Top Things to Do in Kanatal and Dhanaulti: Skywalks, Deodar Trails & Lake Adventures

Introduction to the Twin Garhwal Hill Retreats

Perched along the scenic Mussoorie-Chamba highway in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, Kanatal (2,590m) and Dhanaulti (2,286m) form one of northern India's most refreshing high-altitude getaways. While neighboring hill stations like Mussoorie often burst at the seams with tourist crowds, this serene high-ridge corridor offers towering Himalayan cedar (deodar) forests, sweeping panoramic views of snow-dusted Garhwal peaks, refreshing alpine breezes, and exhilarating mountain adventure activities.

Separated by just 15 kilometres of winding mountain tarmac, Kanatal and Dhanaulti complement each other seamlessly. Dhanaulti serves as the eco-tourism hub with its fragrant deodar reserves and sacred hilltop shrines, while Kanatal is renowned for its thrilling adventure camps and tranquil forest sanctuaries. Whether you consult our detailed Kanatal travel guide or plan a weekend escape using our Dhanaulti travel guide, exploring these twin hill stations promises a rich balance of high-altitude tranquility and outdoor thrill.

1. Walk Among Ancient Cedars at Dhanaulti Eco Park

The crown jewel of Dhanaulti is its twin Eco Parks, named Amber and Dhara, developed and maintained collaboratively by the Uttarakhand Forest Department and local villagers. Spanning over 13 hectares of virgin deodar, silver oak, and rhododendron woodlands, the park features winding paved walking trails, rustic wooden benches, stone gazebos, and raised view platforms.

As you stroll beneath the towering deodar canopy—some trees reaching up to 50 metres in height—the air is crisp and filled with earthy pine fragrance. Children and families can enjoy open lawns, botanical installations, and small pony rides, while early morning visitors will spot exotic Himalayan avifauna including cheer pheasants, laughingthrushes, and treecreepers. Watching the morning sunlight pierce the mist filtering through the dense cedar needles is a quintessential Garhwal experience.

2. Ascend to Surkanda Devi Temple (2,750m)

Standing on a prominent mountain summit between Dhanaulti and Kanatal, Surkanda Devi Temple is one of the 51 revered Shaktipeeths. According to sacred lore, Goddess Sati's head fell here when Lord Shiva carried her burning body across the universe. At an elevation of 2,750 metres, the summit commands a dramatic 360-degree panoramic vantage point, looking north toward the Himalayan giants—Bandarpunch, Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, and Swargarohini—and south over the rolling Doon Valley and Shivaliks.

Devotees and trekkers can reach the temple via a scenic 1.5-kilometre paved uphill trek starting from Kaddukhal village, or opt for the modern Surkanda Devi Ropeway (cable car) that whisks passengers up the cliff in under 5 minutes. The temple complex is vibrant with sacred bells and flags, and the surrounding grassy knolls offer a peaceful venue for mountain photography.

3. Experience Thrilling Adventure Camps in Kanatal

Kanatal has emerged as Uttarakhand's premier hub for mountain camping and adventure sports. Dozens of well-equipped camps, detailed in our guide to best eco camps in Kanatal, offer structured outdoor adventures supervised by certified mountaineering instructors. Top activities include:

• Valley Crossing and Sky Bridge: Harness up and glide across deep mountain chasms suspended on high-tensile steel cables, taking in heart-pounding valley drops beneath your feet.
• Zip-Lining: Soar high above apple orchard terraces and pine-clad hillsides at speeds reaching 40 to 50 km/h.
• Rock Climbing and Rappelling: Test your endurance and technical footwork on natural limestone cliff faces overlooking the valley.
• Night Camping and Bonfires: Relax under starry Himalayan skies around crackling evening bonfires with acoustic music and Garhwali hospitality.

4. Indulge in Water Sports at Tehri Lake

Just a 45-minute scenic downhill drive (approximately 35 km) from Kanatal lies Tehri Lake, the massive 42-square-kilometre emerald reservoir formed by the Tehri Dam on the Bhagirathi River. As highlighted in our Kanatal Tehri Lake viewpoint guide, this alpine lake has transformed into Asia's premier inland water sports destination.

Adrenaline seekers can enjoy an array of exhilarating water activities:

• Jet Skiing: Power across expansive turquoise waters surrounded by soaring mountain backdrops.
• Speed Boating and Banana Rides: High-speed group rides that skim the surface of the vast reservoir.
• Pontoon Boat Cruises: Leisurely family cruises to floating restaurant barges and secluded fjord-like coves.
• Water Zorbing and Parasailing: Floating zorbing bubbles and seasonal winch-boat parasailing offering aerial views of the submerged old Tehri valley.

5. Explore the Wilderness on a Kaudia Forest Safari

Kaudia Forest (Kodia Jungle) is a dense wilderness sanctuary located roughly 1 kilometre outside Kanatal. Known for its gentle, level 6-kilometre walking trail through thick oak, deodar, and pine woods, Kaudia is ideal for hiking, mountain biking, or embarking on a local 4x4 open jeep safari.

The forest is crisscrossed by natural freshwater springs, moss-draped boulders, and panoramic openings where you can gaze down upon terraced Himalayan hamlets and the silver ribbon of the Tehri reservoir below. The reserve is home to diverse wildlife including barking deer (kakar), wild boars, goral (mountain goats), leopards, and numerous migratory bird species.

6. Stroll Through Lush Apple Orchards

The high-altitude slopes of Kanatal and Dhanaulti are dotted with organic apple, apricot, and plum orchards cultivated by local Garhwali farmers. In spring (March to April), the valleys blush with delicate pink and white apple blossoms. By late monsoon and autumn (August to October), the trees are laden with crisp, red Royal Delicious apples. Many orchard owners welcome travelers to walk among the trees, sample fresh fruit straight from the branch, and purchase pure organic rhododendron juice (buransh), wild mountain honey, and apple jams.

7. Capture Mesmerizing Sunsets Over the Greater Himalayas

Due to its high ridge positioning along the Mussoorie-Chamba ridge, Kanatal offers unobstructed sunset vistas that rival any viewpoint in Uttarakhand. As the late afternoon light fades, the high snow peaks of Bandarpunch and Gangotri shift from blinding white to fiery orange, glowing pink, and deep indigo. Perch yourself at a cliffside campsite or scenic dhaba terrace along the highway with a steaming cup of ginger tea to witness this daily alpine spectacle.

Essential Travel Information

Planning your journey to Kanatal and Dhanaulti is straightforward with our step-by-step transport guide on how to reach Kanatal and Dhanaulti from Delhi and Dehradun. The region is accessible via Dehradun (75 km) or Rishikesh (78 km), with well-maintained hill highways via Mussoorie or Chamba.

Conclusion

Combining the serene cedar groves of Dhanaulti Eco Park, the spiritual majesty of Surkanda Devi, high-octane adventure camps in Kanatal, and jet-skiing across the turquoise expanse of Tehri Lake, this Garhwal mountain corridor offers an unbeatable Himalayan getaway. Whether you seek thrilling outdoor challenges or peaceful walks through pristine pine forests, Kanatal and Dhanaulti deliver a refreshing mountain holiday that will leave you energized and inspired.