Best Hill Stations Near Delhi – Top Scenic Getaways & Attractions

It is a known fact that India’s capital, Delhi is a great tourist destination in itself; however, it is also one of the busiest cities. Time and again, people living in and around Delhi are looking for a getaway which will take them away from the city lights and the never-ending hustle bustle of the city. Busy work schedules, heavy traffic, crowds everywhere can be exhausting.  Amidst all this, all one needs is a serene place to find some peace and calm. Nothing can be more soothing than a hill station.  There are quite a few hill stations near Delhi and each one is pretty and picturesque in its own distinct way.

Delhi is strategically located geographically and is blessed to have a good number of hill stations around it. Don’t know where to head over the weekend? We recommend a list of hill stations near Delhi for you.

Hill Stations Near Delhi – Your Next Weekend Getaway

1. Nainital – One of the best hill stations near Delhi

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Located at an altitude of 2,084 metres above the sea level, at the foothills of the Kumaon region in Uttarakhand, Nainital is one of the most popular hill stations near Delhi among Indian and International tourists. Nainital snugly sits in a valley and has a pear-shaped lake. The temperatures are pleasant all through the year.

While in Nainital, we highly recommend you go boating at the Nainital Lake, visit the Naina Devi Temple; say a prayer or two at the St. John in the Wilderness church take a look at the Governor’s House.  Look far across and see the Snow View,  the Naini Peak also known as China or Cheena Peak or Naina Peak and the ever so famous Tiffin Top also known as Dorothy’s Seat.  Stop by to say hello to the animals at the Pt. G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo, and finally, take a stroll past the Gurney House, the former residence, of Jim Corbett and wow at the Eco Cave Gardens.

• Distance from the Airport: 304 km from the Delhi Airport
• Best Time to Visit: March to June
• How much Time to Spend: 2-3 days
• Trip Advisor Rating: 4/5

2. Lansdowne – Among the most beautiful hill stations near Delhi

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Lansdowne is a town in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. Situated 1,700 metres above the sea level, the town is surrounded by blue pine and oak forests. The weather is pleasant all year long. The air quality and the weather make this a perfect place to meditate. This place is also well known for its trekking and hiking trails. When in Lansdowne don’t miss the Tip n Top Viewing point to see the breath taking views of the Shivaliks,  the Santoshi Mata Temple, the extremely interesting  Regimental Museum (also known as the Darwan Singh Sanghralaya), the Bhulla Taal. Take a walk in the Lover’s lane. Visit the Tarkeshwar Mahadev temple, Bhairav Garhi temple, The St Mary’s Church to feel the spirituality.

Also stop by the Bhim pakora, a rock which vibrates when touched. The Annual ‘Sharadotsav’ or the Autumn Festival is totally worth attending.

• Distance from the Airport: 150.5 km from the Dehradun Airport
• Best Time to Visit: July to September
• How much Time to Spend: 2-3 days
• Trip Advisor Rating: 4/5

3. Nahan

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Situated 932 metres above the sea level, on a hilltop in the Shivalik range, Nahan is a quaint little town. The town is planned well to handle the traffic and a lot of people prefer to walk. With a great climate, all year round and some scenic views, Nahan is a lovely weekend getaway as it is closer to Delhi. While in Nahan, do visit Renuka Lake, Paonta Sahib, Trilokpur temple and the Suketi Fossil Park.

• Distance from the Airport: 263 km from the Delhi Airport
• Best Time to Visit: September to November
• How much Time to Spend: 2-3 days
• Trip Advisor Rating: 4/5

4. Parwanoo

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Parwanoo is a small industrial town situated 470 metres above sea level in Solan district in Himachal Pradesh. It has a pleasant climate all year round. This town also houses the largest fruit processing unit. Parwanoo has some interesting attractions like the Cactus garden, the fruit orchards and temples like the Mansa Devi temple, Balaji temple and the Gurkha Fort. Don’t forget to take a cable car ride and walk the timber trail while visiting this hill station near Delhi.

• Distance from the Airport: 280 km from the Delhi Airport
• Best Time to Visit: September to November
• How much Time to Spend: 2-3 days
• Trip Advisor Rating: 4/5

5. Ranikhet – Among the greenest hill stations near Delhi

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Ranikhet is a pretty town situated 1,869 metres above the sea level in Almora district of Uttarakhand and is one of the few remaining untouched hill stations near Delhi. The town has moderate summers and cold winters. The forests surrounding Ranikhet are home to a varied variety of fauna and flora. The recommended places to visit in Ranikhet are Army Museum, Jhula Devi temple, Rama Mandir and Chaubatia Gardens.

• Distance from the Airport: 359.5 km from the Delhi Airport
• Best Time to Visit: March-October
• How much Time to Spend: 2-3 days
• Trip Advisor Rating: 5/5

Also Read: Top 10 hill stations near Bangalore

6. Mussoorie

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Mussoorie has earned itself the sobriquet ‘The Queen of the Hills’. Known for its varied and spell binding flora and fauna and some interesting tourist attractions, Mussoorie is a popular weekend getaway. Situated at a height of 1,880metres above the sea level, it is located in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand.

Mussoorie is a delight with all its lakes, waterfalls, gardens, forests and temples. While in Mussoorie, do visit the Nahata Estate, Gun Hill point which is the second highest point of Mussoorie. Explore the Kempty Falls, the Lake Mist, the Municipal Garden, Mussoorie Lake, Bhatta Falls, Jharipani Fall and Sir George Everest’s House. Visit the Nag Devta Temple and Jwalaji Temple.  Pose with the clouds and take a picture for memory at the Cloud End and visit the Van Chetna Kendra to know a little more about the fauna and flora of this and the other hill stations near Delhi located nearby.

