It Known as the third most populous city and the financial capital of Uttrakhand, situated at the foothills of Kumaon Himalayas lies the scenic city of Haldwani.
Haldwani is named after a tree called ‛Haldu’ which was once opulent here. It comes under Nainital district and serves as a prominent business centre.
Location –
It is located at the foothills of Himalayas, at the banks of Gaula River and it’s elevation is 424 metres. Haldwani is well connected with motorable roads as it is the most commercialised and industrialized town in the region.
How to reach Haldwani –
1. By Air – Pant Nagar Airport is the nearest airport to Haldwani. It is around 25km from Haldwani and is well connected by traversable
roads. Taxies are easily available at the airport and the distance can be covered in half an hour.
2. By Train – Haldwani has the best railway networks in the whole region as it is the gateway to Kumaon. Trains runs from major destinations like Delhi , Lucknow and Kolkata. Two trains runs back and forth between Delhi to Kathgodam. The distance between Kathgodam Railway station to Haldwani is only 7km.
3. By Road – Haldwani is well linked with traversable roads with prime destinations of Northern India. The distance between Delhi to Nainital is 275kms and can be covered in 7 to 8 hours of drive. Buses are easily accessible from ISBT Anand Vihar to Haldwani
Why is it famous ?
Haldwani is not only famous for its scenic views and pleasant climate but as it is a major business hub it is also known for its vibrant nightlife and local markets. Haldwani has the perfect combination of the culture of Kumaon and the liveliness of the modern city. From picturesque scenery to shopping at a local market, it has everything you are looking for. Haldwani is a well developed city with plenty of cafes and restaurants for you to explore.
Must visit places in Haldwani –
1. Gaula Dam – The Gaula river originates from the lesser Himalayas, then joins Ramganga river to eventually become the tributary of the Holy Ganga. The river cut through several towns which provides the best spot for a scenic picnic. However If you want to enjoy first hand view of the river, Gaula Dam is number one spot for that. Gaula Dam is located in Kathgodam which is around 8km from Haldwani.
2. Shitla Devi Temple – Shitla Devi temple of Goddess Durga is famous among tourists and devotees visit all year around to worship the deity. The temple is situated on a small hill but the climb is easy. It is located on National Highway 87, Fatehpur Range and is 9km from Haldwani.
3. Jeolikot – Located on the road to Nainital, 23km away, it takes around 30min to get to this small village. If you are looking for a peaceful relaxation away from the city then Jeolikot is for you.
4. Naukuchiatal – This lake should be your top priority when visiting Haldwani. Naukuchiatal means the lake of nine corners. The lake is set amongst towering hills and offers a heavenly view of the Kumaon Himalayas. Take a day long trip to enjoy this serene lake and drive home after watching the beautiful sunset.
Naukuchiatal is 33km from Haldwani.
5. Bhimtal Lake – Bhimtal lake is much bigger than Naukuchiatal. It is known as the largest
lake in the whole region of Kumaon. If you are lucky you might sightsee some exotic deer around the lake. This lake is 15km from Haldwani .
6. Hanuman Garhi Temple – Located 40km from Haldwani on the Nainital Road, lies the pristine temple of Lord Hanuman situated on top of a small hill. The temple is pretty close to Naukuchiatal lake, so you can visit them on the same day.
7. Kainchi Dham – This is the most famous spiritual place you can visit in Haldwani. Famous personalities like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg have also visited Kainchi Dham. It is located at 44km from Haldwani.
8. Walkway Mall – If you are a shopping enthusiast this mall is perfect place to shop and explore. Located on the Bareilly – Nainital road this is the only commercial mall in Haldwani.
9. Hidimba Parvat – It offers the gorgeous views of the hills that you wouldn’t want to miss. If you love trekking then climbing Hidimba hills is
for you. However the trek is not suitable for heart patients or people with respiratory issues as oxygen gets thinner as you trek. It is 20km from Haldwani.
10. Devbhoomi Adventureland – If you are visiting Haldwani with kids and friends then you should check out Devbhoomi Adventureland. It has tons of adventurous rides which will get your adrenaline pumping. It also has a refreshment area where they serve Indian and Chinese food. The location is Bera Pokhara, Haldwani and timing is 8am to 6pm all days.
11. Sanjay Van – It is surrounded by dense and luscious trees and is a picnic hot spot for nature lovers.
Other Activities to do in Haldwani –
1. Shopping – There are several local markets in Haldwani where you shop or buy souvenirs. For example Naya Bazaar is famous for women’s clothing, Bartan Bazaar is known for selling steel
utensils or Almora Bazaar that is famous for sweets.
2. Picnicking – There are few picnic spots in Haldwani where you can relax and enjoy nature such as near Gaula Dam or Sanjay Van.
3. Nightlife – Haldwani is abundant with bars, restaurant and movie theater. When visiting Haldwani you must explore the nightlife to see how lively it is at night.
Best time to visit Haldwani –
Haldwani has pleasant weather all year around. In summer the temperature ranges between 25℃ to 40℃ and in winters it ranges between 5℃ to 15℃.
The best time to visit Haldwani is from September to March as the temperature is mild and enjoyable. For winters thick woollen jackets and sweaters are must. Avoid Rainy season as it is hard to travel in rain.
Where to stay in Haldwani –
Being a major business hub Haldwani offers various different places to stay for every budget. If you are looking for hotels and resorts with modernity and luxury you can check out 5 star and 4 star hotels and if you are thinking about more budget friendly stay than you can go with homestays and cottages.
1. Hotel North House – It is in Haldwani 20 km from Pantnagar Airport and the hotel has paid airport shuttle service. Hotel North house is the perfect mix of modern and classic. It has deluxe suite, suite with garden view and family suite. It is more on the luxury side.
2. Hotel Alankar – Hotel Alankar offers 24 hours front desk service for its guests. Hotel has deluxe double rooms, standard king room and luxury triple room. Hotel Alankar is 20km from Pantnagar Airport.
3. Emporio Hotel – Hotel offers shuttle service from the airport which is 22km away. Emporio Hotel also has a restaurant and bar for guests to
enjoy. This hotel also offers conference room for business meetings.
4. Hotel Silver Palace – It is a budget friendly hotel with rooms starting from ₹940. The hotel is located just 20min from the Haldwani Main market.
Other nearby places to visit –
If you are visiting Haldwani then you must definitely put Ramnagar in your itinerary. Ramnagar is a small town located in Kumaon region, in Nainital district. It is only 53km away from Haldwani.
Next place you can visit is Sattal which translates to ‛Seven lakes’. It is also in Nainital district and is 38km from Haldwani.