Who would give a second thought when your friends call you for a road trip to the Queen of Hills? For sure, no one. Mussoorie needs no introduction about why it carries this royal title and this popular tourist spot captivates visitors with its scenic beauty, fantastic weather, and vibrant social life.
When the day arrived, we all were excited about the Delhi to Mussoorie road trip as our car departed the concrete jungle of Delhi. Every hairpin turn on the winding roads beyond Dehradun revealed the painting of nature, with valleys painted in an infinite array of green hues and misty peaks brushing skies. We stopped at beautiful lush green hills with surreal views for pictures, some stretching, and food and resumed soon to find more of nature’s beauty.
Mussoorie welcomed us with its colonial charm, bustling Mall Road, and views that made it crystal clear why it wears the crown of the hills so gracefully.
Where is Mussoorie?
Mussoorie is a popular hill station and a municipal board in the Dehradun district of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is about 35 km north of Dehradun, the state capital, in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan range. The town is connected by motorable roads and is known as the “Queen of the Hills.” At an average altitude of 1,880 meters (6,170 ft), Mussoorie offers spectacular views of the Doon Valley and the Himalayan peaks.
Delhi To Mussoorie Distance
Mussoorie is 290 km from Delhi, which will take around 7-8 hours to complete the journey. However, this journey time may vary depending on the route you choose. To make our road trip smooth and enjoyable, we planned to start early at 5 am. Although we actually left around 5:45 am, we only took a break at noon when we reached Chhutmalpur. After that, we drove another 47 kilometers, which took about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
What is the Best time to visit?
Cold, chilled destinations give me goosebumps, so I visited Mussoorie during winter. During the season, the temperature in Mussoorie typically ranges from 4°C to 15°C, making it an ideal destination for those who love the coziness of the mountains blanketed in snow.
If you want to visit Mussoorie when the weather becomes pleasant and the atmosphere colorful, the perfect time would be from March to June, which is the peak season. During these months, the temperature is just perfect, ranging from 11°C to 30°C, offering an ideal climate for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
The worst season to visit Mussoorie is from July to September, as it is the monsoon season. During this time, the hill station experiences heavy rains, which can sometimes make the roads impassable, and a rare possibility of landslides as well. Post this, the town settles down in preparation for the next tourist season.
How to Get There?
By Car:
Need no explanation but by car is the most suitable mode of travel, especially when you have a group of friends. The benefits are economical, and you can stay anywhere if tired during your journey, and last but not least surreal view all along the way. Our travel was in an SUV Creata, which made our journey quite comfortable. We took Delhi to the Saharanpur route, which was preferable due to less traffic and the short distance. The road conditions on this route are excellent. It is also the most recommended route by live maps and is used by regular travelers.
By Train:
Train is the cheapest mode of travel that you can board from Delhi to the nearest railway station, Dehradun or Haridwar, for Mussoorie. Both are well connected by trains that are usually on time, and the frequency is about 3-4 hours almost daily. Since there are many trains, you can easily book your seat even at the last moment. You can take a private cab or travel in a shared taxi or tempo traveler from the railway station. Both of them are reasonably priced.
By Bus:
Roads to Mussoorie are well-maintained; thus, private and government buses operate frequently. Many cities like Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Rishikesh, Haridwar, etc., make it an ideal route for luxury, deluxe, semi-deluxe, and regular buses. These buses can be boarded from ISBT Kashmiri Gate, Delhi. These buses typically take around nine hours to reach Mussoorie. Alternatively, you can reach Haridwar or Dehradun by bus or train and then use local bus transportation to reach Mussoorie.
By Air:
Dehradun Airport, Jolly Grant Airport, is the nearest airport to Mussoorie. The airport is well-connected to all major cities of India via many flight operators. Mussoorie is about 60 km from the airport, and it usually takes around two hours to reach your destination with regular traffic. Taxis are readily available from the airport, and there is no need to prebook. However, prebooking is always a great option to make your journey hassle-free.
