Kanatal, a hidden gem in Uttarakhand

TRAVEL TRENDS, KANATAL Created :

Priya Srivastava

Coming from the ‘City of Nawabs’, Lucknow, Priya’s sole motto is to explore life through journeys to unexplored destinations and knitting travel stories. She believes in creating memories, eating like a local, talking to the natives, understanding their way of living and capturing their smile in her camera. Be it quaint little Himalayan villages, grand forts in Rajasthan or serene beaches in Goa or ancient temples in Varanasi, all the destinations have an untold saga, which she tries to unfold! All her journeys, new or old, are etched on the canvas of her heart like a beautiful painting. Experimenting new dishes and experiencing different cultures are some of the things she enjoys the most. It's through travelling that she derives inspiration. An ardent reader, cinema lover and a nascent photographer, she wishes to listen and discover the myriad colours and sounds of nature.

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Around 80 km from Dehradun lies a picturesque little hamlet called Kanatal. The pretty hill village in Uttarakhand is only 12 km from Mussoorie and that’s one of the prime reasons why it stays off the tourists' map. Set on the Chamba-Mussoorie road, the village is only 300 km from Delhi and makes for a perfect quiet escape.

For those chasing mountains, streams and forests, Kanatal is the place. Covered in velvet-soft grassland, the village offers travellers a perfect moment to stay close and in touch with nature. The village is defined by its beautiful apple orchards, stunning homestays and serpentine roads. Surrounded by fragrant pine, deodar and rhododendron forests, this place will instantly take you to some magical world.

The village is small and there’s mostly nature that one can enjoy. But there are a few quaint places one can visit in Kanatal.

Places to visit in Kanatal

Kodia Forest: Kanatal is home to a picturesque forest, named Kodia. The forest is easily accessible via an easy trek. This is a popular picnic spot and locals visit here often. The route takes you through the green forests, offering stunning views of various natural springs.

Surkanda Devi Temple: The ancient temple is dedicated to Hindu Goddess Sati. It is one of the 51 Shaktipeetha temples in India and is known for its classic architecture. Mythology has it that this is the spot where Sati's head fell. The temple is surrounded by the Himalayas and offers some amazing views of the surroundings.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Kanatal is between April and October as the weather remains pleasant during these months. For those who wish to see snowfall, December to February is the best time.
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