Uttarakhand has two hill regions. Garhwal, in the west, holds Mussoorie and Landour, Dhanaulti, Kanatal, Chakrata and Lansdowne, and further in, Auli and Chopta. Kumaon, in the east, has the lake town of Nainital and a chain of ridge towns (Ranikhet, Almora, Binsar, Kausani, Mukteshwar and Munsiyari) that look across to Nanda Devi, Trisul and Panchachuli.
Many of these towns are within a day of Delhi by road or train to Dehradun, Kathgodam or Kotdwar.
Quick answer
The main hill stations in Uttarakhand are Mussoorie, Landour, Dhanaulti and Lansdowne in Garhwal, and Nainital, Bhimtal, Ranikhet, Almora, Kausani, Mukteshwar and Munsiyari in Kumaon; Auli is the ski slope near Joshimath. March to June and October to December are the best months, with the clearest Himalayan views from October to December. Avoid long drives in the monsoon, when landslides are common.
Key takeaways
- Mussoorie and Nainital are the classic, busy hill towns; Kumaon's ridges are quieter.
- Kausani, Binsar, Mukteshwar and Munsiyari have outstanding views of the high Himalaya in clear weather.
- Auli is India's best-known ski slope outside Kashmir; the Joshimath-Auli ropeway has not operated since 2023.
- Railheads are Dehradun (Garhwal), Kathgodam (Kumaon) and Kotdwar (Lansdowne).
- The monsoon brings landslides; October to December is the clearest period.
At a glance
| Hill station | Region | Known for | Gateway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mussoorie and Landour | Garhwal | Mall Road, Landour walks, views | Dehradun |
| Dhanaulti and Kanatal | Garhwal | Deodar forests, quiet stays | Dehradun |
| Lansdowne | Garhwal | Quiet cantonment town | Kotdwar |
| Chakrata | Garhwal | Forests and waterfalls | Dehradun |
| Auli and Chopta | High Garhwal | Ski slopes; meadows and Tungnath | Rishikesh or Dehradun, then long drives |
| Nainital and Bhimtal | Kumaon | Lakes, Mall Road | Kathgodam |
| Ranikhet and Almora | Kumaon | Cantonment and old town | Kathgodam |
| Kausani and Binsar | Kumaon | Himalayan views, sanctuary | Kathgodam |
| Mukteshwar | Kumaon | Cliffs, orchards, views | Kathgodam |
| Munsiyari | Kumaon | Panchachuli views, treks | Kathgodam, then a long drive |
Garhwal
Mussoorie, Landour and Dhanaulti
Mussoorie's Mall Road and Camel's Back Road, Landour's quiet lanes, and the deodar forests of Dhanaulti and Kanatal.
Mussoorie guide · Things to do in Mussoorie · Dhanaulti guide
Auli and Chopta
Auli's slopes above Joshimath, and the Chopta meadows below Tungnath and Chandrashila.
Kumaon
Nainital and the lakes
Naini Lake, the Mall, Snow View, and quieter Bhimtal, Sattal and Naukuchiatal nearby.
The Kumaon ridges
Ranikhet's cantonment, Almora's old bazaar, Binsar's forest sanctuary, Kausani's sunrise over Trisul and Nanda Devi, Mukteshwar's cliffs and Munsiyari's Panchachuli view.
Ranikhet guide · Kausani guide · Mukteshwar guide · Munsiyari guide
Getting there
- Dehradun (Jolly Grant airport and railway) for Mussoorie, Dhanaulti and Chakrata.
- Kathgodam railway station and Pantnagar airport for Nainital and the Kumaon towns.
- Kotdwar for Lansdowne.
- Haridwar and Rishikesh for the drive up to Auli and Chopta.
A little history
Mussoorie and Landour were developed from the 1820s as a hill retreat and cantonment above Dehradun, and Nainital was founded as a settlement in 1841 and later became the summer capital of the United Provinces. Ranikhet and Lansdowne grew as cantonments. Almora is much older, a seat of the Chand kings of Kumaon, and the region's temples, such as Jageshwar, go back more than a thousand years.
Where to stay
In Mussoorie, Landour and the Camel's Back Road area are quieter than the Mall Road end. In Nainital, the Mall is lively but congested; Bhimtal and Sattal are calmer lake alternatives. The Kumaon ridges have small resorts, homestays and heritage bungalows with views; in winter, confirm heating and whether the road to your stay stays open after snow.
Good combinations
- Rishikesh and Mussoorie, with Dhanaulti for a quiet night.
- Nainital with Mukteshwar and Kausani on a Kumaon loop.
- Lansdowne as a two-night break from Delhi.
- Rishikesh with Chopta and Tungnath for a short trek.
When to go
- March to June: pleasant; Mussoorie and Nainital are very busy in May and June.
- July to September: heavy rain and landslides; keep drives short and flexible.
- October to December: crisp, clear and the best time for mountain views.
- January to February: cold; snow is likely at Auli and possible at Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, Nainital and Mukteshwar.
Safety
- Mountain roads close or slow down after heavy rain, snow or landslides; check road and weather updates, and avoid driving after dark.
- Permits, e-passes, ropeways and pass openings change; check official portals before you travel.
- Carry warm layers even in summer; nights in the hills are cool.
What to pack
- Warm layers and a waterproof jacket
- Walking shoes with grip
- Motion-sickness tablets for winding roads
- Cash for small towns
Want to combine several mountain destinations into one trip?
FAQs
Which is the best hill station in Uttarakhand?
Mussoorie and Nainital are the most popular; Kausani, Mukteshwar and Lansdowne are quieter.
Which Uttarakhand hill station is closest to Delhi?
Lansdowne, Mussoorie and Nainital are each roughly 250 to 320 km by road.
Is the Auli ropeway working?
The Joshimath-Auli ropeway has not operated since the 2023 Joshimath land-subsidence crisis; check locally before planning around it.
Where can I see the high Himalaya from Uttarakhand?
Kausani, Binsar, Mukteshwar, Munsiyari and Chopta in clear weather.
When is the best time to visit?
March to June and October to December.
