Top 15 Hill Stations in Kerala

Kerala, more popularly known as God's own country, has a peaceful stretch of backwaters, exotic wildlife, lush green landscapes, beautiful beaches and eye-catching hill stations. If you are someone who loves mountains and are looking for a trip to any of the hill stations in Kerala, this article is for you.

Here is the list of the 16 most famous hill stations in Kerala. A detailed description of the place, connectivity and average hotel costs are given for your better understanding.

1. Munnar

Munnar is a popular honeymoon destination in Kerala and offers a view of picturesque towns, sprawling tea plantations, and winding lanes. This hill station was used as the summer escapade for the British Government in South India. Munnar rises with the merge of the three mountain streams- Nallathanni, Kundala and Mudrapuzha. In the grasslands of Munnar, one can find exotic flora, which includes the flower Neelakurinji. It fills the hills in blue once every 12 years, and it will bloom again in 2030.

• Best Time to Visit: December to February
• Top Things to Do: Camping and trekking at Echo Point, enjoying the Shikara ride at Kundala Lake, trying watersports at Mattupetty Dam, enjoying an elephant safari at Carmelagiri Elephant Park 
• Top Places to Visit: Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty Dam, Tea Museum
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,800 to ₹ 3,000 per person (hotel cost)
• How to Reach: By air, rail and road.

2. Thekkady

Thekkady, situated in the pocket of the Idukki district, is one of the best hill stations in Kerala and an excellent place to feel relaxed and rejuvenated. Thekkady is filled with lush green enveloped hills and has diverse flora and fauna to offer. Apart from that, Thekkady's main attraction is the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to many elephants.

• Best Time to Visit: September to May
• Top Things to Do: Enjoy boat cruise rides on the Periyar lake, enjoy safaris in the wildlife sanctuary, trek at Kurisumala and Thekkady
• Top Places to Visit: Kumily, Murikaddy, Vandanmedu, Mangala Devi Temple, Pandikuzhi
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,500 - ₹ 2,500 per person per day (hotel cost)
• How to Reach: By air, rail and road.

3. Wayanad

Wayanad is an idyllic destination for a weekend getaway from Kerala for individuals who love mountainous rivers and mist-clad mountains. This place offers dazzling waterfalls, thick, green and bushy rainforests, spice plantations and majestic beauty.

• Best Time to Visit: October to May
• Top Things to Do: Go caving in Edakkal caves, experience river dipping in the Kabini river, and enjoy boating in Pookode Lake
• Top Places to Visit: Chembra Peak, Kuruva Island, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, Soochippara Waterfalls
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,000 to ₹ 1,500 per person (hotel cost)
• How to Reach: By air, rail and road.

4. Ponmudi

Ponmudi, which is near Trivandrum, is a great option for individuals who love road trips. This place offers a picturesque view of mountain flowers, small rivulets, and exotic butterflies. While reaching Ponmudi, one can stop to enjoy a breath-taking view of the Kallar river.

• Best Time to Visit: January to March
• Top Things to Do: Hiking and trekking at Agasthyarkoodam, which is the highest peak of Ponmudi
• Top Places to Visit: Meenmutty waterfalls, Golden Peak, Golden Valley, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary,
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 2,500 - ₹ 3,000 per person per day (hotel cost)
• How to Reach: By air, rail and road.

5. Lakkidi

While exploring Lakkidi, one can see streams and gorges on both sides of the passage that ways up the hill and its lush greenery. It is the gateway of Wayanad and is located at the crest of the winding Thamarassery ghat pass. The most unique feature about this place is that it is a small hill station that one can explore on foot. Apart from that, the salubrious climate and natural beauty are sure to take one's stress away.

• Best Time to Visit: Winter season
• Top Things to Do: Sightseeing Chembra Peak, Chain Tree
• Top Places to Visit: Pookode lake, Vellarimala
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,000 - ₹ 1,500 person per day (hotel cost)
• Note: If one wants to live in resorts, the cost can go higher up to ₹ 4,500 - ₹ 8,500 per person, depending on which resort he or she stays in.
• How to Reach: By air, rail and road.

