Mussoorie, Queen of the Hills in India, Uttarakhand

July 1, 2023

Abhishek Sohu

A view of Mussoorie after the first spell of snowfall in winter

Among so many hill stations in India, Mussoorie is rated as one of the busiest tourist destinations. Mussoorie, the “Queen of Hills,” is located kindly among the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayan range. Mussoorie is a memorial to nature’s beauty with its rich green hills, flowing waterfalls, and magnificent landscapes. Well, if you read about Mussoorie and do not give a visit, it would be a huge shame. Even if it stays busy in the season period, nature and its aura say millions of expressions, because of which not only tourists from the neighboring states and all across the country but also Dehradun locals tend to visit Mussoorie on a regular basis. It is probably one of the very few hill stations in the world, which gives a complete view of the City valley on which the mountain range banks.

Located in the Uttarakhand state, Mussoorie is situated at an elevated height of 2005 meters/6580 feet. The station boasts rich flora and fauna, incredibly scenic and panoramic views of Dehradun Valley from the face of Mussoorie, and surrounding snow-capped Himalayan peaks from the backside.

Many would love to go out, in the midst of fresh air and hike through the trails of the hills. Mussoorie does not disappoint in this department either. Local people tend to travel by foot or even hike/trek through to reach different spots of this popular place. With the tag ‘Queen of the Hills’, comes a huge responsibility. This comes in the shape of retaining the number of tourists every year. If you are planning to visit Mussoorie on your own or plan a guided tour, there are some places you might want to study or research. So, let us go through some of the breathtaking spots in and around Mussoorie that have made it a place to be there on every individual’s bucket list.

Ever Visited Kempty Falls?

It has to be one of the best and most touristy spots in Mussoorie. If you have not been to Kempty Falls, then you have not visited this hill station. The fall for which this spot is famous flows down the face of the giant rock that is more than 12 meters high. While you stand on the foot of the rock, all you can do is admire and appreciate our mother nature.

On the foot of the rock where the fall ends is a small space where the water strikes and collects. You will see a lot of people from all around the country bathing and enjoying the cold, sizzling essence of the waterfall, while some might be seen swimming. You would be astonished to know the number of visitors this spot receives annually – a staggering number of more than 1 million.

Kempty Fall is about 15 kilometers from Mussoorie. If you do now have your own vehicle, do not hesitate in hiring a car for yourself.

Experience Serene Views From Gun Hill

The hill got its name from colonial times when a gun used to be mounted on top of the hill. Every day at noon, the gun was fired to make people set their watches to the correct time. In modern times you will not find the gun but can experience the breathtaking 360-degree views of the Garhwal Himalayas and the ever-so-beautiful Doon Valley. You can either take a ropeway to reach this point or can simply trek. This might take some time but that’s what adventure is all about, because you know what views are waiting for you at the top of the mountain.

When you are traveling to Mussoorie, make sure the next morning or the same day itself, if you arrive on time, you sit in the rope car and set yourself all the way up with your loved ones to enjoy the hot tea and pristine views. At over 2024 meters/6640 feet from sea level, Gunhill is the second highest point of Mussoorie. This also allows you to take 360-degree shots from your camera.

The cable car runs between 10 AM to 6 PM every day. In most of the busy seasons, you might encounter long queues, but if you plan on visiting early, you might get lucky with your number.

Trekking Places Near Mussoorie:

Home to Birds & Wildlife – Benog Wildlife Sanctuary, a 1-day hike

A hike to the top gets you to a beautiful vantage point with panoramic views all around

Being a part of the Rajaji National Park, Benog Wildlife Sanctuary is known for quite many varieties of indigenous and rare bird species. It is home to endangered, the red-billed blue magpie, mountain quails, and white-capped water redstart. Surprised much already? Well, it is a perfect place to visit if you are someone who likes to stay within or near nature, birds, and wildlife.

A hike through the sanctuary takes you to Jwala Devi temple hill point, where you can see the Yamuna river in the distance on one side and Mussoorie on the other

If you plan on exploring this sanctuary, you have to get involved in some hiking, for the best experience. Drive through the road to Cloud’s End takes you to the start point with a Forest Board painted in red & green and a barricade made out of a steel pole on the right.

