Kana Valley: Best times and places to visit, how to get there, 2023 snowfall (2023)

Kanatal is a charming tourist spot on the Chamba-Mussoorie highway in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. The vegetation around Kanatal is heartbreaking. Snow covered mountains, rivers and forests add to the beauty of this place. A long time ago, a lake existed in this place, which gave its name to this old and charming town. It is a beautiful place to visit. Hill's sister station is called forMussoorie.

Are you looking for a rewarding getaway near Delhi? Where you can have a good time in the lap of nature. And savor your favorite book while savoring the beauty of the kaleidoscopic mountains?

If so, then you need to pack your bags for Kanatal, a picturesque hill station in the heart of the Tehri district. It is a quiet mountain town, sparsely populated and an ideal place for those seeking peace. This sublime hill station is revered for its unspoilt, unexplored beauty. The hill station is perfect for those who are looking for beautiful hill stations near Delhi.

Overview

Interesting history

One of the main duties of backpackers is to bring home some interesting stories from their travels and to investigate the rich history of that place. So, let's expand your knowledge of Kanatal's rich history, going back a few decades.

Kanatal in the regional dialect of the area refers to 'one-eyed lake'. The place is named after a small lake or "taal", which has now dried up. When the lake dried up, people started calling it "kaana tal", which means dry well or pond in Hindi. Consequently, the nearby area was renamed Kanatal as it became the mainland.

Snow season in Kanatal

All the snow babies, desperately waiting for winter on their toes, would be delighted to know that Kanatal experiences heavy snowfall during the months of December to February.

If you're lucky enough to take a short break from work during the winter, you might head here. As the hill station covers a cap of pristine white snow in winter, it is one of the most amazing experiences to see the fluffy snow falling on the trees, making everything quiet for the time being.

What kind of clothes to wear to Kanatal

It is not necessary to wear wool in all seasons and carry the weight of the heavy bag on your shoulders. Just take cotton or light clothing for the summer, light wool for the monsoon season as the winds are strong at night and keep thick wool for the winter. Since then, the temperature drops to three degrees Celsius. Therefore, you should keep your body insulated with layers of warm clothing.

Things to do

Camping

Enjoy here accommodation in luxury tents, delicious food and adventure sports. You can explore the surroundings while camping.

Walk

Kodia jungle is the best place for trekking. On the 5-6 km walk, you can enjoy the beautiful views of the surroundings and feel the nature.

Climbing and Rappelling

The natural cliffs of Kanatal Mountain are perfect for rock climbing and rappelling. You can enjoy these activities with friends or corporate outings.

nature walks

Taking a long nature walk amidst the pristine beauty of nature in Kanatal or taking in the panoramic views of the lush green surroundings will fill your mind. Taking a nature walk, you will be immersed in the beautiful scenery.

kanatal location

kanatal is a minionVillaand a beautiful hill station located in the heart of Uttarakhand, India. It is on the Chamba-Mussoorie highway and is about 300 km from Delhi.

It is one of the best hill stations to visit near Delhi. As it is located at a distance of 78 km fromDehradun(capital of the state of Uttarakhand), 38 km from Mussoorie and 12 km from Chamba.

Which is better Kanatal or Mussoorie?

If you are going to spend your money on travel, it is best to choose a destination where there are other famous attractions nearby. And to your surprise, Kanatal is one of those destinations that is close to the “Queen of the Hills” Mussorie.

It is not only a paradise for travelers, but also one of the best places to experience the bliss of solitude. Unlike Mussoorie, the hill station is not affected by traffic jams.

One can easily take rewarding nature walks in this minions village and mingle with the locals at the roadside tea shops. Having short chat sessions with the local people will give you an insight into highland life, beliefs and culture. Upon returning home, you will have a collection of cool stories of haunted houses, ancient temples, supernatural elements, and hidden gems that you explored during your journey.

7 reasons to visit Kanatal

• The advantages of visiting Kanatal is that you can visit Mussorie, Dhanaulti and Chamba simultaneously as they belong to the same circle.
• You'll also save money because, for the price of one trip, you can explore two or three other places at the same time. What luxury!
• You can rush back home in case your crazy boss calls you or you have an important meeting to attend. No one will ever know that you are on a long vacation, relaxing in the hot sun.
• The sun, the broken blue mountains and the cool breeze. Oh! The trio, isn't it therapeutic? And 9-6 office goers need this to combat the stress and anxiety they get from their grueling work schedule.
• There are fewer people around, you won't be disturbed by the constant sound of horns and smog. How peace reigns in the hills.
• Do you sell fresh Himalayan air in bottles? Hey! You'll get it here for free, so hit the road and enjoy the O2.

Places to visit in and around Kanatal

Kanatal offers many splendid getaways to visit in this magical mountain town. We'll give you ideas about some of the hidden gems to explore in and around this minion village.

