Positioned at an altitude of 1938 m, Nainital is a soothing hill station located in the Kumaon foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand. It is one of the popular hill stations in India and among the must-include places in Uttarakhand tour packages. With its incredible natural scenery, snowcapped mountains, salubrious weather, and tranquil lakes, it become popular as a health resort and a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. Besides, the region also offers several trekking expeditions that range from the popular long treks to lesser-known lovely short treks of the Kumaon Himalayas that invites several adventure junkies as part of Nainital Tour Packages.
Here is the list of some beautiful short treks around the hilly terrain of Nainital.
Trek to Naina Peak
Naina Peak, also known as China Peak, is a mountain peak in Nainital. About 10 km from Tallital Bus Stand, it is the highest peak in Nainital, and among the popular short treks that one must go while in Nainital. Situated at an altitude of 2615 m, the mountain is widely known for its amazing natural surroundings and the panoramic view of the surrounding snow-covered peaks. Among the top places to visit in Nainital, Naina Peak is a quiet place from where the Nanda Devi Peak and the mountains on the Tibet border can be viewed. Due to its high altitude and lush green forest path, a trek to Naina Peak is one of the top things to do in Nainital. One can reach here by taking a horse ride or traversing the hilly paths.
Trek to Tiffin Top
Situated at an altitude of 2,290 m atop Ayarpatta Hill, Tiffin Top, also called Dorthy’s Seat, is the second-highest peak in Nainital, among the most popular places to visit near Delhi. It is one of the best Nainital tourist places and among the spectacular viewpoints in Nainital. This place is named after Dorothy Kellet, an English Painter, who died in a plane crash. Tiffin Top is a stonework bench built in memory of Dorothy Kellet by her husband J.P. Kellet. This was the place where she used to sit and paint the beautiful town and its surroundings. Although there is a ropeway facility, trekking to Tiffin Top adds a little adventure to your Nainital trip. This 4 km trek begins from the center of Nainital city and goes through lush green forests and awe-inspiring views that will give the adventure junkies excellent company throughout the walk. Tiffin Top is a very popular picnic spot and is sought after by aspiring painters and photographers as it commands an excellent view of the Himalayas as well as the town of Nainital, especially in the early morning when the sun rays fall and lightens every corner of Nainital, among the must-include places in Uttarakhand packages.
Trek to Pangot
Pangot is a small and picturesque hamlet situated quite close to Nainital, among the top hill stations in India. Perched at an altitude of 6,300 feet, this emerging mountain getaway is well-known for its rich and exotic birdlife. It is the perfect two-day trip for trekking enthusiasts and adventure junkies. With a 14 km long trek, the trail starts from Nainital and passes through the Snow Viewpoint, then proceeds to Naina Peak and finally to Pangot. For most travellers, this village is the rest point before the next day trek to Nainital, among the popular hill stations near Delhi. Add picture-perfect sunsets to the mix, and you get the perfect place to pitch your camps and spend the night after a tiring hike.
Trek to Snow View Point
About 3 km from Nainital, Snow View Point is one of the magnificent vantage points in Nainital situated at an altitude of 2,270 m. Trekking to this place is one of the top things to do as part of the Nainital tour. There are many routes to climb and all are well-paved that take around an hour to reach the top. From the top, one can get splendid views of snowcapped Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Nanda Kot along with great views of Nainital, among the must-visit Uttarakhand tourist places. A pair of huge binoculars is installed at the summit to provide a perfect view to visitors. Also, there is a small temple at the peak that houses the images of Rama, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman with Durga, and Shiva. One can also reach the point through an aerial ropeway from Mallital.
Khunjakarak Trek
Kunjkharak Trek is a popular scenic trek for those looking for an offbeat experience near Nainital, one of the prominent hill stations in Uttarakhand. Perched at an altitude of 1343 m, KunjKharak is a jungle trek rather than a mountain trek. Moreover, the place is relatively untouched compared to nearby tourist spots like the Jim Corbett National Park and Nainital, among the popular getaways from Delhi. The hike brings visitors through lush woods of deodar, rhododendron, and oak. One section of the climb parallels the Kosi River, which provides an excellent opportunity for hikers to relax and re-energize. One can get a splendid 380 km broad view of the Himalayan range from here, especially in the evenings when the setting sun transforms the icy Himalayas across Khunjkarak into gold and it’s magical.