22 Best Hill Stations near Kochi (Cochin) (2026)

Idukki is is one of the stunning places to visit near Kochi, and among the most prominent Kerala tourist places. It is situated about 47 km from Munnar, 105 km from Kochi, 239 km from Trivandrum, and 171 km from Madurai.

Idukki is the second-largest district in Kerala state (Painavu as headquarters). The name Idukki is supposed to be derived from the Malayalam word Idukku which means a narrow gorge. Periyar which is one of the largest rivers of Kerala, flowing through the Idukki gorge formed between the two high massive rocks called Kuravan and Kurathi, which is the site of the gigantic Idukki Arch Dam, among the must-visit places in Idukki. Munnar is located in Idukki district, and Idukki can be visited along with Munnar.

Idukki has a mix of diverse attractions like wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, spice plantation centers, mountain treks and stunning viewpoints. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Idukki Dam, Thommankuthu Waterfalls, Ramakalamedu, Kalvari Mount / Calvary Mount, Malankara Dam, and Ilaveezha Poonchira are some of the prominent tourist places in Idukki.

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Originally known as Poonachimalai, Valparai is one of the least explored hill stations in Tamilnadu. About 65 km from Pollachi, 105 km from Coimbatore, it is among the top tourist place to visit near Coimbatore.

Situated at an altitude of 3500 feet, Valparai is a little piece of heaven tucked away in the cradle of the Anamalai mountain range of the Western Ghats. Sholayar Dam, Aliyar Dam, Nallamudi Viewpoint, Loam's View Point, Balaji Temple, Monkey Falls, Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Chinnakallar Waterfalls, Birla Falls, Koolangal River, Grass Hills, Nirar Dam are some of the popular places to visit in Valparai. It is famed for its numerous coffee and tea plantations that are surrounded by thick forest. It takes 2 full days to visit the main attractions in & around Valparai.

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Also called 'Kashmir of Kerala', Ponmudi is a secluded hill station situated in the Trivandrum district of Kerala. It is one of the pristine hill stations near Trivandrum. It is situated about 57 km from Trivandrum, and 233 km from Kochi.

Ponmudi, meaning the Golden Crown, is nestled in the lap of rolling hills of the Western Ghats that run parallel to the Arabian Sea. Situated at an altitude of 1100m, Ponmudi is surrounded by scenic hills, spice plantations, tea estates, natural springs, and winding streams. Ponmudi Waterfalls, Deer Park, River Kallar, Kallar Meenmutty Falls, Golden Valley, and Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary are some of the must-visit tourist places as part of Ponmudi packages.

Apart from sightseeing, Ponmudi is also famous for Ayurvedic medical treatments. Trekking to Agasthyakoodam, Ponmudi tourist places, is the most popular activity here for adventure buffs. Ponmudi can be vsited along with Trivandrum tour packages.

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Megamalai / Meghamalai is a beautiful hill town in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu. About 126 km from Madurai, and 127 km from Munnar, it is one of the offbeat hill stations in South India and among the top places to visit near Madurai.

Popularly called Highwavys Mountains, Meghamalai is an unexplored paradise in the Western Ghats and is very little known even to the people of Tamilnadu. Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Highwavy Dam, Megamalai Viewpoint, Manalar Dam, Suruli Falls, Iravangalar Dam, and maharaja Mettu are some of the top places to visit in Meghamalai.

If you are looking for a calm and tranquil weekend from the hustle-bustle of city life, Megamalai is the perfect getaway for a short break from Madurai. There are very limited accommodation options in Meghamalai.

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Situated at an altitude of 1793 m, Kotagiri is one of the quiant hill stations usually visited along with Ooty trip.Situated at 29 km from Ooty, and 70 km from Coimbatore, Kotagiri is the oldest and the third largest hill station in the Nilgiris, and among the top places to visit near Coimbatore. The name Kotagiri literally means 'mountains of the Kotas' that refers to the Kota tribe who lived here in the past. With its verdant landscapes, mist-laden mountains, and picturesque tea estates, this charming hill station provides a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Kodanad Viewpoint, Catherine Falls, Elk Falls, and Rangaswami Peak and Pillar are some of the top places to visit in Kotagiri.

