Embellished by the sun-kissed Himalayan ranges, the beauteous hill station of Chakrata is seated at an elevation of 2,118 meters above sea level. This secluded hilly town is cradled in the Dehradun district and is an ideal weekend getaway for backpackers. Dotted by the coniferous forests, Chakrata is a loner’s delight as it is far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is only 90 km from Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand.

Chakrata can be reached from Dehradun via Mussoorie or Vikasnagar passing through Kalsi Gate (where Ashoka Stumbh is situated). Both routes pass through beautiful mountainous roads. Traveling in the monsoon can be tricky as the area sees frequent road blockages due to landslides.

The area has an abundance of conifers, rhododendrons and oaks. The red rhododendrons are the most abundantly found in this region. The attractions near Chakrata are:

Tiger Falls is one of the highest direct waterfalls in Uttarakhand. It is 20 km from Chakrata and has an elevation of 312 ft.

• Budher (Moila Danda) is a picturesque meadow at an altitude of 2800 meters. The Karst landscapes of Budher are home to a network of ancient limestone caves.
• Kanasar is surrounded by one of the best-rated Deodar forests of Asia. About 25 km from Chakrata market on Tuini Road, the roads are not in the best shape. The meadows and giant trees more than makeup for the bumpy drive. It is one of the best picnic spots near Chakrata. A forest rest house in Kanasar and some tented accommodation allow visitors to spend a night here on prior booking.
• Chilmiri sunset point at 4 km from the main Chakrata market is a picturesque plateau offering one of the best views of sunset.
• Deoban perched at about 2900 meters offers a panoramic view of the Himalayas.
• Mundali meadows are hard to access yet hold a huge potential for winter sports.
• Lakhamandal is an ancient Hindu temple complex dedicated to Shiva and associated with the Pandavas. It is slightly further from Chakrata and may take almost a whole day of driving and coming back. For heritage and a long drive, this Archaeological Survey of India protected site is a must-visit.
• Bairat Khai (The Princess of Hills), also known as Bairat Khai Pass is 25 km east of Chakrata where people can witness 180-degree views of snow-covered Himalayas throughout the year in the north. Situated at an altitude of about 1990 meters, Bairat Khai is surrounded by the peaks of Chorani Dhar at 2300 meters in the west and Julioki Dhar at 2150 meters also known as Tiger hill locally in the eastern side. Bairat Khai has deep valleys on the north and south side of the pass where you can see villages and houses built in the valleys. Tourists flock here to witness snowfall in the winters and pleasant weather in summers also attract tourists in huge numbers. Mussoorie is 54 km from Bairat Khai.
• Manjhgaon is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is called Massu Devta in the regional language. It is 15 kilometres from Chakrata market. It is the oldest temple in the region.