Dhanaulti

Dhanaulti is a small, serene hill station perched at 2,286 metres in Tehri Garhwal district, about 24 kilometres from Mussoorie on the Mussoorie–Chamba road. Far less crowded than Mussoorie and Nainital, Dhanaulti offers the kind of Himalayan experience that feels genuinely unspoilt — dense Deodar, Rhododendron, and Oak forests, crisp mountain air, and on clear days, sweeping views of the Bandarpunch, Kedarnath, and Gangotri ranges stretching across the horizon.

The centrepiece of Dhanaulti is the Eco Park — actually three distinct parks managed by the Uttarakhand Forest Department, each enclosed within ancient Deodar forests. The parks offer beautifully maintained walking trails, children's play areas, and wooden cottages. In winter (December–February), Dhanaulti receives moderate snowfall that transforms it into a white wonderland, making it a favourite snow destination for families from Delhi NCR who don't want to go as far as Auli or Chopta.

Adventure tourism has grown significantly in Dhanaulti in recent years, with several reputable operators offering tented camps, rope courses, rock climbing, rappelling, and mountain biking. Surkanda Devi Temple (8km, at 2,755m) is a popular excursion — the 2km climb from Kaddukhal rewards with spectacular 360° Himalayan panoramas. Dhanaulti is best combined with Mussoorie, Kanatal, and Chamba for a complete Tehri Garhwal circuit.