Places to Visit in Kanatal
Published on September 18, 2025
Kanatal is a quiet hill destination in Uttarakhand surrounded by forests, mountain roads and scenic Himalayan landscapes. Unlike crowded hill stations, sightseeing here is more about nature, short walks, viewpoints, temples and relaxed drives through the Garhwal hills.
The best places to visit in Kanatal include Surkanda Devi Temple, Kaudia Forest, Tehri Lake, Dhanaulti, Chamba and New Tehri. Travellers can also spend time exploring local forest roads and viewpoints around Kanatal itself.
Instead of trying to cover every attraction in a single day, choose places according to your available time, fitness and road conditions.
For complete day-by-day planning, read our Kanatal Travel Guide & Itinerary.
Best Places to Visit in Kanatal at a Glance
| Place | Best For |
|---|---|
| Surkanda Devi Temple | Temple visit, views & short walk |
| Kaudia Forest | Nature walks & forest scenery |
| Tehri Lake | Lake views & optional water activities |
| Dhanaulti | Forests, parks & family sightseeing |
| Chamba | Scenic drive & quiet hill-town experience |
| New Tehri | Lake views & local sightseeing |
| Kanatal Viewpoints | Sunsets, photography & mountain views |
1. Surkanda Devi Temple
Surkanda Devi Temple is one of the most important religious attractions near Kanatal.
Located above Kaddukhal, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Surkanda and is reached through an uphill approach. Apart from its religious importance, the location is known for wide views of the surrounding Himalayan landscape.
The Tehri Garhwal district administration identifies Surkanda Devi as an important pilgrimage site and notes that visitors approach the temple uphill from Kaddukhal.
Why Visit Surkanda Devi Temple?
The temple combines spirituality, mountain views and a short walking experience, making it suitable for both pilgrims and general travellers.
Best For: Pilgrimage, photography and mountain views
Travel Tip: Wear comfortable shoes, carry water and walk according to your own fitness level.
For detailed temple information, read our Surkanda Devi Temple Guide.
You can also check official destination information from the Tehri Garhwal District Administration.
2. Kaudia Forest
Kaudia Forest is one of the main natural attractions around Kanatal.
The forest area offers dense greenery, quiet walking routes and a peaceful environment away from busy roads. It works particularly well for travellers who prefer nature over conventional sightseeing.
Short forest walks can be combined with photography and time spent enjoying the surrounding mountain landscape.
Why Visit Kaudia Forest?
Kaudia Forest gives visitors a chance to experience the quieter side of Kanatal without requiring a demanding trek.
Best For: Nature lovers, couples, photographers and families
Travel Tip: Wear footwear with good grip and avoid leaving food waste or plastic inside the forest.
If camping and outdoor activities are a major part of your trip, see our Kanatal Trekking, Camping & Adventure Activities.
3. Tehri Lake
Tehri Lake is one of the most popular nearby excursions from Kanatal.
The large reservoir surrounded by mountain landscapes provides a very different experience from Kanatal's forest environment.
Visitors can enjoy lakeside views and, depending on current operations, may find activities such as boating and other water-based experiences available locally.
Why Visit Tehri Lake?
Tehri Lake is a good addition for travellers who want to combine mountain sightseeing with an open lakeside setting.
Best For: Couples, families, friends and photography
Travel Tip: Check current activity availability, timings and charges locally before travelling.
The Tehri Garhwal District Administration's Tehri Lake information provides official destination details.
4. Dhanaulti
Dhanaulti is another popular hill destination that can be combined with Kanatal when you have enough time.
Surrounded by deodar and other Himalayan forests, Dhanaulti is known for its peaceful environment, nature walks and Eco Park areas.
It is particularly useful as an additional stop for families or travellers spending more than one night in the region.
Why Visit Dhanaulti?
Dhanaulti adds forest-based sightseeing and a relaxed hill-station experience to a Kanatal trip.
Best For: Families, couples, nature lovers and short walks
Travel Tip: Do not overload a short Kanatal itinerary by adding Dhanaulti along with too many other destinations on the same day.
5. Chamba
Chamba is a quiet hill town in the wider Tehri Garhwal region and can be included as part of a scenic road journey.
The attraction of Chamba lies less in major monuments and more in its mountain surroundings, local market and relaxed hill-town atmosphere.
It works well for travellers who enjoy slow sightseeing rather than activity-heavy itineraries.
Why Visit Chamba?
Chamba offers a quieter break and scenic drive through the Garhwal hills.
Best For: Scenic drives, families, couples and relaxed sightseeing
Travel Tip: Treat Chamba as an optional extension rather than a compulsory stop on a short trip.
6. New Tehri
New Tehri is a planned hill town overlooking the wider Tehri reservoir region.
Travellers visiting Tehri Lake can combine it with New Tehri for local sightseeing, viewpoints and market stops.
The town also provides a useful contrast to the smaller forest and campsite environment around Kanatal.
