Uttarakhand Hill Stations: Safe, Scenic Trips with Kids — What actually worked for us#

We did a proper family hill trip to Uttarakhand with our two monkeys (6 and 9), and honestly… it was way less stressful than I feared. Trains, winding roads, chai breaks, that pine smell, all of it. We started in Kathgodam, took a cab up to Nainital, and then wandered through Mussoorie, Landour, and a little detour to Mukteshwar, Kausani, and, well, attempted Auli (more on that). I’m born-and-brought-up in North India, been to hills a bunch of times, but doing it with kids hits different. Safety, washrooms, food that they actually eat, clean rooms, short hikes… that stuff matters more than views, trust me.

Why Uttarakhand with kids just… works#

It’s easy-going. Distances aren’t insane, roads are mostly decent (barring monsoon trouble), and folks are helpful — the taxi bhaiya carried our stroller at one point and refused extra rupees. Lots of kid-friendly stuff: boat rides, short ropeways, gentle treks, wildlife parks, and silly joy like Maggi at a viewpoint. You get proper infrastructure in popular spots (Nainital, Mussoorie), and calmer, slower villages if you want gap-shap and bird songs (Mukteshwar, Kausani, Kanatal). Plus the food. Kumaoni thalis are humble and tasty, and the sweets… Bal Mithai should come with a warning label for parents. Sugar high real.

Safety and current updates (plus when to go & what to pack)#

Let me be blunt: avoid peak monsoon for hills here. July–Aug can mean landslides and road blocks in Garhwal and Kumaon. We check IMD alerts before driving (yellow, orange, red — don’t mess with red), and we follow Uttarakhand Police/Disaster Management updates on X. Also bookmark touristcare.uk.gov.in — it’s the official tourist care portal where you can do trip registrations for some circuits and see advisories. In winter (Dec–Feb), snow-play is fun in Auli/Mukteshwar, but start slow with altitude, keep kids warm, hydration up, no heroics. Best months for smooth family trips? March–June (spring/summer) and Sept–Nov (clear skies, that crisp air). Weekend rush is a thing — book stays ahead. Plastic is banned in many areas now, and litter fines are very much real, so carry bottles, refill at your hotel. Pack layers (mountain weather flips), rain jackets, slip-resistant shoes, sunblock (yep, even in cold), a small medical pouch (motion sickness tabs, ORS), and some cash — UPI works almost everywhere but networks can get moody. Car seats aren’t common in taxis, so if your child uses one, bring a travel booster. One more tiny note: EV taxis and buses are slowly showing up on popular routes lately, 2025 onwards you’ll see more, which is good news for air quality, hopefully.

Nainital (and around): easy starter hill station for families#

Nainital is a classic for a reason. We did the lake boating first because kids demanded it, life jackets provided. The Nainital Zoo surprised me — clean, well-marked, and the uphill walk is a workout but worth. Eco Cave Gardens is a hit with slightly older kids (my 9-year-old loved squeezing through those caves; the 6-year-old thought it was “scary fun”). The ropeway up to Snow View is short, safe, and gives those postcard scenes. If crowds aren’t your thing, do small drives to Bhimtal (aquarium island), Sattal (kayaking scene, calm), and Pangot (birding paradise, bring binoculars). Traffic and parking near Mall Road get chaotic on weekends; best to park at the designated lots and walk. Decent family stays start around ₹2k–₹3.5k off-season, mid-range ₹4k–₹7k in season, and lakeside premium can hit ₹12k+ in May–June. Book early, no last-minute jugaad when schools are on break.

Mussoorie + Landour: cafes, winterline, and short nature breaks#

Mussoorie is lively — a bit much in peak months, but Landour up the hill is calmer, prettier, and smells of deodar and fresh bakes. Do the Landour chakkar, stop for peanut brittle and cappuccino, let kids count old houses and spot langurs. Company Garden is very standard but kids don’t judge, they enjoyed paddle boats and flowers. Kempty Falls… okay, it’s famous, but slippery and crowded, be cautious with small children. We preferred Benog Wildlife Sanctuary side — shorter trails, birds, and fewer people. If you’re lucky, Oct–Dec you catch that ‘winterline’ phenomenon at sunset — orange rim across the horizon, off-and-on magic. Stays range: clean homestays ₹2.5k–₹5k, boutique hotels ₹6k–₹10k, luxury ₹12k–₹18k. Landour ones are pricier but you get the vibe.

Auli & Joshimath: snow play, ropeway checks, go slow#

We aimed for Auli for snow — kids dream. Travel tip: base yourself in Joshimath and go up for the day. The ropeway is long, scenic, and honestly stunning, but operations depend on weather/maintenance, so call your hotel or local helpline the night before. With the land subsidence news earlier, authorities have been cautious; don’t assume everything’s open — verify. Ski instructors do kid lessons (short, gentle slopes), and there’s enough snow-play without full skiing too. Roads can be icy in deep winter; carry chains if driving yourself. Also, altitude. Keep snacks, water, and chill — pun intended.

