20 Most Beautiful Hill Stations To Visit In India

As there are picturesque top hill stations in India, India is a favorite tourist spot. For nature lovers, it is a perfect tourist destination. The misty, mystical and serene hill stations to visit in India are an ideal holiday option. Most of the hill stations or best hill resorts in India are located at altitudes from 600 meters above sea level to 3500 meters above sea level. These hill stations are popular with tourists from both India and abroad and offer a relaxing and healthy break from the city’s heat and dust. All hill stations in India, have different hotels and resorts to cater for accommodation requirements to make a luxury trip for tourists.

Best hill resorts in India offer world-class accommodation and invite travelers to enjoy a relaxing holiday at reasonable rates. These hill stations serve as travel guides and offer peace and serenity to the world. In these amazing hill stations in India, go mountaineering, camping, trekking, and paragliding and have a holiday of your lifetime.

* Leh

Leh, the headquarters of the Ladakh region in Kashmir, is the highest hill station in India, located at an altitude of 3505 meters between the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges. It is known for its barren beauty, including Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Namgyal Hill, and several Buddhist monasteries. Known as one of best hill stations in North India, Leh is a haven for bikers who like to travel mountain passes at high altitude.

* Shillong

Considered as one of the prettiest hill stations in the northeastern part of India, Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya. Shillong is one of the hill stations in India with an airport and well known among hill stations in northeast India. Top Tourist Attractions in Shillong are Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Mawjymbuin Caves, All Saints Church, Lady Hydari Park, Umiam, Police Bazaar, Capt Williamson Sangma State Museum, Anthropological Museum, Shillong Peak, etc.

* Shimla

Shimla is among the top hill stations in India for honeymoon. It has well-developed facilities, easy accessibility and numerous attractions, which make it one of Himachal tour packages ‘ top attractions. Kali Bari Temple, Annandale and Kalka-Shimla Railway are among the places that must be included in your Shimla tour packages. It remains an ideal spot for most adventure sports as well as being the ultimate summer retreat. Tourists can go to the Kullu Valley for the various treks or indulge in Pabbar River trout fishing.

* Kodaikanal

One of Tamil Nadu’s most beautiful hill stations, Kodaikanal is located in Southern India’s Palani hill range, one of top hill stations in South India. It is located at an altitude of 7,200 square feet above sea level and offers a picturesque view of the Western Ghats. It includes enchanting waterfalls, beautiful lakes, and many other attractions. There are several tourist attractions in Kodaikanal such as Kodai Lake, Bryant Park, Coaker’s Walk, Bear Shola Falls, Silver Cascade, Pillar Rocks, etc. The hills, especially from the Coaker’s Walk, offer beautiful views all around.

* Mcleodganj

This hill station is always among the top 10 hill stations in India. At an average altitude of 2082 m, McLeodGanj is surrounded by the Dhauladhar ranges. McLeodganj is known for its Tibetan institutions, monasteries of Buddhism, culture, art, and crafts. McLeodganj, along with Buddhist monasteries such as Namgyal Monastery, Tsuglagkhang, and Tsechokling Gompa, offers sightseeing attractions such as Dharamkot, Bhagsu, Triund, Dal Lake, Gaggal, Lower Dharamshala, etc. McLeodganj is also a base camp for various trekking expeditions covering the ranges of Kangra and Chamba Valleys and Dhauladhar.

* Kasauli

Kasauli is one of the cheapest hill stations in India and also the best on the list of hill stations in India. This small hill station appears to be living in the 19th century time warp. Kasauli narrow roads (1951 m) slant up and down the hillside and offer some spectacular views. The Monkey Point, Balak Nath Temple, Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Christ, and Baptist Church and Lawrence School are places to visit in Kasauli.

* Kotagiri

It is among the coldest hill stations in India. Surrounded by tea estates and beautiful green scenery, Kotagiri offers plenty of trekking and rock climbing opportunities. There are picturesque tea-states and lush greenery, meadows, and rivers on the trekking trails in this region. On the trekking trails in this region, there are picturesque tea-states and lush greenery, and rivers. Kodanad (15 km), Catherine Falls (7.5 km) and Longwood Shola (3 km) are the most popular hiking trails in Kotagiri. Kodanad Viewpoint, Catherine Falls, Elk Falls (7 km) and Rangaswami Peak and Pillar are some of Kotagiri tourist attractions.

* Manali

It is one of the beautiful hill stations in India. The Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass, Hadimba Temple, Bhrigu Lake, Vashisht Temple, Manu Temple, and Great Himalayan National Park are some of Manali’s famous tourist spots. Manali also has many worth visiting Buddhist monasteries. The other attractions in Manali include Enfield Point, Manali Gompa, Manu Temple, Naggar Castle, Nehru Kund, and Zana Waterfalls. Most adventure sports take place during the period from June to September.

* Doodhpathri

Doodhpathri is counted in the top 10 hill stations in India. Tangnar, Mujpather, Dophkhal, Sochilpather, Palmaidan, and Parihas are the main attractions of Doodhpathri. The place is known for many camping spots, and from Daksum the trail climbs steeply up to the Sinthan Pass at 3,748 m high. It is the paradise of a trekker covered by coniferous forests, gurgling streams and hidden grassy meadows with the gushing Bringi River’s melodious sound forming the backdrop.

* Auli

Auli is best hill station in India in November, one of India’s best ski resorts and top destinations for adventure sports in Uttarakhand. The major tourist spots in and around Auli are Gurso Bugyal, Chattrakund, Kwani Bugyal, Hot Spring Point, Narsimha Mandir, Shankaracharya Tapasthali of Joshimath, Nandaprayag, Rudraprayag, and Pandukeshwar. Also popular among the travelers visiting Auli are excursions to Hemkund and Valley of Flowers.

