Hill Stations In Tamil Nadu: Your Complete Travel Guide

A picture of a lush green terrain, showcasing some of the best hill Stations in Tamil Nadu.

The Southeast Indian region of Tamil Nadu is hugely populated but still manages to keep culture and heritage as the way of life. If you are a nature lover and enjoy calm, the ideal hill stations in Tamil Nadu are waiting to be visited. Serene mountain ranges with green patches and endless tea plantations make an excursion to the picturesque hill stations of Tamil Nadu for an ideal break from the chaos of everyday life. That is why we bring this amazing post, which overviews the top 10 Tamil Nadu hill stations worth visiting on vacation and making some great memories.

10 Hill Stations In Tamil Nadu

Some of the most common hill stations in Tamil Nadu with distance:

1. Ooty

A picture of Ooty’s lush green tea estates, one of the popular hill stations in Tamil Nadu.

Photo: Hemant meena / Wikimedia Commons

Udhagamandalam, or Ooty, is one of the most visited hill stations in Tamil Nadu. Famed for its favourable temperature, amazing landscape, and large tea plantations, the region is still green and has picturesque views. It is becoming a popular location for young couples searching for places to go during their honeymoon. Other sites like Ooty Lake, Botanical Gardens, or Doddabetta Peak also draw visitors’ attention all year round. Ooty, which has a very cool climate and attractive vintage colonial structures at its centre, is considered one of the prime hill stations in Tamilnadu.

Nearest Airport: Coimbatore International Airport (88 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Ooty Railway Station
Best Time To Visit: October to June

2. Kodaikanal

A picture of Kodaikanal’s serene lakes, offering the best of a Tamil Nadu hill station.

Photo: M.arunprasad / Wikimedia Commons

Kodaikanal, a hill station in Tamil Nadu, is situated in the Palani Hills and called the “Princess of Hill Stations.” This elegant hill station of Tamil Nadu boasts the scenic beauty of pearl green hills, clear water bodies, and misty, gentle hills. Kodaikanal Lake, Coaker’s Walk, and Picture Postcard Rocks are a few more places that should be included during the visit. The overall refreshing weather, plus the environment, makes it one of the best hill stations in Tamil Nadu for a relaxing holiday.

Nearest Airport: Madurai Airport (120 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Kodai Road Railway Station
Best Time To Visit: April to June and September to November

3. Yercaud

 A picture of Yercaud’s picturesque hilltop lakes, one of the top hill stations in Tamil Nadu.

Photo: Sri2161k / Wikimedia Commons

Yercaud, located in the Shevaroy Hills region of Tamil Nadu, is a pleasant hill station. The landscape is dotted with coffee plantations and sundecks, cutting off sharp positive angles in the beautiful forests and valleys. Yercaud Lake, Lady’s Seat, Killiyur Falls, and others are prominent places. A laid-back vibe with good weather makes it a perfect retreat option. It is amongst the most preferred hill stations in Tamil Nadu for both families and solo travellers.

Nearest Airport: Salem Airport (45 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Salem Railway Station
Best Time To Visit: October to June

4. Coonoor

A picture of Coonoor’s vibrant valleys, making it one of the best hill stations in Tamil Nadu.

Photo: Gauri Wur Sem / Wikimedia Commons

Coonoor is another beautiful hill station that has a quieter atmosphere than Ooty. Nilgiri Mountain Railway, tea gardens, and Sim’s Park are major attractions in this serene little town. Coonoor is perfect for people who want to escape the buzzing crowds. This place is less populated, has cooler weather, and possesses beautiful scenery. It is amongst the finest hill stations in Tamil Nadu to free oneself and appreciate the beauty of the landscape.

Nearest Airport: Coimbatore International Airport (70 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Coonoor Railway Station
Best Time To Visit: October to March

5. Valparai

A picture of Valparai’s tea plantations and mountains, a stunning Tamil Nadu hill station.

Photo: Jaseem Hamza / Wikimedia Commons

Valparai is an equally beautiful and offbeat hill station in Tamil Nadu. Valparai is located in the Anamalai Hills and is a well-known hill station because of its tea plantations, thick forest covers, and wildlife. The place provides breathtaking sights of wide green valleys and waterfalls. There is a tourist attraction called the Monkey Falls beside Aliyar Dam. This place is an idyll in its true sense for those searching for some quiet and peaceful time. It is one of the best hill stations in Tamil Nadu for those who love nature.

Nearest Airport: Coimbatore International Airport (119 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Pollachi Railway Station
Best Time To Visit: September to March

6. Yelagiri

A picture of Yelagiri hills that is surrounded by forests and adventure spots.

