Chakrata

Chakrata is a cantonment hill station in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand, situated at an elevation of 2,118 meters (7,000 feet) between the Tons and Yamuna rivers. Established in 1869 by British Army Colonel Hume, it served as a summer retreat for British officials during the colonial era. The town is known for its pristine natural environment, dense conifer and oak forests, scenic viewpoints, waterfalls including Tiger Falls, and adventure activities such as trekking and camping.

Visitors can expect a quiet, uncrowded mountain town with colonial-era cantonment architecture surrounded by dense forests of deodar, rhododendron, and oak trees. The area offers panoramic Himalayan views from viewpoints like Chilmiri Neck and Deoban, access to waterfalls such as Tiger Falls located approximately 20 km away, and opportunities for trekking through virgin forests dotted with Jaunsari tribal villages. The town maintains a serene, pollution-free atmosphere with limited commercial development due to its cantonment status.

Chakrata Cantonment was established in 1869 by British Army Colonel Hume. The region was originally part of the territory of the Raja of Sirmour and was conquered by the Gorkhas before being expelled by the British in 1854. During the British Raj, Chakrata served as a summer retreat for high-ranking officials of the East India Company.

The area is home to villages of the Jaunsari tribe, an indigenous community of the Jaunsar-Bawar region. The nearby Lakhamandal Temple holds significance in Hindu mythology, associated with the Mahabharata epic as the site where the Lakshagriha (house of lac) was built.