Best Possible Routes From Delhi to Mussoorie
There are three main routes from Delhi to Mussoorie, all passing through different cities and covering similar distances:
Route 1: Delhi — Sonipat — Baraut — Muzaffarnagar — Deoband — Saharanpur— Dehradun — Mussoorie
The most popular and direct route
Distance: Approximately 270 km
Travel time: 7-8 hours
Route 2: Delhi – Ghaziabad – Meerut – Bijnor – Haridwar – Rishikesh – Dehradun – Mussoorie
Scenic route passing through pilgrimage cities
Distance: Approximately 315 km
Travel time: 8-9 hours
Route 3: Delhi – Panipat – Karnal – Yamuna Nagar – Paonta Sahib –Herbertpur – Selaqui – Dehradun – Mussoorie
Alternative route via smaller towns
Distance: Approximately 330 km
Travel time: 9-10 hours
Popular Stopovers you will get along the way
Shamli
Shamli is a popular town known for beautiful Jain temples worth visiting. You can take a short break here after a long drive to get an authentic taste of UP’s cuisine. The local markets are great for traditional handicraft shopping. Be sure to try the food at Kewal Dhaba for mouth-watering North Indian dishes.
Haridwar
Haridwar needs no introduction to why it’s famous. You can surely plan an extra day to explore the holy sights here. The Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri is one of the must-do activities in Haridwar. Besides this, Mansa Devi Temple is a highly recommended spiritual site, which you can access through the cable car service available there.
Rishikesh
This holy town is tucked away along the sacred Ganges River in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is a well-known spot for adventure activities like white river rafting and bungee jumping. You can visit numerous ashrams and temples along the river banks for a soulful experience. Undoubtedly, the Delhi to Rishikesh by road route is scenic and excellent, which can elevate your excitement for the rest of the journey.
Dehradun
A long, stretchy ride needs a quick break, especially when the journey is about to end. Mussoorie is just 33 km from Dehradun, so take a short break or enjoy an evening snack at Café De Piccolo. The city offers several attractions, including the Forest Research Institute, Mindrolling Monastery, and Robber’s Cave. If you want to shop, visit the famous Paltan Bazaar for local delicacies.
Dhanaulti
Dhanaulti is a serene hill station between Dehradun and Mussoorie, known for its peaceful environment and eco-park. It is an add-on place to book a stay to enjoy a tranquil, relaxed atmosphere. Book a stay from where you can get a beautiful panoramic hill view. Of course, a morning or evening coffee from your hotel window with stunning views of the Himalayan range adds to the experience.
Top Places to Visit In Mussoorie
Kempty Falls
Kempty Falls is one of the most renowned tourist places in Mussoorie. It is a waterfall where we took a dip in crystal clear chilled water at the fall’s base. The swimming experience was quite thrilling and rejuvenating between the surreal landscape surrounded by lush greenery. We also tried local snacks and refreshments while enjoying this beautiful place.
Gun Hill
The sunset point is well known for offering views of snowy peaks on a clear day. We first took a cable to reach the hill’s top, which is like a plateau, and then walked for around 500 meters on the flat land (on the top). Later, we had some food, tried some traditional dresses, and got our picture clicked to save it in memory forever. We visited this place in the afternoon but early morning or evening is the best time to visit the place.
Lal Tibba
The place is a house turned cafe over a peak where we were charged INR 50 as an entry fee. It was a clear day, so we enjoyed the snowy Himalayan peaks visible from the terrace on the second floor. We enjoyed the cool breeze that flowed all around the place with lush green mountains around us. It wasn’t easy to get the pics due to the crowded place, but still, we managed to click a few pics for memories. If you are running short of time, you can avoid this place. We also enjoyed the vegetable maggie which really tasted out of the world.
The Mall Road
This all-weather place offers a vibrant shopping experience with delicious street food. It was difficult for us to get parking nearby, but the lively ambiance took all our tiredness since our car was parked far from the place. Later, we took the cable car to Gun Hills. This place is a must-visit if you like shopping. The nearby Tibetan market offers a range of local clothing at a nominal price. These are exported to various parts of India.
Dhanaulti Eco Park
The park is at a distance of 45 km, which we drove by our car. It’s a kid-friendly place that is famous for its adventure activity zip line. There are many trails where we roamed around, enjoyed tall trees, and clicked many photos in vast open spaces. We also visited one panoramic point there that was similar to what other points offered. Overall, it’s a place that you may like if you are visiting with kids.