Dhanaulti is a quiet, misty hill station in Tehri Garhwal, perfect for travellers seeking forests, views and peace instead of crowds. It sits on the Mussoorie–Chamba road and works beautifully as a slow‑travel base with eco‑parks, homestays and valley viewpoints.
Tourism in Dhanaulti
Tourism in Dhanaulti focuses on nature walks, forest stays, camping and short scenic drives rather than heavy sightseeing. Visitors come for its deodar and oak forests, adventure activities in eco‑parks, winter snow, and easy day trips to Mussoorie, Kanatal and New Tehri.
Location
Dhanaulti is a hill station and tehsil in Tehri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand, located at about 2,250–2,300 metres above sea level. It lies roughly 24–30 km from Mussoorie and around 30–35 km from Chamba, on the scenic Mussoorie–Chamba highway, within the Garhwal Himalayas.
History
Historically, Dhanaulti developed as a small settlement on the old hill road linking Mussoorie with Tehri and Chamba. Over time it emerged as a quieter alternative to Mussoorie, valued for its forests and views, and more recently has been promoted as an eco‑tourism and weekend‑getaway destination.
Fairs and Festivals
Local villages around Dhanaulti celebrate Garhwali festivals such as Harela, Ghee Sankranti, Holi and Diwali with traditional music and rituals. Being close to Mussoorie and Tehri, visitors can also experience regional cultural events, winter carnivals and temple fairs across the wider Tehri Garhwal belt.
How to reach
Dhanaulti is best reached by road:
- From Dehradun and Mussoorie, drive via the Mussoorie–Chamba road (about 60 km from Dehradun, 24–30 km from Mussoorie).
- The nearest railway station and airport are both in Dehradun (Dehradun Junction and Jolly Grant Airport); from there, buses and taxis run towards Mussoorie and onward to Dhanaulti.
Tourist attractions
- Eco Park (Amber & Dhara): Twin eco‑parks with forest trails, viewpoints, small adventure activities and picnic spots amid tall deodar trees.
- Surkanda Devi Temple: Famous hilltop temple (around 10–11 km away) reached by a steep trek or ropeway, offering panoramic Himalayan views.
- Potato Farm (Aloo Khet): Open fields with wide sunsets and photo spots, popular with families.
- Dhanaulti–Kanatal–Chamba drive: Scenic ridge road with homestays, orchards and camping sites overlooking snow peaks and Tehri Lake.
- Nearby: Mussoorie, Kanatal, New Tehri town and Tehri Lake can all be covered as day trips from Dhanaulti.
Cuisine of Dhanaulti
Cuisine in Dhanaulti is simple hill food served in small cafés, dhabas and homestays—mixing Garhwali dishes with standard North Indian fare. Travellers can enjoy aloo ke gutke, mandua or jhangora rotis, bhatt ki dal, seasonal saag and hot tea or Maggi, alongside popular items like parathas, paneer curries and momos suited to the cool climate.
