15 Offbeat Places To Visit In Uttarakhand 2025
Uttarakhand boasts of host of scenic places, which are ideal destinations to find respite from scorching summer heat and hustles and bustles of the city. Other than the popular touristy places, there are some offbeat places in Uttarakhand; though not much known to many but promise stunning views and serenity. Featuring snow covered mountains, serene lakes, waterfalls, valleys and lush green forests, these unconventional destinations offer absolute tranquillity, rejuvenation and peace of mind. Come and have a look.
15 Offbeat Places In Uttarakhand
1. Kausani
Kausani is the perfect respite from the hustle bustles of the city and is one of the most serene and offbeat places in Uttarakhand. Famous for wide panoramic views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi and Panchachuli, this place, located in the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand is a piece of heaven for nature lovers, photographers, trekkers, backpackers and honeymoon couples. Summer is cool and pleasant in Kausani but if you wish to experience spectacular snowfall in winter, there is nothing that can beat the charm of Kausani.
Major Attractions: Baijnath Temple, Rudradhari Falls, Kausani Tea Estate and Anasakti Ashram. Other than sightseeing, shopping at Mall Road and dining at Garden Restaurant; one can indulge in trekking, camping, mountain biking, rock climbing and rappelling.
How To Reach: Nearest railhead to Kausani is at Kathgodam, 136 km away. From there take a bus or hire cab to reach Kausani. Driving time is approximately 4 hours. Nearest airport to Kausani is at Pantnagar- 162 kms away.
Also Read: Places To Visit In Dhanaulti
Uttarakhand Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle
2. Munsiyari
Munsiyari- a scenic hill retreat and one of the most scenic offbeat locations in Uttarakhand, is popular among trekkers and adventure enthusiasts and considered as a base camp for Milam, Khalia Top, Ramalam, Khalika Pass, Chiplakot Bugyal and Namik trek. Encircled by gorgeous mountains and luxuriant forests, the pristine and serene nature of this place, outshines all other places in Uttarakhand.
Major Attractions: Explore Maheshwari Kund, Tribal Heritage Museum, Birthi Falls, Kalamuni Top, Thamari Kund and Panchachuli Peak. Indulge in bird watching, nature walks and trekking.
How To Reach: The nearest railway station to Munsiyari is Kathgodam- 275 kms away. Drive through Almora, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar to reach Munsiyari. One can also fly up to Pantnagar airport, 249 kms from Munsiyari and drive up to this trekker’s paradise.
3. Binsar
The list of best offbeat and spiritual places in Uttarakhand also has Binsar. Snuggled in the Jhandi Dhar Hills, Binsar is a paradise for nature buffs, wildlife and bird lovers and peace seekers. With the terrific views of 4 gorgeous Himalayan peaks: Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, Shivling and Trishul, Binsar is a pure bliss in the lap of Garhwal Himalayas.
Major Attractions: Other than Kasar Devi temple, Zero Point and Golu Devta temple, pay a visit to Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. There you can enjoy jeep safaris and jungle treks and spot endangered wildlife and birds.
How To Reach: Either drive from Kathgodam, the nearest railhead at a distance of 119 kms or from Pantnagar – the nearest airport located 152 kms away.
Related Posts: Water Sports In Uttarakhand
4. Chakrata
One of the most peaceful offbeat places in Uttarakhand, Chakrata boasts of scenic views and soothing serenity. It is an absolutely picture perfect yet offbeat destination in Uttarakhand. Popular for trekking, rafting, skiing and cave tours, this secret hill station in Uttarakhand, Chakrata overwhelms every traveller with its unending charm and beauty. Located at an elevation of 7000 feet and overlooking Yamuna Valley, this picturesque hamlet features thick forests and has few ancient temples of Uttarakhand and caves.
Major Attractions: Tiger Falls, Deoban, Budher Caves and Chilmiri Neck.
How To Reach: Chakrata is 88 kms from Dehradun, which is the nearest railhead as well. Jolly Grant is the closest airport, which is located at a distance of 116 kms.
Related Posts: Solo Trip To Uttarakhand
5. Bhimtal
Not as touristy as Nainital and Dehradun neither as isolated as Chaukori and Peora, Bhimtal is among the most gorgeous offbeat places in Uttarakhand. With a sparkling lake at the centre, named after Bhima from Mahabharata, this small yet beautiful place lies between Kathgodam and Nainital and mostly visited by solo travellers and honeymoon couples, in pursuit of privacy, isolation and solace.
