Apart from the bewitching backwaters and the 600 kilometres of Malabar Coastal belt, around 44% of the Western Ghats range lies in Kerala. This indicates that there are many high range places in Kerala. Enveloped with mist-clad mountains lush greenery in abundance, the hill stations in Kerala are bestowed with great camping spots, paragliding sites, towering waterfalls, and wildlife sanctuaries. And obviously, the aromatic tea gardens are one of the important factors that boost Kerala tourism in full throttle.
Are hill stations in Kerala great to visit all year round?
Yes, the hill stations of Keralaare great to visit. However, you have to be careful and watchful about the monsoon showers and their intensity from July to September. Planning the adventure activities in Kerala during the southwest monsoon is subject to be affected by weather conditions. Although, you can enjoy the distinct shades of greenery in Kerala and its hill stations all year round.
9 Best Hill Stations in Kerala to Appreciate Distinct Shades of Green
With around 50+ hill stations in the Western Ghats belt of Kerala, exploring all of them in one single Kerala honeymoon package is not possible. Hence, we have compiled the list of the 9 best hill stations in Kerala that encapsulate joy and romance in distinct types of travellers. So don’t forget to add these hill stations of Kerala to your bucket list. Continue reading!
1. Munnar in Idukki District
Ideal duration: 3-4 days (approx.)
Where to stay in Munnar: Tea County Munnar, Elixir Hills, The Silver Tips.
Requires no introduction for honeymooners couples, Munnar is the place for romance, and hence, Munnar is one of the top hill stations in Kerala for honeymoon. Amidst the 1,532 m elevation above sea level, Munnar has been famous for its rolling hills dotted with aromatic tea plantations since the 19th century when Munnar was established as a former British Raj town. When you are in Munnar for holidays, explore the wilderness of the Eravikulam National Park to spot endangered mountain goat Nilgiri Tahr.
What makes Munnar a hit hill station of Kerala?
Munnar is a hiker’s paradise too. For instance, the murmur of cool breeze is best experienced at Top Station. Beholding the sight of the Lakkam Waterfalls and herding the eco of your name at Echo Point are some of the factors that make Munnar one of the top hill resort towns in Kerala.
Nearest airport to Munnar: Cochin International Airport and Madurai International Airport
Nearest railway station to Munnar: Aluva and Ernakulam
2. Vagamon in Kottayam-Idukki Border
Ideal duration: 2-3 days (approx.)
Where to stay in Vagamon: Winter Vale Green Stay, Vagamon Heights, Heaven Valley Resorts.
If adventure thrills you from head to toe, try paragliding in Vagamon at an elevation of 1,200 m above sea level. Annually, the Kerala tourism department organises the paragliding festival in Vagamon. Just like Bir Billing in Himachal is the paragliding capital of north India, Vagamon is synonymous with paragliding. The breathtaking landscape and calm ambience make Vagamon a must visit hill station in Kerala during summer. Vagamon is the perfect call for backpackers seeking adventure in Kerala, from boating to laking and trekking and mountain biking.
What makes Vagamon a hit hill station of Kerala?
The velvet laws, grassy hills, catholic church of Vagamon Kurishumala, and Hindu rock temple on Murugan Hill are some of the prime attractions to visit in Vagamon all year round. Also, the private estate shared by Marmala Waterfalls and boating in Vagamon Lake is the real crowd puller.
Nearest airport to Vagamon: Cochin International Airport
Nearest railway station to Vagamon: Kottayam and Ettumanur
3. Ponmudi in Trivandrum District
Ideal duration: 2-3 days (approx.)
Where to stay in Ponmudi: Ponmudi Hill Resort, KTDC Golden Peak Ponmudi, Sacral Resort
If you want to visit striking Kashmir of South India, visit Ponmudi and discover why it is a must-visit hill station in Kerala. Ponmudi is strategically located at 1,100 m elevation above sea level, and hence, you can expect trekking, mountain biking, waterfall excursion to the fullest. In a nutshell, Ponmudi nature’s galore must be in your Kerala itinerary if meadows and greens are your ideas of holidaying in hill resort towns. From tea gardens to cardamom plantations and rubber plantations, experience the various shades of greenery in this lesser-explored hill town of Kerala. Moreover, tourists from Varkala and Kovalam head to Ponmudi on a bike trip.
