Both Dehradun and Nainital are hill stations in the Uttaranchal region of India. While Dehradun is the capital city, Nainital is an idyllic town.  Both the spots are well known tourist destinations and draw hundreds of tourists due to their pleasant weather and beautiful locale. So, as a tourist making a trip to Uttaranchal, which one of the two would you prefer; Dehradun or Nainital? Let us get an idea of the two places so that you can make the decision well as wisely.

Nestled in the midst of the Sivalik Hills in the lower Himalayas, Dehradun is a popular hill station and the capital of the state of Uttarakhand. Being a popular tourist destination, it experiences lot of travelers’ inflow.

Dehradun is situated in the Doon Valley on the foothills of the Himalayas. Its average elevation is around 450 meters above sea level. The two rivers Ganga and Yamuna surround the city from two sides. Being the capital city, Dehradun is easily accessible. It is served by the Jolly Grant Airport and also has road connectivity with other cities in Northern India.

Nainital, on the other hand is located on the Kumaon region of the outer Himalayan range. It is situated quite higher up at an altitude of 2084 meters. A lot of travelers come here for and mountain hiking trips. One of the best aspects of Nainital is that it is surrounded by mountains on all sides and tourists can have a spectacular view of the snowcapped mountain ranges.

If you like colder and steeper locales, Nainital seems to be a better option. Due to the high altitude, the climate is colder and during winters you can even experience winters. From Nainital, you can make excursions to places like Jim Corbett National Park, Bhimtal Lake, Mukteshwar, Khurpa Tal and other places.

However, if you do wish to experience the calm locale of a hill station without experiencing harsh weather, then Dehradun seems to be better. It is located not so higher up and so the climate is pleasant yet not so cold. Moreover, Dehradun is easily accessible from different parts of the country and so getting there is not a problem.

So, for adventure lovers who wish to experience the rough terrain of the mountains, Nainital seems better. However, for the calm souls who wish to just relax amidst pleasant surroundings without having to toil much, Dehradun suits well.