16 Best Hill Stations in India for Your Next Vacation

India is a place that witnesses almost every season and terrain there is in this world. From snow to desert, from lands to mountains, from rivers to oceans, from harsh summer to the coldest winters and so much more. You can keep on exploring and it will never end. So if you are planning on checking off some of the hill stations of your bucket list then we are here to add some more uncommon hill stations that are yet to be explored by the majority. Here is the list of the most beautiful and the best Hill Stations in India that will mesmerize your brain and heart to the core. We have hand-picked these hill stations from north, south, east, west and central India and also listed their specific and unique attractions, adventure sports, and “things to do” so that you get to witness the beauties from different regions according to your preference for your perfect winter or summer holiday getaway.

So take a look at this list of the beautiful Top 16 Most Beautiful Hill Stations of India and grow your love of mountains to the peak:

4 Best Hill Stations of Central and West India

1. Matheran (Maharashtra)

This breathtakingly beautiful hill station is situated in the Western ghats, 8800 meters above sea level. The best time to visit Matheran is during the rainy season which adds up to the lush greenery of the place. This place will provide you a whole package of temples, mountain points, lakes, parks, waterfall and local crafts and edibles for shopping.

Things To Do:

1. Eco friendly, low pollution and no traffic or vehicle rush due to an initiative taken by the Maharashtra government.
2. Matheran is the smallest hill station in India and you can actually explore the place on foot.
3. Go aboard the Neral Matheran toy train to witness the beauty of the place.
4. Apart from your basic hiking and picnics, you can do rock-climbing, night-trek, parasailing, paragliding, jungle camping, horse riding, and waterfall rappelling.

2. Saputara (Gujarat)

Yet another gemstone from the western ghats is this beauty located in the Sahyadris range in the Western Ghats. This hill station lies 875 meters above sea level and lies almost on the Gujarat-Maharashtra border.

Things To Do:

1. If you believe in snake supremacy, then this is the perfect place for you as Saputura literally means “habitat of snakes” and the tribes here worship snakes.
2. Get lost in the Aravalem caves and get closer to the wildlife in the Purna wildlife sanctuary.
3. Here, you can experience gondola cruises, mountain biking, zipline, ropeway and the most amazing zorbing.

3. Mount Abu (Rajasthan)

If you are someone who enjoys a rather dry and sunny hill station, then this “oasis in the desert” is for you. Mount Abu is located on a high rock plateau in the Aravali ranges in Rajasthan near the Gujarat border. The place is famous for the Dilawara Jain Temples which are famous for their stunning architecture. Although it is a hub for more than 80 Hindu and Jain temples which holds thousands of years of history, it also houses waterfalls, lakes, forest and so much more.

Things To Do:

1. This place hosts a 3-day summer festival which incorporates the world-famous Rajasthani folk dance and music.
2. Apart from the basic hill station attractions, it also has forts, thanks to Rajasthan (duh!).
3. The highest peak of Aravali Range, Guru Shikhar lies in Mount Abu.
4. While here, you can also engage in some animal love by visiting the Mount Abu wildlife sanctuary.
5. In adventure activities, this place provides basic trekking, hiking, rock-climbing, camping, ropeways, and spelunking.

4. Pachmarhi (Madhya Pradesh)

This next hill station known as “Satpura ki Rani” (Queen of Satpura) lies in the Satpura Range and is listed in the UNESCO biosphere reserve for its flora and fauna. Pachmarhi lies at an altitude of 1100 meters and houses one of India’s highest waterfalls- Rajat Prapat.

Things To Do:

1. Satpura Tiger Reserve lies here.
2. It houses the Pandava Caves which are believed to be built by the 5 Pandavas during their exile with Draupadi.
3. Apart from the scenic beauty and sightseeing, you can enjoy para-motoring, waterfall-trekking, zip-lining, horse-riding, ATV ride, and land-parasailing.
4. This place also houses the Jatashankar Caves known to hold a giant Shiva-Lingam.

4 Best Hill Stations of East India

5. Kalimpong- Darjeeling  (West Bengal)

Situated in the foothills of the Great Himalaya, near the Teesta river is this hill station touched by the old British, Tibetan, and Buddhist essence in its architecture like churches, monasteries, and missionaries. This home of the Lepcha tribe lies at around 1250 meters above sea level and provides a panoramic view of nature.

