Hill stations in India are towns at a higher altitude than the nearby plains or valleys. While rulers in precolonial times also used to escape the heat and humidity of summer by venturing to higher ground, most hill stations were established during the British Raj as they sought to live in a climate more comfortable and similar to home. The concept of the Hill Station spread beyond India to Britain's other colonies in Asia such as Burma and Malaya, and even to the colonial possessions of other Western powers, such as the French-ruled Vietnam.

Understand

The tourist season for the hill stations generally peaks during the Indian summer. However, they have a different kind of beauty and charm during winter, with many hill stations receiving healthy amounts of snow and offering activities such as skiing and snowboarding.

Destinations

North

Jammu & Kashmir

• 1 Gulmarg. The winter sports capital of India, Gulmarg is one of the country's best places for skiing and snowboarding. (updated Nov 2019)
• 2 Srinagar. The summer capital of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. It is known for its stunning lakes and amazing landscape. The hill station houses a number of Mughal gardens and even a tulip garden.  

Ladakh

• 3 Drass. Has the reputation of being the coldest inhabited locality in the country. (updated Aug 2020)

Himachal Pradesh

• 4 Manali. Has developed into one of the adventure sports hubs in India. Skiing, paragliding, mountain biking, rafting and camping are among the popular activities here. (updated Nov 2019)
• 5 Shimla. (updated Nov 2019)

Haryana

• 6 Morni. The only genuine hill station in the state. Well connected to Chandigarh. (updated Aug 2020)

Uttarakhand

• 7 Auli. One of the newer ski towns in the country. Surrounded by coniferous forests, it is blessed with great natural scenery suitable for hiking during the warmer months. (updated Jan 2020)
• 8 Landsowne. (updated Aug 2020)
• 9 Mussoorie. (updated Aug 2020)
• 10 Nainital. The town is centred upon the crescent/kidney shaped lake of which there are stunning views from the mountains from all angles. (updated Nov 2019)

East and North East

West Bengal

• 11 Kalimpong. Kalimpong was ceded by Bhutan after it lost the Anglo-Bhutan War in 1864. The hill station was established by the British as an alternative to Darjeeling. India's highest mountain and the world's third highest, Kangchenjunga, is visible from the town. (updated May 2020)
• 12 Darjeeling. Known as the Queen of the Hills. Renowned for its prized tea and "Toy Train" steam locomotive still in operation. (updated Nov 2019)
• 13 Mirik. (updated Dec 2019)

Odisha

• 14 Daringbadi. Known as Kashmir of Odisha (updated Dec 2019)

Arunachal Pradesh

• 15 Tawang. The off-the-beaten-path character of Tawang means that on the one hand, the surrounding scenery is unspoilt and the views are breaktaking but on the other, there is limited development and infrastructure to support visitors staying in the town. (updated Feb 2020)

Sikkim

See also: Sikkim Silk Route

• 16 Yuksom (Yuksam). Yuksom serves as the starting point of the Dzongri - Goechala Trek. The 8 - 9 day trek is the most popular in Sikkim and leads to the base of the third highest mountain in the world, Kangchenjunga. Yuksom also has its share of history and is the first capital of the Kingdom of Sikkim. Chogiyal Phuntsog Namgyal. the first king of Sikkim was crowned in Yuksom way back in 1641 by the three patron lamas of Sikkim. Yuksom literally means the meeting place of three holy men.The stone throne on which the coronation took place can still be seen and is known as the Throne of Norbugang. Dubdi Monastery, located on a hilltop above Yuksom, is the oldest monastery of Sikkim and can be reached in an hours walk. (updated Jan 2020)
• 17 Gangtok.  

South

Andhra Pradesh

• 18 Araku Valley. Comparatively lesser known, Araku Valley has caves, waterfalls and a museum of tribal art to keep you entertained. The famous dish of the area is bongulo (bamboo) chicken. (updated Aug 2020)

Tamil Nadu

• Kodaikanal
• Kolli Hills
• 19 Ooty. (updated Nov 2019)
• Yerkaud

Kerala

Tea gardens with the Nilgiris (blue mountains) in the background at Munnar.

• 20 Munnar. Full of vast tea plantations. Popular place for honeymooners in the south. (updated Nov 2019)
• 21 Wagamon. (updated Nov 2019)

Karnataka

• 22 Chikmagalur. Bucks the trend of other hill stations by having a large number of coffee plantations instead of tea. Also home to many picturesque waterfalls and wildlife. (updated Jan 2020)
• 23 Madikeri. (updated Jan 2020)
• 24 Nandi Hills. (updated Nov 2019)

West

Maharashtra

• 25 Lonavla. One of the go-to hill stations for the residents of Mumbai, famous for its chikki (peanut brittle). (updated Nov 2019)

Gujarat

• 26 Saputara. Doesn't get overwhelmed with tourists like other hill stations though it gets a healthy number of visitors. (updated Jan 2020)

Rajasthan

Lakes and lush green hills are not what most people think of when they hear of Rajasthan.

• 27 Mount Abu. The only hill station of note in the arid state of Rajasthan. With its lakes, rivers and waterfalls, Mount Abu is aptly described as an oasis in the desert. (updated Nov 2019)

Central

Madhya Pradesh

• 28 Pachmarhi. Known as the Queen of Satpura. (updated Feb 2020)

Stay safe

Some hill stations, particularly those in the Himalayas, are prone to landslides during the monsoon season.

See also

• Trekking in Nepal