Indian Top 35 Hill Stations

India has fascinated millions of people from the various geographical locations of the world, to visit the country, where many religions were born and flourished. It is a land of varied diversity, where over a billion people speak more than 700 languages, sync together to prosper as a nation. There are numerous tourist destinations in the country. With “Athiti Devo Bhava” (Guests are Gods) as the prime lesson being taught in each household. It is one of the most tourist-friendly nations in the world.

The hills have been successful in holding up the century-old traditions and cultures that have prospered the lives of the people in Incredible India. India is dotted with the awe-inspiring hills all over the country starting right up from Jammu and Kashmir to Tamil Nadu, encapsulating over 20 mountain ranges.

There are many hill station tours in India to choose from, but the problem remains which one to select. In a country with over 20 mountain ranges, choosing a hill station can be a very challenging task. Here is a list of the popular hill stations in India categorized by the part of the country you decide to visit.

The travel & tourism in the northern part of the nation is dominated by the Himalayas, offering everyone a chance to get spellbound by the grandeur of the peaks and picturesque landscape, which one cannot ignore.

The most visited Hill stations in North India are as follows:

1- Nainital

Based in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand surrounding the volcanic lake Nani, Nainital is adored by millions and is often referred as the ‘Lake District’ of India. It is a destination for all, whether you are looking for a perfect family outing, or a romantic getaway. It is well connected by the major cities and offers a lot to rejuvenate your body and soul. Nainital Mountaineering Club; the name is enough to cheer the adrenaline seekers. With the variety of treks and the picturesque locations, Nainital is surely a must visit location.

2- Shimla

The once summer capital of the British, now the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is surely a delight for the eyes. With its spectacular vista, Shimla is a region that is highly appreciated for its ethnic culture and eternal beauty. “Nati”, a local form of dance could be seen performed by the ever-friendly jubilant locals. Shimla is also an architectural paradise, flaunting many splendid colonial architecture buildings.

3- Manali

It is a retreat in Himachal Pradesh, well known for its bewitching beauty and   numerous adrenaline pumping activities.  From Heli Skiing to the Temples, it has a varied diversity of everything. Manali is also renowned as the “Prime Honeymoon destination”, of India. Last but not the least, it the starting point of the most fascinating and enthralling highways in India – The Leh-Manali Highway.

4-  Kullu

Kullu is known as the ‘Valley of Gods’. It has many mystical stories attached to its existence. Kullu and Manali are two twin hill stations that are flooded by the tourists throughout the year. Kullu is adorned by many beautiful scrapped temples and festivals. The grandeur and the vicinity of the Himalayas over-awe every single person who has ever visited this magnificent place.

5- Mussoorie

Mussoorie perched in Uttarakhand, is famed as the “Queen of Hills”. It is an extremely beautiful hill station to explore. While glaring over Dehradun, Mussoorie provides the “déjà-vu” missing out in one’s life. An evening walk on the Mall Road is enough to entangle you to get “relocated to Mussoorie” and cherish long-lasting memories.  Flooded with many top boarding schools of India, Mussoorie is a tourist and education hub of Uttarakhand . The beauty of the hills has even captivated the celebrated writer like Ruskin Bond. The travel destinations near Mussoorie are Dhanaulty, Dehradun, Rishikesh and so on.

6- Almora

The beauty of the hills has captivated millions including Swami Vivekananda, who meditated here and wrote some of his popular speeches. It has provided a sanctuary for the people who visit the hills to find solace from the monotony of life. It was the serenity of the picturesque landscape that helped Rabindranath Tagore and many others in their conquest to rejuvenate the lost sparks of their lives.

7-  Chamba

Chamba valley is a picture-perfect hill station in Himachal. There are many mystical and historical past connected to the valley. It is dotted by many temples most of them dedicated to Lord Narayan “the most versed deity” in Hinduism. Chamba is a paradise for the ardent nature lovers and enthusiasts. The captivating view of the wonderful mountain ranges that surround the valley is simply irreplaceable.

