiast looking for your next thrill, the surroundings of Dehradun have something for everyone. In this blog, we bring you a carefully curated list of the tourist spots near Dehradun within 200 km.
Chakrata
Chakrata is a scenic place 88 km away from Dehradun and takes around 3hours to reach from Dehradun. It’s a hidden gem, and if you are someone who loves a small-town vibe, it’s perfect for those peaceful getaways. Chakrata is a charming cantonment town where foreigners are not allowed, and the crowd is also significantly smaller. The place is tranquil and is surrounded by pine trees and cascading waterfalls, adding to the beauty of the place.
Top Attractions in Chakrata
- Tiger Falls: One of the highest waterfalls in India is located in Chakrata and is a must-see. It’s a short trek to Tiger Falls from Chakarta. You can enjoy a picnic, take photographs or simply soak in the serenity that the place has to provide.
- Deoban (Devban): An excellent spot for camping and birdwatching, Deoban offers panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini, and even Nanda Devi on clear days.
- Budher Caves (Miola Caves): The limestone caves are believed to have been built by the Pandavas. The way to the caves involves a scenic trek through alpine meadows and cedar forests.
- Chilmiri Neck: A peaceful viewpoint perfect for sunrise and sunset views. It’s also an excellent birdwatching and photography spot.
Paonta Sahib
Paonta Sahib is around 50 km away from Dehradun in Himachal. It is perched on the banks of the Yamuna and is a serene pilgrimage town steeped in Sikh history and natural beauty. This sacred town on the Himachal Pradesh-Uttarakhand border is not just a religious destination but a living chapter of Sikh history. For centuries, it has drawn pilgrims, poets, and seekers of peace towards itself.
Top Attractions in Paonta Sahib
- Gurdwara Paonta Sahib: A white domed shrine overlooking a calm stretch of the Yamuna River. Here is a small museum that displays Guru Gobind’s weapons, pens, and even a golden palanquin (palki) donated by devotees. The Gurudwara offers free meals to devotees coming there every day.
- Yamuna Temple: Adjacent to the Gurudwara lies Yamuna Temple, which is dedicated to the Yamuna River.
- Assan Lake: Around 4 km away from Paonta Sahib is Assan Lake, where you can enjoy activities like bird watching, boating, or simply strolling and soaking in the serenity.
Benog Wildlife Sanctuary
Around 11 km away from Mussorie and 35 km from Dehradun lies Benog Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as the Mussoorie Wildlife Sanctuary, which is spread across 339 hectares in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayas. It was established in 1993 as part of Rajaji National Park. it’s a haven of temperate forests adorned with cedar, pine, oak, and rhododendrons. Trek leads one through lush pine-oak slopes, peaceful meadows, where you enjoy panoramic views of Chaukhamba and Bandarpoonch peaks.
Top Attractions in Benog Wildlife Sanctuary
- Benog Hill Peak Trek: Ideal for nature lovers who love trekking, here you can get spectacular views of Chaukhamba, Bandarpoonch, and the Doon Valley.
- Jwala Devi Temple: Situated at the top of Benog Sanctuary it’s a temple with beautiful surroundings all around.
- Birdwatching and flora exploration: You can find around 200 species here. Best explored in the morning or late evening.
Lansdowne
Lansdowne is a small, quaint, and colonial hill station, around 155 km away from Dehradun,n located in the Pauri Garhwal District of Uttarakhand. It is situated at an altitude of around 1706m. Lansdowne is home to the Garhwal Rifles of the Indian Army, which adds to its disciplined atmosphere and cultural depth. Lansdowne is home to well-preserved churches, war memorials, and quaint British-era cottages and cobbled paths.
Top Attractions in Lansdowne
- Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple: It is located 10 km away from Lansdowne and is a beautiful temple dedicated to lord shiva. The temple is surrounded by dense deodar and pine woodland at an altitude of 1800 m above sea level.
- Garhwal Rifles Regimental War Memorial & Museum: Go back in history while visiting the museum, where weaponry, photos, and memorabilia of both World Wars are still preserved.
