Nainital Hill Station

This is the best comprehensive travel guide for tourists planning a trip to Nainital, offering detailed and accurate information on Nainital tourism, its top places to visit, things to do, and the best surrounding attractions. Keep reading for detailed descriptions below.

Nainital is referred to as the ‘Lake District’. This gorgeous lake town of the Himalayas is a popular hill station in Northern India. This region is situated in the Kumaon Himalayas at approximately 2000m above sea level and cuddled by the Himalayan Mountains has 7 hills such as Ayarpata, Deopata, Handi-Bandi, Naina, Alma, Lariya-Kanta and Sher-Ka-Danda. These hills in Nainital enhance its beauty and make it the best destination for tourism. The main attraction of the region is the emerald lake which is situated near Naina Devi temple and features colorful sailboats for tourists. It’s believed that this ancient temple Naina Devi was made when the eye of the goddess ‘Sati’ fell at this particular spot when Lord Shiva was carrying her corpse after her self-immolation.

Nainital offers a smooth blend of natural beauty with British cottages and bungalows. Explore the Niana Lake with the colorful boats, experience the stunning views by cable car, enjoy the most exciting hiking spots such as China Trek, Land’s End, Tiffin Top and Cave Gardens, exploring the bustling Mall Road and Tibet Market. The calm weather of this region is quite talked about and a perfect image for the tourists.

Nainital Hill Station - Quick Overview

State	Uttarakhand
Region	Kumaon
Elevation	2,084 m
Spoken Languages	Kumauni, Hindi & English
Best Time to Visit	Throughout the year, but March to June (Summer) and September to November (Autumn) are considered the best times to visit.
Destination Type	Hill Station
Famous for	Lakes, Nature & Adventure
Nearest Railway Station	Kathgodam Railway Station
Nearest Airport	Pantnagar Airport
Temperature Range	Summer: 15°C to 30°C; Winter: -2°C to 15°C
Popular Tourist Attractions	Naini Lake, Naina Devi Temple, Snow View Point, Tiffin Top, Eco Cave Gardens, Nainital Zoo..etc
Top Destinations to Visit Nearby Nainital	Bhimtal, Sattal, Naukuchiatal, Kainchi Dham, Mukteshwar, Jim Corbett National Park, Ranikhet

History of Nainital - Hindu Mythological Background

Nainital, a pleasant hill destination that is cuddling in the Kumaon Himalayas, has a rich historical jumble. Nainital is mentioned in the Manas Khand of the Skanda Purana as Tri-Rishi-Sarovar of 3 sages named Atri, Pulastya and Pulaha who came to this place for a pilgrimage.

In other stories, Nainital is also famous for the Naina Devi temple, where devotees worship to the eye. This place is one of the 64 Shakti Peethas destinations where you find eye worship of maa Sati, who is the wife of Lord Shiva, it is said wherever portions of the burnt body of Sati were found while Lord Shiva was wandering with her corpse out of sorrow it is called as a Shakti Peethas and in that place, the Left Eye (Nain) of Sati fell on that place. In this way, Nainital Devi became the protector of Nainital in the form of a deity.

Colonial Period History

Before British rule, Kumaon and Garhwalis ruled over this place, but when the British occupied this place, in 1815, Gardner was appointed as the first commissioner here and built-up modern areas clustered with bungalows and villas

In 1817, the first European, Mr Trail, became the second commissioner, and he developed Nainital as an expansion for the Britishers. In 1839 an English businessman Mr. P. Barron, a sugar trader, came from Rosa with his friend to this place. But he got lost in this beautiful hill destination, which is surrounded by the Himalayas and lake and he liked it too much. So, he decided to live in that place and build a European colony. He also wrote in his book “Notes of Wonderings” - Its height above sea level is 6200 ft. The water is clean like crystal. An undulating lawn, interspersed with occasional clumps of oak, cypress and other beautiful trees continues from the margin of the lake, for upwards of a mile, upto the base of magnificent Himalayas. The forests are intersected in all directions with highways made by countless herbs of deer, and the Pheasants appear so common, that I assure you we had absolutely to drive them off our encamping grounds.

They made this destination as a summer capital, built bungalows, made markets like Mall Road, constructed clubs, recreation centers, colleges and schools for their children and other administrative buildings, which continue from colonial times. In 1850 this place became the second Municipal Corporation of North Western Provinces.

Top Attractions for Tourists in Nainital

Nainital Tourism -Top Tourist Attractions in Nainital

Nainital Lake
Naina Devi Temple
Snow View Point
Tiffin Top
Naina Peak
St John in the Wilderness Church
Nainital Zoo

Nainital Lake

This beautiful natural lake, surrounded by a shape like a Pear, tops the list of things to do in Nainital. This town’s mighty Lake is renowned for its serene landscapes and is surrounded by hills, making it a major attraction for visitors. Visitors choose a rowing boat or paddle boat to watch the ancient temple as well as to see the sunsets beyond the hills.

