Nainital is a diverse holiday resort that not only offer a wonderful destination for vacation, honeymooning, adventure but also it allows trekkers and mountaineering enthusiasts to exercise their dream of walking through the endless beauty of nature.
Elevated at 2611 mts above sea level Cheena Peak now renamed as 'Naina Peak' is the highest peak in Nainital. The distance is about 6 km from the main town and can take about 1 to 2 hours to reach depending on your capacity to climb.
Since the major region around is filled with thick forests covered over rugged and hilly terrains and the Himalayas still unspoilt and far from the crowd, this is where Trekkers find more delight to explore unmanned territories which is raw and natural. The trail leads you through temperate forests, thick conifers, high grasslands and different species of bird ranging from Slate gray coloured woodpeckers, pheasants, Black chin coloured babbler, black head and maroon body orioles, warblers, thrushes, Himalayan Griffon vultures, fire capped tit, crimson coloured sunbirds, lammergeyers, chakor and many more; hence, it is an ideal place for birdwatchers, so do carry you binoculars.
The foot trail leads you to an array of sights to see which includes a breathtaking view of the snow clad Himalayan ranges, the Tibetan borders, Nanda Devi that sits at a height of 7,816 mts, the snow capped peaks that runs from Bandar-Punch to the Api and Nari peaks in Nepal and an aerial view of the entire town of Nainital.
Snow View point as the name enunciates is from where you can view snow. It is elevated at a height of 2270 mts and just 3 km from the main town of Nainital. The trek is short and can take up-to 30 minutes or even 1 hour but the sight that awaits you from this peak is breathtaking and worth the climb. It offers an enchanting view of the ice capped Himalayas, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot and Trishul.
Tiffin Top or Dorothy's seat sit at a height of 2290 mts above sea level on the Aryapatta peak. The trek is a short distance of 3 km uphill and can take about 30 minutes to 1 hour to reach. This place is mostly flooded with small shops and offers a good view of the town and the Himalayan ranges. On the opposite, is the famous residence of Jim Corbett named 'Gurney house' and now converted to a museum storing all the memorabilia of Mr. Corbett.
Trekking to Land's end is very comfortable as it is just 5 km from the main town of Nainital. As the name suggests, it marks the dead end of the town located at 2118 mts above sea level from where you can get a good view of the Khurpatal Lake and the green valley that encircles the town.
Cave Gardens is a 1 km trek from Mallital and is filled with caves where animals had resided in the past though now no wildlife is seen here as it was recently converted into a tourist attraction.
You can trek a short distance of 2 km to the zoo from Tallital in Nainital. It is elevated at 2100 mts above mean sea level on the Sher-Ka-Danda Hill or 'Tiger's Ridge Hill' that homes a variety of wildlife species and birds.
Raj Bhavan is a short trek from the Mall Road in Nainital. It can be reached by good roads. What is worth watching is the house designed like an old Victorian architecture domestic style which was formerly the residence of the Maharaja of Pilibhit and then home to the governor of the Northwest Province and now converted into a guest house of the Uttarakhand governor and staff members of the state. You can also see the 100 years old Golf course spanning over 45 acres in area.
Hanuman Garhi is another short trek of 4 km from the main bus stop of Nainital perched at a height of 1955 mts above sea level. The Temple here is famous amongst devotees and this peak gives you the best full view of the Sun setting in the evening, so it is definitely a boon to arrive here around that time.
