Things to Do in Kotdwar: 15 Places Worth a Visit
Most people treat Kotdwar as a place to pass through. You get off the train, find a taxi and head up to Lansdowne or Pauri. That's a shame, because the town and the hills right around it have more to offer than a quick chai at the bus stand.
This list comes from the places people actually rate on Google, plus a few spots locals go to that rarely make travel blogs. Everything here can be done in a day or two without a car of your own.
Temples and spiritual places
1. Shri Siddhbali Baba Dham
If you only do one thing in Kotdwar, do this. The Hanuman temple sits on a hillock above the Khoh river, a short ride from the main market, and it has over 14,000 Google reviews. Go early in the morning when the climb is cool and the aarti crowd is still small. We have a full Siddhbali guide with timings and nearby stays.
-
Shri Sidhbali Baba Dham Mandir, Kotdwara
Shri Sidhbali Marg · QG5Q+6GX, Shri Sidhbali Marg, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
2. Durga Devi Mandir, Dugadda road
On the road towards Dugadda, this cave temple is built into the rock beside the Khoh. You walk down a set of steps and then crawl through a narrow passage to reach the shrine. Not great for anyone uneasy in tight spaces, but most people come out grinning.
3. Sidhpeeth Sukhro Devi Mandir
A calmer temple in Balasaur that locals visit in the evenings. Open from early morning till about 8:30 pm.
4. Hanuman Mandir, Jhanda Chowk
Right in the middle of the busiest bazaar. It stays open late, so it fits nicely after an evening of shopping.
5. Shoonya Shikhar Ashram
An ashram up at Gwirala with wide views over the valley. Worth it if you want a quiet hour away from traffic.
6. Saint Joseph Cathedral Church
A handsome old church with a well-kept garden. It is open only at fixed hours, so check the listing before you go.
-
Saint Joseph Cathedral Church, Kotdwara
Mohabewala Industrial Area · Bishop House Rd, behind Govt Hospital, Mohabewala Industrial Area, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
History and nature
7. Kanvashram
About 14 km from town on the banks of the Malini river, this is where the sage Kanva's ashram is said to have stood. In the story told by Kalidasa, Shakuntala grew up here and her son Bharat was born here. Read our Kanvashram guide before you go.
8. Kanvashram Deer Park
Right next to the ashram. Small, shaded and good for kids. Open roughly 7 am to 7 pm.
9. Kotdwar View Point
A pull-off on the Dugadda side of town where the whole of Kotdwar spreads out below you. Best around sunset.
10. Sidhbali Lal Pul and the Khoh river bridge
The red bridge near Siddhbali and the Khoh river bridge are where people stop for photos in monsoon, when the river is full. Please stay off the riverbed when water is rising. Flash floods here are real.
11. Kalagarh Tiger Reserve reception centre
Kotdwar is one of the gateways to the Corbett landscape. Permits for the Sonanadi area are handled at the visitor reception centre in Kotdwar, and the Pakhro zone is about 20 km away. Seasons and permit rules change, so book through the official Corbett portal before you plan around it.
-
Kalagarh Tiger Reserve Reception Center
NH-119 · QG5P+MMX, Meerut - Pauri National Hwy, Uttarakhand 246149
-
Kalagarh Tiger Reserve Safari Booking
Dugadda Range · Division, Kotdwar - Lansdowne Rd, Dugadda Range, Uttarakhand 246149
Easy local outings
12. Chemical Ground, Durgapuri
This is where half of Kotdwar walks in the morning. Open roughly 5:30 to 9 am and again in the evening.
13. BEL Park
A neat park in the BEL area of Khunibarh, good for an evening stroll with family.
14. Sidhbali Park
A large park on NH-119 with plenty of open space. Busy on Sunday evenings.
15. Day trip to Lansdowne
Lansdowne is about 40 km up the hill and makes the perfect half-day add-on. See our Kotdwar to Lansdowne route guide.
Getting around
Shared autos cover the main roads in town. For Kanvashram, Durga Devi or the view point, a taxi or a rented scooty is easier. The taxi page has local operators with their numbers, and bike and scooty rentals are listed separately.
-
Uttarakhand Travel Solutions
Manpur · near Shivpur chaurah, Manpur, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
-
NIRANKARI TOUR AND TRAVELS
Shivpur · chauk, near manpur, Shivpur, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
-
Tadkeshwar Tour and travel cab service
Kura Range · The Terrace a family resturent, Market road, Lansdowne, Kura Range, Uttarakhand 246155
Common questions about visiting Kotdwar
What is Kotdwar famous for?
Kotdwar is best known for the Siddhbali Hanuman temple, Kanvashram (linked to the story of Shakuntala and Bharat), and for being the gateway town to Lansdowne and the Garhwal hills.
How many days do you need for Kotdwar?
One full day covers Siddhbali, Kanvashram and Durga Devi. Add a second day if you want to go up to Lansdowne or visit the tiger reserve.
What is the best time to visit Kotdwar?
October to March is the most comfortable. Summers in Kotdwar are hot because the town sits at only about 450 m. Monsoon (July to September) is green but roads to the hills can close after heavy rain.
For the full list of rated spots, see all places to visit in Kotdwar and temples in Kotdwar.
Spotted a wrong number or a place we missed? Email kotdwarauk15@zohomail.in and we will fix it.