Route library · Weekend · Mountains
Delhi to Nainital
Nainital is the best-known lake town in the Kumaon hills — a crescent-shaped lake at about 2,000 m ringed by forested ridges, a temple on the shore and a ropeway up to a wide Himalayan view. It is busy, which is exactly why timing matters: arrive early, park once, and spend your time on the quieter edges that most day-trippers skip.
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At a glance
- Round trip
- About 600–640 km
- Riding time
- About 7–8 hours each way
- Nights
- One night works; two lets you do Snow View, the lake and a nearby lake or two without hurrying
- Start point
- Delhi (via Moradabad and Kathgodam)
- Highest point
- About 2,270 m at Snow View above the town
- Difficulty
- Moderate. Good roads; the climb from Kathgodam is steady, and the town itself is congested at weekends.
- Surface
- Sealed road all the way, including the Kathgodam–Nainital climb
- Best season
- October to June. Winter is cold and clear; spring and early summer are green; the monsoon brings cloud and landslide delays.
The ride
Delhi → Moradabad → Kathgodam → Nainital. The plains run is quick on the national highways; the hill road from Kathgodam climbs about 35 km through Bhowali, and the last approach into town backs up on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons.
Walk the lake and the Mall Road, visit the Naina Devi temple at the lake's northern end, and take the ropeway to Snow View for the Himalayan skyline on a clear morning. For quieter water and forest, ride out to Bhimtal, Sattal or Pangot.
Day by day
Delhi to Nainital
Delhi → Moradabad → Kathgodam → Nainital (7–8 hours). Park at the lodge, then walk the lake road in the evening light.
The lake, Snow View and the ridges
Take the ropeway to Snow View early, walk the Mall Road and the Naina Devi temple, then ride out to Bhimtal or Naukuchiatal if the day allows.
Nainital to Delhi
Down through Bhowali and Kathgodam. Leave by mid-morning to stay ahead of the Sunday-evening return traffic on the plains highways.
Fuel & services
- Fuel is easy along the plains highway — Moradabad, Rampur, Rudrapur and Haldwani all have pumps.
- Nainital's pumps are few and busy at weekends; fill up at Haldwani or Kathgodam before the climb.
- Stays run from budget hotels to lake-view heritage properties — book ahead for weekends and holidays, and ask about parking before you commit.
Road & conditions
Sealed throughout. The Delhi–Moradabad–Rampur–Haldwani stretch is fast highway with the usual truck and toll-plaza slowdowns; the climb from Kathgodam via Bhowali is a well-kept hill road. The town centre and Mall Road are the real bottleneck — one-way systems, limited parking and long queues on peak weekends, so plan to arrive before noon and park once.
Bike, fuel & getting help
- Suggested bike
- Fine on a well-maintained 150–200cc commuter.
- Fuel gap
- Longest dry stretch is short — a normal tank covers it with margin.
- Spare fuel
- None needed for this route.
- Emergency & logistics
- District hospitals within an hour or so; full mobile coverage; mechanics in every town. A short, low-stakes ride.
Best time to ride
October to June is generally good. October–November is clearest; March–April brings blossom and mild days; May–June is busy and warm. Winter is cold and can bring snow to the ridges. During the monsoon, landslides on the Kathgodam–Nainital road can cause delays.
What to add to your kit
Beyond the standard ride kit: a warm layer for the evenings, comfortable shoes for the lake walk, and a helmet lock — you will park and walk a lot.
Ride this with a group
Want to ride Nainital with a briefed group instead of planning it alone? Send an enquiry, or check the rides page for the next outing.