Hill Stations In India

India has numerous hill stations spread all over India that truly make for a tranquil and picturesque destination for travelers. The beautiful Kashmir holds some astounding hill stations Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Srinagar, and Sonmarg. The pretty Himachal Pradesh holds- Shimla, Manali, and Dalhousie. The stunning Mussoorie and Nainital are among the most popular hill stations in North India, whereas South India holds Coorg, Ooty, and Kodaikanal which are truly worth spending holidays. There are other hill stations too that truly need to be explored and witnessed.

1. Darjeeling

Darjeeling, The Queen of the Himalayas is a stunning town in the West Bengal state of India. Be it locales, serene sunrises, marvelous hills, or the old-world charm of the past, this pretty land has it all. Spread over a steep mountain ridge, nestled amidst acres of lush greenery. There are around 86 tea estates here that are responsible for producing the worldwide famous Darjeeling tea.

2. Shillong

The beautiful hill station Shillong is the capital of the state of Meghalaya. This pretty city is encircled by pine trees. It is famed for its serene places. Visit this spectacular city in September and May as the weather is salubrious.

3. Matheran

The stunning hill station is nestled amidst the Sahyadri range on the Western Ghats. It is around 100 km away from Mumbai and is the perfect weekend gateway. Matheran is one of the very few places in the world that does not allow any vehicles at all. On entering this little town will find the idyllic old-world era of red-soiled roads, automobile-free pathways, and lush green hills all around. This pretty hill station holds around 36 viewpoints from where one can enjoy alluring views of the Sahyadri mountain range.

4. Coorg

The stunning Coorg officially known as Kodagu is a pretty hill station and is located amidst imposing mountains in the state of Karnataka. Visit this hill station and add some fabulous places like- Virajpet, Kushalnagar, Gonikoppal, Pollibetta, and Somwarpet to explore in your Coorg tour. The pretty hill station is renowned for its coffee plantations, steep hills, countless streams, flora and fauna, green forests, and tranquil views.

5. Ooty

Ooty is a stunning hill station located in the state of Tamil Nadu. The beautiful hill station welcomes travelers with its lush green tea plantations, vast meadows, majestic mountains, dense pine trees, stunning waterfalls, and pristine lakes. Head towards this fabulous hill station for some surreal experiences and cherish the memories forever. The stunning Ooty is renowned for its tea plantations.

6. Srinagar

Srinagar is surrounded by the Himalayan mountains and welcomes its visitors with astounding places to make one’s trip memorable. The fabulous Srinagar has it all, be it gorgeous Mughal gardens, pristine Dal Lake and Nageen Lake fabulous markets, or mouth-watering cuisines it surely has much to attract any visitor coming to this Land of Lakes and Gardens. It is truly a dream destination for all vacationers including honeymooners.

7. Manali

It is one of the most sought-after hill destinations popular among tourists. The snow-covered slopes of Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges can be seen around Manali which enhances its scenic beauty giving a refreshing and unique experience to the beholder. Manali is a town situated in the district Kullu of Himachal Pradesh and is about 270 Km from Shimla.

8. Shimla

Snugly located in the cradle of the Himalayas, in the state of Himachal Pradesh, lies the hill station Shimla. Most revered destinations among the people of India and abroad, Shimla is one of the heritage towns with its buildings and monuments from the past that have made it so popular a place in the hills.

Shimla is labeled as the “Queen of Hills”. It is one of the most frequented hill stations in Himachal Pradesh. It is famed for its captivating scenic views of Himalayan peaks adorned with verdant forests of oaks, pines, and deodars.

9. Mcleodganj

The beautiful hill station – Mcleodgang is near Dharamshala and is the most popular place among the trekkers. The soul-soothing ambiance, picturesque scenic beauty, and dignified sounds of Buddhist chants and ringing bells echoing in the air make this hill station more ravishing and thus attract scores of tourists from all across the globe. Mcleodganj is also known as Little Lhasa. It has one of the most mesmerizing landscapes in the entire state of Himachal Pradesh. The towns of Dharamshala, Mcleodganj, Bhagsu Nag, and Kangra are located very close to each other.

10. Munnar

The stunning Munnar is a hill station that is located in the Idukki district of the southwestern Indian state of Kerala. The Munnar is situated on the banks of three pristine rivers- Madupetti, Nallathanni, and Periavaru.

Being one of the spectacular hill stations in Kerala Munnar is home to several hills, tea plantations, national parks, pristine rivers, lakes, and waterfalls. It is also renowned for its famous sanctuary- Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. It is known for its natural beauty. One can find the most exotic resorts and wildlife experiences too.

11. Mussoorie

Mussoorie is one of the loved hill stations. With an expanse of commanding snow ranges to its northeast and beautiful Doon Valley and Shivalik ranges to the South, Mussoorie is the superb destination to spend a vacation.

