Known For : Echo Point, Munnar Photo Point Atukkad Waterfalls
One of the most idyllic hill stations in Kerala, Munnar is famous for its tea estates, exotic lush greenery and craggy peaks. Munnar is located in the Western Ghats. It serves as the commercial centre for some of the world’s largest tea estates. In addition, Munnar has many protected areas which are home to endemic and highly endangered species like the Nilgiri Thar and the Neelakurinji.
Best Time: September to May
Known For : Banasura Sagar Dam Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Chembra Peak
Replete with enchanting waterfalls, historical caves, comfortable resorts and homestays, Wayanad is one of the most popular hill stations in Kerala. It is also famous for its spice plantations and wildlife sanctuaries. Lakkidi View Point is a high altitude point to get a breathtaking view of the city.
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Ulipooni Wildlife Sanctuary Vagamon Meadows Pine Hill
1100 meters above the sea, far away from the loud city culture, lush greenery and serenity to gift every visitor, Vagamon is one of the more offbeat hill stations in Kerala away from maddening tourist crowds.
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Hill View Park Kulamavu Dam Idukki Arch Dam
With remains of Chera dynasty, Vembolinad Kingdom, and European plantations in the later years, this rugged hill station in Kerala is best known for its wildlife sanctuaries, beautiful bungalows, tea factories, rubber plantations and forests.
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Chembara peak Soochipara Falls
62 kms off Kozhikode is Vythiri, a popular resort town famous for its old-world charm with cottages, log huts, treehouse accommodations cosily nestled in the forests of Wayanad. Situated at an altitude of 700 metres, Vythiri in Wayanad comprises of 18 villages.
Best Time: October to Apr
Known For : The Elembalai Hill Adyanpara Waterfalls Teak Museum
Nestled at the bank of Chaliyar River in the proximity to Nilgiri Range, Nilambur is a small town, popularly known as Land of Teak Plantations. It is an ideal hill station in Kerala for a quaint and laidback holiday.
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Butterfly Safari Adventure zone Trekking
Snuggled in between dense woods of Western Ghats, Thenmala is an ecotourism hill station in Kerala located in Kollam district. A fetching fusion of pristine nature and fabricated design, it offers quietude unlike any place else. Dotted with winding roads and rubber and tea plantations, Thenmala boasts of being the first planned ecotourism site in India. Spread over acres of dense timber trees, the name 'Thenmala' translates to Honey Hill suggesting the supply of high-quality honey from the region. This honey has medicinal properties because of the surrounding floral varieties and is exported in large amounts.
Best Time: December to February
Known For : Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary Golden Valley Mini Zoo, Ponmudi
Nestled in the laps of rolling hills of the Western Ghats, filled with tea-plantations, lush green hills and valleys, waterfalls and streams, Ponmudi is a quaint little town in Kerala and draws connoisseurs of mountain life.
Best Time: November to May
Known For : Nelliyampathy Hills Nenmara Vallanghy Vela Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
If you see the mist floating in the air and a pleasant aroma of coffee teasing your nostrils, a chain of majestic mountains peaking from all around and a wonderful weather relaxing your nerves, then you are not dreaming, you are in a small beautiful hill station of Kerala known as Nelliyampathy.
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Devi Lake Pallivasal Falls Thoovanam Falls
A lake with a legend of its own, greenest sceneries, waterfalls and tea plantations are what offer its charm to Devikulam, a hill station in Kerala.
Best Time: November to May
Known For : Grampi Thrissanku Hills Peeru Hills
Blessed with lots of green cover, beautiful rolling hills, wandering streams and gurgling waterfalls; Peermede is a small bewitching hill station of Kerala, pure and pristine. Perched at an altitude of 915 m above the sea level, the town has many hidden treasure troves waiting to be uncovered.
Best Time: April to June, September to November
Known For : Karapuzha Dam Kanthanpara Waterfalls Shopping in Kalpetta
Kalpetta is a quaint town with a backdrop of majestic hills lurking in the shadows, lush green surroundings, fresh air and picturesque beauty. Located in the Wayanad District of Kerala, at a height of 780 m above the sea level, Kalpetta is a perfect place for nature lovers as well as honeymooners.
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Periyar National Park Periyar Tiger Trail Bamboo Rafting
Home to the country's largest Tiger Reserve- Periyar, this hill station in Kerala is a great way to enjoy a jungle vacation.
Best Time: Throughout the year
A favourite for nature and wildlife enthusiasts, Gavi has many activities that visitors can engage in. You can go trekking, bird watching or even just stay in your homestay and look for some interesting species of flora and fauna. It is also close to the Sabarimala Temple and you can trek to a point to get a fine view of this temple.
The highlight of this hill station in Kerala is that it gives fantastic views of the other hill stations and waterfalls nearby. The green-carpeted mountains are just one element with many things like a majestic river flowing through the hills. You can also engage in mountain cycling, trekking and camping here.
The hill stations in Kerala are very sought after destinations due to their perfect climate throughout the year, great facilities for travellers and amazing coffee and tea plantations.