Naina Devi Temple

Perched on the edge of the Lake is the Naina Devi Temple, an incarnation of Goddess Durga, a shrine that is believed to have been there for a thousand years. According to the legends, this pilgrimage is built when Goddess Sati's eye falls when Lord Shiva is carrying his burnt wife Sati. This city Nainital is named after this temple.

Snow View Point

The Snow View Point is one of the most beautiful locations of Nainital and is popular amongst tourists. This place offers stunning views of the Himalayan Mountain Ranges that are covered with snow, especially during winter. You have access to the ropeway to reach these picturesque landscapes. Besides these views, this place also offers an adventure park where you can enjoy various activities.

Tiffin Top

Tiffin Top is a popular viewpoint in Nainital, which is also known as Dorothy’s Seat. It is located at the Hilltop Ayarpatta front and offers a beautiful view of the Himalayan Ranges. This picnic spot is made by British Officer Karnal J.P Cullen in memory of his beloved wife. It was named Tiffin Top because people came here to have Lunch on the top of the hill.

Naina Peak

Naina Peak also known as China Peak, is located approximately 6 KM away from the main town of Nainital. It is one of the highest places in Nainital, which gives you clean air and breathtaking views of valleys and hills in your trekking part.

St John in the Wilderness Church

It’s one of the oldest Church in this region and was constructed in 1846. This place is just 1 KM far away from Nainital Lake. This ancient monument offers amazing architecture and peaceful surroundings to visitors.

Nainital Zoo

The GB Pant Zoo is also known as Nainital Zoo. It's an iconic place, which is situated at a high altitude. It was created in 1984 and was opened to the public in 1995. In this zoo, you’ll spot various endangered species such as the Bengal Tiger, Tibetan Wolf and many others as well as wild varieties of Bird species. This zoo spreads across 4.6 Hectares and is managed by the Bharat Ratna Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant High Altitude Zoo Management Society.

Things to Do - Top Activities for Tourist in Nainital

Nainital Tourism- Top Things to Do in Nainital

Boating
Trekking
Shopping

Boating

This Activity is a center activity of that place. There are numerous types of boating in the Nainital such as

Rowing: Rowing boating is the oldest boating in the Nainital, it's a traditional wooden boat which is decorated with a wooden seat where you can sit and enjoy the surrounding places and if you go boating in the Naini Lake you can see the ancient temple Naina Devi temple which is looking beautiful with the majestic Himalayas. These boats ensure all the safety.
Paddling - Paddling boating is a fun option with your family and friends. This is a swan-shaped boat with 4 people or 8 people. You can paddle and enjoy your boating with your friends and families.
Yacht Riding - It’s luxurious boating, that you can rent from the booking place where all these bookings are there.

Trekking

Trek to China Peak/Naina Peak: These peaks are the highest peak near Nainital, which is 5 km far from the main town. It’s a 3 KM trek that is surrounded by lush greens and the rocky Himalayas. This peaceful trek gives you eye-catching views of the vast memories of the Kumaon region.
Trek to Land’s End: A spectacular land, offering safe railings with good roads. This 2 km trek can be completed by walk or either with horse. During the monsoon season, this trek is not a safe path and may become slippery. In the winter season, this place is no less than heaven. You can see the fog-covered roads. As you climb up, the cloud’s distance is not far away and will keep moving with you and provide foggy views at the end point where lush green mountains await.
Cave Garden Trek: The Cave Garden Trek is an extraordinary and captivating trek for those who are visiting Nainital. This trek leads you to the Eco Cave Gardens, a famous site that has interconnected natural caves. There are six caves pathed which begin from the town center of Nainital and go through relatively narrow forest cover. The walk was well organized and the route was easy to trace. During the walk, one will enjoy the cool weather and the pleasant sounds and sensations provided by nature. It is one of the most sought-after treks in Nainital.
Trek to Ropeway Ride: Ropeway is another tourist attraction in Nainital, which is 2 km far away from the main town. It comes under Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam which is known as Aerial Ropeway Car. This ropeway starts from Mallital and goes to a Snow View Point which takes you within 3 minutes. This cable car offers a sightseeing bird’s eye view of this beautiful town which is cuddling by these mighty Himalayan peaks in all their glory. This features 2 trolls, one of which comes and the other one goes, with a capacity of 11 people. You have 2 hours, in which you have to explore all the Snow View Points.

Shopping

Mall Road: The mall road is a very famous place for shopping in Nainital. This road winding around the Lake is the heart of Nainital’s activity. Dotted with indulgent hotels and thousands of street side shops, this area is always bustling with activities. Stroll along the mall road and buy mementos, candles, shawls and sweaters to make the most of your time.
Tibetan Market: Another famous market is in Nainital, which is situated at the end of Mall Road. You’ll find everything in this place from clothing to food and wooden artifacts to the ancient Temple of Nainital “Naina Devi Temple”.

Best Time to Visit Nainital

Nainital can be visited throughout the year, but March to June (Summer) and September to November (Autumn) are considered the best times to visit.

March and June, this is a great time to escape from the blistering heat of the northern plains.

Summer Season in Nainital

Nainital experiences the season of summer between April to July, when the temperature hovers around a balmy 23 Degrees Celsius.

