Dehradun is well known for its beauty and hill stations. It’s been almost a year since I moved here, and in the past six months, I have explored Dehradun on my MTB. If you are in the city and haven’t explored the cycling routes in Dehradun, then you are wasting your time here. Dehradun is one of the best places to cycle. Below are the best cycling routes in Dehradun that I discovered during my 1,500 km ride through the city on my Marlin M900.
Note:
- All the cycling routes either start at Clock Tower or Raipur Chowk.
- The distances and time mentioned are one-way which means depending on where you start or end, the mentioned distance and time will double significantly.
- A good level of fitness is needed to complete these trails. If you want to try the difficult routes, first practice on the easier routes mentioned below.
Table of Contents
1) Dhaulagiri Village
Want to ride uphill to test your muscles and endurance? The Dhaulagiri Village route is one of the best routes for cyclists who want to build up their muscles and endurance. It has everything that the Mussoorie cycling route offers, minus the traffic.
Dhaulagiri Village is located at 1,571 meters above sea level and the route starts from Raipur Chowk. From Raipur, continue towards Maldevta, and once you are near Maldevta, take a left turn. En route, you will pass through the villages of Dubra, Dubri, Danda Gaon, and Nihal Danda. The ascent starts from Maldevta, and you keep gaining altitude until you reach Dhaulagiri.
As you gain altitude, you will be welcomed with views of Song Valley and Dehradun Valley. It’s a beautiful route with sal trees, rhododendron forests, birds, and charming villages.
Note: Make sure to carry enough water and food.
| Distance | 30 km |
| Altitude | 1,571 m/ 5,150 ft |
| Altitude Gain | 900 m/ 2950 ft |
| Terrain | Continuous ascent, well-maintained road, valley view, forest, villages |
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Starting Point | Raipur Chowk |
| Best Time | Season: Spring – Can be done in the morning and day Summer – Only morning time is preferable Winters – Can be done in the morning and day Monsoon – Avoid the route in monsoon as it’s a landslide and rockfall-prone area. |
| Time Taken | 3-4 hours |
| Recommended Cycle | MTB, Gravel Bike, and Hybrid Bike |
2) Kimadi Waterfall
This is a scenic route that will take you through Garhi Cantt and Kimadi Village. Garhi Cantt is an army cantonment with a lot of greenery and beautiful wall murals depicting Garhwali culture. As soon as you cross Garhi Cantt, the sal forest begins, followed by the ascent towards Kimadi Waterfall. Along the way, you will be delighted by views of Dehradun Valley and Mussoorie. This route offers the challenge you are looking for.
| Distance | 25 km |
| Altitude | 1,579 m/ 5,180 ft |
| Altitude Gain | 909 m/ 2,980 ft |
| Terrain | Continuous ascent, well-maintained road, forest, waterfalls |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate (Require good fitness and stamina) |
| Starting Point | Clock Tower |
| Best Time | Season: Spring – Can be done in the morning and day Summer – Only morning time is preferable Winters – Can be in the morning and day (Avoid going alone early in winter) Monsoon – Avoid the route in monsoon as a rockfall-prone area. |
| Time Taken | 2-3 hours |
| Recommended Cycle | MTB, Gravel Bike, and Hybrid Bike |
3) Sulphur Pond
Sulphur Pond is located 21 km from Raipur Chowk. If you’ve ever gone to Dawara Top, then you must have noticed a road that route leads to Sulphur Pond. The region has abundant sulfur, and people visit the valley to bathe in the sulfur-rich water streams for various health benefits.
The route is entirely off-road, starting as soon as you cross the Maldevta bridge. It’s a perfect MTB trail in Dehradun that will take you deep within Song Valley and offer off road experience.
During my ride, I saw deers, rabbits, Himalayan langurs, and snakes. It’s a great trail for off-road riding and wildlife sightings.
Note: Make sure to carry enough water, a puncture kit, and snacks. Avoid this trail during the monsoon and forest fire season.
| Distance | 21 km |
| Altitude | 1,070 m/ 3,510 ft |
| Altitude Gain | 400 m/ 1,300 ft |
| Terrain | Off-road (Only for MTB) with gradual ascend and descend |
| Difficulty Level | Difficult (Require good fitness, stamina, and off-road experience) |
| Starting Point | Raipur Chowk |
| Best Time | Season: Spring – Early morning and day Summer – Only early morning time is preferable Winters – Late morning and day (Avoid going alone early morning in winter) Monsoon – Avoid the route in monsoon as it’s a flash flood and landslide-prone area. |
| Time Taken | 3-4 hours |
| Recommended Cycle | MTB |
4) Thano Forest Area Road
The Thano forest area is famous for its scenic route and lush forest. This cycling route starts from Raipur Chowk and goes all the way to Bhogpur. Thano Village is 16 km from Raipur Chowk, and the route is perfect for beginners. The area is well-known for its wildlife, such as elephants, Himalayan langurs, deer, and snakes.
During the monsoon season, this route is especially beautiful. Forest view and mountains in the backdrop, with mist, create a classic Dehradun vibe. If you want to make this route more interesting, you can cycle all the way to Rishikesh.
