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Hill Stations In Kerala: 10 Top Kerala Hill Station List

Surabhi Saxena

July 30, 2018

Kerala is a state in South India located on the Malabar Coast. The region has been an exporter of spices as early as 3000 BCE and has been noted in various scriptures for its Ayurvedic system of traditional medicine. Bordered by Lakshadweep sea to the west, God’s own country fascinates people from all over the globe for its unmatched backwaters, beaches, sprawling green paddy fields, coconut trees, coffee, spices and an abundant natural beauty.

Below, we’ll look at 10 prominent hill stations in the state, each complete with stunning features that you simply won’t be able to miss on your trip there.

Also check out: Places to visit in Kerala

10 Amazing Hill Stations In & Near Kerala – 2019 List

Hill Stations Kerala: Complete Guide for Best Hill station In & Near Kerala 

1. Munnar –  The Best Hill Station in Kerala

Munnar is located in the Idukki district of Kerala. A favourite among honeymooners, the place is also called “Kashmir of South India”. Known for its tea plantations spread all over the place, they give you a sight of all shades of green. Munnar engulfs visitors in its charm all around the year, especially during monsoons and winters when the atmosphere gets more romantic and cozy.

Distance from nearest city:

Kochi is 130 km away from Munnar.

Why Visit: Munnar is perfect for a quiet, romantic getaway. Its serene beauty, waterfalls, lakes and trekking trails add a dose of excitement to your journey. What adds to the fascination of Munnar, is the Neelkurinji flower which blooms once in every 12 years!

Best Way To Get There:

By Road – Kerala State Road Transportation Corporation offers bus services from all major cities in Kerala to Munnar. State and private buses also run from Tamil Nadu. Driving to Munnar can be a lot of fun. You can take a road trip from Kochi via Chithrappuzha-Ponjassery Rd and NH85 which will take you to your destination in about 4 hours. Cabs would cost between Rs. 1500 – Rs. 2000.

By Flight – Cochin International Airport is 110 km away from Munnar. Cabs or buses can be taken from here.

Flights operating from New Delhi to Cochin:

• Air India
• Jet Airways
• Indigo
• Spice Jet
• Vistara

Average flight fare costs about Rs. 3800.

By Train – Aluva Railway station is 100 km away from Munnar.

Some trains that operate from New Delhi to Munnar:

• Millenium Express
• Hazrat Nizamuddin – Thiruvananthapuram Central Swarna Jayanti Express
• Kerala Express

Things To Do In Munnar:

• Visit a tea estate
• Stay in a tree house
• Try a Shikara ride
• Take an Ayurvedic Spa session
• Go cycling in the mountains

Places To Visit In Munnar:

• Kundale Dam and Lake
• Eravikulam National Park
• Echo Point
• Chinnakanal Waterfall
• Marayoor
• Blossom Park
• KDHP Museum

Here are some more places to visit in Munnar you shouldn’t miss.

Best Hotels In Munnar:

The Fog Munnar Resort and Spa | Chandy’s Windy Woods | The Tall Trees

2. Wayanad – Exciting Kerala Hill

Dazzling waterfalls, misty mountains, dense rainforests and pre-historic caves, this is Wayanad in a few words. The place not only relaxes your senses but also gives you various opportunities to indulge in thrilling activities.

Distance from nearest city:

Kozhikode is the nearest city at a distance of 110 km from Wayanad.

Why Visit: Wayanad is an idyllic weekend getaway, best to rejuvenate your senses. If you need to take a break from your hectic schedules, you can plan a trip here to explore natural beauty and heritage.

Best Way To Get There:

By Road – KSRTC buses operate frequently from different parts of Kerala and also Karnataka. If you’re planning to drive down, take NH766 from Kozhikode. The travel time will be almost 2.5 hours. Cab fare costs approximately Rs. 2800.

By Flight – Calicut International Airport, Kozhikode is about 98.3 km from Wayanad. Cabs or buses can be taken from there on.

Flights operating from New Delhi to Calicut:

• Indigo
• Air India
• Jet Airways
• Spice Jet

Average flight fare costs about Rs. 4300

By Train – Nearest railway station from Wayanad is Nilambur Road, 51 km away.

