7 Road Trips To Take On That Are Less Than A 2 Hours Drive From Nainital!

If you're quite done exploring Nainital and are looking for greener pastures, here is a list of places lying nearby that definitely should not be missed out on owing to their natural beauty, so put on your favourite playlist and hit the road ASAP!

1. Ramgarh

Seen as one of the hidden jewels of the Kumaon region, Ramgarh is often called the ''Fruit Bowl of Kumaon”, for it houses abundant orchards of apples, apricots, peaches & pears. It's divided into the following - Malla which is located at an elevation and Talla which is located downhill. This town is far from the din of the city and offers stunning views of the Himalayas.

Distance From Nainital | 34 Kms (Approx 1 Hr 15 Mins Drive)

2. Mukteshwar

Situated at an elevation of 2,285 meters above sea level, Mukteshwar is a pleasing destination in Uttarakhand. The place gets its name from a 350 year old temple of Lord Shiva called ‘Mukteshwer Dham’. From its height of 2,285 meters above sea level, the temple offers stunning views of the Himalayan range making it a popular tourist destination.

Distance From Nainital | 46.5 Kms (Approx 1 Hr 40 Mins Drive)

3. Naukuchiatal

Known to be the deepest of all lakes in Nainital, this 175 feet deep lake surrounded by hills covered in pine trees and exotic shrubs, also happens to be one of the most sought after camping sites in town. Adventurous souls will find numerous resorts and packages specific to their camping needs and activities in the area for a memorable experience.

Distance From Nainital | 25.5 Kms (Approx. 1 Hr Drive)

4. Bhimtal

A lake city named after the mighty Bhima of the Pandava clan, the place is revered for its aesthetic beauty. It sits at an altitude of 1,370 metres above sea level and offers gorgeous views. This lake city is popular for its proximity to Nainital and is known to feature some of the stately hotels that are comparatively cheaper than that of Nainital.

Distance From Nainital | 20.4 Kms (Approx 50 Mins Drive) 

5. Sattal

The seven interconnected freshwater lakes sitting at an altitude of 1370 metres below the lush orchards in the Mehragaon valley, Sattal or Sat Tal has the potential to satiate your adventurous soul. From neverending hikes across the oak and pine laden forests, night treks to the lake to moonlit swims and bonfire near the Subhash Dhara waterfall, it promises a lot of fun!

Distance From Nainital | 46 Kms (Approx. 1 Hr 30 Mins Drive)

6. Kilbury & Pangot Bird Sanctuary

Set amidst the Oak and Rhododendron forests, this places offers superb bird sighting opportunities and one can spot a variety of Himalayan species such as Himalayan Griffon, Blue-Winged Minla, Spotted & Slaty-Backed Forktail, Rufous-Bellied Niltava & Khalij Pheasant. Enveloped by a thick flora cover, it’s also perfect for bird watching, flying fox, bouldering, commando crawl and more!

Distance From Nainital | 15 Kms (Approx 45 Mins Drive)

7. Kathgodam

The town of Kathgodam is cradled on the banks of Gaula River and it perches at an average elevation of about 1,817 feet above sea level. The literal meaning of this place is timber depot because it's one of the important collection centres for the forest products, obtained from the Kumaon Himalayas. It’s pristine beauty is worth experiencing!

Distance From Nainital | 33.7 Kms (Approx 1 Hr Drive)

Happy exploring!