Dhanaulti is a small, peaceful hill station in Tehri Garhwal at about 2,280 m, surrounded by deodar, oak and rhododendron forests. It is only about 25 km beyond Mussoorie but much calmer, with no crowded Mall Road. People come for the Eco Parks, the hilltop Surkanda Devi temple, and snow in winter. It is about 60 km from Dehradun and easy to combine with Mussoorie and Kanatal.
Dhanaulti at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| District | Tehri Garhwal |
| Altitude | About 2,280 m |
| From Mussoorie | About 25 km, 1 hour |
| From Dehradun | About 60 km, 2.5 hours |
| From Haridwar / Rishikesh | About 110 km / 90 km, 4 hours |
| From Delhi | About 310 km, 8 to 9 hours |
| Best time | March–June and October–February; snow in January–February |
| Days needed | 1 to 2 nights |
Places to visit in Dhanaulti
1. Eco Parks (Amber and Dhara)
Two neighbouring forest parks with walking paths under tall deodar trees, benches, viewpoints and play areas. They are lovely in snow. A small entry fee is charged.
2. Surkanda Devi Temple (about 8 km)
One of the Shakti Peethas, on a peak at about 2,750 m near Kaddukhal. Earlier it needed a steep 1.5 to 2 km walk; now a ropeway also takes visitors up (check if it is running). From the top you see a wide Himalayan range and the Doon valley. The temple fair on Ganga Dussehra (May–June) draws big crowds.
3. Dhanaulti Adventure Park
Ziplining, rope courses, Burma bridge and other activities in the forest. Good for families and groups. Check that safety gear is provided.
4. Potato farms and apple orchards
Terraced fields and orchards around the village make for pleasant walks, especially in the evening light.
5. Dashavatar Temple
A small temple with carvings of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, close to the main bazaar.
Places near Dhanaulti
| Place | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Kanatal | About 15 km | Quiet ridge stays, camping, Kodia forest walks |
| Chamba | About 30 km | Apple town with Tehri views |
| Tehri Lake | About 60 km | Boating, jet ski, water sports |
| Mussoorie | About 25 km | Mall Road, Kempty Falls, Lal Tibba |
| Kempty Falls | About 40 km (via Mussoorie) | Waterfall and picnic spot |
See our guides to Lal Tibba, Kempty Falls and Mussoorie Lake.
Snowfall in Dhanaulti
Dhanaulti is one of the nearest places to Dehradun and Delhi to see snow. Snow usually falls a few times between late December and February, and January is the best bet. After fresh snowfall:
- The road from Mussoorie can be blocked for some hours until it is cleared.
- Traffic jams are common on weekends as people drive up to see snow.
- Small cars struggle on icy roads; travel with a hill-experienced driver.
- Check the weather forecast and leave early in the morning.
How to reach Dhanaulti
By train: Dehradun is the nearest major station (about 60 km). Haridwar and Rishikesh have more trains (about 100 km).
By air: Jolly Grant airport, Dehradun, about 85 km.
By road:
- Dehradun → Mussoorie → Dhanaulti: the most common route.
- Rishikesh → Chamba → Kanatal → Dhanaulti: a scenic route that avoids Mussoorie traffic.
- Shared taxis run from Mussoorie's Library Chowk area.
Best time to visit Dhanaulti
| Season | Months | Temperature | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | March to April | 7 to 20°C | Rhododendrons, pleasant |
| Summer | May to June | 12 to 25°C | Cool escape; busy on weekends |
| Monsoon | July to September | Rainy, misty | Green and foggy; landslide risk |
| Autumn | October to November | 5 to 18°C | Clear Himalayan views |
| Winter | December to February | -3 to 10°C | Snowfall, cold, cosy |
Suggested itineraries
Day trip from Mussoorie: Dhanaulti Eco Parks, Surkanda Devi, back to Mussoorie by evening.
2 days (Mussoorie–Dhanaulti–Kanatal):
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Dehradun/Haridwar to Mussoorie, then Dhanaulti. Eco Park walk. Night in Dhanaulti. |
| 2 | Sunrise; Surkanda Devi; Kanatal and Chamba; return via Rishikesh. |
Our Mussoorie–Dhanaulti–Kanatal 4-day tour covers this region in comfort.
Where to stay
- Dhanaulti village: hotels and GMVN rest house close to the Eco Parks.
- Forest cottages and camps between Dhanaulti and Kanatal.
- Kanatal: resorts and camps for a quieter stay.
Book early for Christmas, New Year and snowfall weekends.
Travel tips
- Carry warm clothes in every season; it can be cold even in May evenings.
- Keep cash; ATMs are limited.
- Mobile networks work in Dhanaulti, but may be weak in forest areas.
- Avoid weekends in snow season if you dislike traffic.
- Do not throw plastic in the forest.
Plan your Dhanaulti trip with Gokeys
We plan Mussoorie, Dhanaulti and Kanatal trips from Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun, including snow trips with experienced drivers. See our Rishikesh–Mussoorie–Dhanaulti package or contact us.
Last Updated: Oct 2026
