Lansdowne is a small cantonment town at about 1,700 metres in Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. It was established in 1887 and named after Lord Lansdowne, then Viceroy of India, and it has been the regimental centre of the Garhwal Rifles ever since. The army still manages much of the town, which is why it has stayed clean, green and lightly built up.
There is no big Mall Road or lake promenade here. Things to do in Lansdowne are about walking through oak and blue pine forest, visiting the regimental museum and old churches, watching the Himalaya from Tip n Top, rowing on a small army-run lake and, above all, resting. That is exactly why people come.
Lansdowne is roughly 250 km from Delhi, making it one of the closer hill stations for a two-night weekend. Kotdwar, about 40 km below, is the nearest railway station.
For how to get there, when to go and where to stay, see our Lansdowne travel guide.
Quick answer: best things to do in Lansdowne
- Row on Bhulla Tal, the army-run lake
- Watch sunrise or sunset from Tip n Top
- Visit the Garhwal Rifles regimental museum
- See St Mary's Church and St John's Church
- Pay respects at the war memorial
- Walk the oak and pine forest trails
- Visit Tarkeshwar Mahadev in the deodar forest
- Stop at Bhim Pakora, the balancing rock
Going by road? See our guide to road trips in Uttarakhand.
Comparing hill stations? See our guide to hill stations in Uttarakhand.
Around the cantonment
Row on Bhulla Tal
Bhulla Tal is a small artificial lake built and maintained by the Garhwal Rifles; its name comes from the Garhwali word bhulla, meaning younger brother, in memory of young soldiers. Paddle boats, a small garden and a children's play area make it an easy hour, especially with children.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Good for
- Families
Watch the view from Tip n Top
Tip n Top, also called Tiffin Top, is the town's main viewpoint, on a ridge near St Mary's Church. On clear days it looks out over the Garhwal hills to the snow peaks of the Himalaya. Sunrise and sunset are the best times, and a GMVN guesthouse sits right on the ridge.
- Best time
- Sunrise or sunset, October to March
- Good for
- Everyone
See St Mary's Church
St Mary's Church, built in the 1890s by the Royal Engineers, is no longer used for services and has been restored by the army as a small museum with old photographs of the cantonment. St John's Church, from the same period, is still in use.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
Regimental history
Visit the Garhwal Rifles museum
The regimental museum, known as the Darwan Singh Sangrahalaya, is named after Naik Darwan Singh Negi, one of the first Indians to receive the Victoria Cross, for bravery in France in 1914. Its galleries cover the regiment's history from the First World War to recent operations through uniforms, weapons, medals and photographs.
Opening days and hours follow cantonment rules and can change; carry ID and check at the gate.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Good for
- History lovers, families
- Good to know
- Carry ID; photography rules apply
Pay respects at the war memorial
The war memorial, set among well-kept lawns near the parade ground, honours the soldiers of the Garhwal Rifles. The Parade Ground itself is one of the landmarks of the town and is generally seen from outside.
Forest walks and nearby temples
Walk the forest trails
The roads and trails around Lansdowne run through oak, blue pine and deodar, with very little traffic. Walks towards Tip n Top, around the cantonment and down to nearby villages are the best part of a stay. Early mornings are good for birdwatching; the area has many Himalayan species.
- Best time
- Early morning
- Good for
- Walkers, birdwatchers
Visit Tarkeshwar Mahadev
Tarkeshwar Mahadev, a Shiva temple set in dense deodar and pine forest roughly 35 to 40 km from Lansdowne, is one of the most peaceful temples in Garhwal. The drive and the short walk to the temple through tall trees are as much a part of the visit as the shrine.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Good for
- Pilgrims, nature lovers
See Bhim Pakora
Bhim Pakora, a large rock balanced on another, is reached by a short forest trek from the Lansdowne area and is linked in local legend to Bhima of the Mahabharata. Ask locally for the path and go with a guide.
- Good for
- Active travellers
Stop at Kanvashram near Kotdwar
Kanvashram, on the Malini river near Kotdwar, is traditionally identified as the hermitage of sage Kanva, where Shakuntala is said to have raised Bharata. It makes a short stop on the drive up.
Things to do in Lansdowne by type of traveller
Weekenders from Delhi: Leave early on Saturday, spend the afternoon walking to Tip n Top, see the museum and Bhulla Tal on Sunday, and head back after lunch.
Couples: Stay somewhere with a view of the ridge, walk the forest roads, and do very little else.
Families: Bhulla Tal, the regimental museum and short walks keep children engaged. Do not expect malls or amusement parks.
What to do in Lansdowne with one day
Start with sunrise at Tip n Top and a walk past St Mary's Church. After breakfast, visit the Garhwal Rifles museum and the war memorial, then spend an hour at Bhulla Tal. In the afternoon, drive to Tarkeshwar Mahadev through the forest and return to Lansdowne for sunset.
Practical tips for Lansdowne
- Kotdwar, about 40 km away, is the nearest railway station; from Delhi, the drive takes around six to seven hours.
- Lansdowne is a cantonment: follow signs, avoid photographing army installations, and expect some roads to be restricted.
- Dining options are limited and close early; eat at your hotel or the small market.
- Mobile networks can be patchy in parts of the forest.
Plan the rest of your Lansdowne trip
Lansdowne things to do: FAQs
What are the best things to do in Lansdowne?
Row on Bhulla Tal, watch the view from Tip n Top, visit the Garhwal Rifles museum, St Mary's Church and the war memorial, walk the forest trails and visit Tarkeshwar Mahadev.
Is Lansdowne worth visiting?
Yes, if you want a quiet, clean hill station with forest walks and little commercialisation. It is not the place for nightlife or shopping.
How many days are enough for Lansdowne?
Two nights is ideal for a relaxed weekend, including Tarkeshwar Mahadev.
What is the best time to visit Lansdowne?
March to June for pleasant weather, and October to February for clear views. Winter evenings are cold, and the monsoon brings heavy rain.
Things to do near Lansdowne
- Things to do in Rishikesh: rafting and yoga, a longer drive west
- Things to do in Jim Corbett: safaris in the foothills to the east
- Things to do in Mussoorie: a busier hill station with a lively Mall
More things to do in Uttarakhand
Published by the Kudozz Club editorial team · Last updated · How we research our guides
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