Hill Stations In Nainital: 10 Top Nainital Hill Station List
Nainital is a perfect location for a weekend getaway. It is one of the most visited and popular locations in Uttarakhand. Every year, many people from different parts of the world come here to get indulge in its scenic beauty and some adventure sports that this place offers. But if you are someone who already had enough of this alluring city of lakes and wish to visit the nearby hill stations, then you’re at the right place. Here’s a list of top ten magnificent hill stations near Nainital that you can visit on a weekend getaway.
10 Amazing Hill Stations In & Near Nainital – 2023 List
| Hill Stations in Nainital | Region | Distance from City |
| Mussoorie Hill Station | Near Ambala | 175 Kms |
| Rishikesh Hill Station | Near Kanatal | 80 Kms |
| Dhanaulti Hill Station | Near Chamba | 31 Kms |
| Kausani Hill Station | Near Haldwani | 141 Kms |
| Dehradun Hill Station | Near Haridwar | 52 Kms |
| Mukteshwar Hill Station | Near Kathgodam | 64 Kms |
| Bhimtal Hill Station | Near Kathgodam | 30 Kms |
| Abbott Mount Hill Station | Near Kathgodam | 150 Kms |
| Pauri Hill Station | Near Kotdwara | 106Kms |
| Auli Hill Station | Near Chamoli | 188 Kms |
Hill Stations Nainital: Complete Guide for Best Hill Stations In & Near Nainital
1. Mussoorie – Picturesque Nainital Hill Station
Mussoorie is a picturesque hill station located at the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan Ranges. This hill station is also known as “The Queen of Hills”. Mussoorie is the getaway to the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines. After Nainital, it is the most visited place in the state of Uttarakhand.
Distance from Nainital: 320km
Why Visit: Scenic Beauty, Paragliding, Pleasant Climate
Best Way to Get There:
By Flight: The nearest airport from Mussoorie is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (54 km away)
By Train: The nearest railway station from Mussoorie is Dehradun Railway Station (33 km away)
By Road: Mussoorie has good connectivity to major cities of the country. But the most convenient way is to reach Dehradun by train and then take a bus or taxi to reach Mussoorie.
Places to Visit in Mussoorie:
- Kempty Falls
- Lal Tibba
- Gun Hill
Best Hotels in Mussoorie:
- Hotel Vishnu Palace
- Fortune Resort Grace
- Jaypee Residency Manor
2. Rishikesh – Adventurous Nainital Hill Station
Rishikesh is a beautiful hill station located on the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. It is the hub of many popular cafes, temples andadventure sports. This hill station is situated along the convergence of Ganga and Chandrabhaga. Over the years, Rishikesh has developed into a beautiful blend of spiritual and adrenaline pumping experiences. It’s a must visit place for those who want to go on a trip with their family.
Distance from Nainital: 255km
Why Visit: Spiritual Place, Adventure Activities, Popular Cafes
Best Way to Get There:
By Flight: The nearest airport to Rishikesh is Jolly Grant airport at Dehradun (35km)
By Train: The nearest railway station to Rishikesh is Haridwar (25km)
By Road: Rishikesh has a good network of buses that are well connected to places such as Haridwar, Dehradun, Nainital and New Delhi. Driving up to Rishikesh is the best option out of all, as it is connected to many cities via National Highway 58.
Places to Visit in Rishikesh:
- Ram Jhula
- Triveni Ghat
- Gita Bhawan
- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram
Best Hotels in Rishikesh:
- Ganga Kinare Hotel
- Hill Top Swiss Cottage
- Hotel Yog Vashishth
3. Dhanaulti – Beautiful Nainital Hill Station
This serene hill town offers visitors a range of opportunities amid the mighty Himalayas. Dhanaulti is slowly catching up with other famous hill stations in Uttarakhand in terms of popularity. There you’ll find white forts & temples, perfect places for camping and different types of adventure activities. It is must visit place for all the nature lovers and adventure junkies.
Distance from Nainital: 313km
Why Visit: Decent Sightseeing options, Adventure activities, Scenic beauty
Best Way to Get There:
By Flight: The nearest airport to Dhanaulti is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (85km)
By Train: The nearest railway station to Dhanaulti is Dehradun Railway Station (60km)
By Road: It is located about 24 km from Mussoorie and 293 km away from the capital, Delhi. It will take you 8-9 hours to reach Dhanaulti from Delhi by road.
Best Places to Visit in Dhanaulti:
- Camp Calista
- Eco Park
- Surkanda Devi Temple
- Burans Khanda
Best Hotels in Dhanaulti:
- Hotel Royal Residency
- Green Forest Resorts
- Hotel Crystal Palace
4. Kausani – Alluring Nainital Hill Station
Kausani is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Uttarakhand. It is also known as “Switzerland of India”. This hill station is famous for its scenic splendor. It offers alluring views of Himalayan peaks such as Bandarpoonch, Trishul, and Panchachuli. You’ll find many temples and attractive places that offer great sightseeing options.
