With the entire land full of mighty, slanting mountains India has a vast beautiful landscape, picturesque, ever-flowing rivers & pleasant weather.
India has an incredible expanse and offers a delightful experience to the worldwide travelers and tourists, acres of lush green land endowed with scented air, shimmering lakes, Southern India boasts of some magnificent hill stations.
The beautiful place has many travel destinations which are popular for its colorful culture, exotic art & craft, traditions & flavorful cuisines.
How to reach South India?
The place is easily accessible through flights which are available from around the world. Nearest airports are Chennai, Coimbatore, Bangalore or Kerala. One can use either rail or air transport to visit the exotically amazing beautiful South India.
List of attracting places to visit in South India goes long such as ancient temples, beaches, backwaters, tea plantations and many more, but do you know there are a variety of hill stations in South India?
Don’t worry; we bring with you some of the most traveled hill stations of South India.
Here’s a list of top hill stations in South India that you need to add to your traveling list.
1. Ooty
One of the best-traveled hill stations in South India forms a perfect family holiday destination & is very popular among newlyweds. This popular destination in Tamil Nadu is also known as ‘Queen of Hill Stations’.
Ooty Hill Station has been a popular hill station since years because of its soaring mountains, thick forest, extensive grasslands and miles of tea gardens which greet every traveler. Famous train rides in Ooty takes you to the nearby hills.
Plan a trip through the coffee plantations and taste fresh coffee.
How to reach Ooty
By Air: The Nearest airport is Coimbatore from Ooty.
By Rail: The place is well connected to Mettupalayam which is directly connected to Coimbatore & Chennai. The famous toy train connects Ooty with Coonoor & Mettupalayam.
2. Coorg
Amidst green lush valleys & picturesque landscape, Western Ghats Called the Scotland of India, Coorg lies 1525 m above the sea in the Western Ghats. It is one of the most well-known hill stations in Karnataka and a summer retreat in the South.
Known for its coffee, Coorg Hill Station also offers trekking and camping options, white water rafting and elephant rides in Dubare Elephant camp.
How to reach Coorg
By Air: The Nearest airport is Bangalore at a distance of 260km.
By Rail: The Nearest railway station is Mysore at about 120km.
3. Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal is known for its breathtaking backdrops that mesmerize every visitor. It is one of the famous honeymoon travel destinations of South India with many enchanting viewpoints & majestic Kodaikanal Lake filled with water-lilies. Kodaikanal Hill Station offers an opportunity to enjoy Bollywood romantic duets.
How to reach Kodaikanal
By Air: The Nearest airport is Madurai at about 120km away.
By Rail: Closest railway station is Kodai Road which is approximately 100km away from the main city.
4. Yercaud
Jewel of the South, Yercaud means “Lake Forest”. Yercaud Hill Station got its name because of all the trees surrounding the lake. It is situated at almost 5000 feet above the sea level in Salem District of Tamil Nadu.
How to reach Yercaud
By Air: The Nearest airport from Yercaud is Trichy.
By Rail: The Nearest railway station is Salem junction at about 36km.
5. Munnar
The toy-town hill station in the God’s own country, one of the biggest tea-plantation areas of South India, Munnar is the most beautiful & popular hill stations of Kerala which is nestled at the concurrence of three rivers.
One of the most beautiful hill stations in Kerala is Munnar Hill Station. Located in the green valley lands of Kerala, it is a honeymoon paradise for newly-wed couple, which is blessed with beautiful lakes, gardens & waterfalls tinkering down the valley.
Take the spice jet tours of the place or else just sit beside the waterfalls while gazing at the scenic beautiful views. Let the place charm you as well as your mind.
How to reach Munnar
By Air: The Nearest airports at Kochi, Madurai.
By Rail: The Nearest railway stations are at Kochi & Kottayam.
6. Coonoor
Situated at a short distance of about 17km away from Ooty, it is yet another popular tourist destination in Tamil Nadu. It is colonial from nature’s point of view as the old colonial bungalows in tea estate; the place is beautiful with many tea gardens & long-winding roads.
After Ooty, Coonoor Hill Station is the second-highest hill station in the Nilgiri region. It is famous because of its serene beauty but unlike Ooty, it’s not a crowdy bustling place.
This place is less crowded as compared to Ooty & offers a memorable and enjoyable journey. Thus, Coonoor is the perfect place to plan a visit during your summer vacation.
How to reach Coonoor
By Air: The Nearest airport is Coimbatore at 68km.
By Rail: You can go from the toy-train line which runs between Mettupalayam & Ooty.
7. Idukki
One of the greenest hill stations in the country, over 97 percent of Idukki is covered by trees and mountains.
Three rivers – Periyar, Thodupuzhayar and Thalayar – flow through a narrow gorge which gives the place its name. The Idukki Arch Dam is the biggest of its kind in Asia.
How to reach Idukki
By Air: Closest airport is in Cochin which is at about 98km away.
By Rail: The Nearest railway station is Theni at 83km away from the district of Idukki.
8. Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur n Karnataka is one of the beautiful hill stations in the South which is full of scenic surprises. Located at a height of about 1900 meters, this very hill station fascinates its travelers with its silver streams, looming mountain, verdant valleys, captivating cascades. This serene hill station has beautifully captivating monuments like the Kondadarama Temple.
Because of its rugged mountain trails, snow-white coffee blossoms, and silent mountain streams, Chikmagalur is known as a trekkers’ delight. Thus, this place should show up on your next vacation agenda.
How to reach Chikmagalur
By Air: Since Chikmagalur is a small town, it doesn’t have an airport. The nearest airport is at Bangalore, Hubli, Mangalore.
By Rail: The city doesn’t have a railway station so; the closest railway station is at Tarikere, Birur & Kadur, which is located at a distance of 40km away.
9. Nandi Hills
Also referred to as Ananda Giri which means the “Hill of Happiness”, Nandi is in the shape of a sleeping bull (Nandi) and hence got the name. Located at 60 km away from Bangalore, Karnataka, Nandi has a fort at the top of the hill built by Tipu Sultan. Hence, it is also a favorite picnic spot for nature lovers.
How to reach Nandi Hills
By Air: The Nearest airport is at Bangalore at 60km distance.
By Rail: The Nearest railhead is Chikkaballapur.
10. Araku Valley
Araku Valley is one of the least polluted places in South India near Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The hill station is surrounded by coffee plantations and is the perfect place for a honeymoon getaway due to its quiet nature. It is also the preferred location for several songs in Indian movies.
How to reach Araku Valley
By Air: The Nearest airport is at Vishakhapatnam at 112km.
By Rail: Araku has a railhead.
Hill stations in India are worth exploring with friends, family & loved ones. Plan your next vacations to these unexplored hill stations in South & have a love for trekking trails, scenic beauty, and peaceful delights!
Contact Noble Hous Tours for a fully customizable Private Tour for the Hill Stations in South Inida.
