A hot favourite of honeymooners, Mussoorie is one of the most visited hill stations in the state of Uttarakhand as well as in India. The hill station came to be known when back in 1827, a British military officer named Captain Young discovered the fascinating beauty of the place. He explored the whole area and laid the foundation of a place which is today one of the finest hill stations in northern India, equally liked both by locals and foreign travellers.
Perched at an elevation of 6,000 ft (a.s.l.), Mussoorie in Uttarakhand lies at easily strikable distance from India's capital city of Delhi.
Besides, the hill station is also the entranceway to popular Hindu shrines of Yamunotri and Gangotri. When the plains of northern India become scorchingly hot during summers, nature lovers, couples, families and even backpackers head towards Mussoorie for spending some quality time amidst verdant hills of the Garhwal Himalayas. Mussoorie offers to see some picturesque waterfalls, forest trails, hiking opportunities and eco parks among others.
Prime Attractions of Mussoorie
Kempty Fall
A major tourist attraction in Mussoorie, it lies at a distance of 15 km from the hill town. The waterfall is not only visited by those who come to Mussoorie but also by those who come to Dehradun. Here, travellers can enjoy feasting their eyes on waterfalls cascading from an altitude of 4,500 ft. The Kempty Falls in Mussoorie was developed John Mekinan around 1835.
Visitors can soak up the scenery at the waterfall only between the months of March and July. The Kempty Falls remain closed during monsoon and winter months.
Gun Hill
It has the eminence of being the second highest peak in Mussoorie. There are two options to reach this peak - either a 30-minute uphill walk or by the ropeway. Travellers come here to enjoy bird's eye view of of places like Banderpunch, Gangotri, Pithware and Srikanta. Gun Hill is comparatively quieter than its surrounding areas.
Lake View
Picnickers can have a lot of fun at the Mussoorie Lake. A new entrant on the list of tourist attractions in Mussoorie, the lake is situated along the Dehradun-Mussoorie road. The development of the Mussoorie Lake has been done by the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority. Peddle boats are available on hire at the lake and is the most wonderful options of enjoying the scenic views of the area.
Prakesheshwar Mahadev Mandir
During your tour to the hill station of Mussoorie, you can also visit the temples located here. Many of these temples are located on top of hills. The Prakesheshwar Mahadev Mandir is also a mythological site which is worth a visit.