Kanatal: The Beauty Lying Absolutely Hidden
The state of Uttarakhand is full of mountains. This place offers a lot of hill stations that are there to explore. If activities like mountain climbing and performing adventurous activities are what you like, then you should visit Uttarakhand once. These hill stations are really renowned, but there are some hill stations that are less explored. From these various known hill stations, a less explored hill destination of Kanatal is there. This beautiful palace is located near the Garhwal region of this state, which is located above 8500 feet above sea level.
The Name Kanatal
The name Kanatal is believed to come from a small lake that existed in the place. In the local language, “Taal” stands for Lake. As time passed on the lake vanished, but the name is still there. This timeless story gives this place a nostalgic charm in this changing time, a small place that appears to be still untouched by time.
Location and Approachability
Kanatal is about 78 km away from Dehradun and 38 km from Mussoorie. The road route is quite brilliant with curving roads giving a sundry view of valleys and forests. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, and the nearest rail heads are Rishikesh and Dehradun, from where one can avail taxis and buses to reach Kanatal.
The romanticism of the seasons changing.
Each season of Kanatal wears a different charm. During the summer, this place is really great to visit, and if you are interested in outdoor activities, this is a really great time. During the season of monsoons, the areas of forests are lush and green, but at that time, the road in this area can be slippery at times. During the winter season, this place becomes a snow wonderland, and the temperatures of this place drop below zero.
Surkanda Devi Temple trek
Surkanda Devi Temple is among the most significant places to be visited around Kanatal, at a distance of nearly 9 km, and is the temple of the goddess Sati. Situated not less than 10,000 ft in height, the temple has the Himalayas as its beautiful view. The road to the temple, which is approximately a 2 km ride from the temple, is very steep, and you can notice red rhododendrons and mountain flowers on both sides of your walkway.
Kodia Jungle nature trail
The Kodia Jungle is also a must-visit place for people of the nature, which is only a few km from Kanatal. The jungle has wild deer, boars, and birds. The forest path is excellent for walking and jeep safaris. The calling of birds and the rustling of leaves are excellent points for photographers and animal lovers.
Tehri Lake sports
Tehri Lake, which is around 35 km from Kanatal, is the largest artificial lake in Asia. It has a lot of fun activities, such as boating, jet skiing, and kayaking, to offer to the visitors. The lake surrounded by the green mountains looks stunning through the blue contrast of water and the earth. Definitely, a day trip with the people living in Kanatal would be awesome.
The tenting and starry skies.
Kanatal is famous for camping. There are many campsites offering tents, including bonfire nights and outdoor barbecue. Coming under the sky with tonnes of stars, with the chilling breeze, will be spellbinding. Campers can go trekking, rock climbing, and valley crossing.
Local delicacies and flavours
Kanatal food is equally simple and hearty as the mountain lifestyle. The main consumption includes Aloo ke Gutke, Mandua roti, and Jhangora kheer. Most homestays and camps provide home-cooked Garhwali meals prepared with locally grown ingredients. The food adds to the cold mountain evenings.
Village walks and community life.
Walking through the little village lanes of Kanatal gives you a glimpse of the village life there. The houses are made of wood and stone, and the fields are spread everywhere. The villagers are very nice and always tell you stories about their customs. Such walks give you a lot of information about living sustainably in harmony with nature.
Eco tourism and sustainable practices
Kanatal promotes eco-friendly tourism. Most of the camps and homestays have solar power and avoid plastic waste. Visitors are asked to abide by “no-trace” practices while trekking or camping. This approach should go a long way in helping to preserve the fragile mountain ecosystem.
Birdwatching heaven
The silent and peaceful Kanatal forests are a heaven if you are interested in birdwatching. Several different bird species can be seen flying freely over this forest. These species are Himalayan woodpeckers, barbets, and red-billed blue magpies. If you are willing to spot the maximum number of birds, then early morning is the best time. The calm atmosphere and are serial beauty of this palace make it more outstanding.
Trekking and adventure activities
Apart from Surkanda Devi, there are some short treks around Kanatal. There are trails going into the pine trees to emerge close to secret waterfalls and secluded meadows. These treks are very suitable for beginners as they do not need any specialised equipment and still provide excellent vistas. Adventure enthusiasts also have rappelling and rock climbing here.
Places to visit nearby
Chamba, Dhanaulti, and Mussoorie are within easy reach. Dhanaulti Eco Park is well-known for its green landscape and eco-friendly projects. The Bhagirathi River valley views are excellent. These nearby locations make Kanatal a suitable base for the Garhwal area.
A health retreat that specializes in meditation.
The majority of the visitors who visit this serene mountain of Kanatal do so to enjoy yoga and meditation retreats. This is surrounded by serene and fresh air, making this destination an ideal place if you wish to attain health and wellness. The tranquillity that the visitors experience in this environment aids in leaving them gradually forgiving their stressful day-to-day lives.
Why Kanatal is an offbeat gem
The mountain-surrounded place of Kanatal lies at the intersection of peacefulness and adventure. This place can make you experience various different and well time spend activities here, from beautiful hiking trails to peaceful resorts. Keeping visitors away from the noise and hectic life of the city. If you want to experience the real feel of the Himalayas, Kanatal is a place you need to visit.
