As a tourist visiting a hill station destination like Mussoorie you will get charged
with its lovely and cheering climate. The place which mesmerised Captain Young,
an adventures British military officer is really charming, with its scenic beauty
and cheering climate. You can visit number of spots of tourist interest with snow
covered mountains and scenic waterfalls. To suggest some of the best spots we can
summarize as follows. The lifeline of the hill resort of Mussoorie is undoubtedly
the Mall. The Mall besides the series of shops offers wondrous vistas of the surrounding
hills and the Doon Valley below. You must be at the Mall while in Mussoorie especially
as the evening falls. The tourists come together to enjoy the spectacular sunset.
The sunset is followed by the view of the twinkling lights that shine one by one
in the valley below. You just can't skip the Kulri Bazaar and the Library Chowk
of the Mall. The Kulri Bazaar offers several items of Indian fare.
From the Mall you may take a ropeway and visit the Gun Hill. Then you must check
out the Camel's back Road in Mussoorie. The road owes its name to its shape that
is curved like the back of the ship of the desert. On the road you will rest spot
of Hawa Ghar. While holidaying in Mussoorie you may picnic at the Lal Tibba. The
Municipal Garden or the Company Bagh and the Cloud End are the other sites worth
visiting in Mussoorie. The hill resort of Mussoorie is renowned for its academic
institutes too. While at Mussoorie you may move ahead and visit the renowned Kempty
Falls that are at a distance of just half an hour. The falls happens to be a favorite
with the Indian film industry. The backdrop of the water falling and further getting
divided into five waterfalls is simply spectacular. Around Mussoorie you may visit
the famous Surkhanda Devi Temple. The temple is at an amazing height of 10,000 feet.
You need a stiff two-km climb to reach the temple. Then there is Nag Tibba at a
distance of 41 km from Mussoorie. You may trek to Nag Tibba at an altitude of 10,000
feet amidst pine forests, mountain brooks and slate-roofed villages. Not far but
away from the madding crowds of Mussoorie are the picture perfect pine-clad slopes
of Dhanaulti. You may even enjoy pedal boating at the artificial Lake near Mussoorie.
Jharipani Falls
Packed with estates of Jharipani and famous boarding schools is Jharipani Falls.
The beauty of falls keeps the view spell bound. A half-an-hour walk from the Jharipani
market or a 6 km trek from top of Mussoorie leads one to Jharipani Falls. Some of
the popular schools of Mussoorie located in these estates are the Oakgrove, Wynberg
Allen and the St.George school.
Kempty Falls
15 km on the Chakrata road, from Mussoorie is Kempty Falls. At an altitude of 4300
ft located in a beautiful valley and surrounded by high mountains, it is the biggest
& prettiest site. Children as well as adults enjoy bathing at the foot of the
falls. It is also a very popular picnic spot. It is the star attraction of Mussoorie.
The biggest waterfall here is located lower than Mussoorie, nestled among a cluster
of cliffs from all sides. Waters come cascading down from a height of 4,500 ft,
hitting the rocks on its way and getting split into five streams. Many people make
a splash here under the waterfall and in the pool for fun and enjoyment, mainly
so in summers. There are many shops, eateries changing rooms around the falls that
it looks like one big market around the place.
Bhatta Falls
Bhatta Falls is about 7 kilometer from Mussoorie, off the Dehradun-Mussoorie Road.
From the main road towards Mussoorie, there is a steep lane off on one side that
winds downwards to the Bhatta Falls. Buses or shared auto-rickshaws can bring you
to the fall area from main Mussoorie town. Further on, you need to walk down a three
kilometer trail to arrive at the falls. Private cars and taxis can go right down
to the Bhatta Falls, since the road has been repaired recently. Bhatta falls has
been developed as a beautiful picnic spot, with a small stream running through the
site. You can get your picnic basket and find a spot under the shade of a tree along
the bank. The stream is full of algae, and hence not suitable for a swim. The main
picnic area, however, has a separate pond where you can enjoy a refreshing dip.
You can even boat on the pond if you like. The site has slides and swings for children.
The beauty of Bhatta Falls lies in the humbling view of the mountains it opens up.
