15 Revitalizing Hill Stations Near Bangalore

The third largest city in India, Bangalore is often described as the silicon valley of India due to its rapidly growing information technology (IT) sector. The city is located 914, meters above sea level and is known for its perennially pleasant climate. The region that comprises the metropolitan town has known to be inhabited since 4000 BCE and came under the subsequent rule of several south Indian kingdoms such as the Western Ganga Dynasty, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, later Cholas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara Empire, Mughals, Mysore kingdom and finally the British. Bangalore became a major trade town under the British and developed as a metropolitan giving rise to several technological advancements in India. Today despite of being a well frequented tourist location, Bangalore is not without the ills of a metropolis life. The pollution and the traffic laden streets and roads make it essential for the people of Bangalore to find refuge. Here’s the list of some of the most popular hill stations near Bangalore.

[Also Checkout: Weekend Getaway Places Near Bangalore]

1. Horsley Hills

(Distance from Bangalore – 144 kms approx.)
Located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Horsley hills is a picturesque hill town situated 1,290 meters above mean sea level. The town is in close proximity to the Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary and one can also spot the sambhar deer early morning if you’re lucky. The town was discovered by the British in the mid-nineteenth century and was then turned into a summer retreat. Horsley hills are famous for its picturesque surroundings and dense vegetation. One can also enjoy adventure sports activities like Zorbing in Horsley hills.

2. Coonoor

(Distance from Bangalore – 285 kms approx.)
Coonoor is a picturesque hill town located in the state of Tamil Nadu, and is situated at an average elevation of 1,850 meters above sea level. Coonoor is the second largest hill station after Ooty and is ideal for hiking and trekking into the picturesque Nilgiri hills. The town’s major sources of income are its tea and tourism industry and the UNESCO world heritage attraction, the Nilgiri Mountain Railways. The climate in Coonoor stays relatively cool compared to the low lying areas and can be visited all year round. Sim’s park, Dolphin’s nose, Lamb’s rock, Droog fort, Law’s falls, Katary Falls etc. are the various attractions that can be visited in the picturesque town of Coonoor.

3. Yelagiri

(Distance from Bangalore – 157 kms approx.)
Situated at an elevation of 1,410 meters above sea level, Yelagiri is located in the state of Tamil Nadu. Unlike the neighboring hill stations of Ooty and Kodaikanal, Yelagiri is not developed as a proper hill resort, but is famous for its un-commercialized nature destination with enchanting hills, valleys and flower orchards. The government has recently started promoting the place as an adventure sport hotspot, offering adventure sports like paragliding, rock climbing and hiking. Yelagiri is best visited during the end of May when the state government organizes the Yelagiri summer festival which features flower exhibitions, cultural programs and dog shows.

4. Yercaud

(Distance from Bangalore – 228 kms approx.)
Nestled amidst the Shevaroys hills of the Eastern Ghats in the state of Tamil nadu, Yercaud is situated at an elevation of 1,515 meters above sea level. The name Yercaud literally translates to seven forests and is known for its serene surroundings and a huge variety of flora and fauna. Eco-tourism, coffee and hospitality are the major sources of the town’s economy and due to its favorable climate throughout the year is visited perennially by tourists. Yercud Lake, Lady’s seat, the Grange, Silk Farm, Rose Garden, Kiliyur Falls and Karadiyur view points are the not to be missed attractions in Yercud.

5. Chikmagalur

(Distance from Bangalore – 277 kms approx.)
Located in the state of Karnataka, Chikmagalur is located in the Western Ghats at an elevation of 1,090 meters above sea level. The town is known for its coffee plantations and is also nicknamed the Coffee land of Karnataka. The town was formerly known by the name Kadur prior to Indian independence from the British Empire in 1947. The town is located on the foothills of the Mullayangiri, which is the highest peak between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris. Mullayangiri, Hebbe falls, coffee plantations and Hirekolale pond etc. are the various attractions in Chikmagalur.

6. Nandi Hills

(Distance from Bangalore – 61.3 kms approx.)
Nandi hills or the Nandi Durg refers to an ancient hill fort and hill town located at an elevation of 1,478 meters above sea level in the state of Karnataka. Due to its close proximity to the town of Bangalore, Nandi hills are a much frequented nature resort since the British times. The region was a major stronghold of the Mysore kingdom under Tipu Sultan which was later annexed by the British who used the hamlet as a summer retreat. The hills are covered with several trees and flowery shrubs which are indigenous to this area. It has also been one of the primary interests of horticulturists due to its climate that supports the growth of several new species of flowers. Tipu’s drop, Tipu’s summer palace, ancient temples, Gandhi house, Amruth Sarovar and the secret escape route are the popular attractions that can be visited in Nandi Hills.

7. Kakkabe

(Distance from Bangalore – 244 kms approx.)
Kakkabe is located in the Western Ghats of the state of Karnataka, and is situated at an elevation of 905 meters above sea level. The town is known for being the largest producer of honey in South-East Asia and for its produce of coffee. The town is covered with coffee plantations and flower orchards and green hills. Kakkabe is one of the most unspoilt hill town one can ever visit in India and the forests house several species such as the flying squirrel, barking deer, pangolin and a variety of bird species. Adventure sports like trekking, hiking and rock climbing is also prevalent in Kakkabe and provides views of the Arabian Sea from its highest point. Nalnad Palace, Karada, Tadiyendamol and Igguthappa Temple are few of the major attractions in this quaint yet scenic hill town.

