India’s landscape is more diverse than most countries. It has almost every variant possible, from deserts to rainforests. Thanks to this diversity, you can find many hill stations throughout the country. Hill stations are towns that are located at high elevations and have valleys around them. The temperatures at these places tend to be significantly lower than those of their counterparts nearby. While most of the hill stations in India are concentrated in the northern reaches of the country, you can find some of the top hill stations scattered in the other regions as well. With their cool climates, these are very popular getaways with Indian travellers. Here are some of the best hill stations in India.
1. Ooty: The Queen of Hill Stations
Great for: Couples, Friends, Family
Located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Ooty or Udagamandalam is situated at the height of 2,240 m and is a popular honeymooning destination in India.
CC 2.0 / Navaneeth Kishor
To reach Ooty, you can catch the 100-year old mini-train of Nilgiri Railways from Coonoor and see the landscape spread out in front of you. The Ooty Lake is an excellent place for a romantic boating experience; they even have special boats for couples.
If you’re looking for an off-the-beat experience, you must visit the forest walk, which takes you right into the bowels of a lush green forest. Avalanche Lake, which was formed by an avalanche is a great place to find a lot of biodiversities, especially butterflies. Do not miss out on visiting the vast tea estates that you will find all around the town; the tea of Ooty is very famous, and you can get to see it processed here!
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Getting There
2. Munnar: The Kashmir of South India
Great for: Family, friends
This hill station in Kerala used to be a resort during the British Raj and today is a tiny town in the Western Ghats. Known most for its sprawling tea estates, Munnar is always lush green and cool throughout the year.
Munnar – CC by 2.0 / Bimal K C
You can find thousands of tourists coming here regularly to escape the harsh climates around during summers. If you’re a fan of national parks, you must visit the Eravikulam National Park, which also houses the highest peak in South India, the Anamudi Peak, which resembles an elephant’s head and literally means the same in Malayalam.
No visit to Munnar is complete without a trip to the scenic Mattupetty Dam where you can even spot elephants in the lush environs around the lake. You could also visit the Top Station and Echo Points which are located further down from the Mattupetty Dam and get some fantastic views of the valley below shrouded in clouds.
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3. Shimla: City With India’s Only Natural Ice Skating Rink!
Great for: Couples, Family, Adventure Sports Lovers, Friends
The capital city of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, is a hill station in itself and it used to be a small town and a retreat for the officers of British Raj. Today, it is a flourishing city and has many attractions for you; it is also among the few hill stations near Delhi.
From the royal Rashtrapati Niwas with its Jacobethan architecture to the historic Jakhoo Temple, Shimla has something for everyone to see.
If you fancy shopping, a visit to the Mall Road, which is the prime shopping area of the city, is a must. Apart from the Rashtrapati Niwas, there are many other buildings like the Christ Church which date back to the British Era. If you’re visiting this city during the winters, you can also go to the largest natural ice skating rink in South Asia.
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4. Kodaikanal: The Most Peaceful Hill Station In Tamil Nadu
Great for: Couples, Friends, Family
Kodaikanal is a hill station in Tamil Nadu and is smaller than Ooty but thanks to less urbanisation, it remains in its pristine form.
Kodai Lake
The Kodai Lake is situated right in the middle of the town, and you can go boating here or rent a cycle and explore its circumference at your own pace.Moreover, you could head over to the Bear Shola Falls by taking a small walk through the forest nearby. The famed pine forests of Kodaikanal will bring you into a different world altogether.
If you have ever wanted to be above the clouds, the Moir Point and Silent Valley Viewpoint are great options. Do not miss out on visiting nearby Vattakanal Valley, it is simply surreal.
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5. Matheran: A Hill Station Sans Vehicles
Great for: Couples, Family
This hill station near Mumbai serves as a peaceful retreat for the city folk and can be reached by a 100-year old mini-train.
CC 2.0 / Arpan Bhowmick
The best part about Matheran is that no vehicles are allowed in the town, making it the only hill station in Asia to have such a rule. With absolutely no noise pollution by cars, you can expect your holiday to be unforgettable here. An absolute treat to visit during the monsoons, Matheran has some fantastic valley-view points like Echo Point, Louisa Point and One-Tree Hill Point.
The Charlotte Lake is a serene retreat too. All places around the town can be accessed on foot or horses, and the entire area is covered in canopies, making it one of the most beautiful hill stations in the country. During monsoon, you can spot many tiny streams form all around the place too.
CC 2.0 / SHIBA 007
CC 2.0 / SHIBA 007
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While planning your trip to these places, do keep in mind the time of the year and the different routes by which you can reach them, each of these will hand you a completely different experience.
Feature Image: Western Ghats seen from Munnar / CC 2.0 / screaming_monkey
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