For travellers who find Mussoorie too crowded, two offbeat gems lie within easy reach — Dhanaulti, just 25 km along the ridge, and Chakrata, a hidden cantonment 90 km west of Dehradun. Both offer the deodar-scented tranquillity that hill stations were always meant to provide.
Dhanaulti, at 2,250 metres, is wrapped in dense forests of deodar, oak, and rhododendron. Its twin Eco Parks — Amber and Dhara — offer forest walks, adventure activities, and viewpoints maintained by local youth. The Surkanda Devi Temple, a Shakti Peetha at 2,757 metres reached by a short trek or ropeway from Kaddukhal, rewards pilgrims with sweeping Himalayan panoramas. Nearby Kanatal adds camping, ziplining, and the Kodia jungle safari to the mix, while the Tehri Lake lies just beyond for water sports. Dhanaulti receives lovely snowfall in winter, drawing weekend snow-seekers from Delhi.
Chakrata, a restricted cantonment town developed by the British in 1866, remains blissfully undeveloped — foreign nationals need special permission, which has preserved its pristine character. Its showstopper is Tiger Falls, one of Uttarakhand's highest direct waterfalls at nearly 100 metres, reached by a beautiful forest trek. Deoban's cedar forests offer Himalayan views and birding, while Budher Caves and Chilmiri Neck viewpoint add adventure and sunsets. In winter, the Kharamba peak area becomes a snow wonderland.
Both destinations suit travellers seeking nature over nightlife — accommodation is simple, and that's the point. Visit year-round; December–February for snow, March–June for cool greenery. Skip the crowds, keep the mountains — book your offbeat Dhanaulti or Chakrata escape with UttarakhandTours.in.