The hill stations of India are indeed splendid and attract tourists from all over the country and abroad. Hill Stations are such a popular destination because they offer a peaceful escape from the hustle-bustle and routine of daily life. Here is a list of the 7 highest hill stations in India.
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Highest And Most Mesmerizing Hill Stations!
Manali
Manali is one of the Highest Hill Stations that is really beautiful and can be found nestled among the Beas river valley, in Himachal Pradesh. Located 2,050 meters above sea level, Manali enjoys compatible weather year-round.
Some of the activities tourists who visit Manali like to engage in include skiing, trekking, and hiking. The pleasant climate is due to the favorable location, which is right in the middle of the Kullu district in the Himalayas.
- How To Reach: By plane, by train, by bus. Bhuntar Airport (50 km), Joginder Nagar Railway Station (120 km), Manali Bus Depot.
- Best Time To Visit: March to June
- Nearby Places To Visit: Bhuntar, Nagar Castle, and Uruswati Himalayan Folk Art Museum
Check Places to Stay in Manali
Darjeeling
Next is the Darjeeling Hill Station, in West Bengal. Darjeeling shares a border with Sikkim and is at a height of around 2050 meters above sea level. Known for its tea industry, this beautiful hill station gives India a name abroad as well.
Located in the lesser Himalayas, Darjeeling enjoys a pleasant climate all through which is why it is so popular. Some top attractions of Darjeeling are the spectacular Toy Train (Darjeeling Himalayan Railway), Tiger Hill, and Peace Pagoda. Darjeeling is also known for cable car travel, horseback rides, the mall, and even its memorable city lanes.
- How To Reach: By Plane, by train, and by bus. Bagdogra Airport (76 km), Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Tenzing Norgay Bus Stand (77 km)
- Best time to Visit: May to October
- Nearby Places To Visit: Gangtok and Kalimpong
Check Places to Stay in Darjeeling
Mussoorie
Mussoorie, in Dehradun, Uttarakhand is situated at an altitude of 2,050 meters above sea level in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan range. Also called the ‘Queen of the Hills’ it offers some breathtaking views of the Doon Valley and the Himalayas. Darjeeling’s climate is always favorable.
Some attractions to see in Mussoorie include the erstwhile homes of British folk of Scotland from the colonial era. the Kempty Falls, Cloud’s End, and Sir George Everest House. Mussoorie actually gets its name from Mansoor, a shrub that grows in large quantities there!
- How To Reach: By Plane, by train, and by bus. Jollygrant Airport, Dehradun (30 km), Dehradun Railway Station (36 km), and Mussoorie Bus Stand
- Best time to Visit: March to June
- Nearby Places To Visit: Dhanaulti, Dehradun, and Chamba
Check Places to Stay in Mussoorie
Two Highest Hill Stations In South India
Ooty
Ooty is another popular hill station in Tamil Nadu. Also called Ootacamund and Udhagamadalam it is situated in the Nilgiri hills at an altitude of about 2,240 meters above sea level. Ooty has a pleasant climate year-round and is one of the highest hill stations in South India.
Ooty is indeed a beautiful hill station, and some of its highlights include Ooty Lake, Stone House, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and the Pykara Falls. History claims that many kings had ruled over kingdoms here like the Rashtrakutas, Vijayanagaras, Satvahanas, Hoysalas, Ummatur, Kadamba, Gangas, etc.
- How To Reach: By Plane, by train, and by bus. Coimbatore International Airport (57 km), Mettupalayam (47 km), Ooty Bus Stand
- Best time to Visit: October- December
- Nearby Places To Visit: Coorg, Conoor, and Bangalore
Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal, situated in the hills of Dindigul, means “Gift of the Forests” in Tamil. This is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in South India and is situated at an altitude of about 2,133 meters above sea level. The picture-perfect lush green forests and abundant lakes, waterfalls, and rivers make Kodaikanal as pretty as a postcard.
Kodaikanal’s top attractions include the Kodaikanal Lake, Coakers Walk, the Pine Forest, and Kurinji Andavar Temple. This is probably why tourism is the main source of income for this town! It can also be considered one of the top 10 highest hill stations in India.
- How To Reach: By Plane, by train, and by bus. Madurai Airport (120 km), Kodai Rd Railway Station (80 km), Kodaikanal Bus Stand
- Best time to Visit: October to March
- Nearby Places To Visit: Trichy, Bangalore, and Chennai
Check Places to Stay in Kodaikanal
Two Highest Hill Stations in India From Sea Level
Leh
Leh, in Jammu and Kashmir, was the old capital of Ladakh. Nestled in the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges at an altitude of almost 3,500 meters above sea level, Leh is the highest hill station above sea level. Also called the gem of the Lidar valley, visitors who frequent Leh, love to enjoy a bit of hiking and trekking. Some of the beautiful attractions of Leh include the Shanti Stupa, Nainital, and Namgyal Hill.
- How To Reach: By Plane, by train, by bus. Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Jammu Jammu Tawi (700 km), Leh Bus Stand
- Best Time To Visit: April to July
- Nearby Places To Visit: Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake
Pahalgam
Lastly, on the list of highest hill stations in India, at an altitude of about 2,130 meters above sea level, is Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. Pahalgam is a well-known shooting locale for Hindi Films and the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimages.
Pahalgam has its own version of Switzerland in Baisaran. The weather in this beautiful hill station is Alpine. Tourists simply love to flock to Chandanwari, Aru Valley, Betaab Valley, Kolahoi Glacier, and Sheshnag Lake.
- How To Reach: By Plane, by train, and by bus. Srinagar Airport (95 km), Jammu Tawi railway station (253 km), New Bus Stand Pahalgam
- Best Time To Visit: April to November
- Nearby Places To Visit: Srinagar and Gulmarg
Check Places to Stay in Pahalgam
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
If you happen to be visiting during the winter time, do not forget to pack some wool clothing such as gloves and windproof jackets. Another useful tip would be to keep yourself hydrated by drinking something warm. Also make sure to book your ticket and accommodation in advance, before the start of the peak season.
The trend of Hill stations came into being during colonial times. It was during British Rule, that the British Officials opted to stay in towns that were situated at a high altitude, as the climate of these locations was reminiscent of their hometowns.
The phrase ‘hill station’ literally means that the said area is located at a higher altitude than the neighboring locations
As mentioned above in this article, Leh can be considered the highest hill station in India.
The fact is that India has the highest amount of hill stations in the world.
