Kerala Hill Stations - the best known and the least known

Lakkidi lies 55 kilometers to the east of Kozhikode and is the gateway to the beautiful hill station of Wayanad. Lakkidi is a serene hill station, full of huge mountain ranges, cool streams, dense forests and winding roads. A visit to this hill station is a must if you are looking for adventure.

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16 kilometers from Nedumkandam, on the Thekkady-Munnar road, lies the beautiful hill station of Ramakalmedu. This lovely hill station offers a magnificent view of the adjoining valley and the villages of Bodi and Cumbum, and is great to behold while driving through the serpentine ghat roads.

Echo Point gets its name from the same natural phenomenon. While atop this hill station, every sound you make or word you utter, seems to echo right through the lofty hills. This is a great place for mountain climbing and trekking.

Another small hill station nestled in the lofty Western Ghats, Pullumedu abounds in green, velvety lawns and rare species of plants and animals. The significance of this hill station is that, while at the top, you can glimpse the Makara Jyothi illuminations at the shrine of the famous Sree Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala.

The hill station of Vandanmedu is famous for its spice plantations along the slopes of the mountains. Spices like cardamom are grown in abundance here and the air is full of its fragrance. Vandanmedu is also one of the world’s largest auction centers for cardamom.

Pattumala literally means "hill draped in silk" and this charming hill station really does appear to be draped in silk! The entire landscape, comprising huge cliffs, tiny dancing streams and miles and miles of greenery, gives the appearance of a beautifully embroidered silk blanket.

This unexplored virgin hill station is located to the north east of Palakkad and is hidden by the lofty slopes of the Western Ghats. Several rivulets of the mighty Bhavani river cut through Attappady and this only adds to the beauty of the place. There are quite a few tourist lodges in Attappady for the occasional tourist.

Pakshipathalam is located at a distance of around 7 kilometers to the north east of Thirunelli and can be accessed only by trekking. This fact makes it a relatively uncorrupt hill station. It is believed that Pakshipathalam was once a seat of meditation for sages and saints and is today, home to some unique species of birds. Pakshipathalam is close to the island of Kuruvadweep, famous for its different kind of soil which is known to be best for the cultivation of orchids and other exotic flowers.

Peerumedu, or Peermade, is named after the Sufi saint Peer Mohammed and has a historic significance. Like other hill stations in Kerala, Peerumedu is full of evergreen plantations of tea, coffee and spices and is rich in a wide variety of trees and flowering plants.

19. Pandikuzhi

Located at a distance of 5 kilometers from Thekkady, the lovely hill station of Pandikuzhi is a very popular picnic spot for tourists and locals.

70 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram, this forest has a mythological significance and is believed to have been the residence of the wise sage, Agasthya. Agasthyarkoodam is full of medicinal plants and rare herbs and its scenic beauty is truly divine.

Silent Valley is one of the most evergreen hill stations of India and is home to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. The Kurumbar tribes are prime inhabitants of this hill station.

Malampuzha forms the base on which flows the Bharathappuzha, the longest river in Kerala. This small hill station is not much frequented by tourists, but makes for a quiet and serene holiday destination.

This hill station gets its name from its altitude. At an altitude of 1,700 meters above sea level, Topstation is the higgest point on the Munnar-Kodaikanal road. The Neelakurinji blooms on this hill station and during the period of its flowering, the entire hill station, with its blanket of blue, is a sight to watch. Another main attraction of this hill station is that it offers a great view of the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border.

Rajamala is located at a distance of 15 kilometers from Munnar and is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr, a rare, endangered species. One of the main attractions of this hill station is the Eravikulam National Park, spread over 97 square kilometers in the Rajamala hills and home to some rare species of animals. The Rajamala is ideal for trekking and facilities are provided atop the hill station for the same.

A two-hour drive from Palakkad is what is required to reach the beautiful hill station of Nelliyampathy, a verdant hill station full of cascading waterfalls, heart stopping hairpin bends and plantations of spices and condiments.