* Dhanaulti

Dhanaulti comes on the list of romantic hill stations in India. It is located at 2286 m above sea level and is known for its quiet environment in the Deodar, Rhododendron and Oak forests. Dhanaulti is still untouched and is an alternative to crowded Mussoorie and Dehradun. Eco Park is Dhanaulti major attraction. There are two eco-parks around 200 meters apart, Amber and Dhara. Visitors also have a facility to plant a sapling in their beloved’s memory, which is called a memory sapling plantation.

* Srinagar

Srinagar is among the top 5 hill stations in India and top places of Jammu and Kashmir. Srinagar was eulogized for its scenic splendor and delightful ambience by travelers, poets, kings and saints alike. The Jhelum River is crossing the city and serving its people as a lifeline. Travel to Srinagar as the place is renowned for its enchanting lakes filled with houseboats and shikaras set among wooded mountain slopes and is an ideal place to spend your vacation.

* Dharamshala

Dharamshala ranks amongst the ten best hill stations in India, it is covered by thick woods of oak and coniferous trees and is enveloped by the Dhauladhar ranges on its three sides. From ancient temples, the churches and monasteries to museums and beautiful trekking trails, it has a lot to offer. Some of the most important tourist attractions are the ancient Chamunda Temple, Dalai Lama Temple, Bhagsunath Temple, Namgyalma Stupa, Norbulingka Institute, Gyuto Monastery, and Indru Nag. Dharamshala is a point of departure for several hiking trails.

* Mount Abu

Mount Abu, a most popular hill station in India and it is Rajasthan’s only hill station in the desert, located at an altitude of 1220 m. On the magnificent Aravalli Ranges, it lies at the top of a granite peak and is covered with lush green forests. In the form of lakes, temples, and forts, Mount Abu has many tourist attractions. The top most tourist attraction of Mount Abu is Dilwara Jain Temples, Guru Shikhar Peak, Adhar Devi Temple, Shri Raghunathji Temple, Achalgarh Fort, Nakki Lake, Gaumukh Temple, and Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary.

* Lonavala

Lonavala can be called the most beautiful hill station in India as clouds cover it in the rainy season. The town’s name derives from the Sanskrit word ‘ Lonavali, ‘ which refers to a ‘ cave group. ‘ Due to the presence of many caves in and around the city, the name was given to the place. In the form of some caves, lakes, forts, and waterfalls, Lonavala has several tourist sites. Lohagad Fort, Karla Caves, Rajmachi Point, Valvan Dam, Lonavala Lake, Tiger’s Leap, Bhaja Caves, Bhushi Dam, Rajmachi Fort, Korigad Fort, Kune Waterfalls, Tikona Fort, Visapur Fort, Bedsa Caves, and Tung Fort are some of best places to be visited in Lonavala.

* Pahalgam

Pahalgam is the coolest hill station in India. Pahalgam is also linked to the Amarnath cave holy yatra. Chandanwari is the starting point of the Amarnath yatra, 16 km from Pahalgam. The Pahalgam-Sonmarg Trek and the treks to Chandanwari, Kolahoi Glacier and Sheshnag Lake are some of Pahalgam’s famous treks. Some of Pahalgam’s tourist attractions are: Horse Riding Fishing (at Lidder River), Sledging at the frozen Glaciers, Long walks in the jungles, Alpine Skiing and White Water Rafting (Lidder River).

* Sonamarg

Sonamarg is located at a height of 2740 m, also known as the “Golden Meadow.” As spectacular as the place itself is the drive to this beautiful meadow. You’ll see another aspect of Kashmir driving through the Sindhu Valley. It is the best hill station in India in June. Sonmarg has scenic trekking routes that take you to Vishansar, Krishnasar, and Gangabal picturesque Himalayan lakes. With its amazing landscapes, flowers valley and natural beauty, Sonmarg is a place for tourists to enjoy every moment.

* Kufri

Kufri is snow covered and therefore one of the hill stations in India to visit in December. Kufri is known for its picturesque beauty and pleasant climate. Its trekking and hiking trails are popular. Kufri is also known for other activities such as skiing, sliding downhill on a sled. It has Himachal Pradesh’s oldest ski slopes. Kufri is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts as the Himalayan Nature Park is located on the outskirts of the city.

* Gangtok

Gangtok is the most beautiful hill station in India. A wonderland in the Himalayas, Gangtok has unparalleled natural beauty, a variety of vegetation, undisturbed valleys, peaceful surroundings, and rich cultural heritage. The top places to visit in Gangtok are Enchey Monastery, Ganesh Tok, Do Drul Chorten Stupa, Rumtek Monastery, Tsomgo Lake, Ban Jhakri Falls, Nathula Pass, Pemayangtse Monastery, Yumthang Valley, Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Gardens, Gonjang Monastery, and Ranka Monastery. MG Road, Gangtok’s main street is a great place to chill out all day long and is Gangtok’s main shopping area.

* Gulmarg

Gulmarg is always among top 40 hill stations in India and is well known for National Ice Speed Skating Championship. The tourism of Gulmarg is not only famous for its fantastic beauty but also some other attractions. You can also ride in a Gondola (cable car ride), take the tourists to ride to Kongdori, to enjoy the magnificent meadow sights from the top. A trek to Alpather Lake, about 13 km from Gulmarg, is also popular. Gulmarg assumes an unparalleled beauty with the surrounding forests of tall conifers.