24 Best Hill Stations near Kochi (Cochin) (2024)

Idukki is is one of the stunning places to visit near Kochi, and among the most prominent Kerala tourist places. It is situated about 47 km from Munnar, 105 km from Kochi, 239 km from Trivandrum, and 171 km from Madurai.

Idukki is the second-largest district in Kerala state (Painavu as headquarters). The name Idukki is supposed to be derived from the Malayalam word Idukku which means a narrow gorge. Periyar which is one of the largest rivers of Kerala, flowing through the Idukki gorge formed between the two high massive rocks called Kuravan and Kurathi, which is the site of the gigantic Idukki Arch Dam, among the must-visit places as part of Idukki packages. Idukki can be visited along with Munnar tour packages.

Idukki has a mix of diverse attractions like wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, spice plantation centers and mountain treks. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Idukki Dam, Thommankuthu Waterfalls, Ramakalamedu, Kalvari Mount / Calvary Mount, Malankara Dam, and Ilaveezha Poonchira are some of the prominent tourist places in Idukki.

...read more

Originally known as Poonachimalai, Valparai is one of the least explored hill stations in India. About 65 km from Pollachi, 105 km from Coimbatore, it is among the top tourist place to visit in Tamilnadu.

Situated at an altitude of 3500 feet, Valparai is a little piece of heaven tucked away in the cradle of the Anamalai mountain range of the Western Ghats. Sholayar Dam, Aliyar Dam, Nallamudi Viewpoint, Loam's View Point, Balaji Temple, Monkey Falls, Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Chinnakallar Waterfalls, Birla Falls, Koolangal River, Grass Hills, Nirar Dam, etc. are some of the popular places to visit in Valparai as part of Valparai tour packages.

Valparai is famed for its numerous coffee and tea plantations that are surrounded by thick forest.

...read more

Also called 'Kashmir of Kerala', Ponmudi is a secluded hill station situated in the Trivandrum district of Kerala. It is one of the pristine hill stations near Trivandrum. It is situated about 57 km from Trivandrum, and 233 km from Kochi.

Ponmudi, meaning the Golden Crown, is nestled in the lap of rolling hills of the Western Ghats that run parallel to the Arabian Sea. Situated at an altitude of 1100m, Ponmudi is surrounded by scenic hills, spice plantations, tea estates, natural springs, and winding streams. Ponmudi Waterfalls, Deer Park, River Kallar, Kallar Meenmutty Falls, Golden Valley, and Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary are some of the must-visit tourist places as part of Ponmudi packages.

Apart from sightseeing, Ponmudi is also famous for Ayurvedic medical treatments. Trekking to Agasthyakoodam, Ponmudi tourist places, is the most popular activity here for adventure buffs. Ponmudi can be vsited along with Trivandrum tour packages.

...read more

Megamalai or Meghamalai is a beautiful hill town in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu. About 126 km from Madurai, and 127 km from Munnar, it is one of the offbeat hill stations in South India and among the top places to visit near Madurai.

Popularly called Highwavys Mountains, Meghamalai is an unexplored paradise in the Western Ghats and is very little known even to the people of Tamilnadu. Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Highwavy Dam, Megamalai Viewpoint, Manalar Dam, Suruli Falls, Iravangalar Dam, and maharaja Mettu are some of the top places to visit in Meghamalai.

If you are looking for a calm and tranquil weekend from the hustle-bustle of city life, Megamalai is the perfect place to visit in Tamilnadu.

...read more

At a distance of 18 km from Munnar Bus Station & 45 km from Idukki, Devikulam is a cute hill station near Munnar. At an altitude of 1800 m, it is one of the lesser-known hill stations in Kerala, and among the must-include places in Munnar sightseeing packages.

The name Devikulam is a combination of two words Devi from the goddess Devi and kulam meaning pond. According to legend, the goddess Sita Devi bathed in Devikulam Lake now named Sita Devi Lake. The lake draws tourists not only because of its sacredness but also for the curative powers of its mineral waters. The lake is also idle for trout fishing. The scenic beauty, adventure sports, beliefs, and religion come together to make Sita Devi Lake a major tourist attraction in Devikulam.

The lush green open spaces and the high cliffs of Devikulam provide scope for hiking and mountaineering. There are several tea plantations in and around Devikulam that add to the charm of the hill resort. The gum trees in red and blue are the other major highlights of the natural vegetation at Devikulam, considered one of the must-visit tourist places in Munnar. For those of the tourists to Devikulam interested in visiting the tea estates, tea plantations or the factories conducted tours are available. ...

...read more

At a distance of 5 km from Lakkidi, 12 km from Kalpetta and 64 km from Kozhikode, Vythiri is a small hill station situated in Wayanad district of Kerala. Vythiri is one of the top tourist attractions in Wayanad and is among prime place to visit on a Wayanad tour.

