Nainital, the city of lakes, is a popular hill station in Uttarakhand, especially for tourists from the northern plains looking for cooler climes during peak summers. As a result, this former British retreat can get crowded during peak season. Our curated list brings you some of the best offbeat places to visit near Nainital, offering similar gorgeous views and pleasant weather without throngs of tourists.
Best offbeat tourist places near Nainital
Pithoragarh (175 km away)
Snow-capped mountains, lush green valleys, and gushing rivers define Pithoragarh’s stunning natural beauty. With average temperatures ranging from 14.9°C to 26.9°C, it is one of the most popular places to beat the heat in North India. Located at a height of 1,645 metres above sea level, this idyllic hill station overlooks Saur Valley, known for its panoramic views of the Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Panchachuli ranges. Pithoragarh is famed for several thrilling treks, including the Milam Glacier Trek, Ralam Glacier Trek, Nanda Devi Base Camp Trek, and the Khaliya Top Trek. From temples and treks to adventure sports and fruit orchards, Pithoragarh is quickly becoming a popular tourist haunt near Uttarakhand.
Best time to visit: April to June, September to November
Things to do: Explore Pithoragarh Fort, enjoy gorgeous views from Chandak Hill’s summit, and spend time at Maharajke War Memorial
Best hotels: Plaza Hotel, Pine Resort Pithoragarh, and Gunjyal Madhur Residency
Best restaurants: The Den A Family Restaurant, Som Bar and Cafe, and Indian Spice
Book your stay at Pine Resort, Pithoragarh via Booking.com
Book your stay at Pine Resort, Pithoragarh via Agoda.com
Chaukori (170 km away)
A peaceful little hill station in Uttarakhand, Chaukori is an offbeat destination near Nainital offering enchanting views of snowy peaks, flowering valleys, and acres of pine, deodar, and rhododendron forests. Located 2,010 metres above sea level, it is home to verdant stretches of emerald tea gardens and fragrant fruit orchards. Offering plenty of birdwatching opportunities, Chaukori’s rich biodiversity makes it ideal for leisurely walks past sleepy villages, local food stalls, and golden cornfields. The average summer temperatures range between 17°C to 22°C, ensuring pleasant days for outdoor activities.
Check out the best places for breathtaking Himalayan treks across rhododendron forests.
Best time to visit: March to June, September to November
Things to do: Visit Dunkhola Waterfalls, trek to Thamri Kund, and enjoy the views from Chaukori Temple
Best hotels: The Misty Mountains, Neelgagan Resort, and The Himalayan Woods
Best restaurants: Gud Chah Cafe & Homestay, Royale Restaurant, and Suhana Restaurant
Bageshwar (136 km away)
Home to the revered Bagnath Temple and other religious spots, Bageshwar is much more than a temple town. Boasting some of the most scenic sunrises, it is an idyllic place to enjoy cool weather surrounded by the majestic peaks of Bhileshwar and Nileshwar. The average summer temperatures range between 26°C to 33°C. Located on the confluence of Rivers Gomti and Saryu, Bageshwar is the gateway to several moderate to hard treks, including Sunderdunga Glacier Trek, Kafni Trek, and Pindari Glacier Trek.
Best time to visit: March to June
Things to do: Visit religious spots, spend time at Sarayu Ghat, and enjoy stunning vistas from Bageshwar’s Birds Eye View
Best hotels: Hotel Narendra Palace, Himalaya Mount View Resort, and BN Resort
Best restaurants: Pine Haven, Silver Oak by Club Mahindra, and Swad Restaurant
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Pangot (14 km away)
Pangot, with its dense forests, rambling streams, and snow-capped mountain peaks, is a mostly unexplored offbeat destination near Nainital. With ample opportunities for bird-watching and adventurous activities, travellers to Pangot can enjoy trekking, mountain biking, camping nights, picturesque walks through verdant valleys, and viewpoints offering gorgeous vistas of Nanda Devi, and other marvels of the Echo Zone and Himalayan Darshan Area. This cosy little hamlet is also home to the famed Kilbury and Pangot Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary with over 250 avian species.
Best time to visit: April to June
Things to do: Explore Kilbury and Pangot Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, enjoy panoramic views from Snow View Point, and spend a day at the GB Pant High Altitude Zoo
Best hotels: The Acorn Cottage Birding Lodge, The Cocoon Camps & Nature Resorts, and Nature Drops
Best restaurants: Pine Wood Restaurant, Zoobi’s Kitchen, and Eeja Cafe
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Binsar (87 km away)
Offering visitors a welcoming escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life, Binsar is a cool respite from the heat of the plains. On a clear day, stunning views of a 300-km stretch of the Himalayas are visible from Binsar’s highest points, including Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, Panchachuli, Trishul, Kedarnath, and Chaukhamba peaks. An erstwhile summer capital of Chand Kings and the British, Binsar enjoys favourable temperatures from April to July, ranging from 14°C to 30°C. One of its main attractions is the spellbinding Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, dedicated to conserving the region’s flora.