Monsoon Season in Nainital

Nainital experiences the season of monsoon between July to September these months Nainital receives heavy rainfall and risk of landslides in the surrounding areas.

Winter Monsoon Season in Nainital

From October to March Nainital is pretty cold and you can experience the cool weather. Moreover, if you’re a snow lover, January is the month when you can see the snowfall.

How to Reach Nainital?

Situated in the Kumaon Hills, Nainital is pretty accessible around the year.

By Air: Pantnagar is the nearest Airport from Nainital and is 70 km far away from Nainital. You can first fly to Delhi and then take a connecting flight from Delhi to Pantnagar.
By Train:Kathgodam Railway Station, is situated 23 km away. Cities like Delhi, Agra, Kolkata and Lucknow have direct trains to Kathgodam. From the Railway Station, you can easily find a taxi or bus to take you to Nainital.
By Road: You can drive down from Delhi as it is just over 300 km away. There are also overnight buses from Delhi to Nainital. You can easily find a taxi or bus from the Bus Station to Nainital.

Top Excursion Destinations from Nainital

Kainchi Dham Temple
Bhimtal Hill Station
Sattal Hill Station
Pangot Hill Station
Jim Corbett National Park
Almora Hill Station
Ranikhet Hill Station

Kainchi Dham Temple

This serene and spiritual destination which is known for its natural beauty and religious significance is situated 10 KM away from Nainital. This place is famous for its Neem Karoli Baba Ashram and Hanuman Temple, which is dedicated to the Baba Neem Karoli who is a devotee of Lord Hanuman, for this reason, Hanuman Chalisa is held in this temple most of the time.

This Ashram is the ideal picture of stillness and seclusion which is surrounded by greenery. Devotees even stay in the Kainchi Dham Ashram, and they are also expected to happily participate in the morning and evening rituals. There is a Pratishtha Divas celebration every year on 15th June at the ashram. During this time a lot of devotees come to Kainchi Dham to receive Prasad. This place is best for those who want to spend a day in solitude and quiet.

Bhimtal Hill Station

Bhimtal is located in the Nainital District and Bhimtal Lake is one of the centerpieces in Bhimtal where you can enjoy paddle boating. This picturesque lake stands out as one of the largest lakes in Nainital and provides water to the town for drinking and agriculture. Just 22 KM away from Nainital, this is one of the most popular places to visit.

Another sightseeing place in Bhimtal is Bhimeshwar Mahadev Temple which depicts Lord Shiva. Legends said this temple was built by Bhim, during his exile, that’s why this temple name is Bhimeshwar Mahadev Temple. This temple is situated on the banks of Bhimtal Lake, admired for its intricate architecture. and wooden carvings show the cultural heritage of the Kumaon region. This place is also famous for the Naukuchiatal, where you can do paragliding and trekking.

Sattal Hill Station

Situated in dense forest, a group of pristine hill lakes is one of the popular places in Uttarakhand, known as Sattal. This lake is a paradise for nature and bird lovers. It is situated at a height of 1370m above sea level and is formed by the confluence of seven groups of lakes such as Panna, Naldaymanti Tal, Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Bharat and Sukha Tal.

Pangot Hill Station

This village is at a height of 6300 feet above sea level and located 15 KM away from Nainital. This region is rich with various types of migratory birds during winter and is the hub for photographers where they can capture lots of memories of Pangot. Walking through this place with the wooded oak forest is no less than rewarding. You can also enjoy trekking and camping in Pangot, giving a unique experience with the bonfire.

Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park is one of the oldest Park, which is situated in Nainital district, where you can sightsee Tigers in wildlife safari and soak in the lush greenery of India’s most dense forest, just an hour's drive from Nainital. It was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park, but later then it was named Jim Corbett who is an animal hunter and hunts lots of leopards and kill-man eating tigers in the nearby places of the Kumaon region. Stretching across 500 sq KM, the area is divided into 5 zones Bijrani, Dhikala, Jhirna, Domunda and Sonanandi for the visitors.

Almora Hill Station

Almora is a picturesque hill-station surrounded by oak and peaks forest. It is believed that Almora’s name is derived from Kilmora, a small berry fruit, which is used in the Sun Temple at Katarmal for washing utensils. Almora also has popular pilgrimage sites such as Nanda Devi and Jageshwar, where thousands of devotees come every year for blessings along with the temples. This place also has two major rivers Koshi and Suyal which add to the beauty of this place. Almora is the gateway to go deeper in the Himalayas for trekking and campaigning.

Ranikhet Hill Station

Ranikhet is a famous cantonment Region that was made by British officers and at present time it is the headquarters of the Kumaon Regiment. If we talk about the history of this place, this place was made by the Britishers and is one of the spots where officers spend their free time with their families.

From that place, you can sightsee some of these places such as Golf-Course which is a beautiful 9-hole golf course field, surrounded by the slopes of mountains. Visit Haidakhan Babaji Temple, the incarnation of Lord Shiva. Explore Bhalu Dham a perfect picnic spot with friends and families. Experience apple farming in Chaubatia Orchards.