Well-Known and Lesser-Known:The Top 10 Hill Stations In South India

With western ghats and eastern ghats on either side, South India remains one of the most beautiful hill stations in India to visit. The hill stations in South India are en eternal bliss, with acres of lush green forests, cascading waterfalls, scenic landscapes and majestic mountains. The whole southern part of India is surrounded by some of the best hill stations in the country. Few of them are known to travellers coming from across the world, but there are many other lesser-known hill stations in South India that will entice you to keep coming back. It is very overwhelming to do justice to the beautiful hill stations of South India by the scope of this blog. Without visiting once, you would not be able to witness the scenic beauty of South India. We have listed the top 10 known and unknown hill stationsin South India, which are perfect getaway destinations for couples, family and friends, adventure seekers and nature lovers. Scroll through to read about some of the best hill stations in South India.

1. Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Ooty is one of the much-acclaimed and popular hill stations in South India, in Tamil Nadu, to spend your time with family or friends. Owing to Ooty’s natural beauty offered by the Nilgiri mountains, the place is also a perfect destination for newlyweds. The Nilgiri mountain in Ooty got its name from the Kurungi flower, which blooms in the valley every twelve years, giving the mountain a blue tinge to attract visitors worldwide. Ooty is the highest elevated hill station in South India. While in Ooty, you can visit the tea and coffee plantations to taste freshly brewed coffee or freshly plucked tea leaves tea. Ooty is rightly called the Queen of Hills, which has everything to offer a tourist. Some of the famous destinations in Ooty are Avalanche Lake, Ooty Lake, Doddabetta Peak, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Carin and Elk Hill to spend your days witnessing the abundant beauty that Ooty has to offer.

Top Things to Do: Visit Avalanche Lake for Trout fishing, ride on the toy train, trek on the Doddabetta Peak, and taste the freshly brewed coffee and tea.

2. Munnar, Kerala

 Munnar is one of the most beautiful hill stations in South India that is dotted with spice plantations, endless tea plantations, breathtaking waterfalls and lakes. Munnar is located in God’s Own Country, Kerala, one of the highest elevated hill stations in South India. Munnar was once the summer capital of the Britishers during the colonial period. Today, Munnar is one of the most frequented tourist destinations in South India, ideal for honeymoon places in South India. You can spend your days sipping fresh tea, taking a tea plantation tour, gazing at the pristine lakes and waterfalls or going biking amidst the beautiful town of Munnar. Some of the famous places to visit in Munnar are Pothamedu View Point, Eravikulam National Park, Attukal Waterfalls etc.

Top Things to Do: Go on a tea plantation tour, bring home some authentic spices of South India, enjoy biking amidst the terrain and taste the freshly brewed tea.

3. Coorg, Karnataka

 Coorg is the largest producer of coffee in South India, and the place is not less than a paradise in India. Coorg is popularly known as the Scotland of India for all the right reasons. Whether you have an itinerary or not, visiting the Coorg will leave you spellbound with its abundant beauty. Coorg is the only place in South India that has a Tibetian settlement. The majestic hills, coffee blanket valleys, stunning backwaters, and beautiful and cosy resorts amidst the valley makes Coorg one of the most frequented hill stations in South India. If you are in Coorg, do plan to go for a coffee plantation tour and visit the tea and coffee boutiques in the town to sip the fresh brewed coffee and tea. Coorg is also a perfect place for wildlife enthusiasts, as one can enjoy nature’s most beautiful wildlife reserves in India like the Pushpagiri, Nagarhole and Dubare.

Top Things to Do: Visit tea and coffee boutiques, take part in adventure activities, heritage tour of Madikeri Fort and fishing at the Kaveri river.

4. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu

 Kodaikanal is one of the coldest hill stations in South India that is located in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. A trip to South India is incomplete without visiting what is known as the Princess of Hill Stations, Kodaikanal. Kodaikanal is one of the best places to visit South India in summer amidst the beautiful town in Kerala. The town of Kodaikanal is flocked by honeymooners, backpackers and tourists of all ages from all over the country. You can spend your day taking a sightseeing trip to visit the Kodaikanal Lake,  Pillar Rocks, Dolphin’s Nose rock, Bear Shola Falls, and more. If you are an adventure enthusiast, you can take cycle rides, boat rides, go trekking etc. in Kodaikanal.

Top Things to Do: Ride a rowboat, enjoy trekking, night safari into the Kodaikanal forests and hiking on the Pillar Rocks.

