Kanatal

Poised serenely on a scenic mountain crest at an invigorating altitude of 2,590 metres (8,500 ft) along the Mussoorie-Chamba highway in Tehri Garhwal district, Kanatal is one of Uttarakhand’s most peaceful and pristine hill retreats. Named after an ancient mountain lake ("Kana Tal" or blind lake) that dried up generations ago, Kanatal has emerged as a premier hideaway for discerning travelers seeking quiet deodar woods, fresh alpine breezes, and unhindered panoramas of the snow-clad Greater Himalayas.

Unlike bustling commercial resorts, Kanatal retains an unhurried, pastoral way of life. The village is surrounded by undulating terraced slopes carpeted with apple, apricot, and walnut orchards, dotted with rustic slate-roofed Garhwali stone cottages and scented by dense forests of deodar, rhododendron, and oak.

A highlight of any visit to Kanatal is the enchanting Kodai Jungle. This lush protected forest reserve offers an easy 5 to 6-kilometer nature trail winding through dense cedar canopies, mossy boulders, and natural freshwater springs. Along the way, nature enthusiasts frequently spot barking deer (kakar), wild boars, flying squirrels, and colorful Himalayan songbirds, with breakaways revealing jaw-dropping vistas into the deep Tehri valleys.

Just 5 km from Kanatal sits Kaddukhal, the base for ascending to the sacred Surkanda Devi Temple (2,757m). Pilgrims can either take the scenic aerial ropeway or hike up the paved mountain trail to enjoy an astonishing 360-degree amphitheater of snowbound giants, including Bandarpunch, Chaukhamba, and Swargarohini.

Kanatal has also pioneered modern eco-glamping in Uttarakhand. Its forested slopes are home to boutique luxury Swiss tent camps and wooden mountain lodges that combine comfortable bedding and heated rooms with thrilling outdoor adventures like rock climbing, valley crossing, and cozy night campfires beneath brilliant star-filled skies.

Just 30 km down the winding highway lies the vast emerald expanse of Tehri Lake, offering high-speed jet skis, banana boat rides, and floating eco-resorts.