Photo: Anchor Text

Yelagiri is a small yet beautiful hill station in Tamil Nadu that offers some really exciting adventures. Nestled in the Eastern Ghats, Yelagiri has its share of trekking, paragliding, and boating. Punganoor Lake, Swamimalai Hills, and Jalagamparai Waterfalls are some of the major tourist spots. The tranquil atmosphere and the adventure options make it one of the best hill stations in Tamil Nadu for adventure lovers and nature lovers alike.

Nearest Airport: Bengaluru International Airport (145 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Jolarpettai Railway Station
Best Time To Visit: November to February

7. Kotagiri

A picture of Kotagiri’s hills and green tea plantations, a charming Tamil Nadu hill station.

Photo: Sudarshia / Wikimedia Commons

Kotagiri is a picturesque hill resort in Tamil Nadu, close to Ooty and Coonoor. It is famous for tea estates and beautiful trekking trails that facilitate escape from urbanisation. Attractions like Catherine Falls, Elk Falls, and Kodanad View Point are common for nature lovers. The ambient weather, coupled with the crafted terrains, make it stand out as one of the most favourable hill stations in Tamil Nadu for a holiday.

Nearest Airport: Coimbatore International Airport (65 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Ooty Railway Station
Best Time To Visit: December to May

8. Meghamalai

 A picture of the misty Meghamalai mountains, one of the best hill stations in Tamil Nadu.

Photo: Roshan Gracious / Wikimedia Commons

Meghamalai, or High Wavy Mountains, is a pristine hill station in Tamil Nadu, also part of the Western Ghats. Well-known for its tea and coffee plantations, this hill station is still a hidden gem. The landscape of Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary consists of rich vegetation and a variety of animal species, attracting many tourists to the region. The reasons cited above, along with the misty hills devoid of any intrusions, rank it as one of the finest hill stations in Tamil Nadu for a holiday.

Nearest Airport: Madurai Airport (125 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Theni Railway Station
Best Time To Visit: November to March

9. Manjolai

A picture of the tea estates, a peaceful retreat among the best hill stations in Tamil Nadu.

Photo: Yercaud-elango / Wikimedia Commons

Manjolai is a hill station, beautifully tucked away in the curls of the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu having a fair share of good tea estates. Also known as Manjolai Hills, it is famous for its panoramic views of the emerald valleys and exquisite calm. Tourists can also explore places of interest, namely, Upper Kodaiyar Dam and Manimuthar Waterfalls. It is one of those hidden gems amongst the hill stations in Tamil Nadu that do not yet have many travellers for those who adore such out-of-ordinary places.

Nearest Airport: Trivandrum International Airport (140 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Tirunelveli Railway Station
Best Time To Visit: September to February

10. Kolli Hills

A picture of Kolli Hills, which is also one of the best hill stations in Tamil Nadu.

Photo: Amara Bharathy / Wikimedia Commons

Kolli Hills is another mesmerising Tamil Nadu hill station that is colourful and mysterious. This hill station is famous for Agaya Gangai Waterfall, where you can go trekking and visit the ancient Arapaleeswarar Temple. The twisting roads and tranquil surroundings contribute to why this hill station is regarded as one of the best in Tamil Nadu for a holiday getaway. The pristine splendour of the Kolli Hills is a source of fascination for both intrepid explorers and those who appreciate nature.

Nearest Airport: Trichy International Airport (90 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Salem Railway Station
Best Time To Visit: February to December

The hill stations in Tamil Nadu cater to every kind of traveller, from adventure viewers to peace seekers. Whether you visit famous Ooty and Kodaikanal or off-beat Places like Valparai and Meghamalai, these hill stations assure an unparalleled holiday. So plan your trip with TripXL and get ready to have fun with the cool weather, beautiful landscape, and peaceful ambience of the Tamil Nadu hill stations.

Cover Photo: Arshad.ka5 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Frequently Asked Questions

Yercaud is said to have clear skies, enhancing its ability to attract stargazers. This is possible because of the altitude and minimal light disturbance ensuring a clear sky view.
Valparai is known and loved for its incredible collection of plants and animals and, as such, offers many ecotourism services. Several wildlife species exist, including the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, elephants, and leopards.
Coonoor, a hill station in the Nilgiri Hills, is famous for its vast cultural tea gardens, where visitors can also visit and taste tea from the freshly made Nilgiri tea estates.
Kotagiri is a birdwatcher’s paradise, where you can spot rare and endemic species like the Nilgiri Flycatcher and the Black-and-Orange Flycatcher.
Yelagiri offers exciting adventure activities, including rock climbing, paragliding, and trekking trails for thrill-seekers.

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