Why Visit New Tehri?
New Tehri is worth considering if your itinerary already includes the Tehri side and you have additional time.
Best For: Lake views, local markets and scenic drives
Travel Tip: Combine New Tehri with Tehri Lake instead of planning two separate sightseeing days.
7. Scenic Viewpoints Around Kanatal
Some of the best Kanatal experiences do not require visiting a named tourist attraction.
The hill roads and open areas around Kanatal offer opportunities to enjoy:
- Himalayan mountain views
- Forest landscapes
- Sunrise and sunset
- Valley scenery
- Photography
The experience varies depending on weather, cloud cover and your exact accommodation location.
Why Explore Local Viewpoints?
They are ideal when you want a relaxed day without spending several hours driving between attractions.
Best For: Couples, photographers and slow travellers
Travel Tip: Ask your accommodation about nearby safe viewpoints rather than stopping randomly on narrow mountain roads.
Which Places Should You Cover on a 2-Day Kanatal Trip?
For a short trip, avoid trying to cover everything.
Day 1
Focus on:
- Kanatal local area
- Kaudia Forest
- Nearby viewpoints
- Relaxing at your campsite or resort
Day 2
Choose:
- Surkanda Devi Temple
- Tehri Lake or Dhanaulti depending on your route and available time
This keeps the journey comfortable and reduces unnecessary road travel.
Best Places in Kanatal for Couples
Couples looking for nature and quiet surroundings can consider:
- Kaudia Forest
- Local Kanatal viewpoints
- Surkanda Devi Temple
- Tehri Lake
- Dhanaulti
A relaxed sightseeing schedule usually works better than trying to cover multiple distant attractions in one day.
Best Places in Kanatal for Families
Families can consider:
- Dhanaulti
- Tehri Lake
- Surkanda Devi Temple
- Kanatal local sightseeing
- Accessible sections around Kaudia Forest
Walking routes and activities should always be selected according to the age and fitness of individual family members.
Best Places for Nature Lovers
Travellers mainly interested in forests and mountain surroundings should prioritise:
- Kaudia Forest
- Kanatal local viewpoints
- Dhanaulti
- Scenic roads around Chamba
Keeping some free time in the itinerary can be more rewarding than moving continuously between tourist attractions.
Tips for Kanatal Sightseeing
Start Early
Starting early gives you more daylight and flexibility for mountain-road travel.
Avoid Overloading the Itinerary
Distances may appear short on a map, but hill roads can take longer than expected.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
Forest walks and temple approaches require better footwear than normal city sightseeing.
Check Local Conditions
Rain, fog, road work or other local conditions can affect travel time and accessibility.
Respect Natural Areas
Do not leave plastic, food waste or other litter inside forests or viewpoints.
Respect Religious Sites
Dress appropriately and follow local instructions while visiting temples.
Frequently Asked Questions About Places to Visit in Kanatal
1. What are the best places to visit in Kanatal?
Surkanda Devi Temple, Kaudia Forest, Tehri Lake, Dhanaulti, Chamba, New Tehri and local scenic viewpoints are among the main attractions in and around Kanatal.
2. What can I cover in Kanatal in 2 days?
Day one can focus on Kanatal, Kaudia Forest and local viewpoints. Day two can include Surkanda Devi Temple with either Tehri Lake or Dhanaulti depending on your route.
3. Which places in Kanatal are suitable for couples?
Kaudia Forest, local viewpoints, Surkanda Devi Temple, Tehri Lake and Dhanaulti work well for couples interested in nature and relaxed sightseeing.
4. Which Kanatal tourist places are suitable for families?
Dhanaulti, Tehri Lake, local Kanatal sightseeing and Surkanda Devi Temple are popular choices. Walking routes should be selected according to individual fitness.
5. Is Kaudia Forest worth visiting?
Yes. Kaudia Forest is one of Kanatal's main nature attractions and is suitable for forest walks, photography and quiet outdoor time.
6. Is Surkanda Devi Temple difficult to visit?
The temple requires an uphill walk from the roadside. Difficulty depends on fitness, pace and current weather conditions.
7. Can Kanatal and Dhanaulti be covered together?
Yes. They can be combined, particularly when you have at least two days, but avoid adding too many other destinations to the same day.
8. Is Tehri Lake worth visiting from Kanatal?
Yes. It provides a different lakeside experience and can be combined with a Kanatal trip when you have enough time for the road journey.
Final Thoughts
The best places to visit in Kanatal offer a mix of forests, temples, mountain views and nearby hill destinations.
For first-time visitors, Surkanda Devi Temple and Kaudia Forest are strong priorities. Add Tehri Lake if you prefer lakeside experiences or Dhanaulti if forests and relaxed hill sightseeing appeal more to you.
Rather than trying to cover every attraction, choose a few places according to your available days and travel style.
Travellers who prefer transport, stay, selected meals, sightseeing and trip coordination arranged together can explore our Kanatal Tour Package from Delhi.