Best time to visit: March to May, October to November
Things to do: Explore Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, pick up organic skin care products from Binsar Nature Gift Shop, and enjoy the views from Crank’s Ridge
Best hotels: Tree of Life Grand Oak Manor, The Kumaon, and Binsar Forest Retreat
Best restaurants: The Kasar Kitchen, Himalayan Hobbit House, and Simba Cafe
Book your stay at Tree of Life Grand Oak Manor, Binsar via Booking.com
Book your stay at Tree of Life Grand Oak Manor, Binsar via Agoda.com
Kausani (116 km away)
Fondly nicknamed the ‘Switzerland of India’ by Mahatma Gandhi during his 1929 visit to the Anasakti Ashram, Kausani is one of the best places to visit near Nainital. Offering panoramic views of the surrounding snow-clad Himalayan peaks, visitors to Kausani can enjoy wondrous waterfalls, verdant tea estates, stone-walled temples and stargazing nights to visiting stone-walled temples. Enjoy a cool retreat with average summer temperatures between 19°C and 30°C.
Best time to visit: April to June, October to February
Things to do: Visit Starscapes Observatory, explore Kausani Tea Estate, and spend a day at Anasakti Ashram
Best hotels: Suman Royal Resort, Lap of Himalayas Resort, and The Hotel Hill Palace Kausani
Best restaurants: Bro’s Cafe, Garden Restaurant, and Quality Restaurant
Patal Bhuvaneshwar (173 km away)
One of the most offbeat yet thrilling places to visit near Nainital, Patal Bhuvaneshwar boasts a subterranean shrine to Lord Shiva 90 feet below ground. A little over 85 km from Pithoragarh, these limestone caves full of stalactites and stalagmites are extraordinary with their touch of spirituality. A steep descent, slippery steps, iron chains for balance, and feeble lights create an aura of mystery around the place. From enjoying towering mountain views to spending hours resting in wildflower meadows, there is plenty more to see and do here.
Best time to visit: April to June
Things to do: Visit temples, enjoy nature walks, and explore Berinag village
Best hotels: Parwati Resort, Neelgagan Resort, and Gaurav Resorts by StayApart
Best restaurants: Silverfox, Ashoka Restaurant Berinag, and Raj Bakery And Restaurants
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How to reach the offbeat places near Nainital
From Kausani to Chaukori, all of the best offbeat places to visit near Nainital are well-connected by road to major cities in north India, including Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur, Chandigarh, and others. Travellers can hire a cab, take a local bus, or drive themselves to these places within a few hours.
By air: Pantnagar Airport is approximately 70 km away.
By train: Kathgodam Railway Station is approximately 23 km away.
By road: Nainital is connected to Delhi via NH 44 and Lucknow by NH 30.
(Image credit: Roop Dey/Shutterstock)
Related: Bookmark This: Your Treasure Map To The Most Beautiful Places In India
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-What can I expect to see at Bhimtal?
Bhimtal is home to temples, lakes, museums, and several viewpoints that showcase the splendour of the Himalayas.
-What is the best time to visit Nainital?
Nainital enjoys pleasant weather almost all through the year. However, the best time to visit is from March to June, and during the shoulder season, from September to October.
-How to commute locally in Nainital?
You can hire tuk-tuks, autos, or cabs to move around Nainital.
-What are the best offbeat places near Nainital within 200 km?
Binsar, Patal Bhuvaneshwar, Kausani, and Pangot are some of the best offbeat places to visit near Nainital.
-What are the adventure activities to do near Nainital?
Hand gliding, trekking, caving, and mountain biking are some of the best adventure activities to enjoy near Nainital.
-What to buy from Nainital?
Handmade fruit preserves, woollen shawls, fancy candles, leather bags, bal mithai (a local sweet made of milk and sugar balls), and crafts made from pine cones are some of the must-buys in Nainital.
Written By
Esha Dasgupta
Senior Digital Writer - Growth, TravelEsha is a traveller at heart, with a penchant for exploring the unchartered. She has previously worked with TravelTriangle and Internet Moguls. When not in work mode, she can be found downing endless cups of coffee while reading Enid Blyton/Sidney Sheldon.
