20 Beautiful Hill Stations In India You Will Love To Visit!
Today, these hill towns spread across India are some of the top tourist places to travel to in India in summer, and they are also very popular choices for honeymoon. Mentioned below are some of the best hill stations in India to plan your summer escape.
1. Shimla: The Queen of Hills
Gone are the days of British Raj but its shadows are still found in Shimla. Located deep in the foothills of Himalayas, Shimla is located at an altitude of 2159 meters (7000 feet approx.) and is one of the most popular hill resorts in India. The entire city is strung across a single ridge with sharp hillsides surrounded by pine deodar, oak, and rhododendron forests stretched out in all directions.
It is the long winding main street called Mall where most of the action takes place in Shimla. The town is renowned for a host of splendid colonial edifices and quaint cottages with characteristic Victorian architecture.
2. Ooty: The Jewel of the Nilgiris
Established as the summer capital of Madras by the British, Ooty is a bustling hill station in the Nilgiri Mountain Range in Tamil Nadu. Although the heart of this hill town is crowded due to the spurt in tourism, the treasures of Ooty are located deep inside and on remote corners. Well-manicured parks & gardens, temples, sunset points, Raj era bungalows and verdant surroundings dotted with pines and moss are Ooty’s charm.
3. Darjeeling: The Black Tea Capital
Darjeeling is best known for its Mountain Railways, a World Heritage site, and the world class tea plantations. Perched on a mountain ridge at the elevation of 6, 710 fee, the hill station offers some awe-inspiring views of the Himalayan peaks. Darjeeling is soothing to the eyes, refreshing to the mind, and uplifting for the soul.
4. Mount Abu: The Oasis Hill Station
A haven in the desert kingdom of Rajasthan, Mount Abu with its verdant setting, salubrious weather and various lakes & waterfalls is unlike anywhere else in the state. Perched on the Aravali Hill Range at an altitude of 1164 meters, Mount Abu is home to more than 80 Jain and Hindu temples and shrines with the Jain Temples at Delwara attracting the lion share of tourists.
5. Lonavala: A Walk above the Clouds
This charming hill station near Mumbai and Pune is a verdant delight. Here you literally walk on the clouds as they soar beneath you. You can embark on nature walks and hikes and there are places of historical interest too. This hill station is best visited in July and August upon the arrival of monsoon making it one of the top places to visit in India during monsoon.
6. Almora: The Verdant Kumaon
This is a gem of a place nestled in the Kumaon Himalayas in Uttarakhand. Relatively unexplored and less popular among tourists - and that is where its allure lies - Almora has offered rejuvenating and inspiring refuge to the likes of Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekanand who sought the sanctuary of this picturesque place. Almora is a place where you go to do nothing and seek bliss and inspiration through communion with nature. It is one of the finest weekend getaways from Delhi.
7. Matheran: The Pristine Beauty
Matheran is one of the rare hill stations in India where vehicles are entirely banned from entering. This move has worked wonders to keep this hill station in Maharashtra - one of the sought after weekend getaways from Mumbai and Pune - to maintain its pristine settings. One could reach this hill station through the narrow gauge Matheran Railways and pony rides are also available.
8. McLeodganj: The Mini Tibet in India
The seat of the Tibetan Government in Exile, McLeodganj in Himachal Pradesh, is a pastoral delight. Perched on a horseshoe-shaped ridge in the Dauladhar Range of Himalayas, McLeodganj is where many worlds and cultures co-exist. Right from the Tibetans, to the British who have stayed back, and the modern hippies and global nomads in this bustling town you are in a truly global village.
9. Binsar: Romance with Nature
Binsar is a less heard of charming hill station shrouded in pine forests and hemmed in by the mighty Himalayan peaks. The hillstation is your ticket to bliss. Almost cut off from civilization (as soon as you enter Binsar Wildlife Reserve), Binsar is an ideal place for nature walks, birdwatching, and simply doing nothing. It is also favored by artists and writer as they come seeking inspiration from the nature in the hills.
10. Gangtok: The Delight of the North East
Located in the Indian state of Sikkim, Gangtok is a serene and captivating hill station famous for its charming valleys and majestic monasteries. It is a bustling and friendly hill station which is flocked by tourists from all around the world. The hill town is quite popular among trekking enthusiasts. Some popular tourist places in Gangtok include Flower Show, Banjhakri Hills, Tashi View Point, Tsongmo Lake and Rumtek Monastery.