Things To Do:

1. Visit cactus nurseries if you love low-maintenance plants.
2. This place has a science centre for the geek inside you and tea gardens for the caffeine lover inside you.
3. Feel the Buddhist, Tibetan, and British vibes by exploring all the architectural wonders like the churches, monasteries, and missionaries.
4. Indulge in white water rafting and paragliding, the most attractive offerings of the hill station.

6. Shillong (Meghalaya)

Shillong is the capital of one of the 7 sisters of the north-eastern state of Meghalaya. Situated 1525 meters above sea level, this place is a heaven with mountains and crisscrossed walking trails amidst them. And if you love rains, then this place is going to show you heavy rains and a perfect mountainous aura with caves, waterfalls, lakes, and beautiful landscapes.

Things To Do:

1. If you love exploring different cultures, then do visit Don Bosco centre for indigenous cultures that display beautifully the native culture of the place.
2. Visit India’s very own Grand Canyon, the Laitlum canyons.
3. Try golfing, river canyoning, kayaking, cliff jumping, archery, mountain biking and so much more.

7. Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh)

Situated at an elevation of 3050 meters in the eastern sister state Arunachal, Tawang is a snowy heaven on earth. This tiny Himalayan town is one of the most explored tourist destinations in northeastern India. It is an important town from the religious point of view as it houses few of the oldest Buddhist monasteries. Apart from that, the place is a perfect combination of white ice and colorful Tibetan prayer flags that fill the place.

Things To Do:

1. Indulge in meditation and peace at the 400 years old and the largest Buddhist monasteries of India.
2. If tall mountains fascinate you, then Tawang houses the tallest mountain peak of Arunachal that is Gorichen peak standing beautifully at 6858 meters tall.
3. For winter lovers, the coldest place of the state is situated in Tawang that is Sela pass.
4. For adventure lovers, the place offers wildlife safari, skiing, rock climbing, trekking, and paragliding.

8. Lachen (Sikkim)

Situated at an elevation of 2750 meters above sea level, this pretty town situated in the northern Sikkim is famous for its deep and beautiful valleys. Lachen literally means “Long Pass” or “Big Pass” and you can complete your trip to the place by visiting the hill station 50 km away, Lachung that means “Small Pass”. The whole place is a panoramic view of the Himalayas, valleys, and exotic wildlife.

Things To Do:

1. This is one hill station where you can try a hot spring.
2. Lachen forms the base to the Chopta valley, Muguthang trek and Gurudongmar Lake.
3. Visit the Kanchenjunga National Park and monasteries.
4. Ride the yak, paraglide, trek and hike while sight-seeing and exploring the unique fauna and flora.

4 Best Hill Stations of North India

9. Suru Valley (Ladakh)

This valley lies in the Kargil district of Ladakh and got its name from the Suru River (a tributary of the Indus River) flowing through it. The natural beauty of this place is untouched and mesmerizing. Suru valley lies at a height of 3,000 meters above sea level at the feet of the Great Himalayas.

Things To Do:

1. Explore the many picnic spots and holy shrines.
2. The place house Buddhist villages, 200 years old Rangdum Monastery, forts, and “Ladakhs Gulmarg- Sankoo village”.
3. Trekking is the best way to find your adventure at this place.

10. Chail (Himachal Pradesh)

This beauty of a place from the state of so many beautiful hill stations lies at an altitude of 2,250 km above sea level. Surrounded by a dense deodar forest and mostly covered in snow blanket, Chail will provide peace to your soul. Along with that, witness beautiful temples, palaces, waterfalls, and wildlife parks.

Things To Do:

1. Explore the beauty of the age-old virgin forests and pine and deodar forests.
2. Visit the famous Chail palace from the British era built by Maharaa of Patiala.
3. Set up a camp, do rock climbing, horse riding, and trek your way deep into the place.

11. Kedarkantha (Uttarakhand)

In the list of the most amazing hill stations of India, we have brought a literal mountain peak of the Himalayas situated at a height of 12,500 meters, the Kedarkantha. If you are a Shiva devotee, chances are that you have already heard of this place as the name of the place literally means “The throat of Lord Shiva” and this place is a dream for all the Mahadev bhakts.

