Route library · Camping · Camping
Delhi to Kanatal & Surkanda Devi (camping)
Kanatal is a small forest settlement at about 2,600 m on the Mussoorie–Chamba road, with camps set among deodar and oak. A short walk up from the roadside at Kaddukhal leads to the Surkanda Devi temple at roughly 2,750 m, one of the region's Shakti shrines, with a wide view of the snow peaks on a clear morning. It is a proper ride-and-camp trip that keeps the trek short.
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At a glance
- Round trip
- About 630–690 km
- Riding time
- About 8–9 hours each way
- Nights
- Two nights — one for the long ride up, one to camp and walk to Surkanda Devi
- Start point
- Delhi (via Dehradun, Mussoorie and Dhanaulti)
- Highest point
- About 2,750 m at the Surkanda Devi temple
- Difficulty
- Moderate. Long hill roads; the temple walk is short but steep.
- Surface
- Sealed to Kanatal; the temple approach is a stepped or stony trail
- Best season
- March to June and September to November. Nights are cold; the monsoon brings fog, rain and landslide risk.
The ride
Delhi → Dehradun → Mussoorie → Dhanaulti → Kanatal. The road climbs through Mussoorie into deodar forest, then follows the ridge, with long views of the snow peaks on clear days.
Camps at Kanatal sit among trees and offer tents and simple meals. From Kaddukhal, on the road nearby, a walk of about two kilometres leads up to Surkanda Devi. Kanatal has its own kind of quiet, and Dhanaulti and its eco-park are a short ride back down.
Day by day
Delhi to Kanatal
Delhi → Dehradun → Mussoorie → Dhanaulti → Kanatal (8–9 hours). Reach the camp by late afternoon and settle in.
Surkanda Devi and the forest
Walk up to the temple in the morning while the air is clear, then rest at the camp or ride to Dhanaulti.
Camp to Delhi
Back down through Mussoorie and Dehradun. A long day — leave early.
Fuel & services
- Fuel is easy to Dehradun; fill up there or at Mussoorie before the ridge road.
- Pumps are few on the Dhanaulti–Kanatal ridge road. A full tank plus 3–5 litres of spare is sensible.
- Camps offer tents and simple meals. Confirm what is included, and bring your own sleeping bag if you are not sure.
Road & conditions
Sealed throughout. The Delhi–Dehradun leg is fast; the climb through Mussoorie is congested at weekends, and beyond it the ridge road to Dhanaulti and Kanatal is a good but narrow hill road. Fog and rain can come in quickly, and there can be minor slips in July–September. The walk to Surkanda Devi is short but steep.
Bike, fuel & getting help
- Suggested bike
- Fine on a well-maintained 150–200cc commuter.
- Fuel gap
- One long stretch without a pump — fill up before it and top off where you can.
- Spare fuel
- Carry 3–5 litres of spare fuel.
- Emergency & logistics
- The nearest well-equipped hospital is the valley/district town, one to two hours off; signal is patchy above the bazaar; carry the group lead's number and an emergency card.
Best time to ride
March to June and September to November are the working windows. Winter is cold, and the temple ridge can carry snow. The monsoon is foggy and wet, and not recommended for camping.
What to add to your kit
Beyond the standard ride kit: warm layers and a good sleeping bag (nights are cold at this height), trekking shoes for the walk to Surkanda Devi, and a rain jacket.
Ride this with a group
Want to ride Kanatal with a briefed group? Send an enquiry, or check the rides page for the next outing.