5. Idukki, Kerala

 Idukki is one of the most beautiful offbeat and best hill stations to visit in South India that will transverse you away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Idukki is known for its beautiful panoramic views and the Idukki Dam, the world's second and Asia’s first arch dam. Idukki is filled with sanctuaries, natural parks and tea gardens to give you the most memorable experience of South India. You can take an Elephant ride amidst the tea plantations or go to an ayurvedic herbs boutique for a unique experience. The vast stretches of lush green landscape, gushing waterfalls, tea plantations and wildlife sanctuaries are a testament to the most memorable and enjoyable trip to South India. The cool weather of Idukki makes it a perfect winter vacation to plan your itinerary.

Top Things to Do: Take a trip to Idukki Dam, Experience the wildlife, go trekking and camping and take an Elephant ride amidst the tea plantations.

Lesser-Known Hill Stations In South India

 6. Yelagiri, Tamil Nadu

 Yelagiri is a lesser-known hill station in South India that is famous for its sparkling waters, temples, valleys and other breathtaking scenic spots. The town of Yelagiri is decked with rose gardens, beautiful hills and majestic mountains. The most famous tourist attraction in Yelagiri is the Swamimalai Hill which attracts visitors from across the country. Yelagiri is also a perfect place to visit in summer since Tamil Nadu tourism organises a summer festival in Yelagiri, which makes it one of the best places to visit South India in summer. If you are an adventure enthusiast, Yelagiri is one of the few places in India that has paragliding. Do check out the various adventure activities that Yelagiri has to offer and is best known for.

Top Things to Do: Visit the Murugan Temple, go paragliding, visit the Jalagamparai Falls and explore the rare Ayurvedic and Siddha herbs and plants boutiques.

7. Ananthagiri Hills, Telangana

 Ananthagiri Hills in Telangana is one of the perfect holiday destinations in South India, which is also pollution-free due to being secluded in the lush forests of the Telangana. You can enjoy the scenic beauty of the Musi River that flows through the state and see some of the rare species of birds that frequent the town. While in the town, you can even go on a coffee plantation tour as coffee is grown in abundance in this beautiful town.

Top Things to Do: Visit Ananthagiri Temple, take a tour of Kotipally Reservoir and go on a nature walk to coffee plantations.

8. Ponmudi, Karnataka

 The enchanting landscape of Ponmudi is another lesser-known hill station in South India that is also one of the preferred destinations for newlyweds. The meaning of Ponmudi is Golden Hill or Golden Peak and the place truly justifies its name through its mystic beauty and stunning hills. Ponmudi is surrounded by gigantic western ghats and hosts a large number of rare flora and fauna. Once in Ponmudi, you can either spend your time watching the natural beauty of the town or indulge in some adventurous activities that Ponmudi has to offer.

Top Things to Do: Visit the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary and enjoy trekking at Chinnappulle, Varayadumotta and Braemoor.

9. Horsley Hills, Andhra Pradesh

 Horsley Hills is another magical and lesser-known hills stations in South India in Andhra Pradesh. The Horsley Hills is perched at 4,312 feet above sea level and is a perfect holiday destination for eternal bliss. Because of its natural beauty and rare species of flora like Silver Oak, Mahogany, Coffee, Gulmohar, Red Sanders and Sandalwood, and fauna like Sambhar, Boars, Jungle Fowls, Antelopes and Porcupines, the place mesmerises anyone who comes to Horsley Hills. Horsley Hills is also one of the best off-beat honeymoon destinations in South India.

Top Things to Do: Visit Horsley Zoo, Visit Chennakesava Temple and Mallamma Temple and take a walk around Gangotri Lake.

10. Lambasingi, Andhra Pradesh

 Saving the unique places to visit in South India at last, is Lambasingi, the coldest hill station in South India that receives snowfall. Lambasingi is situated in Andhra Pradesh and is also popularly known as Kasmir of Andhra Pradesh. Locals also nickname the place Korra Bayalu, which means that a person can freeze like a stick if left outside in the freezing cold. Lambasingi has also become quite popular after the local farmers decided to take up apple cultivation. Because of this, the name Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh rightly fits Lambasingi. While in Lambasingi, you can explore the apple orchards, take a walk around coffee plantations or indulge yourself in the peaceful and pleasant environment.

Top Things to Do: Visit the Apple farms, take a walk around the coffee plantations,go to Sarada river beaches and take part in trekking and camping activities.

South India in a Snapshot

 The southern part of India is filled with an abundance of beautiful hill stations, for which we have listed the ten best hill stations to visit in South India for you to visit and explore for your next itinerary. If you are planning your South India tour package, then explore the various packages that we have, which you can also choose to customise as per your liking. Let the aforementioned list of top 10 hill stations in South India guide you to a memorable and enjoyable trip.