Popular as Queen of the Hills, commanding a wonderful view of extensive Himalaya n snow anges to the north west and glittering views of the Doon Valley, at a altitude of 2000m and 34 km beyond Dehradun is a popular hill station. Discovered in 1827 by Captain Young, a Military Officer, it is now a premier tourism destination among tourists especially as it is the nearest hill station to Delhi. Mussoorie is a popular destination for tourist throughout the year with its green hills, varied flora &C fauna & Infrastructure enough to accommodate hordes of rourists jostling for it to escape the heat if the plains.
It has snow in winter and s quite peaceful at that time. It provides all kind of amusement & every facility or domestic and foreign tourists. The Mall Road connects Kulri & Library Bazars. Buses from Dehradun go to the Library or Picture Palace (Kuril bazar) bus stands. During the peak season the Mall Road in closed to traffic. At some extra height above the town, the air is cleaner & pine scented.
There are lovely walks along the mountain ridges. The Woodstock International School & an International Language school are set in beautiful location.
Getting There
Dehradun is the nearest airhead & rail head for Mussoorie, at a distance of 34km. For details see Dehradun Destination pg. 146.
In Mussoorie, Northern Railways Reservation Counter at Clearance House, near State Bank of India & GPO at Kurii Bazar provides booking facilities - 632846, Monday to Saturday, 0800-1100 hrs & 1200 -1500 hrs, Sunday 0800-1400 hrs.
Road :
There are numerous buses of state roadways from Mussoorie bus stand at Dehradun to Mussoorie between 0630-2030 hrs. These go either to the Library Bus Stand or Masonic Lodge Bus Stand. Library Bus Terminal •632238, Kulri Bus Terminal - 632239. From Delhi (300km) Inter State Bus Terminal there is a morning & night bus service direct to Mussoorie. Private taxis are available from the stand at Delhi's Ajmeri Gate, rates negotiable around Rs. 2000. One can share the same with other passengers. Taxis regularly ply during the season on shared basis from the stand next to railway station at Dehradun for Mussoorie, cost Rs. 350. This can be shared also. One should expect a rise in the cost of fare during the peak season, April-June & Sept.-Nov. Mussoorie is also connected by regular bus services to all the major centres of tourist interest in the region like Tehri (76 km), Srinagar (1335km), Barkot (89 km), Hanuman Chatti (129km) & Saharanpur (110 km) The Tehri bus stand is for buses to Tehri (five hours) &: connected to Uttarakashi & Gangotri. Taxis can also be hired From Library &c Kuln stands For excursions & other destinations. Library Stand - 632113, Kulri Stand •631407.
Local Transport :
The Mall road is closed to traffic for most of the year except in winter, so to traverse the two km. distance between Kurli & Library area, transportation means of Cycle rickshaws &C horses/ponies are available. Cars can ply on The Mall after paying Rs. 60/- between 0700-1700 hrs. However parking on Mall is strictly restricted.
The rates for cycle-rickshaws & riding horses are fixed. Baggage porters are available at both the stands & throughout the city, rates are fixed by City Board & District Administration, Car and vehicles parking places are notified and parking rates are fixed. Rate lists are available at Tourist Office - 632863, A cable car is operated by authorities between the lower station The Mall and the upper station on the Gun hill.
Private taxis are available from Taxi stands at fixed rates by authorities for excursion tour &, sightseeing places around Mussoorie. Local bus service for Barlowganj &C Jharipani is available from Masonic Lodge Stand 0800, 1000, 1200, 1500 & 1700 hrs. During season (May-Oct) buses are available for Kempty Fall from bus stand near Dwaper Hotel.
Mussoorie : Places Of Interest
Gun Hill :
uun niii is me second highest peak of Mussoorie. There is a 400m ropeway ride to it or one can reach it by bridle path starting from the Kutchery on The Mall. It takes about twenty minutes. The view of the snow capped peaks of Bunderpunch, Skrikantha, Pithwara & Gangotri Group etc. is stunning &C best at sunrise. It also offers a birds' eye view of Mussoorie town & Doon Valley. The Gun Hill is called so because prior to independence, a midway gun fire enabled residents to adjust their watches.
Kempty Falls:
15km on the Chakrata road, from Mussoorie is Kempty Falls. At an altitude of 4300 ft located in a beautiful valley and surrounded by high mountains, it is the biggest &C prettiest. Children as well as adults enjoy bathing at the foot of the falls. It is also a very popular picnic spot.
Camels Back Road:
It starts from Kulri and ends at the library covering a total distance of about 3 km. It is a pleasant walk or horse ride with a camels rock enroute (a life like resemblance). Sunset view of the Himalayas is superb.
Mussoorie Lake:
6 km from Mussoorie this is a newly developed picnic spot on Dehradun Mussoorie road. It is a delightful spot. Paddle boats are available. It commands an enchanting view of Doon Valley & the nearby villages.
Clouds End:
The bunglow built in 1838 by a British Major was one of the first four buildings of Mussoorie. The bunglow has since then been converted into a hotel called Clouds End, and is situated at the extreme west of Mussoorie Hill, 8 km from library. The resort is surrounded by thick forest, offers a wide variety of flora & fauna besides a panoramic view of snow clad Himalayas & Yarnuna river.
Binog Mountain Quail /Sanctuary: 11 km to the south of Library point is an old Sanctuary established in 1993.
Others include Jharipani Fall (8.5 km), Bhatta Fall (7 km), Mossey Fall (7km), Brentwood Sanctuary easily accessible from Mussoorie and are ideal spots for a refreshing bath and picnics. The Jwalaji Temple (9krn), Nag Devta Temple (6km) are places of religious importance offering a panoramic view of the Himalayan peaks &: Doon Valley.
Places of Interest in Uttaranchal