Situated at an altitude ranging between 3750 to 4500 feet, Vythiri is a beautiful summer resort in Kerala state and among the best hill stations near Bangalore. Vythiri has a classic blend of old world charm, peaceful environs & modern amenities. Vythiri is famous for its evergreen rain forests and plantations of coffee, tea, rubber, cardamom and pepper. The forests of Vythiri are home to a wide variety of wildlife. The bird watchers can enjoy exploring this place and get a chance to look at a wide variety of migratory birds from close quarters. This is an ideal place for tourists to soak in the dense green covers and explore the breathtaking surroundings.

There are many places to visit in and around Vythiri, including Pookote Lake, which lies 3 km away. The Chembra Peak, Soochipara & Meenmutty Falls, Edakkal Caves, Banasura Sagar dam and Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary are the other major attractions of Vythiri. Karalad Lake is situated 8 km from Vythiri. It offers facilities for angling and boating as well as a recreational park. The trek to this ...

...read more

At a distance of 13 km from Pathanamthitta and 16 km from Sabarimala, Ranni is a beautiful hill station in Pathanamthitta district and a fast growing tourist destination. It is the largest rubber producing region in Kerala.

Ranni is derived from similar word in Malayalam which means Queen or Rani. Ranni alias the queen of hill lands is one of the most serene villages blessed with beautiful nature, rivers, hills, forests, good climate and atmosphere. The Pampa River flows through the middle of Ranni town and adds to its natural beauty.

Ranni is also famous for St. Thomas Orthodox Church, also known as Thottamon Church. Established in 1905, this church belongs to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Dedicated to St. Thomas, this church is known for its architectural beauty which was renovated in 2007. The annual festival of this church is celebrated for 5 days from December 17th to 21st.

Perumthenaruvi is a beautiful natural waterfall is located 17 km from Ranni. Perumthenaruvi is a 100ft high Waterfall. The Charalkunnu Waterfall is another waterfall located near to Perumthenaruvi. One can experience a panoramic view of the low lying areas including river Pamba from here.

Ranni is also blessed with a pleasant climate throughout the year. It is connected with Pathanamthitta by frequent bus service.

...read more

At a distance of around 5 km from Idukki Bus Station, 53 km from Munnar, 107 km from Kochi & 130 km from Alappuzha, Painavu is a cute hill resort and also the headquarters of Idukki district. This is one of the popular weekend getaways from Munnar & Kochi.

Painavu is an important commercial center and a popular tourist hot spot in Idukki. At an altitude of 3,900 feet, Painavu is situated inside the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary. It is also home to several State Government institutions such as Civil Station, and Government Engineering College, Idukki.

The place is popular for its pleasing ambience and picturesque location. This is a stopover for visitors, who travel to Idukki Arch Dam, Cheruthoni Dam and Kulamavu. Boats are available from here for cruises between Cheruthoni and Kulamavu. In winter and rainy seasons elephants can be spotted moving on the roads. Surrounded by pristine forests and green hills, Painavu is also a good trekking destination. Trekking in Painavu is said to be an outstanding experience and visitors can see many routes through the forests, plantations and to other small towns.

Painavu can be accessed easily by road as it is a 5 km from Idukki Bus station. Also, Painavu can be reached via water from Cheruthoni to Kulamavu junction. The closest railway stations are at Ernakulum (114 km) and Kottaym (98 km). The nearest international airport is at Cochin ...

...read more

At a distance of 26 km from Kalpetta, 99 km from Kozhikode, 95 km from Ooty and 116 km from Mysore, Sulthan Bathery, previously known as Sulthans Battery, is a town and municipality in Wayanad district of Kerala. Situated at an altitude of 930 m it is a cute hill station in Kerala and also one of the popular tourist places in Kerala.

Earlier, Sulthan Bathery was known as Ganapativattom. It was also known as Kidanganadu, because the Kidangans lived here. It derives its present name from Tipu Sultan of Mysore who captured the Jain temple here and used it as his battery in the 18th century, hence the name Sultans Battery.

Sultan Bathery is known for its magnificent beauty and spice plantations. Lush green hills and cool climate make it an ideal holiday destination. The major attraction of the town is the Jain temple, which was built during the 13th century. This temple was used for storing ammunition (battery) by Tipu Sultan during his invasion of Kerala. Other attractions of the town are the Ganapati temple and Mariyamman temple. The Ganapati temple is an eight century old shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesha, which is a place of worship for the tribal people. Other interesting places to visit near Sulthan Bathery include famous Edakkal Caves, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary at Muthanga and Ambalavayal Heritage Museum.

Chembra Peak, ...

...read more

At a distance of 20 km from Coonoor, 29 km from Ooty, and 72 km from Coimbatore, Kotagiri is a small hill station in the Nilgiris district of Tamilnadu. It is one of the lesser-known hill stations in tamilnadu, and among the top tourist places to visit near Ooty.

Situated at an altitude of 1793 m, Kotagiri is the oldest and the third largest hill station in the Nilgiris after Ooty, and Coonoor. The name Kotagiri literally means mountains of the Kotas that refers to the Kota tribe who lived here in the past. It is one of the top attractions you must include in Ooty tour.

Kotagiri was the first British settlement in the Nilgiris and preferred summer retreat, till a road was built from Mettupalayam to Coonoor. The region was discovered by two civil servants of the Madras government in pursuit of outlaws. They called the region Kotacherry. John Sullivan, the then collector of Coimbatore, visited Kotagiri and was so drawn to the place that he built a home here making him the first European to reside in Kotagiri.

