5 Best Hill Stations in Kerala

Kerala state is blessed with the verdant mountains of the Western Ghats and the evergreen tropical forests and tranquil climate. The state is dotted with more than 50 hill stations, which makes it a perfect storehouse of hill stations. We have listed here the best 5 hill stations of the state.

Munnar:

Munnar Hill Station

Munnar is a heavenly beautiful hill station of the state, located at an elevation of about 1,600 m above sea level. This hill station in Idukki district is situated at the confluence of three rivers and is also known for its exceptional shades of greenery. Here, you can experience the true beauty of nature with the verdant landscapes, beautiful waterfalls, amazing vistas, verdant valleys, lush tea plantations and picturesque mountains coupled with the salubrious climate that the town is blessed with. It is also called as the natural spa of Kerala.

The hill station offers a lot to explore the mountains, the streams, the waterfalls, valleys, the colonial bungalows, the wildlife sanctuaries, the hamlets, and a wide variety of flora and fauna for its visitors. This hilly town is also a great place for trekking.

The famous places like the Echo Point, Tata Tea Museum, Rajamalai National Park, Devikulam, Attukal Waterfalls are the must visit places in the city. The main nearby tourist places to visit are Pothamadu (6kms), Pallivasal (8kms), Attukal (9kms), Nyaymakad (10kms) and Mattupetty (13kms). These places boast of their great scenic beauty, waterfalls, trekking trails, lakes and dams. There are also many exciting places to visit near Munnar like Top Station, where the famous Neelakurinji blooms once in 12 years, Marayoor, which is known for its abundant sandalwood, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Eravikulam National Park that offer great view of the diverse wildlife of South India.

The best time to visit will be from October to November and also from January to May when it is comfortably cold. The nearest railway station is at Aluva at about 108 kms and the nearest airport is Cochin International Airport.

Vythiri:

Vythiri Hill Station

Vythiri is a picturesque hill station in Wayanad district located at an elevation of about 1,300m above sea level. The hill station is known for its scenic beauty. The green-clad rolling hills, the cascading Kabini River and rich avifauna makes the place a perfect holiday destination of the state. The wavy mountains here give a great trekking opportunity and the travellers can even enjoy rafting, boating and angling activities along with exploring the majestic landscape beauty of the place. The main attractions in Vythiri are temples and Neolithic age Edakkal Caves.

The hill station has vast areas of spice plantations, lush dense forests and rich cultural traditions, of the tribal communities. The best places to visit here are Karalad Lake, Lakkidi, and Pookot Lake. The season time to visit is from October to May. The nearest railway station and airport is at Calicut.

Nelliyampathy:

Nelliyampathy Hill Station

Nelliyampathy is beautiful small hill station situated 60 kms from Palakkad district. The deep forest, breathtaking nature views, waterfalls during rainy season attracts travellers from all parts. Some of the hills here especially Seethakundu has cliffs overlooking the panoramic valley below. The height of the hills ranges from 467 m to 1572 m above sea level and the pass have a dominant influence on the climate of the region. The hills of Nelliyampathy are also well known for its tea, coffee, pepper and orange cultivation.

To reach Nelliyampathy, you have to take the road starting from Nenmara that proceeds to the Pothundy Dam. The Dam is a good picnic spot with facilities for boating. There are about 10 hairpin bends to the top. In these bends, there are many viewpoints from where the vast stretches of Palakkad district are visible with its extensive paddy fields. It also offers a splendid view of the Palakkad Gap, which is a geographical phenomenon in the Western Ghats formation in this region.

Seetharkundu is another main place to visit here, where you can have an eye-catching valley view, along with a 100 m high waterfall. The hill station is also suited for Trekking, Jeep Safari, Bird and Animal Watching. From Palagapandy, you can trek or go by jeep to reach Mampara; another breathtaking scenic spot. The area in and around Palagapandy estate has tea, cardamom and coffee plantations with adjoining hills allowing one to catch a glimpse of the wildlife in the form of Indian gaur, elephants, leopards, giant squirrel etc. and is also a paradise for birdwatchers.

The best time to visit is from September to May. It is better to avoid monsoons. The nearest railway station is at Palakkad and the nearest airport is at Coimbatore International Airport about 55 kms from Palakkad.

Vagamon:

Vagamon Hill Station

Vagamon is a hill station situated in Kottayam-Idukki border of Idukki district.This beautiful hill station is located at an elevation of 1,100 m above sea level. The place is comprised of a beautiful series of hillocks, valleys and cascading waterfalls which make it an ideal getaway for tourists. For adventure seekers, there is an option of trekking, para gliding or rock climbing.

The hill station has a chain of 3 beautiful hills called Thangal hill, Murugan hill and Kurismala important for Muslims, Hindus and Christians respectively give an enchanting spiritual feel to this beautiful hill station. The place is unique as it provides its visitors a perfect place for meditation.

The best season time to visit is from March to May. The nearest railway station is at Kottayam, about 75 km from Peermede and the nearest airport is Cochin International airport.

Ponmudi:

Ponmudi Hill Station

Ponmudi is a hill station in Thiruvananthapuram district. This is an enchanting hill resort with narrow winding pathways and cool, green environs. The hill station is about 61 kms distance from the capital city. This is located at about 1,100 m above sea level. Along with a beautiful array of mountain flowers, exotic butterflies and small streams, the hill station offers excellent opportunities for trekking.

The main tourist attractions of the place are Golden Valley-river Kallar, Meenmutty waterfalls,and Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary. The best time to visit is from October to March. The nearest railway station and airport is at Thiruvananthapuram.

There are many budget holiday rental accommodations such as resort, guest houses, homestays, and cottages near to these hill stations offering comfortable stay for its travellers. You must visit these tourist destinations to get immersed into the enchanting beauty of region and treasure unforgettable memories.