From here you start hiking and the trail descends for the first 20 minutes. There you encounter a Forest Check Post where you have to pay INR 150 per person to enter the sanctuary further inward. From here it takes 40 to 50 minutes on a steady pace to hike to Benog Hill and Jwala Devi temple. The entire journey is 4 KM one way. Overall the entire hike can take 2 to 3 hours depending on your pace.

Don’t Forget: The sanctuary open between 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day.

George Everest Peak

George Everest Peak is situated near the house of George Everest, the famous Surveyor General of India during the British rule over India, in whose honor the Everest Peak is named. This peak however is fairly easy to hike to. It takes 40 mins to an hour to reach the top and offers panoramic views from up top. It is a great excursion for families and children even of 5 years of age can easily walk to the top.

Nag Tibba Trek

Nag Tibba trek is a popular trek near Mussoorie. After a drive of around 56 KM from Library Chowk through Kempty Falls and Nainbag, we arrive at Pantwari village. The trek starts from here and can be done in 2 days from Mussorie. It takes you to the Nag Tibba peak which is the highest in the region and you get amazing views from the top of Snow covered peaks throughout the year. It is at an altitude of 3,020 meters. You will even get to camp for one night.

Best Time To Visit Mussoorie:

Well, obviously during the months of summer (April to June) when the plains are too hot to handle. During this period of the year, you will experience the best weather.

Another set of months in which you can plan your time to Mussoorie is in late December and early January, when the temperature is cold, and windy. Do you want to miss out on the first snowfall of the season? Of course, the answer would be a big NO. But, you might have to pack woolens in these winter months.

How to Reach Mussoorie?

By Air

Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport to Mussoorie, which is located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The airport is around 19 miles away from the capital, Dehradun. So, if you are planning to travel to Dehradun by cab, you will get a lot of taxis at the airport itself.

You would be glad to know that there are direct flights to Dehradun from Delhi. And last but not least, there are ample amazing hotels in Mussoorie for you to choose from.

By Train

The railway station of Dehradun is the closest train station to Mussoorie. You can reach the station from Delhi through the Delhi-Dehradun trains like Jan Shatabdi, Shatabdi, Nanda Devi, and Mussoorie Express. While the timings will depend on your convenience and preferences, it is important for you to know that all these trains are really comfortable. All you have to do is, expect to spend around five to six hours of traveling.

By Bus

The bus services from Dehradun to Mussoorie and Mussoorie to Delhi are really good. When you reach the railway station, you will get the bus to Mussoorie easily. If you are one of the travelers who is looking to go to Kempty Falls directly, you can look for the buses that are heading towards Barkot, Nainbagh, or Yamunotri. The Mall road and the bus station of Mussoorie are well connected, so you won’t face any problems while walking all the way up there. The mere cost of your bus ticket from Dehradun to Mussoorie will be around INR 50, less than a dollar

By Road

Alternatively, you can easily drive to Dehradun from NCR, most of Haryana & Chandigarh, and of course West UP. The roads are mostly well laid with expressway making up for a significant stretch.

Get in Touch with Himalayan Shelter Today!

Traveling with Himalayan Shelter is a unique way of exploring Mussoorie like never before. They give you an opportunity of experiencing the less-known places of this beautiful hill station. So, if you are planning a trip to Mussoorie and especially its Mall Road, do not waste even a single second to get in touch with us before the seats run out.

FAQs on Mussoorie:

Are there any other hill stations near Mussoorie?

Yes, near Mussoorie, there are two well-known hill stations: Dhanaulti and Chakrata. Among these two, Chakrata is most preferred in winter and is perfect for nature enthusiasts looking to explore natural beauty through a road trip.

When is the best time to visit Mussoorie?

The best time to visit Mussoorie is between March and June, and then again from September to November for pleasant weather and clear views.

What are the must-visit places in Mussoorie?

Don’t miss the enchanting Kempty Falls, the iconic Gun Hill viewpoint, the serene Lal Tibba, and the historic Landour Bazaar.

What is Mussoorie’s height in feet from sea level?

Mussoorie’s average elevation from sea level is approximately 6,580 feet (about 2,005 meters).

Why Mussoorie is called Queen of Hills?

Mussoorie is known as the “Queen of Hills” because of its beautiful splendor, located among the gorgeous Himalayan mountains and affording breathtaking scenic vistas. Its royal title is due to its lovely conditions and magnificent environment.