Whether it’s dipping your feet in cool water, wading through a stream between rocky cliffs or chasing the echoes of small but cascading waterfalls, Robber’s Cave — locally known as Gucchupani — is one of Dehradun's most popular tourist spots and for a good reason!
Situated about 8 kms from the city center, this historical cave is a geological formation where water seemingly vanishes underground, only to reappear a few meters ahead. And this phenomenon continues to awe its visitors. The formation is a result of centuries of water carving its way through the conglomerate limestone of Dehra plateau in the Doon Valley.
If you were wondering about its name.. Legend has it that in the British era, Robber's Cave served as a hideout for robbers (thus, the intriguing yet notorious title!).
The chill of the water here, a Yamuna tributary passing between towering cliffs, especially on a summer afternoon, attracts hosts of visitors and the evidence can be seen by blocked roads and queues of vehicles right outside the place.
Once you arrive, you will have to wade through ankle-deep waters, pausing at naturally occurring waterfalls along the way. With lush greenery framing the narrow pathway and glimpses of the sky visible through the gaps in the towering cliffs, the journey into the cave extends for nearly 600 meters. Some of the most striking features here are a 10-meter-high waterfall within and remnants of an ancient fort-like wall in the centre that can still be seen, despite it crumbling with time.
However, with increasing footfall that the cave has experienced year after year, it has faced the unfortunate brunt of littering and pollution. With careless disposal of food packets, water bottles, among other plastic waste, by tourists, the once scenic and pristine spot is slowly losing its charm, making responsible tourism the absolute need of the hour.
Despite the challenges, the tranquility of the flowing waters and the enveloping greenery even today make Robber's Cave one of the most cherished attractions in Dehradun.
