Moila Danda ( lit. Moila Hill-top) also known as Moila Top, (''Danda'' translates to pastures on higher peaks of the mountains, it is also known as a

bugyal Bugyals are alpine pasture lands, or meadows in India, in higher elevation range between and of the Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, where they are called "nature’s own gardens". The topography of the terrain is either flat or s ...

) is situated in the

Jaunsar-Bawar Jaunsar-Bawar is a hilly region in Garhwal division of Uttarakhand, northern India. It is located in the north-west of Dehradun district, along the border with the state of Himachal Pradesh. Ethnically, Jaunsar-Bawar comprises two regions, inh ...

region of the

Dehradun district Dehradun district () is a district in Garhwal which is a part of Uttarakhand state in northern India. The district headquarters is Dehradun, which has also served as the interim capital of Uttarakhand since its founding in 2000. The district ha ...

Uttarakhand Uttarakhand (, ), also known as Uttaranchal ( ; List of renamed places in India, the official name until 2007), is a States and union territories of India, state in North India, northern India. The state is bordered by Himachal Pradesh to the n ...

. Moila Danda is a

hiking A hike is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century. Long hikes as part of a religious pilgrimage have existed for a much longer time. "Hi ...

and

camping Camping is a form of outdoor recreation or outdoor education involving overnight stays with a basic temporary shelter such as a tent. Camping can also include a recreational vehicle, sheltered cabins, a permanent tent, a shelter such as a Bivy bag ...

destination. The Bugyal has the highest elevation of 2759m and is around 40km from

Chakrata Chakrata is a cantonment town and also a sub district/tehsil, in Dehradun district. in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It lies between the Tons River, Tons and Yamuna rivers, at an elevation of 2118 m, 98 km from the state capital, Dehrad ...

. Moila Danda is situated between thousands of Deodar trees. The trek to the Bugyal is of 3km and starts from Budher Forest Rest House, which is around 30km from Chakrata. Budher Caves, situated at the corner of the Bugyal is also a place to visit. Also, an ancient temple built in traditional Koti Banal architecture of Uttarakhand, is situated at the centre of the bugyal, dedicated to the fairy goddesses known as 'Pari mata' or 'Matriya Mata' believed to be residing there according to the locals. The glorious views of the Garhwal Himalayas can be seen from here.

References

{{Uttarakhand-geo-stub Geography of Dehradun