Where to stay in Mussoorie if you hate tourists

Mussoorie is gorgeous. Mussoorie is popular. The mist, the deodar forests, the nostalgic colonial bungalows, the perfectly crisp air, all find all the elements here that make for a hill station. But it’s also a major crowd puller, which means loud, selfie-stick people around you. And if this idea of bumping into one another irritates you, this guide is for you.

We’re diving into the real Mussoorie, which means the quiet corners, offbeat stays, and pine-scented escapes where the only thing crowding your space is maybe a Himalayan magpie. Ready to skip the tourist traps and retreat into calm? Here’s where to stay in Mussoorie if you hate tourists but love the hills.
Landour
Technically part of Mussoorie but spiritually in a different universe, Landour is where you go to meet rustling trees, heritage cottages, and absolute silence. This former British cantonment sits above Mussoorie, offering sweeping views minus the chaos.

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BarlowganjTucked away on the Dehradun-Mussoorie road, Barlowganj is for those who want the views without the vacationers. It’s just 5 km from Mussoorie’s center, but it feels like a secret no one told the tourists about.

Dhanaulti Okay, so this isn’t technically Mussoorie, but hear us out. A scenic hour away, Dhanaulti offers all the altitude with none of the attitude. Tall rhododendrons, thick pine forests, and no one trying to sell you plastic toys, Dhanaulti is the grown-up way to do hill stations.

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Kyarkuli BhattaEven most Mussoorie locals don’t talk about Kyarkuli Bhatta—and that’s exactly why you should go. Located on the outskirts and hugging the forest belt, this place is less a hill station and more a whisper in the wind.

Camel’s Back Road Yes, this is a known spot. But did you know there are a few tucked-away properties on the quieter end of Camel’s Back Road that don’t look out over the crowd but onto sheer valley drama? Check them out and you are good to go. You don’t have to sacrifice Mussoorie just because it gets a little crowded. There’s a whole other side to the Queen of Hills, one with rustling leaves, stone cottages, and no queue for momos.

So skip the crowd, hug a pine tree, sip some hot pahadi chai, and say hello to the quieter, cooler Mussoorie. The one you didn’t know you were missing.