There’s something about the soft peaks and valleys of Uttarakhand that beckon to those seeking tranquillity, adventure and beauty. From the dense greenery of summer, the blazing colours of autumn leaves, to the snow-covered town centre, Mussoorie is a year-round display of Mother Nature’s majesty. You will feel up and close with nature on every curve of Mussoorie’s winding roads.
Resting on a ridge 2km high, the 'Queen of Hill Stations' competes with Nainital as Uttarakhand’s favourite holiday destination. Hike through remote wilderness, drive along scenic byways, when the mist clears take in the views of the green Doon Valley and the distant white-capped Himalayan peaks.
Earlier this month, the state opened its borders to visitors, with some basic COVID protocols and requirements. Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport is taking flights from some major Indian cities, from where hotels are happy to whisk you away in their safe-and-sanitised cars. A weekend trip to Mussoorie is an open invitation to participate in nature’s greatest attractions. If you are someone who likes to explore the unconventional then here’s a list of my personal favourite and unique attractions that must make it to your itinerary.
Happy Valley
A rare untouched attraction, not many are aware that there is much more to Happy Valley than it just being a Tibet refugee settlement. Just a couple of kilometres into Happy Valley, you will reach the Shedup Choepelling Temple (Buddhist Monastery).
As you make your way out of the monastery, continue up a designated walking trail to the top of Dalai Hill. During your short hike (10 minutes), you will be welcomed by strings of multi-coloured Tibetan prayer flags. Once you reach the top you will reach the golden Buddha statue, spend 30 there and start your journey back to Mall road.
Dhanaulti Hill Station
Idyllically situated on the Mussoorie-Chamba road, the hill station of Dhanaulti is perfect for a day trip. This magical hill station is perched at an elevation of 2286 meters above sea level and offers panoramic views of the lofty Himalayas.
The town is enveloped by velvety rhododendrons, deodar, and tall oak forests. The hill station also receives heavy snowfall during winters. Dhanaulti is the base point for numerous treks into the Himalayas, which includes trails to the Surkanda Devi Temple, Chandrabadni and Kunjapuri. There are several adventure resorts here offering activities like rappelling and zip-lining.
Lal Tibba
Leave your hotel as early as 7 am to reach Lal Tibba. The hour-and-a-half walk from Landour feels like strolling through a British settlement. The streets are clean and the air gets noticeably cooler as one climbs up. Pretty cottages with tin roofs, stone churches with their painted windows, thickets of pine, quiet cemeteries nestled in the woods—all these transport you back in time. There are plenty of places one can stop en route for a cup of coffee or chai, making this a fairly easy trek.
You can also drive to the point by taking a different route. Lal Tibba Scenic point is where you want to sit back relax and enjoy grilled cheese and hot cocoa for breakfast. One can view also the distant Kumaon region and Doon valley through telescopes here.
Mossy Falls
This is not the kind of waterfall that can be viewed from the nearest point or highways, it is like a hidden gem tucked between the woods, mountains, and mossy hills like a mystery you would want to unfold. Located at 7kms from Mussourie at Bala Hisar Road, the first three cascades of the waterfall are quite prominent as you reach the destination while the fourth one can be spotted on one side and the last two are the secret ones which need to be viewed by crossing several bushes and small water streams to reach the baseline.
Exploring the Culinary Scene at Mall Road
The famous mall road makes the hills come alive. You will find a unique sense of calm between the hustle-bustle of shops, eateries and throngs of tourists. Here there is food for every palate – food stalls that line the streets selling juicy momos and quintessential golden corn to authentic Tibetan restaurants and contemporary cafes.
A meal at Kalsang Friends Corner is one that you cannot miss. With its red printed wallpaper, Tibetan prayer flags, Chinese ceiling lamps and red-uniformed staff they have an exhaustive 10-page menu that has Chinese, Tibetan and Thai specialities. Their dim sums, thukpa, soups, and fried noodles are to-die-for. Kalsang is definitely one of the best restaurants in Mussoorie but it’s not just because of how good or elaborate their menu is, but because it’s all reasonably priced and worth every penny.
Chick Chocolate is synonymous with Mussoorie, a crowd favourite, a table here is worth the wait. They've got a whole section of homemade chocolates ranging from dark, milk or liquor ones that are available to taste and buy. My personal favourite – their sticky Jaw toffees, gooey, buttery and downright delicious. While at the café you can also try, Kit Kat shake, thin pizza, chocolate waffles, nachos, fruit cream, chocolate shakes, dark chocolate shot and more.
The look and size of this eatery don’t do justice to what it offers. Lovely Omelette Centre puts the comfort in comfort food after a long day of sightseeing. At any given point in the day, you will find tourists and locals patiently waiting for their plates of omelette. You can try their omelettes in various flavours—masala, cheese, and chocolate (if you are feeling adventurous, give it a try.) We took our omelettes to go, found a quiet spot overlooking the hills and enjoyed it with a cup of Tandoori chai.
Little Llama Café is within a walking distance from Mall road. Its cosy atmosphere along with its assortment of quick bites and continental food options makes it a gastronomic paradise. With an old-school fast food-inspired menu—that includes, scrumptious burgers, deep-dish pizzas and delectable Berry milkshakes—its serene rooftop with a picturesque view of the hills adds to its USP.