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The high-rising Himalayas, the tree-covered hillsides, beautiful walks and enchanting lakes
mesmerize all those who visit this place. Though overcrowded in summer, exploring the resort in off-season can also prove to be an interesting experience. Some of the interesting spots that one can visit here are Snow View, Naini Peak, Dorothy's seat, Land's end, Hanuman Garhi, State Observatory and the Mall.
Snow View:
This popular vantage point, situated at 2,270 metres above sea level, offers an excellent view of the northern Himalayan ranges. The point is accessible by a chair lift (ropeway) or you can hire horses and mountain ponies to reach there. You can even reach the place on foot but the climb is quite steep. From the top, with the help of powerful binoculars, you can have a close up view of Nanda Devi, one of the highest peaks in the country.
Naini Peak:
Five kilometres from the lake lies the Naina Peak. At 2,611 metres, it is the highest peak bordering the lake. A popular picnic spot, the peak offers a panoramic view of the resort and a stunning view of the Himalayas including Nanda Devi and the mountains on the Tibetan border.
Dorothy's Seat:
Four kilometres to the west of the lake lies Dorothy's seat, also known as Tiffin Top. Here a seat was built by an Englishman named Kellet in the memory of his wife, who was killed in an air crash. The spot offers a partial view of Nainital.
Land's End:
Located on the southern border of the lake, and standing 2,881 metres high, this hill offers a view of another lake, Khurpa Tal.
Hanuman Garhi:
Three kilometres south of Tallital lies Hanuman Garhi, where there is a small temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The place is also a good spot for viewing the setting sun.
State Observatory:
Located around one kilometre from Hanuman Garhi on the top of a ridge is the State Observatory. The observatory is usually open to the public in the evenings but one should confirm the timings from the tourist office before visiting here.
The Mall:
The Mall is Nainital's popular promenade and the centre of frenetic activity especially in the late afternoons.
Weekend Trips/Excursions:
Moving around Nainital can prove to be an equally interesting experience. One gets to see the region's finest flora and fauna besides getting a closer view of some of the highest peaks of the enchanting Himalayas. A major attraction around Nainital is the Corbett National Park, one of the finest national parks in the country. Besides Corbett, one can visit Mukteshwar, Sat Tal, Almora, Ranikhet, Kasauni, Ramnagar and Naukuchiya Tal.
Mukteshwar:
Set atop a high ridge, at about 51 km from Nainital, is one of Kumaon's beautiful resorts, Mukteshwar. The resort is full of fruit orchards and dense coniferous forests. You can also have a fine view of the majestic Himalayas as well as of Almora from here. Mukteshwar is also home to the famous Indian Veterinary Research Institute.
Sat Tal:
About 21 kilometres from Nainital lies Sat Tal, one of the most picturesque resorts of Kumaon. The resort has seven interconnected lakes. Accommodation facilities here are provided by Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam.
Almora:
Nestled in the Kumaon hills, the hill station of Almora has fascinated travellers from far and wide. It is one of the very few hill stations not developed by the English. Geographically, Almora is bound by the district of Pithoragarh in the east, the district of Garhwal in the west, the district of Bageshwarin in the north and in the south by Nainital district. Almora is placed over a picturesque horseshoe-shaped ridge of a mountain. Some of the major attractions here are G. B. Pant Museum, Chitai Temple, Kasar Devi Temple and Udyotchandesvar Temple (also Nanda Devi Temple).
Ranikhet:
About 59 km north of Nainital, at an altitude of 1829 metres, lies the quiet and beautiful hill station of Ranikhet (literally 'queen's paddy field'). Ranikhet has a pleasant climate. The summers here are mild and the winters are considerably cold. Being a relatively less-explored destination, the environment of Ranikhet is serene, the people hospitable and the streets traffic-less. Some of the major attractions of the town are Chaubatia Garden, the Mall, and the Golf Course.
Corbett National Park:
Set up in 1936, the Corbett National Park is India's first and the finest national park. Situated in the foothills of the western Himalayas in the districts of Nainital and Pauri Garhwal, the park spans across some 920.9 square kilometres at an altitude of 600 to 1,100 metres. Today the park has grown considerably in size and now includes the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary as a part of its 1,319 sq. km of reserved forest area.
Kasauni:
All mountain lovers who want to get a closer look at the Himalayas can head for Kasauni, which is situated at about 51 kilometres north of Almora. From here you can have a superb view of Trishul (7120 m), the twin peaks of Nanda Devi (7816 m), and Panchchuli or the Five Chimneys (6904 m).
Ramnagar:
Located on the intersection of Kumaon and Garhwal, Ramnagar is about 67 kilometres west of Nainital. This small town, which is almost the epicentre of all major motorways of the region, plays host to the annual animal fair held on Kartik Purnima.
A visit to Ramnagar enables you to see Kotbagh Seetavani, a place where Goddess Sita is believed to have disappeared into the earth. For those who want to spend time in tranquillity can visit Girja Devi, a retreat on the Kosi River about 10 kilometres from Ramnagar.
Naukuchiya Tal:
For those seeking solitude, Naukuchiya Tal is a wonderful place to visit. This lake with nine corners is about 27 km from Nainital and 4 km from Bhim Tal. You can visit the lake during the autumn season when the sky is clear to enjoy the serene environment.
Haldwani:
Situated at a distance of 40 km off Nainital, Haldwani is located at the foothills of Kumaon Region. This is a major transport hub for any journey to Kumaon region and you would get busses for all the places in Kumaon including Nainital. The town in itself do not offer any attraction.
Events and Festivals:
The hill resort of Nainital plays hosts to several fairs and festivals that attract tourists and the localities alike. As the name indicates the Autumn Festival is celebrated in the autumn season. The annual festival takes place in honor of the goddess Naina Devi in the month of September. The hill resort gets renewed after the monsoons.
The winter months of October and November see the Kumaon Festival. The Kumaon festival is organized by the State Tourism Department. Besides the gaiety in the air the festival is the perfect time to get an insight into the local cultures and traditions.
For the adventure sort lovers, Nainital is the place to be in for Regatta. Annually in the third week of June, a sailing race takes place in the Naini Lake. You may hire the Yachts from the Nainital Boat Club and enjoy!
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