Are you a mountain person? Are you done travelling all across northern and eastern India? Then, it is time for you to explore the southern region of India. 

Tamil Nadu is among the most exotic and colourful places in this country. You can find majestic hills, beautiful lakes and picturesque sceneries as if they came alive from a drawing book.

There are many hill stations in Tamil Nadu where you can relax and indulge in the greenery that surrounds you. The weather in this region is extremely pleasant and refreshing. This is probably the main reason why thousands of people visit this state.

To find out more about these hill stations, keep reading!

Most people are only aware of Kodaikanal and Ooty, but there are many more than just these two. Here is a list of the 16 best hill stations in Tamil Nadu. Check out these places and decide which one to put on your bucket list.

1. Kodaikanal

Known as the princess of hill stations, Kodaikanal is a popular honeymoon destination in India. It is also named "Switzerland of the East", the name suits this place accurately because of its pleasant weather and picturesque views. In addition, Kodaikanal is also popularly known for amazing adventure sports.

• Best Time to Visit: April to June
• Top Things to Do: Night safari, trekking and hiking, picnic in the parks or gardens, visit waterfalls and explore viewpoints.
• Top Places to Visit: Kodaikanal Lake, Dolphin's Nose, Guna Caves, Karuna Farms, La Salette Church, and Kodaikanal Solar Observatory
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,000 - ₹ 40,000 (hotel cost for 2 nights)
• How to Reach: By air, road and train

2. Ooty

Another well-known hill station in Tamil Nadu is Ooty. Interestingly Ooty is one of the cleanest cities in India. They have successfully banned the use of plastics. Although there are limited options to explore in Ooty, people visit here to spend a relaxed weekend far from the busy city life.

• Best Time to Visit: All year round, try avoiding monsoons
• Top Things to Do: Ride Nilgiri mountain toy train, explore Toda huts, hiking, learn about tea manufacturing, and buy homemade chocolates
• Top Places to Visit: Doddabetta Peak, Pykara Falls, Upper Bhavani Lake, Honey and Bee Museum, Pine Forest, and Ooty Lake
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,000 - ₹ 30,000 (hotel cost for 2 nights)
• How to Reach: By air, road and train

3. Pachaimalai Hills

Located at Thuraiyur, this place is an ideal place for those looking for a place to escape from the scorching weather. Pachaimalai consists of two words, 'pachai’ means green and ‘malai’ means hills. If you are interested in trekking or hiking, there cannot be a better place than Pachaimalai. You can hike to the small towns surrounded by hills and experience their culture.

• Best Time to Visit: September to June
• Top Things to Do: Hiking, explore old towns of Arumbavur and Thuraiyur, visit temples, learn about wild products (honey, herbals)
• Top Places to Visit: River Kallar and Sweata, Mayil Uthu Falls, Veera Ramar Dam
• Average Cost of Vacation:  ₹ 1,500 - ₹ 2,000 (hotel cost for 2 nights)
• How to Reach: By air, road and train

4. Coonoor

Coonoor is one of the most famous hill stations in Tamil Nadu. It is a neighbouring site from Ooty, located in the Nilgiris district. The trekking trails, tea and coffee plantations, and vineyards are the major attraction of this place. If you are planning a trip here, visit here during summer and try to avoid the monsoons.

• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Top Things to Do: Ride Nilgiri mountain railways, trek, explore tea factories, learn cheesemaking, and swim in the waterfalls
• Top Places to Visit: Hidden valley, Lamb’s Rock, Law’s Falls, Droog Fort, Katary Falls, and Sim’s Park
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,600 - ₹ 15,000 (hotel cost for 2 nights)
• How to Reach: By air, road and train

5. Yelagiri

Yelagiri, located in Vellore, is among the top hill stations in Tamil Nadu. The neighbouring regions include several orchards, green valleys, and rose gardens. This place is a cluster of 14 hamlets, and Athanavur is the capital town. Tourists mainly visit here to engage in multiple adventure activities, which include rock climbing and trekking.

