Kathgodam

Kathgodam enjoys pleasant weather all year-round like much of Uttarakhand. Even so, July to November is the ideal time to visit as the weather is cool. Winter can get cold with temperatures dipping to below 5 degrees Celsius. However, the town takes on a fresh, crisp look and the chilly weather is rejuvenating.

Kathgodam is well-connected to tourist destinations in Uttarakhand. It’s about 24 kms from Nainital and can be reached by air, road and trail.

Air: Kathgodam does not have its own airport. However, Pantnagar Airport is located just 32 kms away. Flights are available from Delhi.

Road: Bus services are available from major cities of the country to Kathgodam. However, the easiest way to get here by road is to catch a bus from Delhi. It takes approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes via NH9.

Rail: Kathgodam has its own railway station known as Kathgodam Railway Station. It’s connected to cities like Dehradun, Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata and Kanpur.

Kathgodam has a few tourist hotspots but the majority lie at a short distance from the town. If you’re in Kathgodam, these are the places to head to –
- Jim Corbett National Park
-Gola River
-Gola Dam
-Nainital Lake
-Bhimtal Lake
-Jama Masjid Kathgodam
-Kalichaud Mandir
-Sheetla Mandir

For many visitors, Kathgodam is a stopover before heading to other towns in Nainital and neighboring regions like Pangot, Sattal and Ramgarh. However, it does have its own attractions and before heading to any of these places, take a time to explore this pretty town.

You can go on a picnic to the dam over the Gola River, which is a popular spot for the same, and visit temples such as the Sheetla Devi and Kali Chaud mandirs as well as the lovely Jama Masjid Kathgodam. The town is best known for its scenic beauty and a walk through the streets is a great way to appreciate it.

While luxury resorts are few in Kathgodam, there are several resorts that provide good service and facilities at reasonable prices. They include –
-KMVN Tourist Bungalow Kathgodam
-Relax Inn
-Lemon Park Hotel & SPA
-Lords Eco Inn
-Dolmaar Resort
-Fiesta
-Leena Holiday Home

Kathgodam has numerous eating joints including popular restaurant chains like Domino’s Pizza and Pizza Hut. However, when in town, you can’t miss out on delicious local cuisine that you won’t find elsewhere. There are a few places you can sample it such as Woodpecker Restaurant, Royal Spice Restaurant and Vatika Restaurant.

A taxi is the best way to get around Kathgodam. You can take your time visiting places and don’t have to contend with the crowds. However, buses are cheaper and are a great option when cutting travel costs.

Kathgodam has a few malls where you can pick up fashion items and brand name products. Walkway Mall located in Haldwani is the main shopping center here. Aside from shops, it features a multiplex and a food court.

Vishal Mega Mart is another shopping point. Like many of other stores in the chain, it sells a mix of items like clothing, accessories, household items and electronics.

Being the gateway to popular trekking destinations, visitors need to travel farther to access these places. Famous treks include the likes of –
-Nanda Devi East Base Camp
-Roopkund Trek
-Brahmatal Trek
-Panchachuli Base Camp Trek
-Pindari Glacier Trek
-Om Parvat Trek
-Brahmatal Trek