If your idea of the perfect holiday involves tranquil hills, untouched nature and a holiday experience that is unadulterated in the truest sense of the term, Mussoorie is the place you should be heading to. Nestled amidst the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan ranges, Mussoorie, also known as Queen of The Hills, stands at an altitude of 7000 feet above sea level, and has a cool, pleasant climate throughout the year. The pristine, natural beauty of Mussoorie makes it a very popular choice of holiday for honeymooners. If you want to enjoy the beautiful sight of the rolling green slopes juxtaposed with the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, Mussoorie is the place for you to be.

This beautiful hill station is the perfect retreat from the sweltering weather of the plains, and the fact that it was a very popular holiday destination during the British era can be seen from the multitude of British remnants engulfing the city, such as the archaic architecture of the hotels and churches dotting the entire terrain. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Mussoorie is The Mall (also known as the Mall Road), which is a slightly steep boulevard that has eateries and other shops lining its entire stretch. From the little houses spread around the area to the architecture of even the lamp posts, The Mall gives off a distinct colonial vibe.

Lal Tibba

Untouched by commercialisation, Lal Tibba is located on the top of Depot Hill in Landour, approximately 6 kilometres from Mussoorie. Being the highest point in the area, Lal Tibba is one of the most stunning viewpoints in the region. The name literally translates to ‘red hill’. Rising to a height of 2,275 meters (7,164 feet), Lal Tibba is the picture-perfect place to fulfil your sightseeing desires. The telescopes installed here are priceless, and aid in cherishing the beautiful unfettering panoramas of the Nilkantha peak (6,596 meters) in Badrinath, Kedarnath peak (6,940 meters), Banderpoonch range of three peaks with the highest rising to 6,316 meters can all be viewed on a cloudless day. 

The Lal Tibba region has long been occupied, serving as a summer getaway during the British-Raj and a recovering station for the military, hence gaining popularity as a cantonment cum hill station. It is now occupied by the Indian Military Services. In the form of a small terrace, La Tibba has mesmerizing views of the Tibet border. The place is relaxing and has remains of British Architecture. There are only a handful of places that offer such exhilarating views and being in Mussoorie, it is somewhat necessary to tick this off your must-visit list. There are few things better than being surrounded by a thick verdant forest cover, a tiny little picturesque hill station within eyeshot and the horizon studded with snow-clad mountains!

Lake Mist

The pristine Lake Mist is among the most beautiful destinations in the Queen of Hills i.e. Mussoorie. The emerald waters are covered by green forest terrains from sides giving the whole scenario a resplendent image making it an ideal for spending the moments of repose with your family and friends.

Lake Mist falls on the way to Kempty Falls. The major highlight of this scenic lake is the less crowded, hence, you can enjoy the calmness in the laps of nature. It is a gem of attraction.

Kempty Falls

Located on the way between Dehradun–Mussoorie roads, in the Ram Gaon area of Tehri Garhwal, Kempty Falls is a beautiful cascade of water that falls to the ground from a mighty altitude of 40 feet. Surrounded by high mountain cliffs, Kempty Falls is nestled at an altitude of around 4500 ft above the sea level. This place was developed as a picnic destination by John Mekinan owing to its captivating surroundings and scenic beauty. One of the most renowned waterfalls in Uttarakhand, Kempty Falls offers a mesmerizing panoramic view as the water falls from the mountains.

The name of Kempty Falls is taken from the terms “camp and tea” implying the elaborate tea parties that were once organized here in evenings eventually leading to a localized name Kempty. Offering a stunning view of water stream cascading down from a great height, it divides into five channels. The pond formed at the bottom of the falls makes an excellent spot for swimming and bathing. A flight of stairs leads to the pond where one can soak in the fun with friends and family. Quite famous among the tourists as a picnic spot, the perennial Kempty waterfall is crowded almost throughout the year.

Cloud’s End

6 km west off the Library, the Cloud’s End marks the geographical end of the beautiful hilltown of Mussoorie. Surrounded by thick oak and deodar forests, it tracks 2 km up to the Benog Wildlife Sanctuary offering a lovely walking track, taking in the soothing mountain air. Cloud’s End is visited for the breathtaking views it offers, especially of the Aglar River Valley.

Another major attraction at Cloud’s End is a heritage building set up by a Britisher in 1838, which is one of the oldest buildings in Mussoorie. Retaining the original architecture and other relics, it has now been converted into a heritage hotel (Clouds End Forest Resort). Tourists spend some tranquil time during their stay, along with partaking in activities like hiking, hill climbing and nature walks arranged by the hotel on request. People often club the visit to Cloud’s End with the famous attractions nearby – jawala devi temple and benong wildlife sanctuary.

Mussoorie Mall Road

Located in the heart of Mussoorie, the Mall is a colonial relic with benches and lampposts filled with modern shops, video game parlours and skating rinks.

You can often find the author Ruskin Bond browsing the Cambridge Bookstore. There would be a lot of local vendors around including photographers who can click awesome photographs for you. Do try out a photograph in local traditional attire here.

Gun Hill

Said to be an extinct volcano, the Gun Hill is the second highest point in the entire area of Mussoorie standing tall at an altitude of 2024 meters! The scene from the top of this hill is a panoramic view of the snow-clad Himalayan ranges right beside the widespread Doon Valley and a full view of the hill station of Mussoorie. The Gun Hill, located 400 ft above the Mall Road, is a popular attraction, especially amongst the photographers and nature lovers.

The highlight of Gun Hill is the ropeway which provides a scenic view of the Himayalan ranges. The hill was named so because of the presence of a gun at these hills during the pre-independence days. The gun was fired during the day to enable people to adjust their watches during those days.