Kotagiri was the first British settlement in the Nilgiris and served as a favored summer retreat. It is considered one of the essential destinations to include in Ooty packages. It takes 2 full days to visit the main attractions in Kotagiri. Additional 2-3 days can cover the main sites in Ooty & Coonoor as well.

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At a distance of 18 km from Munnar, Devikulam is a cute hill station in Idukki district. At an altitude of 1800 m, it is one of the less explored hill stations in Kerala.

The name Devikulam is a combination of two words Devi from the goddess Devi and kulam meaning pond. According to legend, the goddess Sita Devi bathed in Devikulam Lake now named Sita Devi Lake. The lake draws tourists not only because of its sacredness but also for the curative powers of its mineral waters. The lake is also idle for trout fishing. The scenic beauty, adventure sports, beliefs, and religion come together to make Sita Devi Lake a major tourist attraction in Devikulam.

The lush green open spaces and the high cliffs of Devikulam provide scope for hiking and mountaineering. There are several tea plantations in and around Devikulam that add to the charm of the hill resort. The gum trees in red and blue are the other major highlights of the natural vegetation at Devikulam, considered one of the must-visit tourist places in Munnar. PowerHouse Waterfall, Lock Heart Gap, and Anayirankal Dam are the nearest attractions to Devikulam.

Prior permission from Tata Tea Regional Officer (Kanan Devan Hills Plantations - at KDHP House in Munnar) is required to visit the lake. There are several accommodation options available in & around Devikulam.

Devikulam can ...

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At a distance of 5 km from Lakkidi, 12 km from Kalpetta, 64 km from Kozhikode & 180 km from Mysore, Vythiri is a small hill station situated in Wayanad district of Kerala. Vythiri is one of the top tourist attractions in Wayanad and is among prime place to visit on a Wayanad tour.

Situated at an altitude ranging between 3750 to 4500 feet, Vythiri is a beautiful summer resort in Kerala state and among the best hill stations near Bangalore. Vythiri has a classic blend of old world charm, peaceful environs & modern amenities. Vythiri is famous for its evergreen rain forests and plantations of coffee, tea, rubber, cardamom and pepper. The forests of Vythiri are home to a wide variety of wildlife. The bird watchers can enjoy exploring this place and get a chance to look at a wide variety of migratory birds from close quarters. This is an ideal place for tourists to soak in the dense green covers and explore the breathtaking surroundings.

There are many places to visit in and around Vythiri, including Pookote Lake, which lies 3 km away. The Chembra Peak, Soochipara & Meenmutty Falls, Edakkal Caves, Banasura Sagar dam and Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary are the other major attractions of Vythiri. It offers facilities for angling and boating as well as a recreational park. The trek to this lake is also quite exciting.

There are many accommodation facilities ...

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At a distance of 13 km from Pathanamthitta and 16 km from Sabarimala, Ranni is a beautiful hill station in Pathanamthitta district and a fast growing tourist destination. It is the largest rubber producing region in Kerala.

Ranni is derived from similar word in Malayalam which means Queen or Rani. Ranni alias the queen of hill lands is one of the most serene villages blessed with beautiful nature, rivers, hills, forests, good climate and atmosphere. The Pampa River flows through the middle of Ranni town and adds to its natural beauty.

Ranni is also famous for St. Thomas Orthodox Church, also known as Thottamon Church. Established in 1905, this church belongs to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Dedicated to St. Thomas, this church is known for its architectural beauty which was renovated in 2007. The annual festival of this church is celebrated for 5 days from December 17th to 21st.

Perumthenaruvi is a beautiful natural waterfall is located 17 km from Ranni. Perumthenaruvi is a 100ft high Waterfall. The Charalkunnu Waterfall is another waterfall located near to Perumthenaruvi. One can experience a panoramic view of the low lying areas including river Pamba from here.

Ranni is also blessed with a pleasant climate throughout the year. It is connected with Pathanamthitta by frequent bus service.

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At a distance of 85 km from Mysore, 40 km from Chamarajanagar and 170 km from Bangalore, the Biligiri Ranga Hills popularly known as the BR Hills is a hill range in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. It is considered to be the wildlife corridor that connects Eastern Ghats to Western Ghats. This is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Mysore.