Things To Do In Wayanad:

• Night Camping
• Cycling
• Trekking
• Bamboo Rafting
• Wildlife Safari
• Spice tour

Places To Visit In Wayanad:

• Banasura Dam & Hill
• Pookot Lake
• Chembra Peak
• Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
• Edakkal Caves
• Soochipara & Kanthanpara waterfalls
• Chain Tree
• Kuruva Dweep
• Sulthan Bathery
• Thirunelli Temple
• Lakkidi and Neelimala Viewpoint
• Heritage Museum

Best Hotels In Wayanad:

Vythiri Village Resort | The Wave Wayanad | Pepper Trail | Parisons Plantation Experiences | Mount Xanadu Resort

3. Thekkady – Beautiful Hill Station in Kerala

Thekkady is rich in flora and fauna, also because this is where the Periyar National Park is located. The artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar river looks splendid below the misty mountain ranges.

Distance from nearest city:

Kottayam is 114 km from Thekkady.

Why Visit: Thekkady is the best place to visit if you are a wildlife and nature lover. Enjoy a walk amidst the beauty of nature in various spice plantations enveloped in rolling green hills.

Best Way To Get There:

By Road – KSRTC buses are an inexpensive way to travel to Thekkady. Alternatively, you can also take cabs or self-drive while clicking beautiful pictures on your journey. The average fare for a one-way cab from Kottayam to Thekkady is Rs. 1000.

By Flight – Madurai Domestic airport is located at a distance of 136 km from Thekkady. Cochin is the nearest international airport.

Flights from New Delhi to Cochin Airport:

• Indigo
• Spice Jet
• Vistara
• Air India
• Jet Airways

Approximate fare is Rs. 4000.

By Train – Many trains can be taken from New Delhi to Kottayam like Kerala Express, Mangala Lakshadweep SF Express, Kerala Sampark Kranti etc. at an average fare of Rs. 2000.

Things To Do In Thekkady:

• Elephant Safari
• Boat Cruise
• Trekking
• Nature Walks
• Bamboo Rafting

Places To Visit In Thekkady:            

• Periyar National Park
• Vandanmedu
• Kumily
• Murikkady
• Devi Temple
• Pandikuzhi
• Ramakalmedu
• Chellakorvil viewpoint
• Mudra Cultural Centre

Best Hotels In Thekkady:

Grand Thekkady | Living Thekkady | Hotel Ambadi | Shalimar Spice Garden | Niraamaya Retreats | Forest Canopy

4. Vagamon – Serene Kerala Hill

Roads meandering through a dense British-era man-made Pine forest, cascading waterfalls and meadows, rivers and greens carpeting the mountains, Vagamon’s beauty is beyond any expectation. This quaint, out of a fairy-tale hill station is perfect for spending some time away from the maddening crowds. 1100 m above sea level, this is where you can hear  the clouds whisper.

Distance from nearest city:

Vagamon is located at a distance of 15 km from Kottamala and is close to other towns like Thodupuzha, Erattupetta, Palai and Kumily. It is 65 km from Kottayam.

Why Visit: This sleepy town is covered in mist and is home to a variety of flowers and orchids. It is also listed in the National Geographic Traveler directory as the “50 most attractive places to visit in India”. The Meenachil river here is also mentioned in the Booker award-winning “God of Small Things” by Arundhati Roy. The state also holds an international Paragliding festival each year in Vagamon.

Best Way To Get There:

By Road – Take an unforgettable road trip from Kottayam to Vagamon via Ettumanoor – Erattupetta – Poonjar Road and SH14 or via Manarcadu – Kidangoor Rd, Ettumanoor – Erattupetta – Poonjar Rd/Ettumanoor – Pala – Poonjar Rd and SH14. You’ll take about 2 hours to get there. Private cabs and buses are also available.

By Flight – Flights from New Delhi can be taken to Cochin International Airport.

By Train – Kottayam is the nearest railway station to reach Vagamon.