8. Kudremukh

(Distance from Bangalore – 331 kms approx.)
The Kudremukh name refers to a small mountain range and a hill station and mining town in the state of Karnataka. The place is located at an elevation of 1,894 and is famous for housing the Kudremukh national park in the Western Ghats. The area is a bio-diversity hotspot and the terrain comprises mainly of green hills and grasslands with a backdrop of dense shola forests that house a variety of wildlife species like Tiger, Leopard, Wild Dogs, Lion-tailed Macaque, Gaur, Sambar, Wild Pig and Common Langur etc. Kudremukh is also an excellent location for hiking and trekking, as the trails transverse through the lush green hills of the Western Ghats and several refreshing waterfalls and forests.

9. Biligiri Hill

(Distance from Bangalore – 182 kms approx.)
Also known as the Biligiriranga Hills, the nature resort is located at the confluence of the Eastern and the Western Ghats in the state of Karnataka. Biligiri Hills is another bio-diversity hotspot away from the concrete and traffic laden cities and houses a large variety of flora and fauna. The region however is more commonly known by the name Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary which is located at an average elevation of 1,551 meters above sea level and houses a plethora of animal, bird, reptile and plant species. Tigers, Leopards, Elephants, Chital, and sambar etc. are few of the wildlife attractions here. Tourists also visit the Biligiri hills to enjoy a variety of adventure sports like Angling, river rafting, trekking, camping, bird watching etc.

10. Wayanad

(Distance from Bangalore – 271 kms approx.)
The word Wayanad roughly translates to the land of paddy fields and is located in the state of Kerala. The elevation levels in Wayanad differ from 700 meters to 1200 meters above sea level making it one of the most exquisite nature reserves in India. While humans have been said to inhibit the place from the Neolithic period, the region has been under the rule of the several ancient and medieval Indian dynasties and empires. The high elevation makes the place cool and favorable to visit all year round and houses rivers, paddy fields, tea gardens, terraced hills and several other natural attractions. Chembra peak, Banasura Peak, Kabini River and the Banasura Sagar Dam etc. are few of the innumerable attractions found in Wayanad

11. Ooty

(Distance from Bangalore – 265 kms approx.)
Also known as Udhamangalam, Ooty is located in the Nilgiri hills in the state of Tamil Nadu and is one of the largest and the oldest hill stations in India. The region was originally occupied by the tribal Toda people till the 18th century when it came under the hands of the British Empire who developed it into a summer retreat of the Madras presidency. The town is situated at an elevation of 2,240 meters above sea level providing it with one of the most pleasant all-year-round climate due to its high elevation. Government Rose Garden, Ooty Botanical Garden, Stone House, Ooty Lake, Ooty Mountain railway, St. Stephen’s Church, Toda Huts and Deer Park are the few popular attractions here.

12. Kodagu (Coorg)

(Distance from Bangalore – 279 kms approx.)
Also known as Coorg, Kodagu is located in the Western Ghats mountain range in the state of Karnataka. The hill town is located at an average elevation of 700 meters above sea level and rises till 1,750 meters at its highest reaches. The town is known for its picturesque surroundings and a vibrant culture. The town is best visited during the later period of the monsoon season to get the best of the natural attractions here. The town is also known to be the mystical source of the Kaveri River and is thus an important site for the Hindus. The various festivals, Iruppu Falls, Tibetan Buddhist Golden Temple, Nagarahole National Park, Abbey Falls and Talakaveri etc. are the popular attractions in Kodagu that should not be missed.

13. Kodaikanal

(Distance from Bangalore – 463 kms approx.)
Known as the gift of the forests, Kodaikanal is a picturesque hill station located in the state of Tamil nadu. Kodaikanal is situated at an elevation of 2,133 meters above sea level in the Nilgiri hills of the Western Ghats. The town is surrounded by dense shola and eucalyptus forests, grasslands and flowery meadows on the hill sides that provide a majestic setting for the visitors. The climate stays cool and pleasant all year round due to the high elevation and was also used as a summer retreat by the British officials. Kodaikanal Lake, Bryant Park, Shembaganur Museum of Natural History, Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, Green Valley view, Bear Shola Falls, Silver Cascade waterfalls, Dolphin’s nose, Berijam lake etc. are few of the various attractions in Kodaikanal.

14. Kolli Hills

(Distance from Bangalore – 267 kms approx.)
Located at an elevation of 1300 meters above sea level in the Eastern Ghats, Kolli hills are a picturesque tourist spot in the state of Tamil Nadu. The hills have been mentioned several times in various works of the ancient Tamil literature and are known for their untouched natural beauty devoid of any major commercial activity. The town is surrounded by dense shola and several fruit bearing trees such as jackfruit, pineapple and known for the lush green coffee and tea plantations. Arapaleeswarar temple, Akash Ganga falls, and the tourism festival held in August make Kolli hills an unforgettable hill station.

15. Munnar

(Distance from Bangalore – 520 kms approx.)
Munnar is a picturesque hill station located in the state of Kerala amidst the Western Ghats mountain range of India. The hill town is located at an average elevation of 1,700 meters above sea level and enjoys a cool and favorable climate throughout the year. The town offers a natural setting of green hills covered by terraced tea plantations and is in close proximity to the various nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries. The forests that surround the hill station and the Eravikulam National Park are the major tourist attractions that house wildlife species like Elephants, Nilgiri Tahr, Gaur, Grizzled Giant squirrel and Nilgiri Langur etc.