Kotagiri is famous for its breathtaking scenic beauty. The first coffee plantation was planted here in 1843 which was followed by many more plantations. However, the first tea plantation in the late 19th century by the daughter of MD Cockburn, tea slowly started taking over coffee ...

...read more

At a distance of 85 km from Mysore, 40 km from Chamarajanagar and 170 km from Bangalore, the Biligiri Ranga Hills popularly known as the BR Hills is a lofty hill range in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. It is considered to be the wildlife corridor that connects Eastern Ghats to Western Ghats. This is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Mysore and is one of the top attractions you must include in Mysore packages.

BR Hills is famous for BRT Wildlife Sanctuary (Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary). The sanctuary is situated at an altitude of 5091 feet and is spread across an area of 540 km. It was declared a tiger reserve in 2010 by the Karnataka State Government. The highest peak within the sanctuary is the Kattari Betta. The wildlife sanctuary is inhabited by a number of animals including elephants, sloth bears, bison, deer, porcupines and a number of other wild animals. It is said that the sanctuary has more than 250 species of birds like the Paradise Flycatcher, Racquet Trailed Drongo and the Crested Hawk Eagle, etc.

Another attraction of the BR Hills is the 500 years old famous Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple which is situated on the highest peak of the hill range, on the white cliff (biligiri) which gives the hill its name. The local form of the deity is called Ranganath, another form of Lord Vishnu and is depicted in a unique standing position. ...

...read more

At a distance of 135 km from Mysore, 89 km from Hogenakkal, 72 km from Kollegal & 209 km from Bangalore, Male Mahadeshwara Betta, also known as MM Hills is a sacred place situated in the eastern parts of Kollegal taluk in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. It is situated at an altitude of 3000 feet. This is one of the top attractions you must include in Mysore packages.

Male Mahadeshwara Hills is surrounded by dense forest and is famous for Malai Mahadeshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Mahadeshwara. The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Male Mahadeshwara is a very popular Shaiva pilgrim center and one of the most powerful Shiva temples in the region. The temple is surrounded by 77 hills of the Eastern Ghats. The temple draws large number of pilgrims from the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The Mahadeshwara Temple was built by Junje Gowda Rich Kuruba Gowda Landlord. The Lord Sri Mahadeshwara is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva. Historical evidences suggest that the Saint Mahadeshwara came here in 15th century to perform penance and it is believed that he is still performing penance in the temple's garbha gudi in the form of a linga. The linga, worshipped now in the garbha gudi, is a self-manifested one. Sri Male Mahadeshwara Swamy was moving on a tiger known as Puli Vahana (Tiger as a vehicle) and performed a number of miracles around the Betta ...

...read more

At a distance of 67 Kms from Sringeri, 90 Kms from Chikmagalur and 26 Kms from Kudremukh Town, Kudremukh is one of the best trekking destinations in Karnataka. At an altitude of 1894m, it is one of the highest peaks of Western Ghats and among the top destinations for trekking in Karnataka.

Permission from RFO at Kudremukh town is necessary to do this trek. The trekking is performed inside the national park and camping is not allowed in specific seasons (check with RFO before planning the trek). Though there are several routes to trek Kudremukh peak, the Samse - Mullodi route is quite famous. Mullodi is 12 Kms from Kudremukh via Samse and can be reached by Jeep from Kudremukh. Though Mullodi is starting point of the trek, some people trek from Samse, which is 4 Kms before Mullodi.

The peak is about 14 Kms from Mullodi village and takes about 5 Hrs to trek. Incase the camping is not allowed on the peak, you will need to start early & return to Mullodi by evening (total 8-9 hrs trek) and stay at Mullodi (home stays available).

...read more

At a distance 50 km from Namakkal, 87 km from Salem, 135 km from Trichy & 395 km from Chennai, Kolli Hills or Kolli Malai is a small mountain range located in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the popular places to visit near Trichy.

These hills are situated at an elevation of 1000 to 1300 m and cover an area of approximately 280 sq km. The Kolli Hills has 70 hairpin bends to reach the top of the hills from the Namakkal side. The mountains are relatively untouched by commercial tourism and still retain their natural beauty. It can be visited as a day trip as part of Tiruchirappalli tour packages.

The mountain is named Kolli Malai after the Goddess Ettukkai Amman (Kolli Paavai). According to legend, the sages chose Kolli hills when they were looking for a peaceful place to do their penance. However, the demons invaded the hills to disrupt the penance when the sages began their rituals. The sages prayed to Kollipavai, who according to the myth, chased away the demons.

Trekking at Kolli Hills is a popular activity. Trekking to Agaya Gangai Waterfalls is a wonderful experience. There are two viewpoints - one at Seekuparai and another at Selur Nadu. There is a pineapple research farm maintained by the Government of Tamil Nadu at Seekuparai Viewpoint. Kundur Nadu, Puliancholai, and Ariyur Solai are the three main reserved forests ...

...read more