Kanatal is located at a distance of 78 km from the state capital of Uttarakhand, Dehradun. This town is situated in the lap of nature and this hill station is a perfect location to see the magnificence of the state of Tehri district of Uttarakhand.

Located amidst snow clad mountain tops, Kanatal offers a perfect panoramic view of the Himalayas surrounding it. Lush greenery, pure air and the splendid Himalayas define this beautiful hill station. This hilly town is only 300 km away from New Delhi and it well connected by roads, making it a perfect place for family vacations.

Kanatal is located at a height of 8500 feet above sea level on the Mussoorie-Chamba road. This place has remained untouched and non commercialized and it boasts of raw and pure natural beauty. A visit to this place is nothing less than a rejuvenating and enriching experience.

This picturesque hill station had been forgotten and had almost gone out of existence but fortunately tourists have started visiting this place again. The main reason for its rising popularity is that this town is still not crowed with tourists. It guarantees solitude and peace of mind, which is exactly what people look for in a perfect holiday. Even though this place is well connected via motorable roads, yet it is remote and disconnected in its own way. The tranquility and serenity that Kanatal can offer is beyond compare.

A simple walk through the apple orchards in Kanatal is the best way to connect to nature and to explore Kanatal. The beautiful and brightly colored flowers, the pine forests, the tiny temples dotting the entire region and warm smile of the local people will win over your heart instantly.

History

This town was named Kanatal in memory of Lake Kanatal that existed here a few years ago. The sacred Surkunda Devi Temple located in Kanatal is dedicated to Sati ji. This is the place where her mortal remains were brought by Shankar Ji from Haridwar on his trishul. This temple is 8km from Kaddukhal towards Mussoorie. To reach this tiny temple, one has to trek for two km on ponies or on foot.

Climate

Located at a height of 2590 m above sea level, Kanatal experiences pleasant weather throughout the year. This relatively unknown hill station can be visited any time of the year to experience a sense of serenity and calmness and to enjoy nature at its best in lovely weather. This is a perfect getaway from the sultry heat of summers of North India.

Kanatal presents a breath taking view of the snow clad Himalayan peaks during winters. The summer temperature ranges from 10 degree to 20 degree Celsius while in winters it lies between 5 degree and 10 degree Celsius.

Things to do

Walks

Walks through the lush meadows of Kanatal are extremely refreshing and they bring you close to nature.  

Picnics

The green meadows, orchards and pine forests offer perfect picnic spots. These places are ideal to spend quality time with family and friends.

Adventure Sports

Sports activities like rock climbing, Rappeling, valley crossing etc can be carried out here.

Attractions

Surkhanda Devi Temple

Apart from being picturesque, this also offers wonderful trekking opportunities. The attitude of this temple is around ten thousand feet above sea level. Surrounded by dense forests, this temple is known for its scenic beauty. Every year, the Gange Dussherra festival is celebrated here between May and June with great fervor.

According to legend, the head of the charred body of Goddess Sati fell at this spot when Lord Shiva was taking her remains with him.

Tehri Dam

This is the primary dam of the Tehri Development project. This has been constructed on a tributary of the sacred Ganges River at a height of 855 feet.

Dhanaulti Eco-Park

This park is ideal for eco loving tourists. Herbal gardens, beautiful treks, breathtaking Himalayan view, bird watching and animal watching are main characteristics of this eco park. All this is done inside a dense deodar forest. During winters, heavy snowfall occurs in this eco park.

Mussoorie

This hill station is famous as the queen of hills and is only 42 km away from Kantal. It is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas. The highest point, known as Lal Tibba is over 7000 feet high.

Kodia Jungle

This is only 1 km away from Kanatal and is on the road towards Chamba. It is a wonderful picnic spot. Dense forest cover with a leveled walk for around 7 to 8 km opens abruptly into a huge expanse of hills and valleys. The view is simply amazing and is bound to take your breath away. Along the way, there are tiny natural springs and you could even spot wild animals if you are lucky. This place is also accessible by jeeps.

Chamba

Chamba is around 16 km away from Kanatal. This place is completely untouched by urbanization and this is the best part about Chamba. It is still in its natural state and the beauty is spellbinding. It is less crowded and more peaceful than Mussoorie.

Shivpuri

Shivpuri is closer to Rishikesh and is around 75 km from Kanatal. It is famous for the adventure sport of river rafting and is probably the most convenient and most popular location for river rafting. September to October is the best time to visit Shivpuri.

Shopping

Kanatal is relatively untouched by modernization and is a remote hill station. Local craft items are the only things that you can buy here. Also, you wouldn’t find any fast food joints or hotels here and the only restaurants that are found here are the ones in resorts and hotels.

Accommodations

Kanatal is a quite little hill station in Uttarakhand and therefore there are very little choices when it comes to accommodations. There are just two luxury hotels and a few budget hotels in Kanatal.

How to Reach

By Air

The Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun is the closest airport.

By Rail

The closest railway station is the Dehradun railway station.

By Road

There is a convenient network of roads connecting Kanatal to Delhi and other major cities.