10 Must Visit Hill Stations of South India

29 AUG, 2023

Sweta Gupta

Photo: Getty Images

Munnar, a picturesque hill station, in Idukki captivates with its natural beauty. Nestled at the confluence of Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundala rivers, the name 'Munnar' means 'three rivers' in Malayalam.

1. Munnar, idukki

Valparai, a serene hill station in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore district, is renowned for its tea estates and tranquility. Unlike many others, it remains untouched by excessive development. 

2. valparai, coimbatore

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Vagamon, a charming hill-station on Kerala's Kottayam-Idukki border, rests at 1,200 meters above sea level. Adorned with lush tea plantations and picturesque rolling hills, its beauty is amplified by a consistently pleasant year-round climate. 

3. vagamon, kottayam

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Kolli Hills, located in Tamil Nadu's Namakkal district, is renowned for its scenic beauty. Often referred to as Kolli Malai, meaning 'Mountains of Death.' A journey to the hilltop unveils nearly 70 hairpin bends. These hills are a fragment of the Eastern Ghats.

4. kolli, namakkal

Photo: TN Gov

Nestled along the coast, Chikmagalur boasts coffee plantations, waterfalls, meadows, and verdant hills. This beautiful hill station presents top-notch Karnataka tourist spots. 

5. chikkamagaluru

Photo: Chikkamagaluru Tourism

Known as the poor man’s Ooty, Yeracaud offers affordability compared to other renowned hill stations. Its name originates from Tamil words meaning "lake" and "forest." 

6. yercaud, salem

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Wayanad epitomizes the romantic essence of Kerala: teeming lakes, luxuriant foliage that soothes the senses, abundant birds and butterflies, including the elusive Banasura Laughingthrush residing on Chembra peak, towering at 6,890ft.

7. wayanad, kerala

Photo: Getty Images

8. araku, andhra pradesh

Nestled within Andhra Pradesh's Vishakhapatnam district, Araku Valley is embraced by the majestic Eastern Ghats, providing nature enthusiasts with rejuvenating respites. This valley boasts remarkable biodiversity with vibrant tea and coffee plantations.

Photo: Twitter/@ColoursOfBharat

9. meghamalai, theni 

Meghamalai, situated in Tamil Nadu's Theni district, graces with misty charm. Often dubbed High Wavy Mountains, this Western Ghats gem boasts stunning landscapes, adorned by lofty mountains and idyllic tea and cardamom plantations.

Photo: Getty Images

10. kodaikanal

Kodaikanal merges "Kodai" and "Kanal," signifying "Gift of Forest" or the "Princess of Hill Stations" in Tamil. It's nestled in Dindigul, near Palani, offering scenic allure.

Photo: Getty Image