6. Gavi

Gavi is a must-see for nature lovers and offers one can admire the true serenity of Kerala. Located in the Pathanamthitta district, Gavi is popular for its wildlife. One can enjoy themselves by wildlife watching, trekking, bird watching, boating in Gavi and Kochupampa Lakes, camping, safari, and staying in tree houses. As has been said about bird watching, this place is home to 260 species of birds like kingfishers, great pied hornbill, and woodpeckers. One can also spot endangered species like the Lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri Tahr. This place is ideal for a vacation in the summers because of the suitable and pleasant cold weather it offers.

• Best Time to Visit: September to February
• Top Things to Do: Hiking to Sabrimala Temple, Visiting Cardamom Factory situated in Gavi
• Top Places to Visit: Neer Veezhcha Waterfalls, Periyar National Park
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 2,000 - ₹ 3,000 per person per day (hotel cost)
• How to Reach: By air, rail and road.

7. Malampuzha

Malampuzha is one of the top hill stations in Kerala and is situated in the pocket of the Palakkad district. This place is popular for being a great family holiday destination. This place has something to offer to everyone, starting from rock gardens, fish-shaped aquariums, and ropeway to fun-filled amusement parks. The main attraction of Malampuzha is the rock garden created by Padmasree Nek Chand Saini. This garden is made by Nek Chand, who is a renowned artist and winner of the Prestigious Padmashree Award. The unique thing about this park is it is made from plastic cans, tiles, broken pieces of bangles and other waste materials. This garden was built in the year of 1969, and it also includes the massive Malampuzha Yakshi (female vampire) created by Kanayi Kunhiraman. The Malampuzha township lies in the lower hills of the Western Ghats, and it has a plethora of picnic spots and lush greenery. One can also enjoy trekking and visit the irrigation dam and Malampuzha Gardens.

• Best Time to Visit: August to April
• Top Things to Do: Taking a ride in Udan Khatola, visiting Fantasy Park, visiting Thread Garden, and visiting the rock garden created by Padmasree Nek Chand Saini.
• Top Places to Visit: Siruvani Waterfalls, Fantasy Park, KTDC Garden House
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 900 - ₹ 1,500 per person per day (hotel cost)
• How to Reach: By air, rail and road.

8. Thiruvambadi

Thirumbadi is located in the Kozhikode district of Kerala and lies on the banks of the Iruvanjippuzha River. It is a small scenic hill town. This place offers some beautiful waterfalls, gorgeous valleys and mountains.

• Best Time to Visit: Any time of the year
• Top Things to Do: Visiting waterfalls, visiting Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, visiting Thusharagiri Waterfalls
• Top Places to Visit: Arippara Waterfalls, Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary, Varkala Black Sand Beach
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 2,000 - ₹ 3,000 per person per day (hotel cost)
• How to Reach: By air, rail and road.

9. Athirappilly

This off-bit place in Kerala is also known for its great waterfall, which is often compared to the Great Niagara Falls. Athirapilly is situated in the Thrissur district, and one can enjoy the great scenic beauty and small streams. The sight of the waterfall emerging onto the ground is sure to leave one spellbound. According to researchers, the endangered species of the Hornbill lives there. This place, in fact, is so beautiful that director Maniratnam has shot a few of his masterpiece shots for his movies like Dil Se, Guru, and Roza.

• Best Time to Visit: September to January
• Top Things to Do: Have a fun day at Dreamworld Waterpark, visit Chimmini Dam and the Vazhachal waterfalls
• Top Places to Visit: Athirappilly falls, Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 2,000 - ₹ 3,000 per person per day (hotel cost)
• How to Reach: By air, rail and road.

10. Malakkappara

Malakkapara, situated in Thrissur district, borders the neighbouring state of Tamilnadu. It is popular for having an abundance of tea estates. Due to this fact, this place is also known as the Tea Garden Hill Station. Malakkapara is surrounded by the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, and Neliampathy Hills. It is also the place where the famous Sholayar River drains. This place is also known as the 'Rock of the Angel' due to the presence of its serene ambience and mystic beauty. Tea lovers should definitely spend a day or two in this place and enjoy the aroma of fresh tea leaves.

• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Top Things to Do: Experience a view of the city from Malakkapara View Point
• Top Places to Visit: Sholayar Dam, Malakkapara Viewpoint, Butterfly Garden, Vazhachal waterfalls
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,100 - ₹ 2,000 per person per day (hotel cost)
• How to Reach: By air, rail and road.

11. Charalkunnu

Charalkunnu, situated in the Pathanamthitta district, is a delightful scenic town. This place is known to offer some spending views of the valleys and is a place where tourists would want to have a long stay. The River Pampa flows through this region and offers picturesque views of green landscapes. It is the perfect place to get rid of the monotonous city life and settle for some peace of mind.

• Best Time to Visit: September to March
• Top Things to Do: Cycle or trek around the city to explore it
• Top Places to Visit: Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, Perunthenaruvi Falls, St. Peter’s and St. Pauls Orthodox Church
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,000 - ₹ 2,000 per person per day (hotel cost)
• How to Reach: By air, rail and road.

12. Peermade

Peermade, also known as Peerumedu, is a beautiful, peaceful and calm hill station in Kerala. Upon arriving at Peermade, one can see coffee, cardamom, pepper, rubber and tea plantations under clear blue skies. One can experience the aroma of all kinds of spices which make Indian cuisine popular in this region. It is a small hill station which is named after Sufi Saint Peer Mohammed, and the lush greenery around it will surely make it an unforgettable experience for all. The ancient tribal population of Kerala inhabit this place. Thus, tourists can also witness and experience the lifestyle of these people as well.

• Best Time to Visit: Summer season
• Top Things to Do: Enjoy a picnic at the Peeru Hills, a long walk and trek at Thrissanku Hills
• Top Places to Visit: Our Lady of Good Health Church, Valanjamkanam Waterfalls,
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,000 - ₹ 1,500 per person per day (hotel cost)
• How to Reach: By air, rail and road.

13. Ranipuram

Ranipuram is a beautiful hill station in Kerala, which is known for its enticing beauty and as an off-bit destination for nature lovers. It is perfect as a picnic spot, and one can even come across an occasional herd of elephants. This place has a few great trekking options, and it shares its borders with Karnataka. This place will surely provide relaxation to those who are tired of the hustle and bustle of city life.

• Best Time to Visit: Monsoon season
• Top Things to Do: Trekking, Watching birds and wildlife, enjoy watching the beautiful sight of butterflies
• Top Places to Visit: Bekal Fort, Talakaveri Temple, Ranipuram Wildlife Sanctuary
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,300 - ₹ 2,000 per person per day (hotel cost)
• How to Reach: By air, rail and road.

14. Kallar

On the way to Ponmudi from Thiruvananthapuram lies a beautiful scenic location called Kallar. It gets its name from the River Kallar, which flows through this region. The name is Kallar because kallu means 'stone' and aru means 'river'. This river also consists of many round-shaped boulders, and attractive and brightly-coloured pebbles, especially in its upper reaches.

• Best Time to Visit: October to November and January to May
• Top Things to Do: Enjoy bird watching, trekking, angling, enjoying cool dips and watching river formations at Golden Valley, and Meenmutty waterfalls
• Top Places to Visit: Eravikulam National Park, TATA Tea Museum, Windermere Estate, Mattupetty Dam and lake,
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,800 - ₹ 2,500 per person per day (hotel cost)
• How to Reach: By air, rail and road.

15. Vithura

Vithura is a small village which is yet to be discovered by tourists and is a beautiful place with breath-taking landscape views. This place welcomes rock climbers from all across the world as it is close to Chittipara, which is one of the best rock-climbing spots in Kerala. This place is close to prominent tourist spots in Kerala like Agastyakoodam, Peppara Dam, Bonacaud, and Meenmutty Falls. This place offers a captivating ambience and some spectacular landscapes.

• Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year
• Top Things to Do: Rock Climbing
• Top Places to Visit: Chittipara Rock, Thavakkal Waterfall, Peppara Dam
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,500 - ₹ 2,500 per person per day (hotel cost)
• How to Reach: By air, rail and road.

To sum it up, these are the best hill stations in Kerala which are worth a visit. If you are interested in visiting any of these places, make sure to book the tickets and hotels in advance. Especially if you plan to travel by flight, early booking can avail you of some great discounts. Do not forget to check them out.