Beautiful Hill Stations In West Bengal For A Summer Getaway

Known For : Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Batasia Loop Darjeeling Ropeway

Jaw-dropping locales, mesmerising sunrises, the untouched beauty of the hills, the old-world charm of the past, and the welcoming smiles of the local people all add up to make Darjeeling one of the most beautiful hill stations in West Bengal. Some of Darjeeling's most popular attractions include monasteries, botanical gardens, a zoo, and the Darjeeling-Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway cable car, which is the longest Asian cable car.

Best Time: February to March, September to December

31 Darjeeling Attractions

Known For : Morgan House Durpin Dara hill Deolo Hill

Kalimpong is a virgin hill station in West Bengal renowned for its panoramic valley views, Buddhist monasteries and churches and Tibetan handicrafts etc. It is dotted with ancient Buddhist monasteries, centuries-old churches and exquisite revered temples.

Best Time: March to June, September to December

24 Kalimpong Attractions

Known For : Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Museum Ambotia Shiva Mandir Tea Gardens in Kurseong

Also known as the 'Land of White Orchids', Kurseong is a hill station in West Bengal located close to Darjeeling. It is famous for its waterfalls, temples and Buddhist gompas apart from the excellent view that the place provides. Kurseong enjoys milder and pleasant weather most times of the year. It is a great stopover for tourists looking for a more peaceful alternative to Darjeeling.

Best Time: April to May, August to October

9 Kurseong Attractions

Known For : Bunkulung Mirik Lake Orange Orchards

Located on the banks of a huge lake, the hill town of Mirik adds to North Bengal's bounty. Amidst the Himalayan Valley, Mirik has more to offer than just beautiful mountains and lakes. From boating experiences for your romantic getaway to temples for the faithful to orchids and gardens for nature's child, Mirik is one of the best hill stations in West Bengal.

Best Time: March to July

9 Mirik Attractions

Rimbik is a lesser-known hill station in West Bengal, located about 56km from Darjeeling. Located very close to the India-Nepal border, it is popular for its trekking trails. It is also a hub for trekking to Singalila National Park and Sandakphu. The natural beauty of this quaint town is mesmerising. Since it is a small town, homestays are the best accommodation available here.

Known For : Salugara Monastery ISKCON Temple, Siliguri Mahananda Weir Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated on the banks of the river Mahananda, Siliguri is a tiny hill station in West Bengal nestled in between the Himalayan foothills and the Dooars region. Also known as the Gateway to North East India, Siliguri serves mainly as a base for tourists to camp in before moving out to explore nearby tourist attractions such as Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Gangtok. However, Siliguri itself is a perfectly good holiday destination, with sufficient things to see and do.

Best Time: Throughout the year

19 Siliguri Attractions

Known For : Jaldhaka River Valley Coronation Bridge Gorumara

Jaldhaka is a valley town hidden in the hills of Darjeeling. It takes you back in time when nature was, all that man cared about. This hill station in West Bengal is one of those that will combine the beauty of a relaxation trip with the thrill of an adventure getaway.

Best Time: October to March

7 Jaldhaka Attractions

Known For : Rishyap Canopy Walk lo Lolegaon Viewpoint

Located about 120 Kms from Siliguri, Lava and Lolegaon are merely 25 kms apart. These two pristine villages offer beautiful snow-capped mountains and ancient Buddhist monasteries, among other enthralling sights. If you want to experience nature as nature intended, this is the perfect hill station in West Bengal to visit.

Best Time: October to June

10 Lolegaon Attractions

Sandakphu at 3,636 metres is the highest point in West Bengal and the only location in India from which four of the world's five highest peaks — Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu — are visible on clear days. The trek from Maneybhanjang through the Singalila National Park, passing through rhododendron forests and high-altitude villages, is one of the most rewarding in eastern India. The trek is typically done over 4-5 days with homestay accommodation along the route.

Rishyap is a tiny village at around 2,590 metres above Lava, considered one of the best viewpoints for Kanchenjunga in the entire Darjeeling hills region. The village has a small number of homestays and the walk from Lava takes around 2-3 hours through forest. The sunrise view of Kanchenjunga from the clearing above the village is the primary reason people make the trip.

Lepchajagat is a forest village at 2,150 metres, 19 km from Darjeeling, surrounded by dense oak and rhododendron forest managed by the West Bengal Forest Department. The forest bungalow accommodation, the birdwatching trails and the complete quiet of the village make it one of the most sought-after slow-travel destinations in the Darjeeling hills. It's accessible enough from Darjeeling for a day trip but an overnight stay is more rewarding.

Lamahatta is an eco-park village at 1,800 metres managed by the West Bengal Forest Department, 23 km from Darjeeling. The terraced gardens, rhododendron forest, Kanchenjunga viewpoint and the orchard walks make it a well-maintained and accessible nature destination. It's become one of the more popular day trips and overnights from Darjeeling over recent years.

Latpanchar is a birding village on the edge of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary in the Darjeeling foothills, known for the great hornbill and pied hornbill migrations that draw bird photographers from across India between October and March. The forest drives, the Mahananda River below and the homestay community here have made it a well-regarded destination for wildlife enthusiasts. It's around 50 km from Siliguri.