Mussoorie from Dehradun: A Two-Day Plan, Landour and the Road to Yamunotri
How to get up to Mussoorie from Dehradun, what to see in two days — Mall Road, Landour, Kempty Falls — how to avoid the weekend traffic, and why Mussoorie is also a way into the Yamunotri valley.
Mussoorie sits on a ridge at roughly 2,000 m, directly above Dehradun. On a clear night the lights of the Doon valley spread out below it; on a clear morning the snow peaks of Garhwal line the horizon to the north. It is close enough for a day trip, but two days is what it deserves — and for anyone heading to Yamunotri, it is also a scenic first leg of the drive.
Getting there from Dehradun
The road from Dehradun to Mussoorie is about 35 km, a winding climb that takes an hour to an hour and a half. Taxis and shared cabs run from Dehradun, and state buses leave from near the railway station. Dehradun has a railway station and the Jolly Grant airport, about an hour's drive from the city on the far side.
Weekend traffic is the one real problem. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays the road and the town fill up, and parking near Mall Road becomes very hard. Travel up early in the morning, or come on weekdays if you can. Once in town, walking is usually faster than driving.
Day one: Mall Road, Gun Hill and Camel's Back Road
- Mall Road runs along the ridge between Library Chowk and Kulri Bazaar. It is busy and commercial, but the evening walk with the valley lit up below is the classic Mussoorie experience.
- Gun Hill, the second-highest point in town, is reached by a short cable car from Mall Road or a steep walk. On clear days it has wide views of the peaks.
- Camel's Back Road is a quieter, level loop of about 3 km, named after a rock outcrop that resembles a camel. It is the best walk for sunset.
- Company Garden, a short drive away, is a well-kept garden popular with families.
Day two: Landour and a waterfall
Landour
Above the main town is Landour, the old cantonment, quieter and greener, with cottages and church spires among deodar forest. Walk the loop past Char Dukan — a small cluster of old cafés — to Lal Tibba, the highest viewpoint, and on to Sister's Bazaar. It is a place for slow walking, and it is where many of the writers and teachers associated with Mussoorie have lived.
George Everest's House
West of town, the restored house and laboratory of Sir George Everest, the Surveyor General after whom the world's highest mountain is named, sits on an open ridge with views on both sides. The drive and short walk up are worth it for the setting alone.
Kempty Falls
About 15 km from Mussoorie on the road towards the Yamuna valley, Kempty Falls is a series of cascades with a bathing pool at the bottom. It is crowded in summer and at weekends; go in the morning.
Mussoorie on the way to Yamunotri
The Kempty Falls road does not stop there. It drops down to the Yamuna and continues up the valley to Barkot, the base for Yamunotri. For pilgrims starting the Char Dham from Dehradun, spending a night in Mussoorie and then driving on to Barkot breaks a long first day into two pleasant ones. Our Yamunotri trek guide picks up from there.
When to go
March to June is the main season: pleasant days, cool nights and the heaviest crowds. September to November, after the monsoon, brings the clearest mountain views and fewer people. July and August are wet and misty, with occasional landslides on the approach roads. December to February is cold, and some winters bring snow to the upper town — beautiful, but check road conditions before driving.
Where to stay
Stay near Mall Road for convenience, or in Landour for quiet. With a car and a tight budget, staying in Dehradun and driving up for the day also works, outside weekends. See stays in and near Mussoorie, or verified hotels in Dehradun.
Before you go
- Dehradun to Mussoorie is about 35 km, an hour to an hour and a half by road.
- Travel up early or on weekdays; weekend traffic and parking near Mall Road are the main problem.
- Landour, above the main town, is the quiet side of Mussoorie and best explored on foot.
- The Kempty Falls road continues to Barkot, making Mussoorie a good first night on the way to Yamunotri.
Good to know
- Mussoorie sits on a ridge at roughly 2,000 m, directly above the Doon valley and Dehradun.
- George Everest, after whom Mount Everest is named, lived and worked at Park Estate near Mussoorie.
- Landour began as a cantonment and still has much of its old cottage-and-church character.
- Lal Tibba, in Landour, is one of the highest viewpoints in Mussoorie.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Mussoorie from Dehradun?
About 35 km by road, usually an hour to an hour and a half. On weekends and holidays traffic near Mussoorie can add a lot more, so travel early.
Is one day enough for Mussoorie?
A day trip from Dehradun covers Mall Road and one or two viewpoints. Two days lets you add Landour, George Everest's House and Kempty Falls without rushing.
What is the best time to visit Mussoorie?
March to June for pleasant weather, and September to November for the clearest mountain views and smaller crowds. July and August are wet, and winter is cold with occasional snow.
How far is Kempty Falls from Mussoorie?
About 15 km, on the road towards the Yamuna valley. Go in the morning to avoid the heaviest crowds.
Can I go to Yamunotri via Mussoorie?
Yes. The road past Kempty Falls descends to the Yamuna and continues up the valley to Barkot, the base for Yamunotri. A night in Mussoorie splits the drive from Dehradun into two easier days.
About the author
Pulp Hotels Team
Pulp Admin is the desk that runs Pulp Hotels and the verified properties on this route — Barkot, Uttarkashi, Harsil, Guptkashi, Joshimath, Badrinath and the Kedarnath valley. We deal with the owners of those hotels, and with the pilgrims staying in them, through every day of the season, and these guides are written and corrected from that work and from the official notices each season brings. Fares and opening dates change every year, so we leave them out on purpose and point you at the source instead.
Need a room on this route?
Every property on Pulp Hotels is verified before it goes live.
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