A Wanderer | Dog soul | Camera in hand, stars in sight | Spiritual seeker | Instinct-led, old-soul living (at least) my third life. 

 Lansdowne is not the kind of place that announces itself. It doesn’t have the dramatic peaks of Auli or the frenetic charm of Manali. But it does have something subtler, more sacred a rhythm that settles into your skin. This hidden gem of Uttarakhand cradles you gently in pine-scented arms, asking nothing but presence in return. 

I arrived here after a quiet flight from Chennai to Delhi, then took the train to Kotdwar that last stretch by road was where the real transformation began. From Hyderabad, I once drove through Rajasthan, a long loop that ended with a night under Lansdowne’s starlit sky. No matter the origin, arriving here always feels like returning to something old and true. 

The forests here are layered in poetry deodar, chir pine, fir, oak, and rhododendron stand like quiet monks in meditation. In monsoon, everything drips green. And in winter, the trees sigh under a soft frost. I started my exploration with the Tip-in-Top trail. It’s an easy 4 km walk but rich in soul. Along the path, I let my feet find their own rhythm and my camera do the listening. Birdcalls punctuated the silence—a woodpecker tapping Morse code into a hollow branch. 

I couldn’t help myself: “Why did the tree get in trouble? It was caught rooting for someone.” Forests, you see, make space for dad jokes too. 

By the time I reached Bhim Pakora, a natural balancing rock, I was fully immersed. The locals say it never topples, no matter how hard you push. I tried, gently. It held its ground, like the old truths we often overlook. 

The best time to visit these forest trails is from April to June or October to early December. Monsoon makes it magical but muddy. Still, if you’re up for a bit of slosh and soul-searching, it’s worth it. 

Where to Stay: Sterling Vanvasa Outer Lansdowne, located near Vatanvasa Gate, is the perfect base for a forest-minded traveler. With its panoramic valley views, rustic-modern cottages, and warm, grounded hospitality, it’s easily one of the best resorts in Lansdowne. After a long trek, nothing beats sinking into a locally-cooked meal as you gaze into the pines. 

That evening, I returned to my cottage, poured a cup of buransh tea, and whispered to the sky, “You again.” Because some places don’t just speak. They remember.