Explore some mind-blowing places in Mussoorie like- Kempty Falls, Landour Clock Tower, Lal Tibba, Gun Hills, Library Point, Sir George Everest House, and Cloud's End.

12. Nainital

Nainital is one of the loved destinations in Uttarakhand. It is situated at an elevation of 1938m above sea level. It is renowned for holding the Naina Devi temple, and the Nainital Lake that lies amidst a forested valley. The other attractions that it holds are- Raj Bhavan, Naini Lake which offers boating facilities, Tiffin Top, Nainital Zoo, and Hanuman Garhi.

Enjoy ropeway rides here. Nainital is truly a gem of Uttarakhand. Be it pretty landscapes, stunning places, serenity, or tranquillity, Nainital has it all. So plan a trip to Nainital and make your vacation a memorable one. 

13. Wayanad

Wayanad is one of the serene hill stations in Kerala. It has been tagged as one of the most astounding places in India. With the tantalizing aroma of fresh spices, stunning waterfalls, rich wildlife, beautiful caves, picturesque places, luxurious resorts, and homestays Wayanad truly attracts thousands of tourists from all around the world. It is indeed a destination of heavenly bliss where one can not only unwind from stress but also get involved in some thrilling activities.

The stunning Wayanad is renowned for its large amount of camping and trekking trails, amazing waterfalls, pretty caves, birdwatching sites, rich flora and fauna, and several astounding places.

14. Auli

Auli is one of the top Uttarakhand hill stations. It is renowned for winter sports. Indulge in snowboarding and skiing. It lies adjacent to the shrine of Badrinath. It offers pretty panoramic views of some high Himalayan peaks- Nanda Devi, Kamet, Mana Parvat, and Dunagiri. Auli is truly a great place to witness the snow hill station in Uttarakhand state. Adventure junkies can indulge in camping, skiing- best enjoyed between December to February, cable car rides. Attend the winter carnival festival that is hosted during this season.

15. Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal is a stunning hill station in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the most loved destinations among travelers. Be it a honeymoon a family trip adventure holiday to religious tours, Kodaikanal happily welcomes each one.

The beautiful Kodaikanal is famed for its serene places and natural beauty. One may come across some breath-taking places that will surely give you some surreal experiences. Explore some astounding places in Kodaikanal like- Green Valley View or Suicide Point, Kodai Lake, Bear Shola Falls, Pillar Rocks, Thalaiyar Falls, Devil’s Kitchen, and many other places too.

16. Gulmarg

Gulmarg is one of the best skiing destinations and snowfall places in India. It is located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Travelers can indulge in various winter activities like- skiing, snowboarding, trekking, and Gondola cable rides. The majestic views of the highest mountain peak in India- Mount Kanchenjunga can be enjoyed here.

The stunning Gulmarg acts as a base camp for mountaineers on their way to climb the Nanga Parbat and peaks in the Pir Panjal Range. Winters here are witnessed in the months from October to March with the temperature ranging between 11 to -4°C. Enjoy skiing and other adventure sports here in winter. Attend the Gulmarg Snow Festival which is held every year for two days to encourage winter sports.

17. Kasol

Kasol is a small yet beautiful village located in Himachal Pradesh and is nestled along the banks of the river Parvati. It is truly a paradise for nature lovers, backpackers, and trekkers. Kasol is labeled as the Amsterdam of India. Kasol is situated between the towns of Bhuntar and Manikaran. It is indeed the perfect destination for a vacation. Head towards this land for some mindblowing places to explore in Kasol like- Parvati River, Chalal- a quaint village, Malana, Tosh, and some other places too.

Trek to Kheer Ganga is lying at the end of Parvati Valley and the last inhibited village while trekking to Pin Valley via Pin-Parvati Pass. Another famous trek here is the Sar Pass Trek. The trail passes through thick forests, pretty villages, lush green meadows, and snow-clad mountains. Enjoy camping at Kasol, Just set your camps beside the Parvati River or in the Kheerganga valley for a thrilling experience.

18. Mahabaleshwar

Mahabaleshwar is a pretty hill station located in the Western Ghats in the Satara district of Maharashtra. It is indeed a sacred pilgrimage destination for Hindus as the Krishna River originates from here. Visit this destination for some superb places to explore. The beautiful Mahabaleshwar is renowned for its several rivers, marvelous cascades, and majestic peaks. It is also known for its strawberries.

Head towards this destination for astonishing places like- Pratapgarh Fort, Mahabaleshwar temple, Tapola, a satellite village renowned as the Mini Kashmir, and Krishnabai temple. Enjoy a Shikara ride here that offers a memorable experience to travelers. Enjoy trekking here. Tapola makes up for a superb spot for jungle trekking and nature walks. Apart from jungle trekking, one can enjoy several watersports in the pristine waters of lake-like boating, water scooter rides, kayaking, and swimming.