Kerala Hill Stations

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HILL STATIONS
Lying on the windward side of the Western Ghats, Kerala has a long chain of lush, mist clad hill stations that are home to exotic wildlife. All the hill resorts in Kerala offer the most enchanting experience of nature in all its virgin beauty.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT
Ponmudi (61 km from Thiruvanathapuram city): An idyllic hill resort with narrow, winding pathways and cool, green, wooded environs, Ponmudi are located 915 m above sea level. Along with a variety of beautiful mountain flowers, exotic butterflies, small rivulets, springs and the deer park nearby, this hill station also has excellent trekking trails.

IDUKKI DISTRICT
A landlocked district, Idukki is one of the most nature rich areas of Kerala. The high ranges and wooded valleys are girded by three main rivers – Periyar, Thalayar and Thodupuzhayar – and their tributaries. The river Pamba also has its origin here. As a tourist destination, Idukki offers diverse attractions like wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, spice plantation tours, mountain treks, elephant rides etc.Idukki has a large population of tribal who have unique customs and beliefs and maintain an ethos which is distinctly different form that of the mainstream culture.
Munnar (55 km from Idukki town): Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. 1600 m above sea level, this hill station was the summer resort of the British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make Munnar a popular hill station. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in blue once every twelve years will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking.
In and around Munnar
Top Station (32 km from Munnar): 1700 m above sea level, this is the highest point on the Munnar – Kodaikanal road. The rare Neelakurunji (Strobilanthes kunthianus) belongs to this region. Top Station also offers a panoramic view of the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu.
Mattupettty (13 km from Munnar) ; Situated at a height of 1700 m, Mattupetty is famous for its highly specialized dairy farm – the Indo Swiss Livestock Project. Over a 100 varieties of high yielding cattle are reared here. Visitors are allowed into three of the 11 cattle sheds at the farm. Visit time: 0900 – 11 00 hrs and 1400 – 1530 hrs.The Mattupetty lake and dam, just a short distance from the farm, is a very beautiful picnic spot. The sprawling Kundala tea plantations and the Kundala Lake are other attractions in the vicinity.
Rajamala (17 km from Munnar): The natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr, Rajamala is 2695 m above sea level. Half the world population of the rare mountain goat (Hemitragus hylocrius) which is fast becoming extinct is now found here: The Nilgiri Tahrs are today reduced to small herds which are found in the Eravikulam – Rajamala region.
Marayoor (40 km from Munnar): This is the only place in Kerala that has a natural growth of sandalwood trees. The sandalwood factory of the Forest Department, the caves (muniyaras) with murals and relics from the New Stone Age and the children’s park spread across a hectare of land under the canopy of a single Banyan tree are of great interest to tourists.
Devikulam (15 km from Munnar): This idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air offers a rare experience to visitors. The Sita Devi Lake with its mineral water springs and picturesque surroundings is a good picnic spot. The lake is also ideal for trout fishing.
Vagamon (65 km from Idukki town): Situated at an elevation of 1100 m above sea level, this hill station is a trekker’s delight. Vagamon is surrounded by beautiful meadows, valleys and tea gardens.

PALAKKAD (PALGHAT) DISTRICT
Nelliyampathy (52 km south of Nenmara): This fascinating hill station is at a height of 467 to 1572 m above sea level. At least 10 hairpin bends have to be negotiated on the ghat road that passes through the breathtaking evergreen forests of the Sahya Ranges. Seethakundu at Nelliyampathy offers a panoramic view of about one third the area of Palakkad district.
Attappady (38 km northeast of Mannarghat): A beautiful synthesis of mountains, rivers and forests, Attappady is of great interest to anthropologists. This is the habitat of many tribals like the Irulars and Mudugas. The Malieswaram peak is worshipped as a gigantic Siva linga by the Adivasis who also celebrate the Sivarathri festival with great fervour.
Dhoni (15 km from Palakkad) : It takes a three-hour trek from the base of the Dhoni hills, to reach this reserve forest area with its small, beautiful waterfall. This hill country is the delight of trekkers.

KOZHIKODE (CALICUT) DISTRICT
Peruvannamuzhi (60 km from Kozhikode) : The Peruvannamuzhi dam site set amid hills is a beautiful picnic spot. The reservoir here provides facilities for speedboat and row boat cruises. Uninhabited islands, a bird sanctuary and a crocodile farm add to the charm of the place.
Tusharagiri (50 km from Kozhikode) : Famous for its trekking tracks, Tusharagiri is located near Vythiri in Wayanad. Trekkers start early in the morning from the second waterfall at Tusharagiri and climb uphill through the pristine, evergreen dense forests populated with exotic birds and wild animals to reach Vythiri by evening.

WAYANAD DISTRICT
Vythiri (100 km (5 hours) from Kozhikode): Tucked away at the northeastern tip of Kerala, this quaint lime hill station about 1300 m above sea level is renowned for its coffee, tea, cardamom, pepper and rubber plantations. Mist-capped mountains and breathtaking scenery dominate other tourist attractions.
Pakshipathalam (10 km from Thirunelly) : This place can be accessed only by trekking. Rare species of birds can be sighted from the watch tower of this bird sanctuary.
Chembra Peak (14 km west of Kalpetta) : At 2100 m above mean sea level, Chembra is the highest peak in Wayanad and is an ideal area for trekking.
Lakkidi (55 km east of Kozhikode/5 km south of Vythiri) Lakkidi, the gateway to Wayanad, is situated 700 m above mean sea level, at the crest of the Thamarasseri Ghat pass. Lofty peaks, gurgling streams and luxuriant forests add magic to the journey up the winding roads to this hill station.
Pookot Lake : This perennial freshwater lake, nestled among wooded hills, is the only one of its kind in Kerala. Boating facilities, a children’s park, a handicrafts and spices emporium and a fresh water aquarium are among the tourist facilities available here. The lake is 3 km south of Vythiri Resorts.
KANNUR (CANNANORE) DISTRICT
Pythal Mala (65 km from Kannur town): This enchanting hill station, situated 4,500 ft. above sea level near the Kerala-Karnataka border, is rich in flora and fauna. It is a 6 km trek to the top of the hills.
Ezhimala (50 km from Kannur) : The beautiful beach here has a hillock nearby (286 m high). Ezhimala also has a Naval Academy.

KASARAGOD (KASARGOD) DISTRICT
Ranipuram (55 km from Kasaragod) : Situated 750 m above sea level, Ranipuram is famous for its trekking trails and varied vegetation – evergreen shola woods, monsoon forests and grasslands