Major Attractions: Apart from boating in Bhimtal Lake, visit Victoria Dam, Hidimba Parvat, Butterfly Research Centre and Folk Culture Museum. One can also enjoy stargazing, dirt biking and paragliding.
How To Reach: From Pantnagar, one can reach Bhimtal in approximately 2 hours. But the easiest way is to avail train, get down at Kathgodam and hire a cab to reach Bhimtal, located 30 kms from the railhead.
Related Posts: Things To Do In Auli
6. Chopta
Verdant forests, sprawling meadows, valleys and snow-laden mountains welcome you at Chopta with open arms. This is a popular stopover, en-route to trekking destinations like Chandrashila and Tungnath and offers breathtaking beauty and absolute solace of mind and soul. Chopta is among the most offbeat destinations in Uttarakhand for those in search for a lesser-known trekking trail.
Major Attractions: Tungnath, Deoria Tal, Ukhimath, Chandrashila and Kanchula Korak Musk Deer Sanctuary.
How To Reach: Jolly Grant airport is 97 kms and Dehradun railway station is 100 kms from Chopta.
7. Kanatal
Located midway on Chamba-Mussorie road, Kanatal is one of the finest offbeat places in Uttarakhand known for incredible views and exciting adventure activities. So, for those, who wish to spend some secluded time amid nature or enjoy some super thrilling adventure like camping, trekking, rappelling, rock climbing and valley crossing; Kanatal make a perfect choice.
Major Attractions: Surkanda Devi Temple and Kodia Forest.
How To Reach: Regular buses and private cabs travel from Dehradun up to Kanatal, which is 77 kms away.
Related Posts: Places To Visit In Uttarakhand
8. Mana Village
Perched on the banks of Saraswati River, 24 kms away from Indo-Tibet border, Mana Village is another scenic yet absolutely offbeat destination of Uttarakhand. Serene forests, mountain stream and mighty Himalayan ranges all around make the place look outstandingly beautiful. Mana village is located near Badrinath Temple; hence pilgrims on their way to the holy abode, pay a visit to this quaint hamlet. Other than spectacular beauty and spiritual significance, Mana Village is endowed with mythological history and heritage as well. Many sources believe that the great epic Mahabharata was written here by Vyasdev.
Major Attractions: Vyas Guha- a pre-historic mountain cave, dated 5000 years ago and Bhim Pul- a wooden bridge on Saraswati River.
How To Reach: Take train up to Haridwar, which is 275 kms away. Then hire a private cab and drive through Badrinath and Joshimath towns to reach Mana Village.
Related Posts: Things To Do In Bhimtal
9. Pangot
Lying quite close to Nainital, yet not as touristy as the same, Pangot is an offbeat name in the list of places to be visited in Uttarakhand. This is an emerging mountain getaway which promises mesmerising views of mighty Himalayan ranges like Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba. It’s nothing less than pure bliss to wake up to melodious chirping of birds, feel the cool breeze and rejuvenate your mind and body. If you do not like crowded destinations and wish to spend few days in solace and seclusion- this the perfect choice for you.
Major Attractions: Naina Devi Bird Reserve, Himalaya Botanic Garden, Kainchi Dam and Himalaya View Point.
How To Reach: Kathgodam is 50 kms from Pangot and Pantnagar Airport is just about 98 kms.
Related Posts: Places To Visit In Uttarakhand In Winter
10. Ranikhet
What makes Ranikhet one of the offbeat places in Uttarakhand is that not many tourists visit this place. So, you have an excellent opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this place unhindered. Did you know that the British government wanted to make Ranikhet its capital instead of Shimla? Why not when there are multiple reasons? The mesmerizing views of the Himalayas, the blooming apricot orchards and salubrious weather are a few of the reasons to take a vacation in Ranikhet.
Major Attractions: Mankameshwar Temple, Jhula Devi Temple, Ashiyana Park
How To Reach: Kathgodam is the nearest railway station. Take a shared cab from here.
Related Posts: Wildlife Sanctuaries In Uttarakhand
11. Mukteshwar
If you are looking for less tourist places to visit, or the most unexplored places in Uttarakhand, then kindly bring your attention to Mukteshwar. The quaint hill station is a perfect place to enjoy a vacation amidst the mountains. Mukteshwar is famous for its holy temples, hidden waterfalls, apple orchards, and lush greenery. You must definitely spend a few days in this place for an amazing experience. Don’t forget to go stargazing. It is one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand in summer.
Major Attractions: Mukteshwar Dham Temple, Shaolin ki Jaali, Waterfall
How To Reach: Take a shared cab from Kathgodam.