BR Hills is famous for BRT Wildlife Sanctuary (Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary). The sanctuary is situated at an altitude of 5091 feet and is spread across an area of 540 km. It was declared a tiger reserve in 2010 by the Karnataka State Government. The highest peak within the sanctuary is the Kattari Betta. The wildlife sanctuary is inhabited by a number of animals including elephants, sloth bears, bison, deer, porcupines and a number of other wild animals. It is also a paradise for bird lovers and harbours more than 250 species of birds like the Paradise Flycatcher, Racquet Trailed Drongo and the Crested Hawk Eagle, etc.

Another attraction of the BR Hills is the 500 years old famous Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple which is situated on the highest peak of the hill range, on the white cliff (biligiri) which gives the hill its name. The local form of the deity is called Ranganath, another form of Lord Vishnu and is depicted in a unique standing position. The temple premises offer wonderful views of the valleys of BR Hills. During February-March, a car festival ...

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About Male Mahadeshwara Betta

At a distance of 135 km from Mysore, 89 km from Hogenakkal, 72 km from Kollegal & 209 km from Bangalore, Male Mahadeshwara Betta, also known as MM Hills is a sacred place situated in the eastern parts of Kollegal taluk in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. Situated at an altitude of 3000 feet, this is one of the top attractions you must include in Mysore packages.

Male Mahadeshwara Hills is surrounded by dense forest and is famous for Malai Mahadeshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Mahadeshwara. The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Male Mahadeshwara is one of the very popular Shaiva pilgrim centers in the region, and among the most sacred pilgrimage sites near Mysore. The temple is surrounded by 77 hills of the Eastern Ghats. The temple draws large number of pilgrims from the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

History & Mythology of Male Mahadeshwara Betta

The Mahadeshwara Temple was built by Junje Gowda, a local landlord belonging to the Kuruba Gowda community. The temple is dedicated to Lord Sri Mahadeshwara who is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva. Historical evidences suggest that the Saint Mahadeshwara came here in 15th century to perform penance and it is believed that he is still performing penance in the temple's garbhagriha in the form of a linga. The linga, worshipped now ...

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At a distance of 26 Km from Kudremukh Town, 67 Km from Sringeri, and 90 Km from Chikmagalur, Kudremukh is a mountain in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. It is one of the best trekking destinations in Karnataka, and among the must-include places in the Chikmagalur Adventure tour packages.

At an elevation of 1894 meters, Kudremukh stands as one of the tallest peaks in the Western Ghats and ranks as the second-highest peak in the state, following Mullayanagiri. The term Kuduremukha translates to 'horse-faced' in Kannada, refering to a specific scenic view of the mountain that resembles the face of a horse. Historically, it was also known as 'Samseparvata' due to its accessibility from Samse village. This region is recognized as a biologically rich hotspot, showcasing a variety of wildlife and gaining popularity for trekking.

The peak is situated within the Kudremukh National Park, which boasts a wealth of flora and fauna. Established as a national park in 1987, this 600 square kilometer area in the Western Ghats is classified as one of the world's 38 'hottest hotspots' of biological diversity, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is the second-largest tropical wet evergreen forest in the Western Ghats zone. The Kudremukh National Park is adorned with natural splendor, featuring towering peaks interspersed with a multitude of flora and fauna, alongside picturesque trekking paths that overlook lush ...

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At a distance of 35 km from Pollachi and 76 km from Coimbatore, 5 km from Parambikulam, Topslip is a protected tiger reserve located in the Annamalai mountain range of the Western Ghats in Tamilnadu. It is one of the must include places in Pollachi Tour Packages.

Situated at an altitude of 240 m, Topslip is the tourist zone and main birding area of the Annamalai Tiger Reserve, which is separated from the Nilgiri Hills by Palghat Gap in the north. It stands majestically with Green Spread Mountains and forest all around. The place got its name during the British era, as lots of its timber slipped down to the plains below. Topslip is blessed with a gentle altitude, a salubrious climate, and a variety of flora and fauna. Its picturesque location and fabulous scenery have made it a popular location for several movie sequences. It is also famous for the elephant camp.

It is the best gateway for a wonderful wildlife experience of the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. The unique teak forests, Bamboo forests, rich exotic species of plants, and wild animals are the major attractions of Topslip. It is also a wonderful destination for bird watching as it is home to 250 species of birds. MT Stuart block is another attraction which is located 3 km from Topslip. It has an ancient forest bungalow along with the grave of Hugo Wood, a British officer with an environmental conscience who emphasized that ...

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