What makes Ponmudi a hit hill station of Kerala?
Ponmudi is a unique high range tourist place to see in Kerala because this enchanting hilly above runs parallel to the Arabian Sea. Simultaneously, Ponmudi is nirvana for wildlife buffs as it has Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, pilgrimage aka trekking site – Agasthyakoodam. Did we mention Ponmudi is home to Kerala’s second-highest peak?
Nearest airport to Ponmudi: Cochin Trivandrum International Airport
Nearest railway station to Ponmudi: Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station
4. Wayanad
Ideal duration: 4-5 days (approx.)
Where to stay in Wayanad: Contour Island Resort and Spa, Bonita Banasura, Kedara Village Resorts
Wayanad itself is a district in the northeastern part of Kerala. People call it the land of the paddy fields, and there are plenty of coffee plantations sprawling in Wayanad. Bookmark a bike trip to Wayanad except during the monsoon season if you are holidaying in and around Kozhikode. Wayanad is a high range hill resort town in Kerala whose elevation hovers between 700 m – 2100 m above sea level, so climate will remain salubrious in Wayanad. Whether you are a couple, family tourer, or backpacker, choose the activities from rafting, trekking, paragliding, camping and wildlife hopping.
What makes Wayanad a hit hill station of Kerala?
The rainforests in Wayanad date back to 3,000 years old, and going for a nature walk there and indulging in camping is one of the best experiences to enjoy. Geographically, you will find Wayanad positioned bordering Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. When you are in Wayanad, explore the Edakkal Caves, behold the lushness of Chembra Peak, and bathe or swim in the Soochipara Falls. Moreover, boating at freshwater Pookode Lake and seeking blessing from Thirunelli Temple are some of the best experiences to have in Wayanad.
Nearest airport to Wayanad: Kozhikode International Airport
Nearest railway station to Wayanad: Kozhikode railway station
5. Ranipuram in Kasargod District
Ideal duration: 1-2 days (approx.)
Where to stay in Ranipuram: Kudi Mud Cottages, Apsara Regency, Dreams Home Estate Stay.
If you are coming to Kerala from Karnataka, you should not visit Ranipuram on the Kerala-Karnataka border. Also called the Ooty of Kerala, this hill station is known for its salubrious climate year-round because of its 1,048 m elevation above sea level. People get confused about Ranipuram calling it Kerala’s Ooty, but in reality, Ranipuram is a hill of around 2.5 km. You have to pay around INR 50 for entry to the Ranipuram hills. Ranipuram is a high range tourist place to visit in Kerala where resorts and guesthouses are present.
Nearest airport to Ranipuram: Mangalore International Airport
Nearest railway station to Ranipuram: Trikaripur and Cheruvathur
6. Thekkady in Idukki District
Ideal duration: 3-4 days (approx.)
Where to stay in Thekkady: The Elephant Coat, Abad Green Forest, Greenwoods Resort Thekkady
Feel welcome on your Kerala tour package with the smell of the spice-scented plantation in Idukki’s famous hill station, Thekkady. This hill resort town near Periyar National Park is positioned between 900 m – 1800 m above sea level and is famous for its Periyar Tiger Reserve, where boating, bamboo rafting, wildlife spotting are famous things to do. If you want to enjoy transformational travel experiences in Kerala, Thekkady has a stadium for martial art performances and elephant camps to meet giant creatures. Also, couples, family tourers, and backpackers can also witness Nilgiri Langurs, lion-tailed macaques, and sambar deer under one roof in Thekkady’s Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
What makes Thekkady a hit hill station of Kerala?