Distance from Nainital: 115km
Why Visit: Scenic Beauty, Panoramic view of Himalayan peaks, Temples
Best Way to Get There:
By Flight: The nearest airport to Kausani is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (170 km away).
By Train: The nearest railway station to Kausani is Kathgodam Railway Station (135 km away).
By Road: To reach Kausani you can take a bus from Dehradun, Nainital, Delhi etc, as the hill station is well connected to major cities by road.
Best Places to Visit in Kausani:
- Kausani Tea Estate
- Anashakti Ashram
- Rudradhari Waterfall
Best Hotels in Kausani:
- Sun n Snow Inn
- Pratiksha Himalayan Retreat
- Chevron Mountain Villa
5. Dehradun – Popular Nainital Hill Station
Dehradun is the capital of Uttarakhand and is highlighted by the scenic backdrop of Garhwal Himalayas. It offers religious attractions, tourist points, and wildlife havens. This hill station welcomes everyone irrespective of you’re going there with family or you’re on a solo trip. Dehradun has got something for everyone to explore. Over the years many people have visited Dehradun, thanks to the development in the tourism sector of Uttarakhand.
Distance from Nainital: 289km
Why Visit: Mind rolling Monastery, Zonal Anthropological Museum, Robber’s Cave
Best Way to Get There:
By Flight: The nearest airport to Dehradun is Jolly Grant Airport (20km away from city center).
By Train: The nearest railway station to Dehradun is Dehradun Railway Station, which is located 1-2 kilometers away from the city center.
By Road: You can reach Dehradun from most of the cities such as Delhi, Shimla, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Nainital, and Mussoorie. There are Volvo, Deluxe, semi-deluxe and Uttarakhand State Transport buses to Dehradun.
Best Places to Visit in Dehradun:
- Tapkeshwar Temple
- Malsi Deer Park
- Robber’s Cave
Best Hotels in Dehradun:
- Lemon Tree Hotel
- Hotel Madhuban
- Four Points by Sheraton
6. Mukteshwar – Religious Nainital Hill Station
Mukteshwar is another beautiful hill station in the state of Uttarakhand. This small town derives its name from Lord Shiva. It is a town bursting to the fore with fruit orchards, coniferous forests and rolling meadows at a height of 7500 ft. This small town derived its name from Lord Shiva, is complete with fruit orchards, coniferous forests and rolling meadows at a height of 7500ft. In this hill station, you will find the little cottages and homes built in quaint Colonial style. Here, you can spend your time getting indulge in adventure sports activities such as rock climbing, rappelling etc.
Distance from Nainital: 47km
Why Visit: Mukteshwar Temple, Sitla, Chauthi Jaali
7. Bhimtal – Lake & Forrest Covered Nainital Hill Station
Bhimtal is an ideal place for a weekend getaway and it rests at a height of 1370m above the sea level. Here you’ll find temples lying amid the verdant mountains and a pristine Bhimtal lake. It is the town’s most sought-after spot with a small island in the middle adding charm to its picturesque surroundings. Bhimtal is bound by a dense forest of oaks, pine, and shrubs along with beautiful lakes and awesome weather.
Distance from Nainital: 20km
Why Visit: Bhimtal Lake, Bhimeshwar Temple
8. Abbott Mount – Scenic Nainital Hill Station
Abbott Mount is a cluster of 13 cottages that lies in the Kali Kumaon region of Champawat district. This small hill station is spread across a mere 5 acres of deodar and pine woods. It lies at an elevation of 6,400 ft above the sea level. Some of the main attractions here are the haunted cottage, base camp, and old church. One of the most common things to do here is that you can trek your way to Pancheshwar, located on the foothills of India-Nepal border.
Distance from Nainital: 145km
Why Visit: Lohaghat, Mayawati Ashram, Pancheshwar
9. Pauri – Exciting Nainital Hill Station
Pauri is another hill station in this list of hill stations near Nainital. This hill station includes skyscraping mountains that remain covered in snow for many months. The view of these mountains, when the rays of the sun first fall on the snowy peaks are beyond comparison. Pauri offers many short hikes & treks, including the Binsar Mahadev trek, the Tara Kund Trek, and the Dudhatoli trek.
Distance from Nainital: 311km
Why Visit: Kandolia Temple, Nag Dev Mandir, Ganga Darshan View Point
10. Auli – Ski-Perfect Nainital Hill Station
Auli is one of the top hill stations in Uttarakhand, it lies adjacent to the shrine of Badrinath. This hill station offers panoramic views of some high Himalayan peaks including Nanda Devi, Kamet, Mana Parbat, and Dunagiri. It has ski slopes, ranging between 2,500 m & 3,500 m above sea level which are among the best options for snowboarding and skiing in India.
Distance from Nainital: 300km
Why Visit: Gurso Bugyal, Kwani Bugyal, Trishul Peak Trek
