South India's Top 5 Hill Stations To Visit In Summer

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1. Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Photo of Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India by Saket Chitram
Photo of Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, India by Saket Chitram
Photo of Munnar, Kerala, India by Saket Chitram
Photo of Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, India by Saket Chitram

Ooty, the Queen of Hill stations, It is also known as Udagamandalam is situated in Tamil Nadu, India. At a distance of 89 km from Coimbatore, 128 km from Mysore, 265 km from Bangalore, It is one of the top places to experience Tamilnadu Tourism.

A part from pleasant weather, Ooty Lake, Botanical Garden, Rose Garden, Wenlock Downs, Pine Forest, and Emerald Lake are the popular Ooty sightseeing places. The toy train, known as Nilgiri Mountain Railway that runs from Mettupalayam to Ooty is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must be experienced. The train route wends its way through many hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels and chugs along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea gardens. The train route was developed by the British engineers in 1908, covering 42 kilometers length with 108 curves, 16 tunnels and 250 bridges.

2. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu

Located in the state of Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal is one of the most famous honeymoon destinations in India. At a distance of 95 km from Dindigul, 117 km from Madurai, 169 km from Coimbatore, 469 km from Bangalore, It is one of the best hill stations not to miss in a South India tour and among the top places to experience the Tamilnadu Tourism.

Kodaikanal has several tourist attractions like Kodai Lake, Bryant Park, Coaker's Walk, Bear Shola Falls, Silver Cascade, Pillar Rocks, etc. The hills offer beautiful views all around, especially from the Coaker's Walk.

3. Munnar, Kerala

The idyllic hill station Munnar - famous for its tea estates, exotic lush greenery and craggy peaks, is located in the Western Ghats, in the state of Kerala.

Munnar rises as three mountain streams merge - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. 1,600 m above sea level, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picturesque towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town.

4. Coorg, Karnataka

Photo of Coorg, Karnataka, India by Saket Chitram

Located amidst imposing mountains in Karnataka with a perpetually misty landscape, Coorg is the place to be for all nature lovers. It is ideal for outdoor activities such as trekking, angling and white-water rafting, and major festivals like Keil Poldu (worship of weapons), Cauvery Shankaramana (return of the river goddess) and the Huttari (harvest) festival are a huge draw.

5. Coonoor, Tamil Nadu

With tea plantations spread across misty mountains, this little gem in South India named Coonoor is relatively unexplored. It is one of the three Nilgiri hill stations – Ooty, Kotagiri and Coonoor – that sit high above the southern plains.

At a distance of 18 km from Ooty, 71 km from Coimbatore and 32 km from Mettupalayam, Coonoor is a taluk and a municipality in the Nilgiris district in the state of Tamil Nadu.

The major attraction of Coonoor is Sim's Park, a well-maintained Botanical Garden that houses several varieties of plants found missing in the other Hill Stations. It is spread over 12 hectares. Lambs Rock, Dolphins Nose, St. Catherine Falls, and Law's falls are some popular places to visit in Coonoor.

So this summer if you are planning to visit South India, Don't forget to visit the hill stations out there.