Explore The Mesmerizing Hill Stations In Tamil Nadu-2023

Are you yet to explore the picturesque hill stations of Tamilnadu? Then, it’s high time to plan a trip today itself. Starting from the lush green coffee plantations of Yercaud to the cool weather of Ooty and the rich flora of Kodaikanal to the adventurous trekking trails of Kotagiri,

Tamil Nadu is blessed with more than a dozen of must-visit hill stations. In this blog, we cover the top 10 hill stations in Tamil Nadu, the best time to visit these spots and the various options to travel to each of these destinations.

10 Best Hill Stations In Tamil Nadu

1. Yercaud

On top of our list is Yercaud, a beautiful hill station near Salem. It is popularly known as the “Poor man’s Ooty” as it is a low-cost hill station that fits your pocket. This is one of the best hill stations in Tamil Nadu.

The top tourist spots in Yercaud include Anna Park, where the flower show is conducted in the month of May, Bear’s cave which is situated around 7 feet below the ground level and the Botanical Survey of India where you can explore a wide range of plants.

Best time to visit – Plan a visit to Yercaud somewhere between March and June. With the average temperature hovering between 10°C to 29°C, the weather will be quite pleasant during these months.

How to reach – If you are planning to fly, the nearest airports are Bangalore at a distance of 250 km and Coimbatore at 190 km. For train travellers, the nearest railhead is Salem Junction at 35 km. There is also good bus connectivity between Yercaud and Salem.

2. Ooty

If you want to unwind in the lap of nature, then there is no better place than Ooty. Popularly known as the “Queen of Hill Stations”, Ooty is located in the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu.

Without a doubt, you would enjoy visiting the Government Botanical Garden which houses nearly 600 varieties of beautiful plant species, the beautiful Ooty lake where you can spend quality time boating and the famous Pine Forest thickly populated with pine trees that are more than 100 years old. 

Best time to visit – The best time to visit Ooty would be in the summer months between March to June.

How to reach – The nearest airport from Ooty is Coimbatore International Airport, about 88 km away. If you prefer a train journey, the nearest railhead is Coimbatore Railway Station, at a distance of about 87 km.

3. Yelagiri

In the newly formed Tirupattur district of Tamil Nadu lies the hill station, Yelagiri. If you are travelling by road, to reach the Yelagiri hilltop, you have to go via a winding ghat road consisting of 14 hairpin bends.

The magnificent view of the mountain slopes and the thick green forest is beyond description. Major tourist attractions in Yelagiri include Punganur Lake which spans 56.706 square metres, SwamiMalai Hills – the highest point and Fundera Park with a rare collection of 3000 species of birds. 

Best time to visit – Plan a visit to Yelagari starting from November to mid of February. During the winter months, the weather will be quite pleasant making it the best season to visit this place.  

How to reach – If you prefer flight travel, the nearest airport is Chennai at a distance of 224 Km. For train travellers, the nearest railway station is at Tirupattur, 30 Km from Yelagiri.

4. Kotagiri

A taluk and a Panchayat town in the Nilgiris District, Kotagiri holds the distinction of being the third largest hill station in the Nilgiri hills.

If the wanderlust in you is pretty strong, then it is worth visiting the Longwood Shola, a large, dense forest that is spread across 116 hectares, Catherine Falls – the fantastic waterfalls, Rangaswamy Peak offers breathtaking views and Kodanad View Point which provides a spectacular view of Nilgiri’s terrains.

Best time to visit – The ideal season to visit Kotagiri is the winter and the onset of summer i.e starting from December till May.

How to reach – Coimbatore International Airport is the nearest airport to Kotagiri. When it comes to the train, the nearest railway station is Coonoor which is just 21 km away. There is also good bus connectivity from Kotagiri to other major cities such as Trichy, Coimbatore, Erode, Mettupalayam and Tirupur.

5. Kodaikanal

Popularly known as the “Princess of Hill stations”, Kodaikanal is located in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. A major attraction of Kodaikanal is a man-made lake built in 1860. No doubt, you would enjoy the wonderful experience of walking around the lake or going for a  bicycle ride.

The other tourist spots that deserve a special mention include the Kuzhanthai Velappar temple in Poombarai, trek to the stunning Kookal falls and Kodaikanal Golf Club where you can play a game of golf even in the afternoon.

