Discover The Best Hill Stations Near Goa: Explore Scenic Getaways Of Western Ghats

Beautiful panoramic image of a river merging into the ocean in Goa near the hill station
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While it’s hard to stay away from the beautiful sunny beaches you can also explore scenic hill stations near Goa. As this beautiful small state is surrounded by a majestic hilly landscape that lies a few hundred kilometres from its beaches. If you plan to go travelling in and around Goa during the year, there are several hill stations in Goa that you can visit. These hill stations offer you the very best of natural surroundings and fauna, as well as cool weather which can act as a respite from the heat of Goa, especially during the summers.

Hill Stations In Goa

Here are a few hill stations near Goa for a mountainous escape from the beaches of Goa. Explore these scenic lush hills and capture some unforgettable memories of your Goa trip.

1. Sawantwadi

A group of young boys sitting near the pond of Sawantwadi which is a beautiful hill station near Goa

Photo: Deepak Patil / Wikimedia Commons

Locating at the Sahyadri Mountains at an altitude of 690m above sea level, Sawantwadi hill station offers hours of fun to visitors. This hill station is in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. Hiranya Keshi Nagarta Falls and Narayangad are the major attractions for picnicking at Sawantwadi. Not only is it a scenic hill station, it is a prominent town in the vicinity of Moti Lake and is well known for its wooden handicrafts. The Palace of Sawantwadi is a popular tourist attraction and it is a great heritage of Ganjifa and Laquerware.

Major Attractions: Moti Talao, Shiva Udyan
Location: Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra

Suggested Read: Top Beaches In Goa For A Fun-Filled And Sunny Vacation

2. Chorla Ghat

Panraromic image of the Chorla Ghar over the clouds amsit the jungle near the Goa hillstation

Photo: Vikram2784 / Wikimedia Commons

Chorla Ghat is a nature destination located at the intersection of the borders of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra. It lies to the northeast of Panaji. It is a part of the Western Ghats in the Sahyadri mountain range and is at an elevation of 800 metres. Chorla ghat boasts of a few rare species of wildlife in its sub-tropical forests.

This region is part of the Western Ghats landscape and is regarded as a Global Biodiversity Hotspot, as well as an area of high endemism by Conservation International. Which makes it a perfect hill station near Goa.

Major Attractions: Anjunem Dam, Vajra Waterfalls
Location: Charavade, Goa 403505

3. Agumbe

A scenic view from the top of the Agumbe hill which is an idyllic hillstation near Goa

Photo: Shashidhara halady / Wikimedia Commons

Agumbe is a village situated in the Thirthahalli taluka of Shivamogga district, Karnataka, India. It is nestled in the thickly forested Malenadu region of the Western Ghats mountain range. Owing to its high rainfall, it has received the epithet of “The Cherrapunji of South India”, after Cherrapunji, one of the rainiest places in India. Agumbe is associated with rainforest conservation efforts, documentation of medicinal plants, tourism (trekking and photography), and the promotion of cottage industry. The Agumbe Rainforest Research Station was established as a sanctuary for the King Cobra, Agumbe’s flagship species.

Major Attractions: Barkana Falls, Agumbe Sunset View Point
Location: Shimoga district, Karnataka

Suggested Read: Discover The Top Places To Visit Near Goa Airport

4. Dandeli

Scenic view of the hills of Dandeli from a resort in the idyllic settings of hillstation near Goa

Photo: Dandeli resorts inn / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Located on the Western Ghats of Uttara Karnataka, Dandeli is bestowed with lush green forests and lies on the banks of the Kali River. Known for its many fantastic adventure opportunities, Dandeli is a hub for river rafting on river Kali. Adventure seekers have many options such as mountain biking, trekking, cycling, kayaking and canoeing. The Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is another exciting element that Dandeli has to offer. This is perfect for nature lovers too as they can spot Bisons and Black Panthers here as well as be amidst beautiful flora as well. Dandeli has famous attractions here like the Kavla Caves, Ulavi Temple, and Satholi Falls.

Major Attractions: Kali Tiger Reserve, Moulangi Eco Park
Location: Uttara Kannada, Karnataka

5. Vengurla

Panoramic view of the beautiful hills of the Vengurla and the river near the scenic hillstation near Goa

Photo: Nilesh2 str / Wikimedia Commons

Vengurla is an alluring beach town, located on the Konkan coast in the southernmost district of Sindhudurg in Maharashtra. Just 110 km north of Goa, Vengurla is popular for its long stretch of clear white sand beaches ringed by high mountains. It is one of the busiest ports during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The existence of huge warehouses, trading centres and markets are pointers to its rich mercantile past. Between 1664 and 1812, the town was twice burned to the ground. Henceforth it is now one of the most famous destinations for history lovers and tourists alike.