8-  Badrinath

Embellished with many spiritual treasures, it is the one of the most pious pilgrimage points in India.Badrinath apart from being a pilgrimage place also facilitates many mountaineering and trekking expeditions.  It is the vista apart from the temples that provides unmatchable silence for meditating and finding comfort.

9- Ranikhet

Built entirely by the Britishers, Ranikhet accounts for the beauty of fauna and topography of the Himalayas. It provides a very calm atmosphere for the visitors to relax. Britishers were captivated by its beauty to an extent that they thought of naming it as the summer capital instead of Shimla.

10- Gulmarg

Gulmarg or “Meadow of Flowers” is nothing less than a fantasy place coming straight out of your dreams. The valley is 3km long and a kilometre wide. It is filled with beautiful blueberries, daisies and many other flowers that lighten up your mood. It also has a popular golf resort and renowned as a prime skiing destination.

The most visited Hill Stations in East India are as follows:

11-  Darjeeling

Darjeeling is also known as the dreamland of the east. Its natural beauty is enough to lure a tourist and keep him captivated all his or her life. The hill station has many exotic waterfalls, hills blossoming with flowers of every shade, and the tea gardens. The Darjeeling Tea is one of the most popular teas in the world.

12-  Gangtok

It is the capital of Sikkim. Gangtok is one of most serene and captivating cities in the world. Gangtok offers a lot of adventure thrilled activities. The scenic view of the five peaks of Kanchenjunga makes its topography really breath-taking.

13-  Kalimpong

Kalimpong is a live example of Colonial Architecture in India. The place is replete with many monasteries and churches. It has a very peaceful and calm atmosphere, where the hustle and bustle is only limited to the local “bazars” (market). Kalimpong is renowned for its beautiful orchids and nurseries that produce flowering plants.

14-  Shillong

The topography of Shillong has compelled the folks to call it the “Scotland of the East”. It is the capital of the India state of Meghalaya. It has one of the largest golf courses of Asia.  The awe-inspiring beauty of the lakes in Shillong couldn’t be expressed in words.

15-  Tawang

Tawang lies in the state of Arunanchal Pradesh. It has India’s biggest Tibetan Monastery, and is a holy place for the Buddhism Pilgrimage.  It is filled with numerous monasteries, nunneries, waterfalls, hot water springs and pristine lakes.

16- Mirik

Jeweled with tea estates and orange orchards, Mirik is one of the mesmerizing hill stations in West Bengal. It is a place of remarkable natural beauty and the grandeur.  The reflection of Kanchanjunga Peak in the crystal-clear lakes will certainly captivate your attention.

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The most adored Hill Stations in West India are as follows:

17-  Khandala

It is one of the hill stations in Maharashtra that has attracted many tourists. It   is very well connected to the cities of Pune and Mumbai. There are many beautiful caves, mountains and waterfalls that when mixed with the greenery of the hill station is one vista that anyone cannot afford to miss.

18-  Lonavala

It is the twin hill station to Khandala. It is famous worldwide for the sweet “chikkis” that are made here. It has many caves, lakes and waterfalls. Karla caves are the must visit caves as they have connections to the Buddhism dating back to the 9th Century.

19-  Mahabaleshwar

Mahabelashwar is the perfect tourist destination in the state of Maharashtra. It is a most visited hill station of the state.  There are umpteen numbers of lakes offering an opportunity to the visitors to try their hand in boating and fishing.

20-  Matheran

It is Asia’s only automobile free hill station, providing the cleanest and freshest air and atmosphere to dwell in. The most mesmerizing part of the trip is the toy train ride from Neral to Matheran that covers the entire topography of the hill station.

21-  Panchgani

Panchgani is the most popular hill station of Maharashtra. It is surrounded by the 5 hills from which Panchgani has derived its name. It is a marvellous spectacle of old British and Parsi homes. The prime landscape of Panchgani is the sight of the river Krishna from the Table Land a famous flat mountain range.

22-  Mount Abu

Apart from being the only hill station in Rajasthan, it is also the summer capital of the state. Mount Abu is renowned worldwide for the Dilwara Jain Temples. It offers many breathtaking sunsets points, from where you could cement the bond of love with your loved ones. Being close to Gujarat, it offers a good variety of Rajasthani and Gujarati handlooms, textiles, artifacts and the list goes on.

