Stand at the crossing of Rajpur Road and Gandhi Road and the Clock Tower rises above the traffic, still the marker by which the downtown is measured. Turn off Rajpur Road towards Clement Town and the scale changes entirely: prayer flags, a vast white stupa and the quiet of Mindrolling Monastery.
Dehradun suits travellers who want a base rather than a single sight. The Doon Valley sits between the Shivalik Range to the south and the outer Himalayan ranges to the north, with a temperate climate of hot summers, cool winters and substantial monsoon rain. Institutions, museums, temples and forested edges fill the city itself, while the trekking routes of the Garhwal region begin from here.
This guide covers the sights within the city and the walks and treks that start from it, with practical notes on what to combine and when to go.
Top things to do in Dehradun
1. Forest Research Institute Museums
On Howard Road, the Forest Research Institute is one of the largest institutes of its kind, and its museums are open to visitors. The museum entry covers six halls, and guided tours are available. The compound itself is lavish and green.
Admission to the institute is free and museum entry is ₹25. Opening hours are 9AM–1PM and 2:30PM–5:30PM. Photography is permitted in the compound but not in the museum halls, so plan your photographs for the grounds.
2. Mindrolling Monastery
A large Buddhist monastery in the Tibetan Nyingma tradition, on Buddha Temple Road in New Basti, Clement Town. It is one of the city's most substantial religious sites and welcomes visitors.
It sits away from the central Rajpur Road stretch, so pair it with a trip in that direction rather than trying to slot it between downtown stops.
3. Robber's Cave (Guchchu Pani)
Also known as Guchchu Pani, this is a picnic spot where a stream of water goes underground and reappears a few metres away. The cave is surrounded by hills.
It is about 8 km from the city centre and is a good choice for those looking for the peace and quiet of the hills. Bring food and drink with you.
4. Clock Tower
Built by the British, the Clock Tower at the Rajpur and Gandhi Roads crossing remains the icon of the downtown area. Use it as your orientation point for the city centre.
It is a natural first stop before or after a walk along Rajpur Road, where several of the city's other sites are located.
5. Ram Rai Darbar
In Jhanda Mohalla, this shrine was built by Guru Har Rai's son and attracts many Sikh pilgrims from Punjab. The town's name derives from Ram Rai's dera, or camp, in the valley.
Admission is free and non-Sikhs are welcome. The walls carry portraits of gods, goddesses, saints, sages and religious stories, with floral, animal and bird motifs on the arches.
6. Tapkeshwar Temple
An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, at Garhi Cantt, standing on the banks of a rivulet. The setting by running water is part of the visit.
Combine it with the other sites on the western side of the city rather than crossing back and forth through the centre.
7. Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology
The institute is the country's leading centre on Himalayan geology and has done pioneering work in the field. Its museum displays the geological diversity of the sub-continent and is the centre of attraction for visitors.
Allow time for the museum rather than treating the institute as a quick stop.
8. Chetwoode Hall, Indian Military Academy
On Dehradun–Chakrata Road, this is a small museum housing collections of 20th-century military artefacts, associated with the Indian Military Academy.
It is a compact visit, so pair it with the day you set aside for the western side of the city.
9. The Kalinga War Memorial
On Sahastradhara Road, this is described as the only war memorial of its kind in the world, erected by the British to honour their foe, the Gurkhas.
It sits on the road out towards Sahastradhara, so combine the two in a single outing.
10. The Gurkha Fort
In the Tapovan Forest Area, the fort is one of the city's historic military sites and is set within forest.
Pair it with Tapovan on Rajpur Road, where legend holds that Guru Dronacharya did penance.
11. Tapovan
On Rajpur Road, this is the site where, according to legend, Guru Dronacharya did penance. It is a short stop on the main road north out of the centre.
Because it lies on Rajpur Road, it fits easily into a day that also takes in the Clock Tower and Sai Darbar Temple.
12. Sai Darbar Temple
At 109 Rajpur Road, in IAS Officers Colony, Hathibarkala Salwala, this place of worship holds high spiritual value and draws visitors from across the country.
It is on the same road as Tapovan and the Clock Tower, making a straightforward sequence along Rajpur Road.
13. Kalsi
A small town in the Dehradun district with ancient monuments, including the Edicts of Ashoka. In the seventh century this area was known as Sudhanagara and was described by the Chinese traveller Huen Tsang.
It requires a trip out of the city, so set aside a half day rather than trying to fit it between downtown stops.
14. RIMC (Rashtriya Indian Military College)
RIMC is one of the finest schools in India for training young men to become part of the Indian Armed Forces. It is one of the institutions that shape the city's character.
It pairs naturally with the Indian Military Academy and Chetwoode Hall if you are following the city's military thread.
15. The Char Siddhs
A group of four temples around Dehradun: Lakshman Siddh along the Dehradun–Rishikesh road, Kalu Siddh near Baniyawala, Manak Siddh near Shimla Bypass Road, and Madu Siddh near Premnagar. They are small temples in scenic and as yet unspoilt locales.
It is commonly believed that visiting all four Siddhs in a single day will fulfil a devotee's wishes, so plan them as one circuit rather than separate trips.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at the Clock Tower at the Rajpur and Gandhi Roads crossing, then walk or ride up Rajpur Road to Tapovan and Sai Darbar Temple. Continue to the Forest Research Institute Museums on Howard Road for the six halls, keeping in mind the 9AM–1PM and 2:30PM–5:30PM timings and the ban on photography inside the museum halls.
Afternoon. Head to Mindrolling Monastery in Clement Town for the Tibetan Nyingma tradition and its calm surroundings. If time allows, continue to Chetwoode Hall on Dehradun–Chakrata Road for the military collections.
Evening. Return to the centre for Ram Rai Darbar in Jhanda Mohalla, which is free to enter and open to non-Sikhs, and finish at the Clock Tower as the downtown lights come on.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Dehradun?
The city has a generally temperate climate, with hot summers, cool winters and substantial monsoon rainfall. Winter suits the trekking routes described around the city, while summer is favoured for the Har ki Dun trek.
Can I visit the Forest Research Institute Museums without joining a tour?
Yes. Guided tours are available, but admission to the institute is free and museum entry is ₹25, covering six halls. Photography is permitted in the compound but not in the museum halls.
Do I need a permit for trekking from Dehradun?
For the Dayara Bugyal trek, trekkers must obtain a trekking permit from the Forest Department office in Uttarkashi before starting. Book with a reliable tour operator for treks such as Kedarkantha, where tea houses on the trail are mostly booked or set up by organisers.
Is Dehradun a good base for a longer trek?
Yes. Dehradun serves as the nearest railway station to many trekking destinations, including the Nag Tibba, Har ki Dun, Kedarkantha and Dayara Bugyal treks.
Decide which side of the valley you want first, check the museum timings, and start planning your days around the Rajpur Road stretch and the road out to Clement Town.