Related Posts: Trekking In Uttarakhand
12. Landour
A few kilometers ahead of Mussoorie lies Landour. It is more picturesque than Dehradun and Mussoorie. If you don’t believe us, then you should go and check out for yourself. Don’t forget to check the German bakery for delicious baked goods and amazing views from the window. Visit Ruskin Bond’s home and if you are lucky, then you may even get a chance to say hi to him. If you love peace and serenity, then you are going to love visiting this place.
Major Attractions: Landour Bakehouse, The Haunted House, Char Dukaan
How To Reach: Take a taxi from Mussoorie to Landour
13. Hemkund
Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand is known for the holy gurudwara and natural geysers where people from far come to take a dip. It is believed that taking a bath in the natural hot wats spring will cure all skin ailments. What will stupefy you is the scenery in which the gurdwara is set. The clouds hover over the temple and flowers of various colours bloom in the surroundings. It is so picturesque and serene. The place is open in a particular season. So, plan your trip accordingly.
Major Attractions: Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, Valley of Flowers
How To Reach: The only way to reach is by trekking from Govind Ghat which is 19 km long.
Related Posts: Valleys In Uttarakhand
14. Naukuchiatal
Naukuchiatal is a small lake near Bhimtal that attracts a lot of tourists. While there is no comparison to its beauty, one can also enjoy a myriad of water sports like boating, kayaking. There are several amazing cafes surrounding the lake where you can bask in the ambiance while you gorge on delicious pizzas and amazing coffee. There is even a pond filled with numerous lotus flowers. It looks truly magical.
Major Attractions: Lake, kayaking, Cafe by the Lake
How To Reach: Take a shared cab from Bhimtal.
15. Dhanaulti
If you ever wish to camp amidst the mountains, then head to one of the eco-camps in Dhanaulti. Stay a night in these luxurious camps where you can enjoy dancing around a bonfire and playing fun games with your family or friends. Dhanaulti lies on the way to Mussoorie and is famous for camping in Uttarakhand. The weather keeps changing every five minutes leaving you in awe and amazement. There are a lot of adventure activities planned for the guests at these cmaps. Make sure to participate.
Major Attractions: Amber and Dhara ECO parks
How To Reach: The nearest airport and railway station are in Dehradun. It is well-connected via Mussoorie-Chamba road.
You May Also Like To Read: These Are The Best Places To Visit In Kumaon For A Perfect Family Holiday !
Skip the overrated and popular places and head to these amazing yet offbeat places in Uttarakhand. You’ll surely come to know that they are no less charm than the touristy places. So, what are you waiting for? Plan a trip to Uttarakhand for an amazing holiday experience in this land of picturesque views and lush landscapes with your loved ones!
Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.
Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Offbeat Places In Uttarakhand
What are some lesser-known offbeat places to visit in Uttarakhand?
For a unique Uttarakhand experience, consider these offbeat destinations: Munsiyari, Chaukori, Chopta, Khirsu, Pangot, Kanatal, Binsar, Mukteshwar, Peora, Lohaghat, Naukuchiatal, Bhimtal, Dhanaulti, Gwaldam, and Ranikhet.
Which is the most beautiful place in Uttarakhand?
Uttarakhand is one of the most popular destinations amongst tourists in India who are seeking a peaceful and adventurous getaway for a weekend. Uttarakhand is home to many beautiful destinations that leave travellers in awe including Rishikesh, the valley of flowers, Mussoorie, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Haridwar, and many more.
What are some top places to visit in Uttarakhand?
Uttarakhand is one of the most visited states for tourism in India. A tourist can find several top places in Uttarakhand. These places include Khirsu, Binsar, Chakrata, Mandal, Bhimtal and Manali.
Which cities in Uttarakhand receive snowfall?
Kalap, Mussoorie, Dehradun, Manali, Kedarnath, Auli are some of the places in Uttarakhand that receive snowfall. However, snowfall in Mandi is at a different level altogether.
Which is the most beautiful place in Uttarakhand?
Mussoorie is considered as the most beautiful and most visited places of Uttarakhand. The natural environment all-around can easily attract any tourist. This place is also known as the Queen of Hills.
Looking To Book A Holiday Package?
People Also Read:
Offbeat Places In Kerala Offbeat Places Near Mumbai Offbeat Places Near Thekkady
A book lover and fun-loving, overtly emotional mom with a wanderlust soul, Sukanya has completed her Master Degree in Geography and currently perusing her passion for writing as a profession. Nothing detoxes her more than trying new recipes and travelling to offbeat places is ultimate Therapy for her.
