Complete Guide to Best Waterfalls in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand's rivers — Ganga, Yamuna, Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, Saryu — originate in glaciers and tumble down steep Himalayan slopes, creating hundreds of waterfalls. Here are the most spectacular and accessible ones.
| Waterfall | Location | Height | Best For | Best Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kempty Falls | Mussoorie (15 km) | 40 m | Families, swimming, easy access | Jul–Sep |
| Vasudhara Falls | Near Badrinath (5 km trek) | 122 m | Pilgrimage + trekking | May–Jun |
| Tiger Falls | Chakrata (5 km) | 312 m (Asia's tallest single-drop) | Offbeat, trekking | Sep–Nov |
| Bhatta Falls | Mussoorie (7 km) | 30 m | Picnic, local day trip | Jul–Sep |
| Corbett Falls | Jim Corbett (25 km from Ramnagar) | 20 m | Wildlife + waterfall combo | Oct–May |
| Satopanth | Above Badrinath (25 km trek) | — | Advanced trekking, glacial lake | Jun–Sep |
| Birthi Falls | Munsiyari (35 km) | 126 m | Roadside, Himalayan backdrop | Jul–Sep |
| Garud Chatti | Rishikesh (near Badrinath highway) | 15 m | Swimming, picnic | Jul–Oct |
| Neer Garh Falls | Rishikesh (5 km trek) | 25 m | Easy trekking, freshwater pools | Jul–Oct |
| Sahastradhara | Dehradun (16 km) | — | Sulphur springs + multi-stream | Year-round |
Best Time to Visit Waterfalls in Uttarakhand
- July–September (Monsoon): Peak water flow — waterfalls at their fullest and most dramatic; some roads can be risky
- October–November: Post-monsoon flow still good; safe roads; excellent visibility for photography
- March–June: Snowmelt boosts high-altitude waterfalls (Vasudhara, Tiger Falls); lower ones may be reduced
- December–February: Some waterfalls freeze partially; beautiful ice formations at high altitude
How to Reach Major Waterfalls
- Kempty Falls: Dehradun → Mussoorie (35 km) → Kempty Falls road (15 km); taxi from Mussoorie ₹200–300
- Tiger Falls, Chakrata: Dehradun → Chakrata (90 km, 3 hrs) → 5 km trek or jeep
- Vasudhara Falls: Rishikesh → Joshimath → Badrinath → 5 km upstream trek (full day trip)
- Birthi Falls: Kathgodam → Almora → Pithoragarh → 35 km before Munsiyari on the highway
- Neer Garh: Rishikesh (Laxman Jhula side) → 30 min walk upstream
Waterfall Visit Tips and Entry Fees
| Waterfall | Entry Fee | Difficulty | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kempty Falls | ₹20 per person | Easy (steps) | Avoid summer weekends — overcrowded |
| Tiger Falls | ₹50 per person | Moderate (5 km trek) | Go in October — clear water, fewer visitors |
| Vasudhara Falls | Free | Moderate (5 km) | Start early from Badrinath; closes Oct |
| Neer Garh | Free | Easy | Multiple pools; good for swimming |
| Corbett Falls | ₹30 per person | Easy | Combine with Garjiya Devi temple |
Travel Tips and FAQs
- Never swim near the base of high waterfalls (Vasudhara, Tiger Falls) — strong undercurrents and slippery rocks
- Kempty Falls is very crowded May–June; visit on weekdays before 9 AM for a peaceful experience
- Waterproof footwear is essential — rocks near waterfalls are perpetually wet and slippery
- Tiger Falls near Chakrata is one of Asia's highest single-drop falls — largely unknown and uncrowded
- Sahastradhara near Dehradun combines waterfalls with natural sulphur springs — good for a half-day trip
FAQ: Which is the best waterfall in Uttarakhand? Tiger Falls (312 m) near Chakrata is the tallest; Vasudhara Falls is the most dramatic scenically (Badrinath backdrop); Kempty Falls near Mussoorie is the most accessible. All three are exceptional for different reasons.