Tehri Garhwal · Uttarakhand
Kanatal & Dhanaulti
Forest and meadow country on the Mussoorie–Chamba road, with camping and ziplining.
Kanatal & Dhanaulti is an easy hill destination in Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, reaching 2,590 m. The best time to go is March to June and September to November. Plan 2 to 3 days on the ground from Dehradun and about ₹2,800 per person per day.
What to do in Kanatal & Dhanaulti
The one thing not to miss
Surkanda Devi temple
On a hilltop with a full-circle view, by a steep path or the ropeway.
- 2Dhanaulti eco parkDeodar forest with easy walking trails.
- 3Tehri lakeThe reservoir below, for boating and the view.
- 4Kodia forestA quiet forest track near Kanatal.
A sample plan: 3 days
Day 1
Dehradun to Kanatal & Dhanaulti
About 2.5–3 hours on the road. Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings.
Day 2
Surkanda Devi temple · Dhanaulti eco park · Tehri lake
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
Kanatal & Dhanaulti to Dehradun
Leave after breakfast; hill roads are slower than the map suggests.
A starting point built from the things to do above. Move days around to suit your pace.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
A quick weekend escape from Delhi with real deodar forest and no Mussoorie traffic.
Why not
Nothing grand — it is a forest-and-camp destination, not a peak destination.
Before you go
- Permits
- None.
- Guide
- Not needed.
- Safety
- Forest camping only at registered campsites.
- Phone & internet
- Decent.
Altitude
Kanatal & Dhanaulti reaches 2,590 m. Most people feel fine, but a mild headache or poor sleep on the first night is common.
- Take the first day slowly and drink plenty of water.
- Avoid alcohol on the first night.
- If a headache comes with nausea, dizziness or unusual tiredness, do not go higher until it clears.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Uttarakhand →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Main hospitals in Uttarakhand: Base Hospital, Haldwani; Community Health Centre, Munsiyari; District Hospital, Bageshwar.
All emergency contacts for Uttarakhand →What to pack for Kanatal & Dhanaulti
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
10 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) Nights drop below freezing in the snow months.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Waterproof gloves You will be touching snow; ordinary woollen gloves get wet.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava Covers nose and neck in wind and on cold mornings.
- Hand warmers A small, cheap comfort at camp and on early starts.
- Compact umbrella Showers are frequent in the rainy months.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
2 items
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
- Waterproof snow boots Ordinary shoes soak through in snow. Often rentable on the spot — check before buying.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
6 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets The approach roads are long and winding.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsNone.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereDecent.
For what you're going for
1 item
- Sleeping bag If you camp on your own. Operators and campsites usually provide one — ask first.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Uttarakhand Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Dehradun.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. The road can be icy after snowfall in January and February.
By road
From
Dehradun
- Distance
- about 75 km
- Drive time
- 2.5–3 hours
- Dehradun
- Mussoorie
- Dhanaulti
- Kanatal
From
Rishikesh
- Distance
- about 75 km
- Drive time
- 2.5–3 hours
- Rishikesh
- Narendranagar
- Chamba
- Kanatal
From
Delhi
- Distance
- about 320 km
- Drive time
- 8–9 hours
- Delhi
- Meerut
- Muzaffarnagar
- Roorkee
- Haridwar
- Rishikesh
- Chamba
- Kanatal
Buses and shared taxis. Trains and flights reach Dehradun (Jolly Grant airport) and Haridwar; buses and shared jeeps leave from Rishikesh and Dehradun early in the morning.
Pickups & drivers
From Dehradun. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Kanatal & Dhanaulti yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Kanatal & Dhanaulti: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Kanatal & Dhanaulti?
The best months for Kanatal & Dhanaulti are March to June and September to November. December to February are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in January and February.
How difficult is Kanatal & Dhanaulti?
Kanatal & Dhanaulti is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 2,250 m and reaching 2,590 m.
How many days do you need for Kanatal & Dhanaulti?
Plan 2 to 3 days on the ground, counted from Dehradun. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Kanatal & Dhanaulti cost?
Expect about ₹2,800 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹8,400 for 3 days, before the cost of getting to Dehradun.
How do you reach Kanatal & Dhanaulti?
By road: from Dehradun it is about 75 km, 2.5–3 hours (Dehradun → Mussoorie → Dhanaulti → Kanatal); from Rishikesh it is about 75 km, 2.5–3 hours (Rishikesh → Narendranagar → Chamba → Kanatal); from Delhi it is about 320 km, 8–9 hours (Delhi → Meerut → Muzaffarnagar → Roorkee → Haridwar → Rishikesh → Chamba → Kanatal). Trains and flights reach Dehradun (Jolly Grant airport) and Haridwar; buses and shared jeeps leave from Rishikesh and Dehradun early in the morning. The nearest gateway is Dehradun.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Kanatal & Dhanaulti?
Permits: None. Guide: Not needed.
Is Kanatal & Dhanaulti suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is great; with seniors it is good. It is moderately busy in season. Forest camping only at registered campsites.
What should you pack for Kanatal & Dhanaulti?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, waterproof gloves, neck gaiter or balaclava, hand warmers, compact umbrella. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Kanatal & Dhanaulti?
Decent.
Will I get altitude sickness at Kanatal & Dhanaulti?
Kanatal & Dhanaulti reaches 2,590 m. Most people feel fine, but a mild headache or poor sleep on the first night is common. Take the first day slowly and drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol on the first night. If a headache comes with nausea, dizziness or unusual tiredness, do not go higher until it clears. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Kanatal & Dhanaulti?
Kanatal & Dhanaulti suits most travellers, including children and senior citizens. The one drawback to know about: Nothing grand — it is a forest-and-camp destination, not a peak destination.
Close to Kanatal & Dhanaulti
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.