Uttarakhand is home to various glorious Hill stations in the Garhwal Region. There are many famous tourist places like Mussorie and Chakrata, and a few lesser-known places like Chamba and Kanatal are still being discovered. These places hold spiritual and cultural significance in the Garhwal region. From here, you can spot the Himalayan peaks, visit temples, trek, and explore valleys, waterfalls, and other natural wonders the region has to provide. We’ve curated a list for you to explore the Top Hills Stations in the Garhwal Region.
1. Harshil
Looking for a peaceful getaway away from the hustle and bustle of city life? Harshil is the perfect place to seek solitude and peace away from the chaos of daily mundane stuff. This beautiful hill station is situated in the Uttarkashi District at the banks of the Baghirathi River of Uttarakhand, at an altitude of 2,620 meters. The place is around 216 km away from Dehradun and takes about 7-8 hours to reach from Dehradun. Harshil is famous for its apples, and you should visit the place to try them.
How to reach: It is well connected by road, and the nearest railway station is Rishikesh, while the nearest airport is the Jollygrant Airport Dehradun.
Best time to visit: If you are looking for snow, January to March are the best months to visit Harshil Valley, and June to November is the best time to visit the rest of the place.
Places to Visit in Harshil:
- Dharali Village- A small, quaint village situated 3 km away from Harshil.
- Sattal Lake – A serene lake comprising seven lakes where you can enjoy kayaking and boating or simply stroll around and enjoy the view of the picturesque lake.
- Hot Water Spring Gangnani- Gangnani is a village situated 26 km from Harshil and is famous for its hot water spring.
- Mukhwas Village- Mukhwas village takes you back in the history of the Harshil valley and attracts a lot of visitors as in winter Goddess Gangotri’s adobe stays there.
2. Auli
Auli is a famous hill station situated in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Popularly known as the ski destination in India. From Auli, you can spot Himalayan ranges like Nanda Devi, Kamet Mountain, and Mana Devi, which are snow-covered and give panoramic views of the surroundings. It is situated around 500km away from Delhi and can be covered on a weekend.
How to reach: You will have to reach Dehradun and then start your journey by car to reach Auli. The Nearest Railway is in Rishikesh, and the nearest Airport is the Jollygrant Airport in Dehradun.
Best Time to Visit: The Best months to visit are November to February as skiing is at its peak. March to June are ideal for those wanting to spend time with loved ones in slightly lower temperatures.
Places to Visit in Auli:
- Gorson Bugyal: A must-visit destination to closely experience the Garhwal region. It is a famous trekking place for its vibrant meadows in the summer season.
- Auli Artificial Lake: It is the world’s highest man-made lake, situated at a high elevation, giving a picturesque view of the surrounding peaks.
- Narsimha Temple: A pilgrimage site believed to have been built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya dedicated to lord Narsimha.
3. Mussorie
Mussoorie is a popular hill station in Uttarakhand, famously known as the “Queen of Hill Stations”. Mussorie has scenic towering peaks, natural waterfalls, and a string of colonial buildings. You can enjoy the view of scenic ranges while strolling around the mall and go on a shopping spree at the mall.
How to reach: You can reach here by cab, and Dehradun is the nearest Railway station to reach Mussorie.
Best Time to Visit: The Best time to visit Mussoorie is November to February and March to June.
Places to visit:
- Kempty Falls: A scenic waterfall where you can take a dip in the crystal clear water and enjoy food from the nearby stalls.
- Lal Tibba: Trek up to Lal Tibba to enjoy the scenic view of the surroundings.
- Cloud End: Enjoy a scenic sunset and picnic on the spot to make the experience memorable.
- Gun Hill: Take a cable car ride to Gun Hill and enjoy the view of the “Queen of Hills”.
4. Kanatal
Kanatal is a small hill station located 33 km away from Mussoorie. It is a small and quaint place that is less known, and its beauty is still untouched. If you are looking for a peaceful getaway with your loved ones and want to enjoy the serenity and peace at the place, this is the perfect place to be.
How to reach: The nearest railway station from Kanatal is the Dehradun, and the Jollygrant airport is the nearest airport. You can reach here by cab or your own vehicle.
Best time to Visit: April to June is ideal for camping and trekking while September to November is ideal to enjoy the snowfall here.
Places to visit:
- Surkanda Devi: Trek up to Surkanda Devi Temple.
- Kodia Jungle: Explore the Kodia Jungle.
- Nearby places: Explore nearby places like New Tehri and Dhanaulti.
5. Joshimath
A beautiful scenic place nestled in the heart of the Himalayas. Joshimath is home to several Himalayan getaways like trekking trails and pilgrimage centers like Badrinath and Hemkund. You can even take the cable car from Joshimath and reach Auli.
How to reach: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh, which is 250 km away from it. You can reach here by taxi or bus from Rishikesh railway station or Jollygrant Airport Dehradun.
