Best Hill stations in India

Introduction

Hill stations are a wonderful place to relax and take a break from daily routine life in the plains. India upholds some of the wonderful hill stations of the world, which encapsulate our tiredness and destroy them, offering us happiness and relaxation. If you are a mountain lover or rather a nature lover, then travelling to hills must be your awaited vacation activity.

The northern part of India offers a vast array of hill stations along the foothills of the majestic Himalayas. But the southern plateau also does not offend you with the backdrop of rocky hills. Let us take a look at some of the best hill stations across India with a brief guide to travelling.

Leh Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir

One of the places people often dream to visit is Leh Ladakh, a small union territory close to Jammu and Kashmir. This place offers some fabulous sights and places, along with many natural attractions, which bring this hill station to our list of travel blogs. Apart from the snowy peaks and dense green forests, this place is also known for the beautiful Pangong Lake. Have you heard about the Magnetic Hill? Here, any object defies gravity and goes up a slope. This interesting yet spooky peak is also another popular tourist destination in Leh and Ladakh. Along with this, Zanskar Valley is an emerging tourist destination of Leh Ladakh. People often plan to visit this 'heaven on earth' from June to September.

Ooty, Tamil Nadu (Queen of the Nilgiris)

Get your backpack ready, as we bring up another exciting hill station for you. Ooty in Tamil Nadu is a one-stop destination for a mountain lover. It is known as the 'queen of hills' because of the wonderful scenic beauty. People dream of blue mountains with a touch of mist, and Ooty portrays such an epitome of beauty. Ooty is also known as Udagamandalam and is a hill station in Tamil Nadu. This place has a favourable climate throughout the year for visitors. Ooty remains accessible to tourists in every season of the year. This is a perfect place to visit with your family for a week's holiday.

Manali, Himachal Pradesh (Lover’s Paradise)

You must be searching for Manali among all the hill stations. Well, it is here. This is one of the most highly visited hill stations in the country. Manali is surrounded by the snow-capped slopes of the beautiful Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges. Along with the snow-covered landscape, these hill stations provide additional scenery of jaw-dropping views, lush green forests, smooth gushing blue streams, with mist in the air seeming like a fairy tale in nature. The persistence of the fragrance of pines adds up to the freshness and sweetness of the atmosphere. The extraordinary beauty of the scenery adds up to everything in Manali. Visitors mostly visit from October to June. People enjoy the scenery and the places here, with the addition of museums and temples, along with little hippie villages and upscale streets. Manali is one of those hill stations that offers trekking permission to individuals.

Darjeeling, West Bengal (Queen of the Himalayas)

It is time that this travel blog takes mention of Darjeeling in West Bengal. The mesmerizing surroundings and views worth seeing, jaw-dropping locales with the old charm of the past make it worth visiting. Acres of lush green tea plantations are spread over a steep mountain ridge, rendering a touch of beauty. This wonderful scenic beauty is one of the perfect spots for family tours and also for sightseeing. People often find it comfortable to visit here from February to March and from September to December, but the temperature remains cool throughout the year.

Auli, Uttarakhand

Let us add some spices to the recipe for backpack travelling. Auli, a remote hill station, is one of the most popular tourist destinations for skiing and other adventurous activities. The trekking in the Garhwal Himalayas is truly enjoyable and also amusing. The snow-capped slopes of beautiful mountains in the background bring up the beauty to quench the thirst of nature lovers. The Trishul Peak is one of the parts Auli is famous for, or rather, known for. Tourists find it comfortable to visit throughout the year, so don't miss a chance to give it a visit.

Mussoorie, Uttarakhand (Queen of Hill Stations)

Mussoorie is the perfect place to visit if you want to witness the beauty of nature in its true form, with tranquil hills as the background. This place delivers a perfect holiday experience for people. This place, also known as the "queen of hills", is located at the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan ranges. The weather is cool and pleasant almost throughout the whole year, but people still prefer to visit here from September to June. The clear climate and pristine beauty make it very popular and a favourite among youngsters. This is the most appropriate place to feel and hug nature from an intimate distance.

Munnar, Kerala

If northern India has the views of the majestic Himalayas to offer, the southern part of India falls no less. Munnar in Kerala is one of the beautiful hill stations in India. Agri-food and beverages like tea are produced in plenty here. The area surrounding the hills offers views of the lush green Western Ghats, numerous waterfalls, lakes, and so on. This place has occupied a special place in the heart of people because of its rich past, beautiful present and favourable future.

Almora, Uttarakhand

If you are not satisfied only with the beauty of nature and want something extra, then it is time to take a look at Almora in Uttarakhand. This place successfully satisfies the position of historical places as well as a hill station. This place is famous for its rich cultural heritage along with the backdrop of natural essence. The view of the Himalayas from this place is simply awesome. The Almora Fort is one of the exhilarating places to visit and understand the rich culture that our country possesses.

