World > India > Hill Stations > Uttarakhand

Hill Stations Of Uttarakhand

Dehradun : Dehradun is the capital of Uttarakhand state and the gateway to the hill station Mussorie. It is a hill station and the prestigious Indian military academy is located here.

Mussoorie : Mussorie is a popular hill station with honeymooners. The zigzag roads climbs steeply to Mussoorie. The climate is pleasant with cool breeze and mist. The places to visit are gardens, Gun hill rope way, Tibettan market, Kempty falls (15 km), Yamuna bridge (27 km), Surkhanda devi temple (35 km).

Mussoorie hill station is 28 km from Dehradun. Trekking can be done with Mussoorie as base. Yamnotri (140 km) is a popular Hindu pilgrim centre, one among the Char dhams.

Auli : Auli is famous for winter sports and is accessible from Joshimath. Joshimath is on the Rishikesh - Badrinath road. Joshimath has India's highest and 4.15 km long rope way to Auli skiing centre (10 km by Jeep).

Nainital : Nainital is a popular hill station in the Kumaon with a number of lakes. Boating in the Naini lake is the main activity. Ranikhet hill station (50 km) - Jhodadevi temple; Railhead is Kathagodam connected to Bareilly. Almora is 90 km away.

Almora

Situated at an elevation of 5400 ft, in the Kumaon Hills, Almora is known for its healthy climate. It is perched atop the 5 km long saddle-shaped ridge of the Kashaya hill, which is mentioned in ancient scriptures. The town of Almora was founded about 1560 AD by Balo Kalyan Chand, the Raja of Champavat, who later made it the capital of the Chand kingdom. It was ruled by the Chand Rajas upto the 18th century. The Gorkhas ruled for about 25 years, after which Almora came under British control till Independence. Almora is the cultural centre of Kumaon and a picturesque mountain resort. While it is bordered by the gentle hills of Kumaon on three sides, its northern front affords a breathtaking view of the Trishul peaks. A popular viewing point to enjoy the sunrise and sunset on the snow peaks is at Bright End Corner. Simtola this picnic spot is located in an idyllic setting. Mohan Joshi Park, this park is located around a V-Shaped artifical lake. Almora is famous for its tweed's, woollens and copper and brass ware. Main shopping areas are Lala Bazar and Chowk Bazar.

The Mall

The main thoroughfare in Almora is the Mall, which has the bus stand, small restaurants and hotels. Almora's chequered past is reflected in the buildings along the local styles of architecture. You can see the indigenous hill cottages with bunglow trimmings and British bungalows half Indianised with great slabs of stone for roofs.

The post office and the clock tower : Built in 1905, is still very British but the main clock tower opposite the tourist office, erected in 1886 by an Indian but constructed by a British engineer, shows a strange confusion of styles.

Temple of Nanda Devi

Old Almora still survives in the temple of Nanda Devi the patron goddess of the Chand rajas, which stands in the antechamber of a Shiva temple, and also in the bazaars above and adjoining the Mall.

Khazanchi Mohalla

The best examples of the old styles of architecture is the Khazanchi Mohalla, the area which once belonged to the state treasures.

Collectorate

The highest point of the Almora bazaars, above the Mall, is the Collectorate. This is in fact the old Almora fort, from where you can get a wonderful view of Almora and the surrounding mountains.

Tamta Mohalla

One of the traditional crafts of Almora is copperware and some of the best coppersmiths still work from their traditional area in the old city, Tamta Mohalla.

Brighton End Corner

Named after England's popular seaside resort, the Brighton End Corner is 2 km from the bus station on the Mall and is the most popular point for sunset and sunrise views of the Himalayas.

Simtola

Simtola, 3 km from Almora, on the opposite side of the horseshoe ridge, is a pine covered picnic spot. Close by are Hiradungi, once a diamond mining centre and the scenic Greynite Hill.

Kalimath

Excellent views of Almora and the Himalayan peaks can be had from Kalimath 5 km from Almora.

Kasar Devi temple

Six kilometres from Almora, Kasar Devi stands on what is still known as the Crank's ridge, formerly a haunt of artists and writers. D H Lawrence spent two summers here, and it has also attracted Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens and Timothy Leary, the father of the hippy movement.

Upreti Khola

Two kilometres from the Kasar Devi temple, in Upreti Khola district, is a second century BC rock inscription dedicated to the goddess.

Chital

Another hilltop temple stands 6 km from Almora at Chital. The god here is Lord Golla, a deified general of the Chand dynasty and his shrine is decorated with a canopy of bells offered in thanksgiving by devotees.

Accomodation

Konark Hotel, Mountain Resort, Renuka Hotel, Golu Deva Tourist Rest House.

How To Reach

Nearest airport is Pantnagar (Nanital) 127 km. Nearest railway station is at Kathgodam, 90 km, from where direct trains are available for Delhi, Lucknow and Agra. Almora is well connected by road to important centres in the region.