Last Updated on March 10, 2021 by Editorial Staff
Little about Kerala
Kerala is a state located in the southwestern Malabar Coast of India. It has been given the appropriate nickname of “God’s Own Country”. Tourism has developed in Kerala because of its beaches, backwaters and the absolutely beautiful hill stations in the country.
Kerala’s known domestically as well as internationally for its hill stations which are located in the Western Ghats area of Kerala. This is a beautiful area of the state with lush green forests, rolling hills, and beautiful coffee and tea plantations. The following are some of the best hill stations in the state which are frequently visited by tourists from all over the world:
Popular Hill Stations in Kerala
1. Munnar
This is a hill station in the Idukki district in the south-central regions of the country. Munnar is fondly known as the Kashmir of South India. It is one of the popular places to visit in Kerala. This lush green hill station in Kerala has many natural and manmade tourist sites.
Some of the places to visit in Munnar include Pothamedu View Point, Sree Murugan Koil, Kundala Lake, Elephant Arrival Lake, and Anamudi Peak. Eravikulam National Park is a famous national park in the area and religious places like the Sree Ayyappa Temple and the Christ Church are lovely places to visit in Munnar.
Other tourist destinations include Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Lakkam Waterfalls, and Tata Tea Museum are all major tourist destinations in Munnar.
2. Thekkady
Another hill station in Thekkady in the Idukki district of Kerala. It is located in the Periyar National Park in Kerala. known as a lush green sanctuary that homes to different types of wildlife and also many species of trees and plants local to the region.
It is one of the best hills stations in Kerala in this area and the Mullaperiyar Dam. which is situated nearby has resulted in a beautiful lake which is a tourist attraction.
Some of the popular tourist destinations in Thekkady include Elephant Junction, Thekkady Boat Landing, and Thekkady Park, the spice gardens in the area, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Mangala Devi Kannaki Temple, and Kumily Hills.
3. Wayanad
Wayanad is a hill station district in Kerala near coimbatore which includes the towns of Kalpetta, Mananthavady, and Sulthan Bathery. It is a beautiful place in Kerala with many tourist destinations and good tourist infrastructure.
There are many tourist spots all over Wayanad including Edakkal Caves, Soochipara Waterfalls, Neelimala View Point, Lakkidi View Point, Pookode River, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, and Chethalayam Waterfalls. There are some beautiful temples in Wayanad like the Thirunelli Sree Mahavishnu Temple, Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathi Temple and Wayanad is a beautiful place to visit in Kerala.
4. Vagamon
One of the best hill stations near ernakulam in Kerala, again in the Idukki district is Vagamon. Not as well known as other hill stations in Kerala but it is a great place for tourists who want to escape the crowds and visit a lush green and peaceful hill station in the state.
The forest regions, Malmala Waterfalls, Barren Hills, Vagamon Lake, Vagamon Hill, View Point, and the Vagamon Kurusimula Church are some of the major tourist destinations in Vagamon. Known for Thangalpara which is very famous Muslim holy site in the region.
5. Ponmudi
One of the smaller hill stations in Kerala is Ponmudi near Trivandrum. This hill station near the Ponmudi dam lies in the southern part of the state and has been a tourist destination in the region.
Some of the tourist destinations in this region include Kallar Meenmutty Waterfalls, Mankayam Waterfalls, Ponpudi View Point, Braemore Marigold Estate, Thirichittoor Rock, Santhanam Hills, and Mandavoor Rock View Point. known for lush vegetation, wildlife and one of the most prominent attractions of this region is Golden Valley.
6. Lakkidi
It is a major tourist destination and a hill station in the Wayanad district of Kerala. Lakkidi is one of the best hill stations in Kerala. Known for its dense forests, rivers, lakes and is home to a large number of species of birds in the country.
The wildlife sanctuaries nearby, Pookot Lake and the Edakkal Caves make it a top tourist destination for nature lovers in Kerala. The Lakkidi View Point is very popular with people who visit Wayanad and specifically with those visiting Lakkidi in Wayanad. This is a great hill station with meadows, rolling hills and a scenic beauty making it a top destination in southern India.
7. Vythiri
It is another tourist destination in the Wayanad district of Kerala which is popular with the tourists. Vythiri is a village and unexplored hill station in Kerala. All the tourist attractions of places in Wayanad district are quite close to the village.