Things To Do:

1. The peak is situated in the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarkashi, a place to visit in itself.
2. For all the trekkers out there, the 4-day winter trek to the peak starts from the village of Sankri and is like a treat for the trekkers apart from all the jaw-dropping beauty of the place covered in endless snow and literal snow grounds.
3. At the peak, meet the stone sheeted Shiva shrine.
4. The place is immensely famous among trekkers and mountaineers for its winter trek that single-handedly revolutionized winter treks in the country.

12. Doodhpathri (Jammu Kashmir)

Jammu Kashmir is an overall heaven on earth and it was difficult to choose only one hill station from the place. But this bowl-shaped valley Doodhpathri made to the list which lies 2730 meters above the sea level in the Pir Panal Range of the Himalayas in the Budgam district. The literal meaning of the name Doodhpathri is “Valley of Milk” and the place got its name because of white appearance of the water flowing in the area.

Things To Do:

1. Witness the pine valleys and lush green meadows.
2. Experience the raw beauty by hiking or trekking through the place.

4 Best Hill Stations of South India

13. Munnar (Kerala)

If you are a tea lover, then this place is for you because it has been producing tea leaves in their exotic tea gardens since forever. This region is around 1500 meters above sea level. The literal meaning os Munnar is “Moonu aar” meaning three rivers that are- Madupetti, Nallathanni and Periavaru.

Things To Do:

1. Visit Eravikulam National park, Kundala lake, Mattupetti dam and indo-swiss farm, Devikulam Sri Ayyappan Temple, Thangaiah caves, Periyakanel-Lakkam and Naimakkadu waterfalls, Anayirangal dam, do trekking upon the Rajmala hills and Chokarmudy, Atukkad waterfalls, Blossom park, Chithirapuram for residing in cottages, Pothamedu village to witness coffee and cardamom vegetation.
2. Hike towards the Anamudi peaks, the highest peak in the south of the Himalayas.
3. Take a tour around the Eravikulam and Mathikettan National park, Thattekkad bird sanctuary, Carmelagiri Elephant park, and Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary.
4. For tea lovers they have- Lockhart tea park and museum and Tata tea park and museum.
5. For adventure lovers, they have- trekking, rock-climbing, boating, and yoga clubs.

14. Coonoor (Tamil Nadu)

Nestles in the Nilgiri range at an elevation of 1,850 meters above sea levels, Coonoor is an serene hill station with a panorama of nature, lush greenery, wildlife, and exotic birds, and wild-flowers.

Things To Do:

1. Bring home the famous Nilgiri tea, and local chocolates and learn to make gourmet cheese.
2. Visit colonial bungalows, and waterfalls and take toy train rides.
3. Here, hike, swim, trek, and enjoy a picnic.

15. Agumbe (Karnataka)

This beautiful village Agumbe, also known as the “Cherrapuni of the South” is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is surrounded by the Western Ghats and mountains. Agumbe lies 823 meters above sea level and this is the highest point in South India. This place is famous for its many beautiful waterfalls, lush green rainforests, and rich biodiversity. This place is also known as Green Gold because it houses the treasure of medicinal herbs and plants.

Things To Do:

1. If you love reptiles and snakes, then this place is for you because it is called the “Cobra Capital” of India because of their abundance here.
2. Visit Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary and tons of waterfalls.
3. Hike, trek, and boat your way through this beautiful gem of a place.

16. Papi Hills (Andhra Pradesh)

Papi hills are a group of three hills which surrounding the Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh. And if you are planning on visiting this place, make sure to tell your family and friends in advance because this place has bare network coverage but it is all worth it because of the local delicacy- Bamboo chicken.

Things To Do:

1. Visit GandiPochamma temple of diety GandiPochamma, Devipatnam, Perantalapalli village for a religious tour, and Ramakrishna Muni Ashram Polavaram dam.
2. Reach the place by boat from either Bhadrachalam (via Kunavaram) in a downstream travelling boat or from Rajamundry in an upstream travelling boat.
3. Stay in tiny and adorable bamboo huts in the extremely remote and cozy Kolluru village near the hills.
4. Explore the area by boats as it is not yet fully connected by roads and witness the Pattiseema temple on your waterway.
5. Take a soothing bath in the hill waters in Pamaleru Wagu.

So these were the best 16 Indian Hill Stations that you must visit to find peace in nature. We hope we helped in exploring your cup of tea that you can have on a mountain top. Enjoy.

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