What comes to your mind when you think about Rishikesh? Usually, most of you think of river rafting, yoga retreats, the sacred Ganga River flowing down from the Himalayan foothills, and spiritual cafes. Trekking around the top waterfalls in Rishikesh is one you might not have heard of or experienced earlier.
The waterfalls in or around Rishikesh deserve a good place in the itinerary of your Uttarakhand trip, whether it is a weekend break, a refreshing summer escape, or an adventure tour. These tourist places in Rishikesh offer lush greenery, cool mountain water, and scenic treks.
Keep reading this post on the best waterfalls in Rishikesh to the end, as it lists their names, locations, key features, required trek duration, and distance from the city centre.
Neer Garh Waterfall
Also known as Neer Gaddu Waterfall, it is among the best tourist places in Rishikesh. It features natural cool-water pools, a simple jungle trek, and multiple tiers. Trekking to the first cascade takes 20 minutes, while the upper one takes longer. The upper cascade is larger, less crowded, and more powerful.
- Location – Close to Lakshman Jhoola
- Distance – About 11 km from the city centre and 5 km from Lakshman Jhoola
- Required Trek Duration – 15 to 20 minutes
- Key Features – Butterfly watching, 2 shallow bathing pools, and dense foliage
- Entry Fee – Around INR ₹ 30
Patna Waterfall
Named after the local Patna village, it ranks among the top waterfalls in Rishikesh. Due to the natural limestone caves right next to it, this waterfall stands out from others. Reaching the Patna Waterfall requires a rigorous trek through the Rajaji National Park. However, it is an ideal place for nature lovers.
- Location – Patna Village
- Distance – About 10 to 15 km from the Rishikesh Railway Station and around 16 km from the city centre
- Required Trek Duration – 45 minutes to an hour
- Key Features – Limestone formations and dense forests all around it
Secret Waterfall
The Secret Waterfall in Rishikesh is a pristine, hidden gem and lies in the Tapovan area, close to the Balaknath Temple. Easily accessible through a short, thrilling jungle trek, it offers an escape from the busy tourist areas.
- Location – Close to the Balaknath Temple in the Tapovan area
- Distance – About 5 km from the city centre
- Required Trek Duration – 30 to 45 minutes, as it is spread over an area of about 2 kilometres
- Key Features – Multitiered cascades, dense forests, and natural rock pools
Garud Chatti Waterfall
The Garud Chatti Waterfall is a beautiful, but lesser-known, multitiered waterfall. Due to its quietness, it is highly popular among peace-seekers and trekking enthusiasts. It offers ideal spots to sit and relax in nature’s lap.
- Location – Located on the Neelkanth Temple Road
- Distance – About 12 km from the city centre and 5 km from Lakshman Jhoola
- Required Trek Duration – 15 to 20 minutes
- Key Features – Quiet retreats and 7 distinct layers of water streams
Phool Chatti Waterfall
The Phool Chatti Waterfall is a hidden gem in the thick canopy of the Himalayan foothills. Located between the Garud Chatti and Neer Garh waterfalls, it is an ideal place for a peaceful nature hike and a good, quiet escape. It is among the best Rishikesh sightseeing places.
- Location – Along the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple Road
- Distance – Approximately 9 km from the Rishikesh Railway Station and 7 km from Lakshman Jhoola
- Required Trek Duration – 30 minutes from the primary road
- Key Features – Canopy cover, dense green foliage, and beautiful scenery for photography
Himshail Waterfall
Looking for one of the quietest waterfalls in Rishikesh for your Uttarakhand trip? Look no further than the Himshail Waterfall. It is known for its calming, surreal environment. Due to its closeness to the Tat Baba Cave and the Swarg Ashram, it is a preferred place for meditation and yoga practitioners.
- Location – Swarg Ashram, close to the Yoga Villa and Bhootnath Temple roads
- Distance – About 16 km from the city centre via NH 7.
- Required Trek Duration – 15 to 20 minutes
- Key Features – Ideal for calm reflection, meditation, and yoga
Bhatta Falls
The Bhatta Falls are an ideal place if you are looking for waterfalls near Rishikesh. Located in Bhatta village in Mussoorie, it is a 30-foot-tall fall amid trees and steep rocks. People visit it to cool themselves in fresh water and spend some time in nature’s lap.
- Location – Bhatta Village, near Mussoorie
- Distance from Rishikesh – About 70 km
- Required Trek Duration – Around 30 minutes (10 to 15 minutes for one way)
- Key Features – Peaceful swimming, Bhatta Fall Ropeway, Children Park
Kempty Falls
The Kempty Falls is a famous colonial-era cascade in Uttarakhand. Located just 15 km from Mussoorie, the cascade here splits into 5 different water streams and falls into a large pool. Whether you love swimming, watching raw natural beauty, or enjoying some quality time in nature, it is a good place to explore on your Uttarakhand trip. Travellers often include Kempty Falls in their Mussoorie tour packages to enjoy the scenic beauty of the hill station.
- Location – Ram Gaon in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand
- Distance from Rishikesh – Approximately 90 km
- Required Trek Duration – 10 to 15 Minutes
- Key Features – Natural pool with misty water falling from a height of 40 to 50 feet, multitiered water streams
Tiger Falls
Located in the Jaunsar-Bawar region of Uttarakhand, the Tiger Falls is a spectacular natural wonder. Dense rhododendron and oak forests surround it. This waterfall features a cascade from a height of about 95 metres (312 feet). It is another waterfall near Rishikesh to visit.
- Location – Chakrata in the Dehradun district
- Distance from Rishikesh – About 135 kilometres
- Required Trek Duration – 30 to 45 minutes
- Key Features – Natural pool for bathing, tiger-like roaring sound
Corbett Falls
Located very close to Jim Corbett National Park in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, it is a 66-foot natural cascade. Surrounded by lush teak forests, it serves as a picnic spot, a peaceful nature retreat, and an ideal place for birdwatchers. Travellers exploring Jim Corbett and nearby hill stations often include this destination in their Nainital tour packages and broader Uttarakhand tour itineraries.
- Location – Close to Jim Corbett National Park in the Nainital district, Uttarakhand
- Distance from Rishikesh – 150 to 170 km based on the route taken
- Required Trek Duration – 15 to 20 minutes
- Key Features – Scenic beauty, birdwatching, but no swimming or bathing
Conclusion
Rishikesh is home to many waterfalls cascading from varying heights. These top waterfalls in Rishikesh are ideal whether you want a quieter spot, spend some time amid nature while listening to the sound of water, or meditate on your trip to Uttarakhand.
At Cholan Tours, we can curate a customised Uttarakhand tour package particularly for you if you wish to trek to the falls mentioned above and spend some quality time around them. Email, call, or WhatsApp us to discuss your needs for an Uttarakhand trip.
FAQs
Q1. What are the top waterfalls in Rishikesh?
The top waterfalls in Rishikesh are the Neer Garh Waterfall, Patna Waterfall, Garud Chatti Waterfall, Secret Waterfall, and Himshail Waterfall.
Q2. What are the waterfalls near Rishikesh you can explore in your Uttarakhand trip?
The waterfalls near Rishikesh are Bhatta Falls, Kempty Falls, Tiger Falls, and Corbett Falls.
Q3. What can I do while visiting waterfalls in and around Rishikesh?
You can trek, swim, enjoy natural scenery, and watch birds while visiting the waterfalls near Rishikesh in Uttarakhand.