23-  Panhala

Panhala though being the smallest city in Maharashtra holds a very prominent place in the history of the state. It is the place to visit if you want to study the history or the culture of the great Marathas in detail. The pollution-free atmosphere of Panhala offers a very pleasant and cool climate that makes your stay very calm and peaceful.

24-  Saputara 

Apart from being the only hill station in Gujarat, it definitely is its “Aankhon Ka Taara”. It is the one place you should visit, if you want to enjoy the monsoons. The place is full of lush-green forests, enchanting waterfalls etc. The picturesque landscape of Saptura leaves everyone spellbound.

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The must visit Hill Stations in South India are as follows:

25- Munnar

Munnar, located in Kerala, is one place known for its well-preserved natural beauty of the virgin forests. The environment and climate of Munnar are very salubrious that compels you to just chill and relax. There are waterfalls, coffee gardens and scenic valleys where you can stroll and have the ultimate time of your life.

26- Aruku Valley

Aruku lies in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The magic of the valley could be felt right from the moment when you take the road to Aruku through the dense forests. The hill station is surrounded with the dense forests. The calm environment of this hill station will certainly help you to knock your stress.   A trail to the Sangda Waterfall is said to be the one of the most beautiful trails you will ever come across in your life.

27-  Coonoor

Coonoor is a most charming hill station of the Nilgiri Mountain Range in Tamil Nadu. It has got it’s the name from the Kurinji Flowers that are found on the mountain slopes.  The hill station is also renowned for its aromatic teas. Trekking and hiking are the two popular adventure activities that the visitors can indulge in apart from bird watching.

28- Coorg

Known as the “Kashmir of South”, what more reason one requires for visiting Coorg. The hill station is located in Karnataka. It is famous around the world for the variety of coffee and tea plantations.  The landscape of the hill station is very mesmerizing with pleasant climate throughout the year.

29-  Devikulam

Devikulam is located in Kerala, just 16km (approx) form Munnar. It is mostly visited by the tourists to enjoy the picturesque landscapes and the mineral water springs. It has many legends associated with Devikulam Lake, which gives the hill station its name.

30- Idukki

Idukki is one hill station of Kerala known for its exotic flora and fauna. It has several well protected sanctuaries.  It is renowned worldwide for the Periyar Tiger Reserve that is an abode of many animals. Apart from the sanctuaries, the place is very peaceful and quite, offering tourists a unique relaxing experience.

31- Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal is located in the state of Tamil Nadu and is often called “Kodai”. It is well-known for its spices, homemade chocolates, herbal teas and coffees, oils and the orchids. The landscape of Kodai has compelled people to call it the “Princess of Hills”.

32-  Ooty

Ooty or Ootacamund is the capital of the Nilgiris. It is famous for the picturesque picnic spots, but; still the chief attraction remains the mile long tea gardens. Whether you are a kid or an adult, nobody skips the Nilgiri Toy Train ride. It takes you along the picturesque topography of the Nilgiris.

33-  Peermade

Peermade gets its name from the famous Sufi saint Peer Mohammad who is said to have visited the hills. It is known throughout the world for its marvelous medical treatments. The scenic vista is over-awed by the fragrance of Cardamom that trails throughout the hills.

34- Nandi Hills

Nandi Hills known as the sunrise hills of Karnataka, offers the chance to see the memorable   sunrise one can ever witness. The hill station is blessed with pleasant climate throughout the year. The monsoons are the most spectacular time of year in Nandi, as the hills are all covered up by the mists, giving it a mystical sense.

35- Horsley Hills

Horsley Hills is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Andhra Pradesh. They have a very picturesque and eye soothing landscape. It is one hill station that vouches for the relaxation it provides to the tourists.

Truly a visit to all these hill stations of India will certainly refresh your mind and provide unforgettable memories.   The country is flooded with innumerable tourist places and hill stations; this will give you a golden opportunity to discover the places that you have only seen in your dreams or on the television sets.