7 Lesser known hill stations of South India

Perched among the Shevaroy Hills in Salem, Tamil Nadu, the hill station of Yercaud is gaining some attention from tourists. Although it is recognised as the Jewel of the South, Yercaud is yet to be perfectly explored by a traveller. In a way, the lack of excess tourist activity helps the hill station retain its serene and peaceful neighbourhood. The only sound you will be blessed with would be birds chirping and massive waterfalls falling in some of the hills. Sounds like a perfect weekend getaway indulgence, right?

Sure, Wayanad could be your first go-to option when visiting northern Kerala for a weekend getaway. But how about you skip the famous place and instead opt for an offbeat hill station in South India? Idukki is a good choice for those who can’t get enough of lush greenery. Besides all the greenery covering more than 97% of the mountains, there are three sparkling rivers, namely Thodupuzhayar, Thalayar and Periyar, that flow through the valley to form a slight gorge. It is a spectacle and worth the space on your phone for photos. Wildlife reserves, spice estates, trekking choices, hill stations, you name it, and you can find it here!

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Often, Nandi Hills's prowess as a famous hill station near Bangalore clouds people's vision of Yelagiri Hills, also close to the IT-hub. It is actually the perfect weekend distraction you can choose to make the most of the pleasant weather trumping the city's harsh heat. The hill station also comes with a very peaceful appeal that you might just find attractive. Soak your souls in the serenity that the hills have to offer. Spend as many days as you wish to and maybe even indulge in some outdoor activities such as orchards, paragliding, trekking and more.

Better recognised as Coorg, the place is often referred to as the Scotland of India (after Shillong, of course, no doubt there), Madikeri is comfortably rested in the Western Ghats of Karnataka state. It is actually one of the most popular summer retreats and even a honeymoon couple's haven. But more than anything, the orange orchards and coffee and spices plantations make the hill station very popular! The aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans will intoxicate you as you plan your day out to explore Madikeri. A trip to Madikeri is a must, at least once in a lifetime.

Although Araku in Tamil might mean variations of red, Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh has more greens than you can imagine. Located very close to the Odisha border, this vast land of greenery, which is a very short ride from Vizag, is untapped and ready to host you! Araku valley's hills are covered with coffee plantations and lush landscapes that make it one of the offbeat hill stations in South India. Gape at the misty hills that bring a nice cold yet warmth to the locales of the valley as you visit Araku Valley.

Just a trek away from Chikmagalur rests the majestic Kudremukh. Unlike how Chikamagalur attracts a plethora of tourists, Kudremukh stands tall as a once mining town with mainly trekking crowds paying a visit. So yes, if you are a trekking enthusiast and would like to indulge in some fun activities as you explore the dense forests scaling up to Kudremukh Peak, you might want to check out this lesser known hill station in South India. There is a national park right here at the hill station, too, so you could easily take a short detour!

Just about 33 km away from the famous hill station Ooty lies this blissful little secret that you can visit. The lesser known hill station of South India is only populated by tea gardens, stunning viewpoints and old-world bungalows. Human population? Not so much. So yes, it is your practically perfect escape from the city's hustle-bustle! Interestingly, a vacation in Kotagiri would actually be very kind to your pockets as it is comparatively very low-priced from Ooty.

A short getaway to one of these offbeat hill stations in South India would actually give you that nice and refreshing vibe you have been craving for some time now.