The most well connected city in the Kumaon range region of Uttarakhand is Kathgodam. Since it is a monstrous task to construct rail tracks in the mountain regions, it is also the final stop before Nainital and hence the nearest railway station to Nainital. The distance between Kathgodam and Nainital is about twenty five kilometres. It is as beautiful as the other places around it are, like Nainital, Ranikhet and Almorah. It is also the closest railway connectivity to the other two sisterly hill stations of Nainital.
Railway Connectivity
Kathgodam is well connected to almost all the major cities across the country, especially in the north since people keep coming here year after year to relish their summer breaks to the fullest. Being the major connectivity network to the Kumaon region, the railways station is quite well maintained and clean. Like all the major cities of Uttarakhand, even the cleanliness of Kathgodam is well maintained. Once you get here via train, there are numerous buses to Nainital and Almorah leaving the city from time to time. There are also cabs to take you to Nainital.
The city at a glance
Kathgodam itself is a very beautiful city, but somehow since it is just a junction for people to get to Nainital, the place does not get the appreciation and tourists that it deserves. The beauty of the place is rather alluring and when you are about to get here from train, the view along the railway lines is the proof of Kathgodam’s sanctity and beauty. Not only is it rich in beauty but also culture. It is the hub of celebrations with numerous festivals being celebrated with grandeur and royalty. Ram Navami and Makarsankranti are the two major festivals observed by the people here.
Accommodation facilities
Although Kathgodam isn’t that much of a tourist attraction as Nainital and Ranikhet, the place still gets some tourists in the rainy season owing to the beauty of this place that is further refined in the monsoon months, with lush green fields all around. There are several hotels here for accommodation and many cottages too that lie just near the jungle for people who visit this place to look at animals and are interested in wildlife photography. The hotels here have all the basic amenities that one looks for like internet, running water and good food among others.
The journey to Kathgodam by train becomes quite alluring once you are about to reach the destination since the place has so much of beauty surrounding it. You can feel the moist mountain air and the smell of pine trees lingering in the atmosphere. Being a small town, Kathgodam does not have any major buildings or shopping complexes but if you are here for some touring and spending time away from the monotonous city life, it is an ideal place. You can plan a day’s stay in Kathgodam and looks around this mesmerising little town before you move on to Nainital for a full fledged vacation.