- Bhulla Tal: A man-made lake created by the Garhwal rifles around 1 km from the town center, where you can enjoy activities like boating.
Kanatal
Around 78 km from Dehradun and 12 km from Mussoorie lies a serene hill hamlet named Kanatal. It is situated at an altitude of around 2600 m on the Chamba–Mussoorie road. Far from the crowded side of Mussorie, Kanatal offers a quaint, peaceful, and calm retreat. If you are someone who loves adventure, Kanatal has various adventure activities to offer, from zip-lining, sky-bridging, and valley crossing to stargazing, forest walks, or simply lounging in glamping domes.
Top Attractions in Kanatal
- Kaudia (Kodia) Forest / Jungle Safari: Ideal for forest lovers, here you can take a jeep safari and enjoy short treks or a 5–6 km walk to spot rare birds, butterflies, and waterfalls.
- Adventure Camps & Activities: If you’re an adventurer, various camps, such as Camp Carnival, Himalayan Ale, and Nomad’s Camp, offer organized packages for activities like zip-lining, sky bridges, valley crossing, rock climbing, and bonfire nights.
- Chamba Town: Combine your trip to Kanatal with Chamba Town. Visit this beautiful, laid-back town, which is just 15 km away from Kanatal.
Nag Tibba
Around 90 km from Dehradun. Nag Tibba is the highest peak in the Lesser Himalayas of Uttarakhand. It is situated at an altitude of 3022 meters. It’s an ideal getaway for weekend trekkers who want to experience Himalayan trekking and not go too far from Dehradun or Mussorie. The trek starts from Pantwari village and it leads one through dense oak and rhododendron forests, charming meadows. On a clear day, trekkers get spectacular views of peaks like Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Kala Nag, and even Kedarnath.
Top Attractions in Nag Tibba
- Khatian Campsite: One of the popular camping spots on the Nag Tibba trek, surrounded by oak and rhododendron forests. Best for sunrise and sunset views, bonfire nights, and stargazing.
- Nag Devta Temple: The temple is located below the summit point of the trek and is dedicated to the Serpent God (Nag Devta). It is believed that the temple protects the locals, the area, and cattle from snakebites.
New Tehri
A modern hilltop town situated at an altitude of 1950 m in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. New Tehri is around 94 km away from Dehradun. It’s a beautiful small town that can be explored in a weekend, and here you can enjoy water sports activities like Boating, jet‑skiing, kayaking, banana rides, and water skiing on the man-made reservoir named after the town itself, Tehri Lake.
Top Attractions in New Tehri
- Tehri Lake: A large man-made reservoir in Uttarakhand, formed by the Tehri Dam on the Bhagirathi River. It’s famous for its water sports activities like water skiing, jet skiing, etc.
- Hydropower Museum & Education Centre: An Ideal place to visit for a tour, a fascinating museum near the dam showcases the evolution and science of India’s hydroelectric power development.
Kasauli
Around 180 km from Dehradun lies Kasuali, a small colonial town tucked away in the serene hills of Himachal Pradesh. This charming hill station is perched at an altitude of 1927 meters and offers a perfect mix of natural beauty, peace, and colonial charm. It’s not much commercialised, thus ideal for those seeking a laid-back and peaceful retreat in the hills.
Top Attractions in Kasauli
- Monkey Point: Situated at the highest point of Kasauli, this hilltop offers spectacular views of the Sutlej Valley, Chandigarh plains, and distant peaks. A small temple dedicated to Hanuman is situated there, and it is believed that Hanuman’s foot touched the ground while searching for the Sanjeevani Booti there.
- Mall Road: Shop, eat, and stroll around the famous Mall Road of Kasauli and enjoy the vibe while you are there.
Conclusion: Tourist Spots Near Dehradun within 200 km
From peaceful and small town charms like Chakrata and Lansdowne to border places like Paonta and Kasauli, Dehradun is surrounded by some beautiful places that can be easily explored within a weekend. Whether you are seeking adventure or a peaceful retreat, these places around Dehradun have something to offer for every kind of traveller. So pack your bags, hit the road, and these places will surprise you with their serenity. For more such blog visit https://uttarakhandmagazine.com/