Thekkady in Kerala is one of the lush green tourist attractions. What sets it apart from the other hill stations of Kerala is the presence of treehouses here. We like visiting Thekkady on the Kerala tour package because the Periyar National Park here remains open throughout the year. Plus, the Abraham Spice Garden has scented aromas, and Mangla Devi Temple has a distinct spiritual aura.
Nearest airport to Thekkady: Madurai International Airport
Nearest railway station to Thekkady: Kottayam
7. Kumily in Idukki District
Ideal duration: 1-2 days (approx.)
Where to stay in Kumily: Wildernest, Abad Green Forest Resort, Sterling Thekkady
Although Kumily is not a hill station, it is more often considered the high range plantation town in Kerala on the outskirts of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary close to Thekkady. You can visit Kumily all year round, and that’s its first USP – thanks to its 880 m elevation. Secondly, you can experience the serenity at full throttle in Kumily because it is less explored than the mainstream hill stations in Kerala. Plus, here you can cherish the concept of mountain biking, a staycation in the middle of the tea, coffee, cardamom plantations. A sacred Hindu temple in Kumily called Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple will manifest your unanswered prayers if you visit it with full dedication.
Nearest airport to Kumily: Madurai International Airport and Cochin International Airport
Nearest railway station to Kumily: Theni
8. Peermade in Idukki District
Ideal duration: 1-2 days (approx.)
Where to stay in Peermade: Misty Mountain Plantation Resort, Wood Palace Resort, Kuttikanam and Wild Torrent Resort
Lying 950 m above the sea level close to Kottayam is Kerala’s unexplored hill station, Peermade. Also called Peerumedu, the blanket of lush greenery here is in full throttle. One can explore the sprawling tea gardens and coffee plantations all year round. If you are looking for mountain biking experience in Kerala, hire a bike from Munnar or Thekkady to traverse the winding roads of Peermade.
Nearest airport to Peermade: Cochin International Airport
Nearest railway station to Peermade: Kottayam, Tiruvalla
9. Paithalmala in Kannur District
Ideal duration: 1-2 days (approx.)
Where to stay in Paithalmala: Paithal Resort, Hotel Samudra, Reginasilva Camping and Nature Resort
Trekking, birdwatching, and cool mountain air can be enjoyed thoroughly in Paithalmala, Kerala’s lesser explored hill station. Its elevation of 1,372 m above sea level proves that Paithalama beacons adventure-hungry souls. The viewpoint here required a one hour trek which can be covered by anyone having medium-level endurance. Upon climbing the hill, behold the sweeping views of the Karnataka and Kerala lush green valleys.
Nearest airport to Paithalmala: Kannur International Airport
Nearest railway station to Paithalmala: Kannapuram
Wrapping Up
We have just given you the list of the 9 best hill stations to visit in Kerala. However, there is more to find out about Kerala hill stations. Whether you are a backpacker, a couple/honeymooner, or a family tourer, you will find hill stations of Kerala equally enticing for everyone. Furthermore, the lush green quotient of high range tourist places in Kerala displays dozens of shades of greenery under one roof.
If you wish to unlock ultimate experiences in God’s Own Country’s famous hill stations, start planning your south India voyage with our bespoke collection of Kerala tour packages from metro towns.
FAQ’s About Hill Stations in Kerala
What are some unexplored hill stations in Kerala?
Kumily, Ranipuram, Ponmudi are some of the unexplored hill stations in Kerala.
Which hill station in Kerala is best for coffee plantations?
Wayanad hill station is best for coffee plantations and day trips.
Which hill station of Kerala is considered coldest?
All the hill stations of Kerala remain salubrious all year-round. But in winters, the hill resort towns sprinkle fresh cold mountain air. However, summer and monsoon are also pleasant times.
Which districts of Kerala have the highest hill stations?
Idukki district of Kerala has the highest range of tourist’s places to see. For instance, Kumily, Thekkady, Munnar are some of the must-visit hill stations in the Idukki district.
Which adventure sports can be enjoyed in Kerala hill station?
From paragliding to trekking, from mountain biking to river rafting and rock climbing, all sorts of adventure activities can be enjoyed in Kerala hill stations without hindrance.
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