Note: Avoid early morning and late evening rides here.
| Distance | 16 km |
| Altitude | 740 m/ 2,427 ft |
| Terrain | Forest road with slight ascend |
| Difficulty | Easy (Good for beginners) |
| Starting Point | Raipur Chowk |
| Best Time | Season: Spring – Can be done in the morning and during the day Summer – Morning and evening Winters – Can be in the morning and during the day Monsoon – Safe in monsoon. Just watch out for slippery roads. |
| Time Taken | 2-3 hours |
| Recommended Cycle | MTB, Road Bike, Gravel Bike, and Hybrid Bike |
5) Rikhauli Village
Rikhauli is a small village located 19 km from Clock Tower. It’s on the Kimadi Waterfall route, but instead of taking the route toward Kimadi, take a left further ahead of Kimadi Village. The route offers a view of the entire Doon Valley.
There’s a Naag Devta temple above Rikhauli Village. Naag Devta is the protecting deity of the residents of Rikhauli Village. Once you are there, a trail will lead you to the Naag Devta Temple; it’s only a 10-minute hike. You will be in awe when you see the meadow. This route is perfect for exploring the natural beauty of the local area.
Note: Make sure to adhere to local rules and customs
| Distance | 19 km |
| Altitude | 1,248 m/ 4,000 ft |
| Altitude Gain | 600 m/ 1,900 ft |
| Terrain | Well-maintained road, sal forest, uphill |
| Difficulty | Easy to Moderate (Need stamina and good fitness) |
| Starting Point | Clock Tower |
| Best Time | Season: Spring – Can be done in the morning and day Summer – Early morning and evening Winters – Late morning and day (Avoid going alone early morning in winter) Monsoon – Safe in monsoon. Just watch out for slippery roads. |
| Time Taken | 2-3 hours |
| Recommended Cycle | MTB, Gravel Bike, and Hybrid Bike |
6) Dehradun Mussoorie Route
Mussoorie is a well-known hill station in Uttarakhand. Situated at an elevation of 2,000 meters, it’s a perfect trail to test your stamina. People who plan to do high-pass or long-distance cycling rides usually test their endurance on the Dehradun-Mussoorie cycling route.
It can be done in two days with a one-night stay in Mussoorie. However, if you want to push yourself further, you can do the uphill and downhill on the same day. Local cyclists from Dehradun train on this route regularly.
| Distance | 22 km |
| Altitude | 2,057 m/ 6,750 ft |
| Altitude Gain | 1,417 m/ 4,600 ft |
| Terrain | Uphill road and oak forest |
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Starting Point | Clock Tower |
| Best Time | Season: Spring – Only preferable in the early morning Summer – Only preferable in the early morning Winters – Early morning and during the day Monsoon – Safe in monsoon. Just watch out for slippery roads. |
| Time Taken | 4-5 hours |
| Recommended Cycle | MTB, Gravel Bike, and Hybrid Bike |
7) Khalanga Reserve Forest
Khalanga Reserve Forest is located 5 km from Raipur Chowk. This place is famous for its deep Sal tree forest and the Khalanga War Memorial. From Raipur Chowk, take a straight route towards Maldevta. After crossing Kesarwala, there’s a left-uphill turn that will take you to Auli Road. It’s uphill until Auli Road; after that, the Sal tree forest starts.
It’s a deep forest with well-maintained roads and lots of birds. It’s an easy category ride for those who want to cycle within the forest. During your ride, you can also visit the Khalanga War Memorial. Khalanga was one of the 52 Garhs of Garhwal. Back then, it was known as Nala Pani Garh.
| Distance | 12 km |
| Altitude | 910 m/ 3,00 ft |
| Altitude Gain | 1270 m/ 8,85 ft |
| Terrain | Well maintained, sal forest, slight uphill |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Starting Point | Raipur Chowk |
| Best Time | Season: Spring – Can be done in morning and during the day Summer – Can be done early morning and in the evening Winters – Can be done in morning and during the day Monsoon – Safe in monsoon. Just watch out for slippery roads. |
| Time Taken | 2-3 hours |
| Recommended Cycle | MTB, Gravel Bike, and Hybrid Bike |
8) Dawara Top
Dawara Top is a famous location near Maldevta. It’s 13 km from Raipur Chowk, and the route goes through small villages until you reach Dawara Village. Dawara Top is located between pine forests and is also a paragliding site. From above, you get a view of the entire Doon Valley.
Local cyclists can be seen here doing this trail on a daily basis. It’s not as time-consuming or difficult as the Mussoorie route but a good start to build up stamina, and muscles and gain experience. The uphill route, Sal forest, and local villages offer a perfect challenge of endurance and opportunities for wildlife sightings.
| Distance | 13 km |
| Altitude | 1,083 m/ 3,500 ft |
| Altitude Gain | 443 m/ 1,453 ft |
| Terrain | Uphill road, Sal forest, bit off road near Dawara Top |
| Difficulty | Moderate (Need good fitness) |
| Starting Point | Raipur Chowk |
| Best Time | Season: Spring – Only preferable in the early morning Summer – Only preferable in the early morning Winters – Early morning and during the day Monsoon – Safe in monsoon. Just watch out for slippery roads. |
| Time Taken | 1-2 hours |
| Recommended Cycle | MTB, Gravel Bike, and Hybrid Bike |
Leave a Comment