Perfect for a getaway from the hustle of city life, we've rounded up the best waterfall hikes in Kodaikanal to add to your bucket list.#kodaikanal #hillstation #greenery #vacations #trekking #wanderlust #adventure #Mondayvibes #TamilNadu #TamilNaduTourism pic.twitter.com/JIfBZVCSAt

— Tamil Nadu Tourism (@tntourismoffcl) December 26, 2022

Best time to visit –  Plan a visit to Kodaikanal in the winter, i.e. during the months starting from October till March.

How to reach – From Madurai airport, Kodaikanal is just 120 Km away. If you opt for train travel, the nearest railhead is Kodai Road, approximately 95 km away. From all major cities, there are state government buses or private luxury buses operating trips to Kodaikanal.

6. Anaimalai

A taluk in the Coimbatore district, Anaimalai is home to the temple of the goddess Maasani Amman. If you are a hardcore animal lover, then it would be worth visiting Anamalai tiger reserve which is one of the 25 Global Biodiversity Hotspots.

Apart from tigers, you can also enjoy the beautiful sight of animals such as gaur, sloth bear, elephants, pangolin, deer, and more than 350 species of birds. The other prominent tourist attractions include the Amaravathi dam reservoir and the Karianshola forest.

How to reach – The nearest airport is Coimbatore, about 75 Km away from Anaimalai. The closest railhead is Pollachi which is 35 km away. 

Best time to visit – The best time to visit Anaimalai is from June to March.

7. Kolukkumalai

How about visiting Kolukkumalai, the beautiful hill station with the highest tea plantations in the world? Located in the Bodinayakanur Taluk of the Theni district, Kolukkumalai is the perfect place for offroading enthusiasts. If you are crazy about adventure activities, then there is also the option for hiking and camping.       

How to reach – The closest airport is Madurai International Airport, which is 151 km away. The nearest railhead is Madurai Station, at a distance of 144 km. If you are opting for bus travel, Theni Bus Stand is the closest, about 60 km away. From the main town, you have to go via a jeep to Kolukkumalai.

Best time to visit – Though you can consider visiting Kolukkumalai all through the year, the best season would be between September to March.  

8. Coonoor

Famous for its Nilgiri tea, Coonoor is nestled in the Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu. Apart from the beautiful tea estates, the other places of tourist interest include Sim’s Park, a public garden with a vast collection of plants such as rhododendrons, roses and eucalyptus trees.

From the Dolphin’s nose, you can enjoy the magnificent view of the cascading Catherine Falls. The steam Nilgiri Mountain Railway travels that provides services between Mettupalayam and Ooty via Coonoor is also worth experiencing.

How to reach – Coimbatore airport is the nearest one to Coonoor. If you are travelling by train, Coimbatore junction is the major railway station.

Best time to visit – Plan a visit to Coonoor between the months of October to March.

9. Kolli Hills

Spread across the mountain ranges of Namakkal and Tiruchirapalli districts, Koli Hills is one of the favourite spots of motorcycle enthusiasts. The high-altitude motorable terrain with 70 hairpin bends provides a never-before experience to those who are crazy about motorcycle riding.

The other major tourist attractions include Arapaleeswarar temple, frequented by devotees and Agaya Gangai, a spectacular waterfall.

How to reach – The airport at Trichy is the nearest one at a distance of 90 km and the nearest railhead is the Salem Railway Station.

Best time to visit – The perfect season to visit this place is between March to June, during spring or from August till December, during autumn.

10. Ketti Valley

Located in The Nilgiris District, Keti Valley holds the distinction of being the second-largest gorge, only behind the Grand Canyon of the USA.

Popularly known as the ‘Switzerland of South India’, Keti Valley offers an amazing experience to its visitors with tourist spots such as Emerald Tea Plantations, Shiva Lingam Temple, the World Wax Museum and a Telescope House where you will get a detailed view of the mesmerising surroundings.

How to reach – The closest airport is Coimbatore International Airport. Mettupalayam Railway Station is the nearest railhead from where you can travel to Ketti Valley via a  toy train ride or hire a private vehicle.

Best time to visit – Plan a visit to this place sometime in the summer between October to March.

Conclusion

All set to explore the 10 best Hill Stations In Tamil Nadu? Without a doubt, it will be a memorable trip that will make you feel like visiting these tourist spots again. 

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