Best time to Visit: April to November are considered the best months to visit Joshimath as the temperature is bearable.
Places to Visit:
- Narsinha Temple: Visit the famous Narsinha Temple
- Nearby places: Explore nearby places like Niti and Thaing.
6. Uttarkashi
Uttarkashi is a hotspot for angling and camping Uttakashi attracts tourists throughout the year. The area holds a major cultural and spiritual value as it’s an ancient spiritual destination with several temples dedicated to Hindu gods. The forests here are covered with rich pine, fir, and oak trees and the place offers gorgeous views of the Himalayan region.
Best time to Visit: You can visit here throughout the year. Avoid traveling in monsoon due to landslides in hilly areas.
How to reach: You can reach here by road transport. It is 145 km away from Dehradun.
Places to visit:
- Scared places: Visit sacred places like Vishwanath and Gangotri temple.
- Trekking: Explore Dyara Bugyal trek and other treks like gangotri trek, Dodital trek, Kedarkantha etc.
- Nachiketa Lake: Explore Nachiketa Lake and enjoy a picturesque view.
7. Gwaldam
Gwaldam is a small and peaceful town situated at an altitude of 1629m on the border of the Garhwal and Kumaon regions. One can spot Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Trishool, and Nanda Ghunti. The area is covered with green forests and citrus orchards.
Best time to Visit: April to June and September to January are the best months to visit here.
How to reach: It is about 250 km away from Pantnagar airport and Kathgodam is the nearest railway station. You can reach here by road transport.
Places to Visit:
- Roopkund Trek: Roopkund trek starts from Gwaldam.
- Badhangari Temple: Visit Badhangari temple.
- Viewpoints: Explore viewpoints like Trishool, Dhayali, and Nandaprayag.
- Bagaji Bugyal: Explore Bagaji Bugyal a major tourist attraction near Gwaldam
8. Dhanualti
Dhanaulti is a scenic site 25 km away from Mussoorie. Ideal for a peaceful vacation in the mountains. Known for its temples, snowfall, adventure sports, and Himalayan views. It is 25 km away from Mussoorie and around 40 km from New Tehri.
How to reach: You can reach here by road transport.
Best time to Visit: September to June is the best time to visit here avoid your visit during monsoons.
Places to Visit:
- Adventure Park: Try adventure activities like paragliding, zip lining, rappelling, rock climbing, etc at the Dhanaulti adventure park.
- Eco-park: Pack a picnic to eco-park.
- Deogarh Fort: A major attraction for history buffs. Explore Jains temples in and around this 16th century fort.
9. Chopta
A small town, also known as the mini Switzerland of India, is situated at an altitude of 8888ft above sea level. This place is quaint and peaceful, and its beauty is yet to be explored. Several treks start from here, and the famous Tunghnath-Chandrashilla trek also starts from here.
How to reach: You can reach here by road transport.
Best time to Visit: March to June and November to January are the best months to visit Chopta.
Places to Visit:
- Tungthnath Temple: A trek to the beautiful Tungnath temple, which is around 3 km away from Chopta and known as the world’s highest Shiva Temple.
- Deoria Tal: A lake 21 km away from Chopta. To enjoy scenic views trek to Deoria Tal from Sari village.
- Kanchula Korak Deer Musk Sanctuary: Ideal location to leisure around and explore the scenic views around this Sanctuary.
10. Lansdowne
Nestled in the lap of the Garhwal region in the Pauri district Lansdowne is a serene, small, and army cantonment area called. It is situated at an elevation of 1700ft above sea level. Lansdowne is known for its natural beauty, quiet atmosphere, and adventure. It is around 250 km from Dehradun and 45 km from the Pauri District.
How to reach: Lansdowne can be easily reached via road, either by bus or car. The nearest railway is Kotdwar, which is about 40km from Landsdowne.
Best Time to Visit: April to June are the best months to be at Lansdowne.
Places to Visit:
- Darwan Singh Museum: Learn about the history of India before pre-independence.
- Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple: Visit the famous 1500-year-old temple and pay your tribute.
- Bhulla Lake: A man-made lake where you can enjoy scenic boating with your loved ones.
Conclusion: Hill Stations in the Garhwal Region
From lesser-known places like Gwaldam and Kanatal to famous ones like Mussorie and Auli, the Hill Stations in the Garhwal Region are full of nature’s wonders. If you are planning to visit hill stations in Uttarakhand, these hill stations in the Garhwal Region are worth visiting. The best months to visit most of these places are from April to June as the climate is vibrant and less cold than the Harsh winters. If you are looking for adventure, then November to January should be considered. Visit Uttarakhand’s jewel, the Garhwal region, and create lifelong memories with your loved ones. For many such articles related to Uttarakhand, visit Uttarakhand Magazine.