Some of the tourist attractions near this hill station include Pookode Lake, Chembra Peak, Lakkidi View Point, and Thusharagiri Falls and tourists visiting Vythiri often travel to these nearby tourists’ destinations.
8. Idukki
For the best hill stations in Kerala, newly weds couples visit the Idukki district for their honeymoon. There are many vast natural parks, sanctuaries, forests and peaceful and serene scenic tourist destinations are the tourist infrastructure in this district is also quite strong.
Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty Dam, Anamudi, the Tea Museum, and the Kundale Lake are some of the major tourist destinations in Idukki.
Besides these the Meesapulimala mountain peak, the Pothamedu View Point, the Blossom International Park, and the Idukki Dam are a major place to visit for tourists visiting this area. The Valara Waterfalls, the Mullaperiyar Dam, and the hill station are some of the other major attractions in Idukki district.
9. Nilambur
Nilambur in the Mallapuram district in Kerala is a hill station. Known for its beautiful bungalows, plantations, and lush green forests. The forests around Nilambur known for the variety of bamboo, teak and rosewood trees. The flora and fauna of the regions attract tourists from all over the world.
Some of the major attractions of this hill station include Banglavu Kunnu, Nilambur Kovilakom, and Gateway of Nilambur. The Teak plantations, Teak Museum, New Amarambalam Reserved Forest, and the Nilambur Elephant Reserve are some of the top tourist destinations in and around Nilambur making it one of the best hill stations in Kerala to visit in summer.
10. Gavi
It is a small picturesque village in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala on the highway connecting Kollam to Madhurai. Gavi is known as an eco-tourism hub in Kerala as it is surrounded by beautiful flora and fauna.
Tropical forests, hills, valleys and different types of animals and birds that call this area their home makes it a beautiful natural hill station in Kerala. The nearby places of interest include Mundakayyam, Vandiperiyar, Kuttikkanam, and Peerumedu to name a few.
There is a famous eco-lodge called Green Mansion and the famous Sabarimala Temple is situated very close to this place.
11. Peermade
One of the best hill stations in Kerala, Peerumadu or Peeramedu is located in the Idukki district of Kerala. This hill station located in the Western Ghats was once the summer retreat for the Maharajas of Travancore.
Some of the tourist attractions in this area include Vagamon Pine Forest, Parunthumpara Hill View Point, Valanjangaman Waterfalls, and the nearby Pine Valley.
The Pattumala Velankanni Matha Church and the Our Lady of Good Health Church are some of the beautiful churches in the area. Peermade is known for its tea, coffee and spice plantations which are beautiful for tourists to visit.
12. Devikulam
Devikulam is an another top hill station near Munnar in the Idukki district which is popular with the tourists. The name is derived from Devi which means goddess and kulam which mean pond. Devikulam is predominantly known for the beautiful tea estates in the area.
There are beautiful rolling hills in this area and the viewpoints are popular with the tourists. Pothamedu View Point, Lockhart Gap Road View Point, and Chokramudi Peak are some of the popular tourist attractions in the area.
13. Thenmala
This is the Kollam District of Kerala is a popular hill station and tourist destination in this area. Eco-tourism is very popular in this area and this town is in the north of the famous Thenmala Dam.
Popular places in the region include the forest parks, Adventures Zone, Thenmala Hanging Bridge, Thenmala Boating Reservoir, Butterfly Park, Matsyafed Aquarium, Look Out Ottakal, and the famous Dear Park in Thenmala.
It is known for adventure sports and the Palaruvi Waterfalls are a major attraction in the area. Thenmala is one of the best hill stations in Kerala for adventure sport and nature lovers in the area.
As mentioned above, there are many different hill stations throughout the state of Kerala which are well developed for tourism. The above-mentioned hill stations are scenic and beautiful. It also have many tourist attractions which make a great place to visit for tourists from India and all over the world.
Kerala is a top tourist destination in India for tourists who enjoy beautiful cities, historic architecture, lovely beaches, and most importantly lush green and scenic hill stations across the state.
The transport facilities in Kerala are top of the line and there are many tour packages available for people visiting Kerala to visit the above-mentioned hill stations.