Things To Do In Vagamon:

• Trekking
• Paragliding
• Mountaineering
• Rock climbing

Places To Visit In Vagamon:       

• Pine Forest
• Marmala Waterfall
• Thangalpara
• Barren Hills
• Vagamon Lake
• Ulipooni Wildlife Sanctuary
• Vagamon Meadows
• Kurisumala
• Murugan Mala
• Mundakayam Ghat
• Pattumala Church

Best Hotels In Vagamon:

Vagamon Hideout & Ayurveda Spa | Spice Garden Farm Resort | Holiday Vagamon | The Kissing Mountains | Orion County

5. Ponmudi – Picturesque Hill Station in Kerala

Ponmudi is a picturesque hill station near Thiruvananthapuram with one of the highest peaks in the district, Agasthyarkoodam. Ponmudi provides views of some divine sunrises and sunsets through mountains running parallel to the Arabian sea. Blanketed by frosty mists, the place never fails to amaze you.

Distance from nearest city:

Thiruvananthapuram is 55.1 km away from Ponmudi.

Why Visit: Ponmudi gives you all the essentials for a perfect holiday; an experience you will always remember. It has plentiful wildlife, waterfalls, peaks, rivers and a wilderness every traveller seeks.

Best Way To Get There:

By Road – Take a scenic road journey from Thiruvananthapuram via Thiruvananthapuram – Ponmudi Road. A two-hour journey will lead you there which will be as good as the destination itself. Cabs run at an approx fare of Rs. 2500. Buses can also be another mode of transport

By Flight – Nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

Flights from New Delhi to Thiruvananthapuram:

• Air India
• Indigo
• Jet Airways

Flight fare – Approximately Rs. 4000

By Train – Nearest railway station is in Thiruvananthapuram.

Things To Do In Ponmudi:

• Trekking
• Aaranmula Boat race
• Explore wildlife

Places To Visit In Ponmudi:        

• Golden Valley
• Kallar River
• Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
• Deer Park
• Ponmudi Falls
• Meenmutty Falls
• Agasthyarkoodam peak

Best Hotels In Ponmudi:

KTDC Golden Peak | Duke’s Forest Lodge | Ponmudi Valley Resorts

6. Thenmala – Eco-tourism Keala Hill

Thenmala is famous for being a shooting locale for various Malayalam and Tamil movies. It is also the first planned eco-tourism destination in India. A beautiful artificial lake due to the dam being constructed on the confluence of three rivers has added another point of attraction in this place.

7. Nelliyampathy – Forest Covered Kerala Hill

Nelliyampathy is a hill station within the Nelliyampathy Forest Reserve. The road leading here crosses dense forests and thrilling hairpin turns. The Seetharkundu viewpoint, glimmering water reservoir, streams, and aroma from tea and coffee plantations soothe your nerves for a wonderful getaway.

8. Ranipuram – Greenery Wise Best Hill Station in Kerala

Ranipuram is located in the Kasargod district and the Ranipuram mountain peak is one of the major attractions of this place. An evergreen monsoon vegetation with the Ranipuram peak rising up to a height of 1022 m above sea level particularly attracts avid trekkers.

9. Athirapally – Breathtaking Hill Station in Kerala

If you have an eye for beauty, Athirapally is yet another hill station to go to in Kerala. Its majestic waterfall is often compared to the Niagara Falls and has been featured in many movies like Roja, Dil Se and Guru. It is located in the Thirussur district and is ideal for any nature lover.

10. Peermade – Historical Kerala Hill

Peermade also spelt as Peerumedu is a small hill station named after Sufi Saint Peer Mohammed. The hill station is a window into the lives of ancient tribes in Kerala and was once the summer retreat of the Maharaja of Travancore. Various archaeological excavations  have unearthed  cultural remnants of an ancient Neolithic culture that flourished here. The landscape of this place includes mighty waterfalls, open grasslands and pine forests that lure travellers.

If your wanderer spirit is still not satisfied, here are more hill stations you can check out for your trip to Kerala.

• Pathanamthitta
• Devikulam
• Kalpetta
• Silent Valley
• Mattupetty
• Ayyampuzha
• Charalkunnu
• Idukki
• Nilambur
• Gavi