• Distance from the Airport: 310.5 km from the Delhi Airport
• Best Time to Visit: April-June
• How much Time to Spend: 2-3 days
• Trip Advisor Rating: 4.5/5

7. Kasauli

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Kasauli is another town situated at an altitude of 1,927 metres above sea level, in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. Blessed with a moderate climate, the weather year round is pleasant. It is one of the serenest hill stations near Delhi and is a highly recommended one. While on a trip to Kasauli do visit the Baptist Church, Central Research Institute, Christ Church, and Gurudwara Sri Guru Nanak ji. The Kasauli Brewery is well known for its rum.

• Distance from the Airport: 303.2 km from the Delhi Airport
• Best Time to Visit: April-June and September to November
• How much Time to Spend: 1-2 days
• Trip Advisor Rating: 5/5

8. Solan – Among the best hill stations near Delhi

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Solan sits at a height of 1,600metres above sea level and is about 46kilometres from Shimla. The town is known for its mushroom farming and hence is called the ‘Mushroom City of India’. The other sobriquet it has is ‘City of Red Gold’ because of the tomatoes grown in bulk here. The city is well known and admired for its cultural heritage. The local cuisine is worth trying and will make you come back for more. The major tourist attractions in Solan include Arki Fort, Shoolini Devi temple, Hari Mandir, the Solan railway station, Mohan Shakti National Heritage Park, Dolanji Bon Monastery and the Church in Solan cantonment.

• Distance from the Airport: 312 km from the Delhi Airport
• Best Time to Visit: February- May and August to November
• How much Time to Spend: 1-2 days
• Trip Advisor Rating: 5/5

Must Read: Top 50 hill stations in India 

9. Mukteshwar

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Situated at an altitude of 2,286 metres above the sea level, Mukhteshwar is an ideal hill station near Delhi to take a break from the maddening city life. Known for its temples, orchards, 22 snow-peak views and some interesting fauna and flora, this lush green town truly unites you with nature.

• Distance from the Airport: 350 km from the Delhi Airport
• Best Time to Visit: March-June and October- November
• How much Time to Spend: 1-2 days
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4/5

10. Chail

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Located at an altitude of 2,250 metres above the sea level, Chail in Himachal Pradesh is another popular hill station near Delhi. Known to be a hiker’s paradise, Chail has moderate summers and cold winters. While in Chail do visit the Chail Sanctuary in Sadhupul, Cricket Ground which is the highest cricket ground in the world, Chail military School and the Chail Gurudwara.

• Distance from the Airport: 351.5 km from the Delhi Airport
• Best Time to Visit: March-June and September- November
• How much Time to Spend: 1-2 days
• Trip Advisor Rating: 5/5

11. Auli

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Auli is popularly known as the ski destination of Uttarakhand. Located at an altitude of 3,049 metres above sea level, it is well known for its skiing activities. It has Asia’s longest cable car which covers a distance of 4kilometres and also has a chair lift and ski lift. The popular attractions apart from skiing in Auli include Artificial Lake which is the world’s highest manmade lake, the breath taking view of the Himalayas, trekking and the Training facility of Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

• Distance from the Airport: 398.2 km from the Delhi Airport
• Best Time to Visit: November-March for skiing enthusiasts
• How much Time to Spend: 1-2 days
• Trip Advisor Rating: 5/5

While on a holiday in the hills, care must be taken to see to avoid littering. Make sure to dump waste in the bins. Hill stations are home to a lot of flora and fauna, it is highly recommended not to feed any animals or tease them. Owing to the altitude, hills sometimes face water shortage and it is recommended that water be used judiciously. The hilly roads can give a few travellers motion sickness, so make sure to carry your medications and basic first aid. The number of hill stations near Delhi is many and this only means that one can visit a new destination every other weekend.

When the city life bogs you down, going to the mountains for some tender, loving care is all you need to rejuvenate and get back to life. Cities are the economic hub, but that also means more traffic and more pollution. Time and again, one needs to take a break and get some rejuvenation. Delhi is blessed to have so many interesting weekend getaways. A break in the hills, regardless of how long or short is always a memorable one. The misty skies, lush green surroundings and the sounds of nature make every trip worth taking.

Planning a Weekend Getaway to any of the hill stations near Delhi? Here are some Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the Travel Options to reach the Hill stations near Delhi?

All the hill stations are well connected by buses. One could hire a private taxi or use the local transport to move around the hill stations.

2. What kind of clothes do we carry?

Carry light cotton and light woollens. It is recommended that you dress in layers. The light winter jacket, shawls are always helpful.

3. What equipment will be needed for Trekking and Hiking?

Make sure to wear a good pair of shoes while going trekking. Carry bottles of water and ensure hiring a local guide who knows the path well.

4. Can I visit the Hill stations near Delhi during winters?

Hill stations can be visited anytime, however, bear in mind that winters in some places can be really cold and would need special clothing.

5. Can we look for Accommodation upon Arrival?

It is highly recommended that all bookings be made prior to the visit. These hill stations are small towns and sometimes during peak season finding accommodation at the last minute could be troublesome.

6. Can I find ATMs here?

Most places will have ATMs, however, it is always recommended to keep cash handy.

7. Can I use my Debit or Credit Card?

Many smaller towns may not be equipped with card machines and therefore it is recommended to keep cash handy for all transactions. But you may be able to pay via PAYTM in many places.