Viewpoints of Nainital
While Nainital is popular for the numerous fresh water lakes in the region, Nainital also has several view points that offers some of the most spectacular views of the neighboring hills and valleys.
Snow View Point
Snow View Point is one of the most popular view points of Nainital. From this location, you can get excellent views of snow capped Nanda Devi Peak, Trisul and Nanda Kot peaks that are more than 300 km away! On a clear day, you can see these peaks covered with snow even through naked eyes. A powerful binoculars provide closer view of the spectacular mountain peaks!
The best time to visit Snow View Point is early in the morning when the sky is mostly clear. The locals say that the view of the mountain peaks are usually clear till around 10 AM, and after that the view is not guaranteed. If the sun is very bright, the mountains may not be visible at all due to the brightness. And if there is mist by the evening, then you may not get a chance to see the view during sunset too! Nevertheless, it is still a nice experience to get there and see what the nature has to offer!
Snow View Point is accessible by road. After parking your vehicle, you need to walk about 400-500 meters to reach the view point. Another alternative to reach the view point is through a cable car or rope-way from the Mall Road. During peak season, the waiting time for the rope-way goes up to an hour. While the journey through the steep ascent of the rope-way may be exiting, the sheer waiting time may turn you off.
Cloud View Point
Nainital is located at an altitude of 2084 m / 6800 ft, which is higher than the clouds! That means if you visit Nainital during monsoon or cloudy season, you get to be above the clouds. There is a small view point on the main road (on the Corbett-Nainital road) about 6.5 km before Nainital where you get the spectacular view of the clouds. If you visit the view point during sunset time, the beauty of the view increases due to the various colors of the sun reflecting on the clouds. On a clear day, you will get a glimpse of the Khurpatal Lake from this view point.
Sariyatal Waterfall
Sarityatal Waterfall is located right next to the main road on the route to Nainital. The waterfall is located on the lower plains of Sariyatal. The source of the water that forms the waterfall is from Sariyatal, which gets its water from the various streams from the surrounding mountain peaks.
Sariyatal Waterfall
Lover’s Point
Lover’s Point is yet another view point that provides amazing views of the surrounding mountains.
Cold Air Cave / Hawa Gufa
Well, when you visit this place, you may be wondering what is so special about this place. It looks like just another cave which you cannot enter. The specialty of this cave is there is always a cold blow of air coming from the inside. No one is aware of the source of this cold air. Locals say that sometimes, you can very easily feel the cold air due to the high intensity of the cold air. However, during other times, the intensity is not so high, but if you try to stretch a hand towards the cave, you can feel the cold air!! I did stretch my hand towards the cave and could feel the cold air, and I was very curious to know the source. The guide said that many people have tried to know the source, but in vain!
Cold Air Cave / Hawa Gufa
Location
Nainital | Snow View Point | Cloud View Point |
Sariyatal Waterfall | Lover’s Point | Cold Air Cave / Hawa Gufa |
Where to stay?
Nainital
Distance Chart (to Nainital)
From | Distance to Nainital (in km) |
Ranikhet | 55 |
Jim Corbett National Park | 100-150 (depending on the entry gate) |
Delhi / Dehradun | 285 |
Agra | 350 |
Lucknow | 375 |
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