Hill Stations of Tamil Nadu have an amalgamation of the scenic beauty of nature and the ancient South Indian culture. The state, Tamil Nadu has many famous hill stations where people can head to for a cool and relaxing holiday. The pleasant weather is the main crowd-puller along with the bounty of natural beauty and wildlife. While some of these hill stations appear in most travel guides, a few others are lesser known destinations that will provide a unique experience cut-away from the crowds. The hill stations of Tamil Nadu are easily accessible from all the cities of Tamil Nadu as well as the cities of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.
Some of the famous Hill Stations of Tamil Nadu are as follows:
Coonoor, Nilgiris District
Coonoor is an ideal base for a number of trekking expeditions leading into the Nilgiri Hills. The nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport, which is about 56 km from Coonoor town.
Javadhu Hills, Tiruvannamalai District
Javadhu Hills are an expansion of the Eastern Ghats Mountain Range, which spread across parts of Tiruvannamalai district in the northern part of the Tamil Nadu in south eastern part of India.
Kodaikanal, Dindigul District
Kodaikanal is referred to as the “Princess of Hill Stationsâ€, and this place has long history from ancient era.
Kolli Hills, Namakkal District
Kolli Hills is featured in several works of classical Tamil literature such as Silappathigaram, Manimekalai, Purananuru and Ainkurnuru. This hill is popular for the spice farming, coffee, tea, jackfruit, pineapple and black pepper.
Kotagiri, Nilgiris District
Kotagiri offers the trekking option as adventure tourism in the lap of Nilgiris Mountain Range. Catherine Falls, Moyar River, Elk waterfalls and Doddabetta Peak are the popular hotspots.
Meghamalai, Theni District
Meghamalai is popularly known as High Wavy Mountains. This place is dotted with greater cardamom and tea plantation.
Sirumalai, Dindigul District
Sirumalai is the abode of rich flora and fauna and it is well connected with Madurai.
Ooty, Nilgiris District
Ooty is a popular hill destination with many visiting places. Ooty is filled with gardens, eco parks, lakes and dams which fell under Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Topslip, Coimbatore District
Topslip is popular for the presence of Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary.
Valparai, Coimbatore District
Valparai allures the tourist with the Anaimalai Hills range of the Western Ghats, where many wildlife sanctuaries are located.
Kolukkumalai, Theni District
Kolukkumalai is home to the highest tea plantations in the world with the tea grown here possessing a special flavour and freshness because of the high altitude. The aroma of tea with mist covered peaks in the background make for a riveting sight.
Yelagiri, Vellore District
Yelagiri is surrounded by the rose garden, nature parks and waterfalls. Punganoor Lake Park, Jalagamparai Waterfalls and Swami Malai Hills are the popular tourism attractions here.
Yercaud, Salem District
Yercaud (Jewel of the South) has Yercaud lake which serves as a eco tourism spot. Coffee, Jackfruit, star apple, fig, water apple, oranges, guava, black pepper and cardamom are cultivated here.
Kurangani, Theni District
Kurangani is a hill station atop the Western Ghats and has estates growing coconut, mangoes, spices and coffee. There is a mountain rivulet that passes between Kurangani Mountains in the east and Kolukkumalai in the west.
Sathuragiri Hills, Madurai District
Sathuragiri Hills are not very far from the main city Madurai and serves as a weekend destination. This place has a religious significance, as this was abode of 18 Siddhas who were the followers of Mahadeva.
All these Hill Stations of Tamil Nadu have their own unique identity and offer travellers respite from the sweltering heat in the capital city of Chennai. For anyone looking for scenic beauty, the Hill Stations in Tamil Nadu provide with one of the best facets of tourism in Tamil Nadu.