7 best hill stations near Karnataka

Say hello to one of the best hill stations in Karnataka. Coorg, or Kodugamalai, is also called the 'Scotland of India". And for good reason, because it's filled with grassy valleys, heavily-wooded passes and winding roads, just like it's European namesake. Coorg is one of those places that can be likened to a box of assorted sweets. It's got the best homestays, restaurants, activities and the most attractive sightseeing spots in Karnataka. While in Coorg, visit the Talacauvery (which translates to 'head of the Kaveri river), the elephant camp at Dubare and the Nagarhole National Park. Another great idea when in Coorg is to experience a homestay - a full list is available at hotels.intermiles.com. If you make a booking via intermiles.com, you earn InterMiles, which you can redeem on your next trip anywhere in the world.

Also Read: 12 Places to Visit in Coorg - Tourist & Sightseeing Places in Coorg

Ever visited a star-shaped fort? Well, you're in luck because there's one at Sakleshpur. That apart, what makes it one of the best hill stations near Bangalore is the fact that it's covered with tea, coffee and spice plantations. In Sakleshpur, you should also set aside some time for a trip to the amazing Magajahalli Waterfalls. As a keepsake, you should buy some coffee for your people back home. Now, doesn't that make it one of the best hill stations near Bangalore?

Nandi Hills gets its name from the Nandidurga fort built by Tipu Sultan hundreds of years ago. Often considered one of the best places to visit in Karnataka, Nandi hills are crammed with places to explore and things to see. One of the best things about Nandi Hills is the cycle trail that takes you on a never-before-seen excursion. It winds through ancient ruins, and ends at the top of the hill range, from where you can get an unbeatable view. Nandi can be accessed via bus, bicycle, and taxis, too.

Chikmaglur is a thickly-wooded town and one of the best hill stations in Karnataka. The top tourist attractions in Chikmaglur include the Jhari Falls, Hirekolale Lake, and Kavikal. Chikmaglur also has many ancient temples, which should be good news if you are interested in history. Epicureans will appreciate the acres upon acres of coffee plantations. Then, there are plenty of hiking and cycling trails.

BR Hills, or Bilgiri Rangaswamy hills, is located between the Eastern and Western Ghats. Like other hill stations in Karnataka, BR Hills is full of coffee plantations and surrounded by verdant forests. At BR Hills, you definitely have to check out the BRT wildlife sanctuary, where you can get close-up shots of some of the rarest animals in India. Here, you can also buy herbal products, jams, pickles, sauces and other products made by tribals. The sales from these products go towards tribal welfare, so you'll be doing a good turn while getting your hands on a great deal.

Kemmanagundi , one of the best hill stations near Bangalore, is a town near Chikmaglur and gets its name from the red soil found in the area. According to locals, Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, a king of Mysore was so enchanted by the beauty of this hill station that he made Kemmanagundi his summer retreat, and then donated the land to the state government of Karnataka. If you enjoyed reading the 'Jungle Book', then you'll find Sher Khan's real-life cousins at the Bhadra Tiger Reserve. After a tiger safari, you should take a private tour of the Raj Bhavan, the Rock Garden, the Hebbe Falls and check into one of the many wildlife resorts in Kemmanagundi. If you want to make a booking, try hotels.intermiles.com, where you will find well-spaced-out accommodation options for all types of travellers.

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Millions of years ago, man lived in caves. Some of these grottos still survive today, and that's why you should definitely take a detour from Kumta and head to Yana. At Yana, you'll feel as if you have walked straight onto a Star Wars set. The vertical, geometrically-shaped rock structures were at one time the abode of Lord Shiva, according to local legend. Mahashivratri, an Indian festival dedicated to the great Hindu god is celebrated with great fervour because of this ancient lore. When in Yana, check out the Vibhuti Falls and the Bhairava Kshetra, which, according to locals, was where Lord Shiva actually stayed. Yana is still unexplored, and this makes it one of the best hill stations in Karnataka.

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