Happy Valley
The Happy Valley with many places of interest to explore is a common spot for tourists.
Happy Valley has IAS Academy houses, gardens and also Tibetan Temples. Happy Valley
extends from West side of the Library to far end of Mussoorie. From Kala School
of Happy Valley one can visit Hathipaon Park Estate. The Happy Valley area lies
on the western side of Library Point and leads to the far end of Mussoorie, that
is, the Cloud’s End. The Happy Valley area indeed promises a happy feeling with
so many places of interest to explore, be its estates, gardens or temples. Almost
every tourist spot in Mussoorie passes through the Happy Valley area. A walk past
the Kala School from Happy Valley, which forks past the police station, can take
you to the Hathipaon Park Estate.
Gun Hill
Gun Hill gets its quaint name from the pre-independence days when a gun mounted
on this second highest peak of Mussorie was fired to herald mid-day, thus enabling
people to adjust their watches. When colonial rule in India ended, the gun was silenced
and melted to make taps. Once accessible by a steep, narrow bridle path, Gun Hill
can now be reached in just about 4 minutes by a ropeway set up in 1970. The 400
mts. ropeway connects the Mall to Gun Hill and makes for a thrilling trip. It offers
a panoramic view of the Himalayas, Banderpunch, Gangotri, Pithwara, Srikantha to
name a few and a bird's eye view of Mussoorie town and Doon Valley. For the more
adventurous, a steep path also runs up to Gun Hill by bridles path which forks-off
from Mall Road near Kutchery and makes for a 20-25 minute walk. The second highest
peak of Mussoorie, Gun Hill sits at 2122 mts above sea level and offers a breathtaking
view and a peaceful break from a hectic travel schedule. At the peak one can find
a few eateries, souvenir shops and other stalls as well. From the Gun Hill you can
experience the magical view of the great Himalayan peaks and a bird's eye view of
Mussoorie.
Municipal Garden
It is located at a distance of 4 km by rickshaw cycles, pony or by a car and 2 km
via Waverly Convent School road on foot. Municipal Garden is a picnic spot having
a beautiful garden and an artificial mini lake with paddled boating facility. Municipal
Garden is an ideal spot for families and couples.
Camels Back Road
It starts from Kulri and ends at the library covering a total distance of about
3 km. It is a pleasant walk or horse ride with a camels rock en route. Sunset view
of the Himalayas is superb.
Childer's Lodge
Childer’s Lodge is highest Peak of Mussoorie near Lal Tibba. It is about 5 km from
the Tourist Office and one can go on horseback or on foot. Snow view from this spot
is exhilarating.
Mussoorie Lake
6 km from Mussoorie this is a newly developed picnic spot on Dehradun Mussoorie
road. It is a delightful spot. Paddle boats are available. It commands an enchanting
view of Doon Valley & the nearby villages. Mussoorie Lake is situated at 6 km
on Mussoorie-Dehradun road. It is a newly developed picnic spot build by City Board
& Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority. The lake offers pedalled boating
facilities along with offers fascinating view of Doon Valley and nearby villages.
Van Chetna Kendra
At a distance of about 2 km on Tehri bye pass road, this place
is developed as a picnic spot and has a park surrounded with pine forest and flowering
shrubs, and is approachable by foot or taxi. The main attraction is the wildlife
of the park like Ghurar, Kanankar, Himalayan Peacock, Monal etc.
Yamuna Bridge
About 27 km from Mussoorie on Chakrata Barkot Road and is an ideal spot for fishing.
Permits for fishing can be obtained.
Dhanolti
Dhanolti is located on Mussoorie- Tehri Road at a distance of about 25 km from Mussoorie.
On the way, Buranskhanda offers a captivating view of the Himalayas amidst pine
and deodar forest. Dhanolti is an ideal place for a quiet weekend. A Tourist Bungalow
is available.
Chamba (Tehri)
Chamba is about 31 km from Dhanolti. The drive is excellent as the road passes through
the fruit orchards. During season, apples are available in abundance all along the
routes. In springs, one can capture on camera Rhododendron and various other fruit
trees which are a feast to the eyes when in full bloom. In the backdrop are the
magnificent Himalayas.