• Best Time to Visit: September to May
• Top Things to Do: Paragliding and trekking
• Top Places to Visit: Punganur, Velavan Temple, Jalagamparai Waterfalls and Nature Park
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 2,000 - ₹ 4,500 (hotel cost for 2 nights)
• How to Reach: By air, road and train

6. Valparai

One of the most beautiful hill stations in Tamil Nadu is Valparai. Here, the air has a mixed aroma of tea, coffee, cardamom, and cinchona plantations. Besides the eye-soothing viewpoints, there is another aspect that boosts tourism here. It is a three-day summer festival that happens in May. Tourists from all over the country visit during this time to experience and engage in the culture of Valparai.

• Best Time to Visit: October to November and March to May
• Top Things to Do: Trekking, explore tea and coffee plantations and visit temples
• Top Places to Visit: Solaiyar Dam, Nirar Dam, Monkey Falls, Vellamalai Tunnel River, Balaji Temple
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,600 - ₹ 19,000 (hotel cost for 2 nights)
• How to Reach: By air, road and train

7. Ketti Valley

This valley is recognised as the second largest gorge in the world and a phenomenal place to visit. Ketti Valley is between the hill ranges of Ooty and Coonoor. If you love photography and adventure sports, this can be a haven for you. This is because the valley offers innumerable photo-worthy viewpoints and trekking trails.

• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Top Things to Do: Visit gardens, trek, and boating
• Top Places to Visit: Rose Garden, Ooty Lake, Sim’s Park, and Doddabetta Peak
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 800 - ₹ 30,000 (hotel cost for 2 nights)
• How to Reach: By air, road and train

8. Kotagiri

Kotagiri is one of the mesmerising places to spend some time off the grid and unwind in the lap of nature. Covered by innumerable tea plantations, this place has a rugged nature trail. Tourists get attracted to this place mainly because of its pleasant weather and breathtaking countryside views.

• Best Time to Visit: December to May
• Top Things to Do: Visit waterfalls, viewpoints and trekking
• Top Places to Visit: Rangaswamy Peak and Pillar, Catherine Falls, and Elk Falls
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,000 - ₹ 16,000 (hotel cost for 2 nights)
• How to Reach: By air, road and train

9. Javadi Hill

Javadi Hills, also known as Jawadh Hills, is situated in the Eastern Ghats and is the original habitat of Malayali tribes. This place is one of the off-beat hill stations in Tamil Nadu. Hence, it is not overcrowded with tourists. This idyllic destination is perfect for you if you find solace in trekking and living amidst nature.

• Best Time to Visit: March to May
• Top Things to Do: Camping or trekking, visit the jackfruit, mango or gooseberry plantations, visit the Vainu Bappu Observatory, explore the wildlife
• Top Places to Visit: Bheemanmadavu Waterfalls, Kavalur Observatory, Amrithi Forest, Komutteri Lake
• Average Cost of the Vacation:  ₹ 1,300 - ₹ 14,500 (hotel cost for 2 nights)
• How to Reach: By air, road and train

10. Kurangani

From fascinating wildlife to abundant plantations, there are innumerable things to explore in Kurangani. This hill station is also famous for unique trekking trails and campsites. For every nature lover, it becomes irresistible to visit this place because of the delightful view that it offers.

• Best Time to Visit: November to January
• Top Things to Do: Trekking or hiking, photography walk, enjoying the scenic beauty from innumerable viewpoints
• Top Places to Visit: Kanthalloor Waterfalls, Kanthaloor View Point, Echo Point, Carmelagiri Elephant Park, Chokramudi Peak
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,400 - ₹ 20,000 (hotel cost for 2 nights)
• How to Reach: By air, road and train

11. Kalrayan Hills or Kalvarayan Hills

Kalvarayan Hills is one of the most important hill ranges of Eastern Ghats. These hills act as a boundary between the Salem and Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu. For people looking for a place that offers a calm and peaceful environment to spend some time away from their mundane lives, this will be an ideal destination.