Selva Kodia o Kaudia

It is a dense forest of tall coniferous trees reaching up to the sky. It is only 1 km on the road towards Chamba. This enchanting forest is sure to remind you of Narnia, especially if you visit during the winter months. It is a dense forest that hides several natural springs within it, making it a popular place for picnics. Here you can enjoy nature walks, take pictures or go on safari.

Mussoorie

Mussoorie, the queen of hills, is one of the most visited hill stations in Uttarakhand, which is located very close to Kanatal. It is famous for its attractions like Gun Hill, Nag Tibba, Mall Road, George Everest, Kempty Falls etc.

Pro tip:You can plan your trip between the month of October to February. How can you cram into Mussoorie and enjoy the beautiful winter line that appears in the sky between October and February?

Surkanda Devi Temple

It is a famous place of worship, visited by many devotees every year. This historical site is dedicated to Goddess Sati and can be easily accessed on foot. It is about 10 km from Kanatal and can be reached by following the Chamba-Mussoorie road. A short 3 km walk will take you to the temple site. The Surkanda Devi temple is the place where the charred head of goddess Sati fell, when Shiva carried her charred body on her trident to mourn the loss of her.

Pro tip:Do you want to join the temple festivities? So plan your trip between May and June. As the Surkanda Devi Temple observes the Ganga Dusshera festival during this time of the year.

Press of Tehri

Tehri Dam, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kanatal, is the highest dam in India. The dam was built at the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Bhilangna rivers. It is located at a distance of 1 hour 11 minutes and is easily accessible from Chamba-Mussoorie Road and Chamba-New Tehri Road.

chamba

Chamba is another beautiful hill station in India blessed with the bounty of nature, a hotspot for travelers. You can easily cover this on your trip as it is only 15 km away and can be reached via the Chamba-Mussoorie highway.

Dhanaulti

A snowy paradise, Dhanaulti also spelled as Dhanolty enchants its visitors with its snowy opulence. The hill station receives heavy snowfall during winters and makes a perfect weekend getaway for weary souls.

The alluring hills of Dhanaulti will tempt you towards wedded bliss. So all the newlywed couples pack their bags and weave memories here by visiting these sights. Some of the first two are Aaloo Khet and Dhanaulti Ecological Park. Dhanaulti has more surprises in hand, as adventure seekers can go on adrenaline-pumping trekking expeditions from here. So don't waste time and pack your bags now.

Shivpuri

This is another unusual place to visit where you can sit back and relish the enticing beauty of the azure blue water of the Ganges River. Shivpuri is about 75 km from Kanatal and is on the outskirts of Rishikesh. All adventure sports lovers will be delighted to know that you can enjoy rafting, kayaking, snorkeling, zip lining, and other adventure activities.

Accommodation in Kanatal

While Kanatal doesn't have many lodging options, you'll still find a decent amount of budget hotels, resorts, and luxury camping. Hill stations guarantee a fascinating view of the mountain from your hotel window.

It is a delight for nature lovers, who dream of settling here and writing at length about its beauty. Some of the popular campgrounds in kanatal that offer impeccable hospitality and a panorama of the hills are Camp Carnival, Little Jaguar and Kanatal Orchids.

If you are a down to earth person who loves the smell of mud houses and has a flair for rustic beauty. Then you can live in the traditional Pahadi house, which gives tourists an authentic experience of real mountain life.

Best time to visit Kanatal

Although Kanatal has a pleasant climate throughout the year, the best time to visit Kanatal is during summer and winter.

Summer (April to June)

Summer season is the best time to visit Kanatal. The temperature at this time ranges from 25 to 38 degrees Celsius. This destination is perfect for a summer vacation. One can enjoy all the outdoor activities in summer like trekking, camping and exploring.

Monsoon (July to September)

Visitors are advised to visit Kanatal with care and planning during monsoons as it can cause road damage, mountain breaking, flooding, downpours, poor visibility and strong winds due to rain. If you are traveling after the monsoon it can be much safer.

Winter (October to March)

Winter is one of the best times to enjoy the Kanatal valleys. The temperature ranges from 1 to 15 degrees Celsius and the entire town is covered in snow. This time is suitable for winter camping and hiking.

How to get to Kanatal

by the way

You don't have to worry about connectivity as Kanatal, situated on the Mussoorie-Chamba highway, is well connected to all major cities in India by express highways.

Luxury buses as well as regular buses are easily available to Mussoorie, Rishikesh and Chamba from ISBT Kashmiri Gate. Buses and taxis to Kanatal are readily available from major Uttarakhand destinations such as Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Tehri, Chamba and Mussoorie.

by train

Dehradun and Rishikesh are the two nearest railway stations to Kanatal. Taxis and buses are available from both destinations to Kanatal. It is well connected by motorized roads with these two destinations.

per flight

Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the closest airport to Kanatal. It is located about 92 km from Kanatal. Jolly Grant airport taxis will get you there quickly. Jolly Grant Airport is connected to Delhi with daily flights. The distance from Jolly Grant Airport to Kanatal can easily be covered in 3 hours.

frequent questions