11. Kodaikanal: The Pride of Tamilnadu
One of the finest hill stations of Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal is located in the Palani hill range in the southern part of India. It is located at a height of 7,200 square feet above sea level and offers picturesque views of the Western Ghats. It is encompassed by enchanting waterfalls, beautiful lakes, and several other attractions like the Guna Caves.
12. Shillong: The Road Less Travelled
The capital city of Meghalaya, Shillong is a hill town perched at a height of 1496 meters above sea level. It was the capital of Assam before the separate state of Assam was formed in 1974. It has a very cool climate throughout the year. The Umiam Lake, Ward’s Lake, and the Elephant Waterfalls are some of the tourist attractions in Shillong.
13. Munnar: Of Teas and Twists
Located at the confluence of three mountain valleys- Mudrapuzha, Nallathani, and Kundala-Munnar is one of the enchanting hill stations in Kerala. Cascading mountain streams, cardamom hills, expansive tea plants, enchanting valleys, wooded & grass hills are counted amongst the major attractions in Munnar.
14. Nainital: The Capital of Lakes and Hills
One of the best tourist places in India, Nainital is well-known for its picturesque beauty, enchanting lakes and green hills. There are several mountain peaks and prehistoric temples which offer amazing views of the mountains in the backdrop. Some popular places here include China Peak, Tiffin Top and Naini Lake.
15. Araku: The Lesser Known Hill Station in Andhra Pradesh
If you are looking to get away from the humid heat of the South, then Araku in Andhra Pradesh with its scenic setting, salubrious weather, and breathtaking landscape is one of the ideal places to escape to. Located at an altitude of 1300 meters and spread across 36 kilometers, Araku is an ideal getaway for adventure enthusiasts, family vacationers as well as those looking for a romantic holiday in the hills.
16. Aru Valley: Enjoy the Beauty of Kashmir
Located at an elevation of 2,424 meters, the Aru Valley in Kashmir is best visited for its tranquil and verdant surroundings. Nearby lakes, the view of the towering Himalayas, and lush meadows add to the romance of the Aru Valley. In fact, Aru Valley together with Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam is one of the popular honeymoon destinations in Kashmir. It is also a favored destination for trekkers and adventure enthusiasts as it serves as the base for the Kolahoi Glacier and the Tarsar Marsar lake.
17. Auli: The Skiing Destination in India
One of the finest ski destinations in India, Auli is renowned for its lush meadows dotted with oak and dense coniferous forests and spectacular views of the Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Mana Paravat, and Kamat. During summers, Auli serves as the base of several Himalayan treks that include the Col Auden trek and the Valley of Flower and the Hemkund Trek. Auli is also home to the largest ropeway ride in Asia.
18. Amarkantak: The Pilgrimage Hill Station
An important pilgrimage site, Amarkantak also happens to be one of the finest hill stations in Madhya Pradesh. This sylvan hill town is dotted with forests and ponds. The picturesque setting and air of quietude is one of the reasons why you should visit Amarkantak. Amarkantak also happens to be the meeting point of the Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges as well as the source of Sone and Narmada river. One of the main attractions in Amarkantak is Kabir Chabutra where the poet saint Kabir is said to have meditated.
19. Bhandara: Not Bandra!
A lesser known holiday hill resort located near Mumbai, Bhandara is a cool respite from the humid heat of Maharashtra during summer. Sitting by the Pravara River, Bhandardara is blessed with scenic surroundings, gurgling waterfalls, lush hills, and tranquil environment. Bhandara is also renowned for several short treks in Western Ghats and considered an ideal weekend getaway from Mumbai as well as a preferred destination for family holidays in Maharashtra.
20. Bhimtal
One of the fine offbeat places to visit near Delhi, Bhimtal is located close to the popular hill town Nainital. Situated at an altitude of 1370 meters, Bhimtal owes its name to the lake situated here as well as to Bhim, the legendary hero of the Indian epic Mahabharata. It is said that the lake was built by Bhim when he visited this place. An old Shiva temple is located by the bank of the lake which was supposedly built by Bhim during the period of the Pandavas’ exile. Bhimtal is best visited for its scenic setting and spectacular vistas.
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