Gangtok, Sikkim

This travel blog cannot spare the beauty of the majestic Gangtok hills, in the heart of Sikkim. You can take a glance at the peak of the Kanchenjunga Mountain from here. The wonderful landscape, along with the pristine beauty and winding roads, seems magical through a bird's eye view in a cable car. Other than the hill station, this place is known for being adjacent to Nathula Pass and Rumtek Monastery. People find it comfortable to visit here any time of the year.

Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu

Are you a newly married couple? And are you in hunt of some icy place for your honeymoon? Then Kodaikanal Hill Station along the Palani Hills in Tamil Nadu is the one for you. Kodaikanal is a place with cool and comforting weather, coupled with snow and cloud-capped mountains. The backdrop of beautiful lakes and valleys enhances the beauty of this place. September to May is the best time to visit here for love birds.

Palampur, Himachal Pradesh

Palampur Hill Station in Himachal Pradesh provides a golden opportunity for backpackers. Many trekking activities are also organised here, where the tourists enjoy wholeheartedly. Paragliding and other snow activities are also popular in Palampur. The refreshing climate gives the tourists a great experience of nature and rest from daily life.

Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir

Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir presents the view of majestic snow-covered mountains, lush green valleys, enthralling ravines, evergreen forests, and meadows. The enhanced beauty and charm of this place echo all around. This is also known as the skiing school of India. Take the help of some travel guide and learn skiing when you are coming here for your vacation. This place has cool and calm weather, which makes it best compatible with honeymooners. Tourists visit here more often from October to June. Alpather Lake is one of the attractions of the place and is well known among tourists.

Coorg, Karnataka (Scotland of India)

If you are thinking to skip this blog on travel, then wait for a minute and read through the description of Coorg Hill Station in Karnataka. You will certainly fall for this place. Imagine a misty landscape with mountains by the side. Yes, it is the image of Coorg. It is considered a paradise for a nature lover. This hill is popular for coffee production, as well as for beautiful green hills and quiet streams cutting through them. Not only that, but the traditions and culture are also what make this place popular. A local clan named Kodavas are known for their keen hospitality. October to March is the time tourists make a crowded visit here.

Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra

If you are planning for a trip to some hill station along the Indian peninsula, then Mahabaleshwar is the first name that should cross your mind. It is a popular hill station along the Western Ghats. This place is known as the land of strawberries, but apart from that, it is also famous for numerous rivers, majestic peaks, and magnificent cascades. Along with all these, Mahabaleshwar is also famous for waterfalls. The Chinaman's Falls and the Dhobi Waterfall are some of the beautiful waterfalls which can be found here.

Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

Out of all the places in India, the award for the epitome of beauty always goes to Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. Just like a beautiful painting, the beauty of this place feels like a dream come true. The chilly winds will make a visitor admire this place. It is the capital of Jammu and Kashmir and is located at the banks of the Jhelum River. It is also known to have a cool pleasant climate all around the year. The cool weather helps in comforting the tourists who prefer visiting during April to October. Along with wonderful geographic scenery, Srinagar is also known and famous for the beautiful Dal Lake, Wular Lake, and the Shalimar Bagh, which is always maintained in a presentable condition for the tourists.

Lonavala, Maharashtra

Lonavala Hills in Maharashtra is the only place where tourists visit mostly during monsoons. Although it can be visited throughout the year, during the monsoon, the lakes get filled with clear waters, making the place look more beautiful. Lonavala is close to Pune and Mumbai and is often visited by hikers and trekkers. The Tiger's Fort and the Rajmachi Fort are some of the places Lonavala is well known for.

Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh

Few travel bloggers have taken the name of Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh. Yet, it stands high in the wishlist of many tourists, especially newlywed couples. These hills are often known as the 'Queen of the Satpura Range' or 'Satpura ki Rani'. This place is known for caves like Jata Shankar Caves and Pandava Caves. The Bee Falls along the Pachmarhi Hills will certainly bring out the nature admirer in you. Honeymoon goers mostly hit this place because of the quiet and peaceful setting.

Mount Abu, Rajasthan

This travel blog cannot conclude without the mention of Mount Abu. Rajasthan has only one picturesque hill station and that is Mount Abu. The cool and comfortable climate along with lush green surroundings makes this place an attraction for tourists. The main attraction is the Dilwara Temples. The stunning architecture of the temple, coupled with the backdrop of religious significance, makes this temple a must-visit place in Rajasthan. Tourists mostly visit here from October to March.

Conclusion

Hill stations take people closer to their dreams of touching clouds, of hugging nature from a close distance. So, make the most out of your holidays by hitting any one of the above hill stations on your next vacation.