• Best Time to Visit: February to December
• Top Things to Do: Trekking, visiting dams, and temples
• Top Places to Visit: Megam Falls, Gomukhi Dam, Periyar falls, Pappanaikan Patti Dam, Manimukthanadhi Dam, Venkataramana Temple
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,800 - ₹ 3,500 (hotel cost for 1 night)
• How to Reach: By air, road and train

12. Kolli Hills

Situated on the western side of Tamil Nadu, this place is locally known as Kolli malai. People from all over the country visit here to enjoy soothing views from the hilltop. Additionally, they also get to explore the Dravidian temple architecture, medicinal farms, and beautiful gardens. Thus, making it one of the favourite hill stations in Tamil Nadu.

• Best Time to Visit: December to February
• Top Things to Do: Visit temples, walk through the Botanical Garden and explore the medicinal farm
• Top Places to Visit: Arapaleeswarar Temple, Tampcol Medicinal Farm, Agaya Gangai Waterfalls, Botanical Garden and Madurai
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 3,500 (hotel cost for 2 nights)
• How to Reach: By air, road and train

13. Meghamalai

The views of Meghamalai seem to come alive from any picture book. These wavy green mountains are located in the Western Ghats. In Meghamalai, you will experience the excellent aroma of pepper, cardamom and cinnamon in the air. This can be an ideal staycation for people who like to immerse themselves in nature and admire wildlife.

• Best Time to Visit: October to May
• Top Things to Do: Visit cardamon, pepper and cinnamon plantations, visit tea estates, and hike to waterfalls and dams.
• Top Places to Visit: Highway Dam, Mangla Devi Temple, Maharaja Mettu Point, Murugan temple, Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 615 - ₹ 7,000 (hotel cost for 2 nights)
• How to Reach: By air, road and train

14. Yercaud

One of the less-explored hill stations in Tamil Nadu is Yercaud. According to the local people, this place is referred to as "the lake forest". This is a picture-perfect place with raw and rustic aesthetics, varied biodiversity and dense forests and plantations. Yercaud is preferred by many because the cost of visiting here is very minimal.

• Best Time to Visit: October to June
• Top Things to Do: Hike to waterfalls, visit Lady’s Seat for some amazing views, café hopping, participate in adventure sports like high rope and zipline, and boating
• Top Places to Visit: Yercaud Lake, 32 km Loop Road, Pagoda Point, Silk Farm and Rose Garden, Bear Caves, Kottachedu Teak Forest and Tipperary View Point
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,200 - ₹ 23,000 (hotel cost for 2 nights)
• How to Reach: By air, road and train

15. Kolukkumalai

Almost every hill station in Tamil Nadu has tea plantations, and so does Kolukkumalai. However, not many people are aware of the fact that the highest tea plantations in the world exist here. If you ever visit this place, make sure to buy some of the best teas. Another thing that attracts tourists to this place is the view of sunrises from the hilltop.

• Best Time to Visit: March and September to December
• Top Things to Do: Visit the tea estate and hiking
• Top Places to Visit: Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, Chinnakanal waterfall, Mattupetti Dam and Lockhart Gap
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 4,000 (hotel cost for 2 nights)
• How to Reach: By air, road and train

16. Anaimalai

Anaimalai hills are located on the borders of Western Ghats. For those who love trekking in the hilly terrains, this can be an ideal location for them. It is unknown to some that, Anaimalai is the highest peak in Southern India. Here you will find abundant plantations of the sandalwood tree, teak, and sago palms.

• Best Time to Visit: September to June
• Top Things to Do: Safari, trekking, visit waterfalls and dams
• Top Places to Visit: Loam’s Viewpoint, Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Monkey Falls and Aliyar Dam Reservoir Park 
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 800 - ₹ 1,500 (hotel cost for 2 nights)
• How to Reach: By air, road and train

All of these hill stations are easily accessible and affordable. So, if you are searching for the ideal destination to spend time amidst nature, you can choose from these hill stations in Tamil Nadu. Along with providing spectacular views, these getaways are unique in their own ways. Consider and compare each place with the information provided and choose your ideal retreat.