Kumaon calm: Mukteshwar, Ranikhet, Kausani#

Mukteshwar feels like a quiet postcard. Short forest walks, orchards, sunrise points, and cliffy views near Chauli Ki Jali (hold kids’ hands, no risky selfies). Ranikhet’s Golf Course viewpoint is straight out of a film set — kids ran like loonies, we just sat. Chaubatia gardens also nice for a lazy stroll. Kausani is my favorite for starry nights and tea gardens; we did a tiny tea-tasting and the kids felt very fancy. Homestays here are the win: fenced lawns, home food, host uncle/aunty who treat kids like family. Prices: ₹1.8k–₹3k for simple stays, pretty cottages ₹4k–₹7k, view-heavy resorts ₹8k–₹12k.

Less-crowded gems (if you can skip the big names)#

Kanatal between Chamba–Dhanaulti: pine, camps, gentle swings and rope bridges, breezy eco-parks. Dhanaulti’s Eco Park is super child-friendly with short walks and play areas. Chakrata is beautiful but a bit more raw — Tiger Falls trek is doable as a day plan, hold hands and wear good shoes. Peora and Ramgarh (near Mukteshwar) are orchard heaven. Sattal and Pangot for bird watchers — we actually saw a Eurasian Jay and I acted like I discovered a planet. Khirsu in Pauri side is very serene, good for just sitting-with-tea holidays. Facilities are simpler in these places — carry snacks, cash, and patience. Worth it.

Food our kids actually ate (and we loved)#

Kumaoni and Garhwali food is beautiful, not flashy. Aloo ke gutke with bhang ki chutney (skip chutney if kids are fussy), bhatt ki churkani, gahat ki dal, jhangora kheer — gentle flavors, nourishing. Chainsoo is earthy. Bal Mithai in Almora and Singori wrapped in leaf… my son declared ‘this is the best chocolate in India’ which, okay beta. Landour/ Mussoorie have cafes: pancakes, grilled sandwiches, soups. In Nainital, we did steaming momos and thukpa, plus the mountain Maggi ritual at a viewpoint because it’s the law. Pro-tip: ask for ‘less mirchi’ and ‘no ajinomoto’, most kitchens will totally oblige.

Stays, money, transport — the real stuff parents ask#

Budget homestays: ₹1.5k–₹2.5k in shoulder season, neat, hot water, basic breakfast. Mid-range hotels: ₹3.5k–₹7k with decent views and in-house dining. Top-end: ₹8k–₹15k+, add more for signature properties. Peak May–June rates spike — book early, and if you can travel mid-week, do it. Trains: Dehradun Shatabdi is reliable for Mussoorie side; for Nainital, Kathgodam/Kashipur routes are your gateway. Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) is closest for Mussoorie/Dhanaulti; Pantnagar works for Nainital/Kumaon. Taxis are easy to hire at stations — fix rates upfront, and if kids get queasy, ask driver to take gentler curves and do tea breaks. UPI usually works, but carry ₹2k–₹4k cash for tiny stalls. Networks: Jio/BSNL better in remote spots, but it’s still hit-or-miss. Power cuts happen, most stays have backups now. Parking near Mall Roads is limited; use lots and walk. Strollers are fine on smoother stretches, but hills + stairs = baby carrying workout, be prepared.

Kid-friendly day plans (short, not exhausting)#

  • Nainital: Morning boat ride + Zoo; lunch near Mall Road; Ropeway to Snow View in the afternoon; early dinner and gelato. If time, quick drive to Sattal next day for kayaking and chill.
    Mussoorie/Landour: Landour chakkar + bakery stop; Company Garden; sunset at Camel’s Back Road or a quiet viewpoint; skip Kempty Falls if it’s too crowded that day.
    Mukteshwar: Easy forest walk + orchards; lunch at a homestay; Chauli Ki Jali viewpoint (with strict kid hand-holding); board games in the evening.
    Auli (winter): Ropeway if operational; snow-play near the beginner slopes; hot soup; return early to Joshimath, don’t push late drives.

Final travel thoughts#

Traveling Uttarakhand hills with kids didn’t feel like a mission, it felt like the right kind of slow. Locals were kind, views were healing, and the tiny joys — a warm jalebi at sunset, pine cones collected like trophies — made the trip. Don’t over-pack plans; choose 1–2 base towns and do short day hops. Watch weather, respect the mountains, and be that parent who stops for chai and lets kids play with the puppy at the homestay. You’ll reach home lighter, I swear. If you want more stories and practical guides like this, I keep saving my drafts (and publishing the better ones) over at AllBlogs.in — go peek when you’re planning next.