Major Attractions: Vengurla Beach, Shri Navadurga Temple
Location: Sindhudurg, Karnataka

Suggested Read: Most Popular Places To Visit In Goa Other Than Beaches

6. Kudremukh

Majestic views of the Kudremukha terrain cvovered in the lush green forest of the western Ghats

Photo: solarisgirl / Wikimedia Commons

Kudremukha is the name of a mountain range and an individual mountain peak located in Chikmagalur district, in Karnataka, India. It is also the name of a small hill station and iron ore-mining town situated near the mountain, about 20 kilometres from Kalasa in Kalasa Taluk. The name Kuduremukha literally means “horse-faced” in Kannada and refers to a particular picturesque view of a side of the mountain that resembles a horse’s face. After years of campaigning by environmentalists.

Major Attractions: Kudremukh National Park, Hanuman Gundi Falls
Location: Western Ghats, Karnataka

7. Kemmanagundi

Snapshot of the Rural village geography nature scenery in the hills of the Kemmanagundi

Photo: Vijay Sawant / Wikimedia Commons

Kemmanagundi is located at a height of 1434m above sea level and is famous for its beautifully laid-out ornamental gardens, enchanting mountains and valley views. The picturesque sunset view from the Raj Bhavan is every photographer’s delight. For those who are adventurous, the place offers many peaks to scale and intricate jungle paths to explore. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (53 Kms), Ayyana Kere (58 Kms) are some of the attractions to visit around the hill station.

Major Attractions: Hebbe Falls, Rock Garden
Location: Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka

Suggested Read: Discover Hidden Waterfalls In Goa

8. Vagamon

Beautiful snapshot of the Vagamon which is termed as the paradise of the western Ghats

Photo: Shijan Kaakkara / Wikimedia Commons

Vagamon is a hill station located on the Kottayam- Idukki border of Kerala. It has a cool climate with temperatures between 10-23°C during the summer midday. The hill station has a chain of 3 beautiful hills called Thangal Hill, Murugan Hill and Kurismala that give an enchanting feel to this beautiful hill station. So visit Vagamon Hill station to experience eternal bliss and peace of mind. Besides, being abundant in natural beauty, the place also offers space for spiritual activities. The peaceful surroundings with cool and soft breeze blowing across the valley make it a perfect place for meditation.

Major Attractions: Pine Hill, Ulipooni Wildlife Sanctuary
Location: Kottayam, Kerala

9. Coorg

Panoramic Aerial view of the beautiful Coorg and its hills surrounded by the lush forest

Photo: Aneezone / Wikimedia Commons

Located amidst imposing mountains in Karnataka with a perpetually misty landscape, Coorg is a popular coffee-producing hill station. It is popular for its beautiful green hills and the streams cutting right through them. It also stands as a popular destination because of its culture and people. The Kodavas, a local clan specializing in martial arts, are especially notable for their keen hospitality. Coorg, officially known as Kodagu, is the most affluent hill station in Karnataka. It is well known for its breathtakingly exotic scenery and lush greenery. Forest-covered hills, spice and coffee plantations only add to the landscape.

Major Attractions: Mercara Gold Estate Coffee Plantation, Abbey Falls
Location: Madikeri, Karnataka

Suggested Read: Water Sports In Goa Every Daredevil Must Try At Least Once

10. Rajmachi

Beautiful image of the Rajmachi hills which is covered by the dense jungle and the rich Fauna

Photo: BHARATHGOTTEMUKKULA / Wikimedia Commons

Rajmachi is a small village situated in the Sahyadri mountain range of the Konkan region of Maharashtra. Rajmachi is famous for its historical fortress which has two fortified peaks – Shrivardhan and Manaranjan forts, located near two famous hills of Lonavala and Khandala. The fort of Rajmachi is famous among trekkers and adventure enthusiasts. If you want to experience a full-fledged trek, you can start from the Kondhane caves side which will take 3-4 hours of climbing, but otherwise, you can drive right up to Udhewadi village.

Major Attractions: Karla Caves, Sinhagad Fort
Location: Pune district, Maharashtra

Hill stations are always a good idea to spend a weekend at and now that you have this informational guide with you, this idea will come to life in no time. Hill stations near Goa are a welcome change from the sandy and sunny beaches. hill stations listed above do not disappoint when it comes to doing unique activities there. Plan a wonderful trip to hill stations near Goa now with TripXL.

Cover Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to visit Goa is from November to February. The temperature is between 21 ⁰C and 27 ⁰C. It's the peak season when the state is crowded with tourists from all over the world.
Goa has two major railway stations — Margao and Vasco-da-Gama, both located in the southern area of the state. The South Central Railway terminus is at Vasco-da-Gama and the Konkan Railway terminus is at Margao.
If you can afford to take long leaves then avid travellers recommend you to spend a good 5 Days in Goa. With these five days, you can enjoy every element of beauty in this land.
Using public transport is a convenient and budget-friendly way to travel around Goa. The primary modes of transport are the local state buses and local Goa ferries. These are mostly preferred by the locals and budget travellers.
Goa is known for its seafood, including fish curry, prawn balchao, and crab and other dishes like Sanna and Bollo.

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