If you can't take days off of work and head to exotic locations, then these hill stations around Hyderabad make for easy peasy weekend getaways which are also some of India's best hill stations down south. So, escape the scorching heat and unwind at one of these places for your summer vacation or plan a trip for the long weekends.
16 Hill Stations Near Hyderabad From Coffee Estates to Windy Rocks
Overview
- 1. Chikmagalur
- 2. Araku Valley
- 3. Lambasingi
- 4. Mahabaleshwar
- 5. Horsley Hills
- 6. Ooty
- 7. Ananthagiri Hills
- 8. Srisailam
- 9. Swamimalai Hills - Yelagiri
- 10. Yana
- 11. Yelagiri Hills
- 12. Coorg
- 13. Agumbe
- 14. Kodaikanal
- 15. Wayanad
- 16. Yercaud
Chikmagalur
Located at the foothills of Mulayanagari Range, Chikmagalur is the town of Karnataka. Surrounded by hill stations like Baba Budan Giri, Mullayanagiri, Kalasa, and Koppa—this place offers some scenic views, attracting tourists from all over the country. The mountains and the coffee estates are added brownie points! You can also check out Hebbe Falls and Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary to witness the beauty of nature or go trekking up the Z Point. You could also check out the Coffee Museum at Darasahalli.
Distance From Hyderabad: 660 Km
Best Time To Visit: October to February
How To Reach: Kadur Railway Station, Chikmagalur bus stand, Mangalore Airport
Araku Valley
Home to indigenous tribes on the Eastern Ghats, Araku is amongst the highest peaks in Andhra Pradesh. The beauty of this place lies in its forests and coffee plantations; it is also known for its rich biodiversity. You can explore these forests and also visit locations where popular Tollywood films like Happy Days, Life Is Beautiful, and more were shot. Check out the famous Borra Caves, Coffee Museum and Araku Adivasi Arts & Crafts Museum while you're here.
Distance From Hyderabad: 702 Km
Best Time To Visit: September to February
How To Reach: Araku Valley Railway Station, Araku Valley bus stand, Vizag Airport
Lambasingi
One of the less explored hill stations around the city is Lambasingi, a small town that is also known as Kashmir of South India. Although this place is a massive hit among travellers in winter, as it experiences sub-zero temperatures and foggy weather, it is also a great choice for summer getaways. This tranquil place has dense forests, plantations, and valleys. People who want to go on solo trips can head here for solitude. You can visit the Erravaram Waterfalls and the Lambasingi Dam.
Distance From Hyderabad: 602 Km
Best Time To Visit: November to January
How To Reach: Anakapalle Railway Station, Lambasingi bus stand, Vizag Airport
Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar is a forested hill station located in the Western Ghats, but Hyderabadis can still go here for the weekend and enjoy Chinaman’s Falls and its surrounding greenery and rocks. Mahabaleshwar also houses the Pratapgad Fort and Venna Lake, which are major tourist attractions. There are several viewpoints like the Parsi Point and Lodwick Point you can explore here, but a visit to the Mapro Farms to gorge on some fresh preserves remains first on our list of things to do in Mahabaleshwar!
Distance From Hyderabad: 585 Km
Best Time To Visit: November to February
How To Reach: Mahabaleshwar Railway Station, Mahabaleshwar bus stand, Pune Airport
Horsley Hills
Horsely Hills is a series of hills located in the Chittoor district, offering some of the best views of nature and a cool climate. Check out Gali Bandalu (Wind Rocks) and its dense forests, where you can spot wildlife with rich flora and fauna. Don't forget to visit the backwaters of Gangotri Lake, marvel at the ruins of Chennakesava Temple and check out a 150-year-old Eucalyptus Tree called Kalyani.
Distance From Hyderabad: 534 Km
Best Time To Visit: December to March
How To Reach: Madanapalle Railway Station, Horsley Hillsbus stand, Tirupati Airport
Ooty
Comparatively farther, Ooty is still a popular choice among Hyderabadis and is often called the queen of hill stations. Tea gardens, British-style bungalows, and winding roads characterise this hill station, which has cool weather for us to run to in the Summer. You could trek up the Doddabetta peak, shop for knick-knacks and souvenirs at the main bazaar, explore the tribal lifestyle at Toda village and take a super scenic drive to Coonoor when you visit.
Distance From Hyderabad: 842 Km
Best Time To Visit: March to June
How To Reach: Mettupalayam Railway Station, Ooty bus stand, Coimbatore Airport
Ananthagiri Hills
Possibly the closest and easiest spot near Hyderabad, Ananthagiri Hills is great if you have just a couple of days to unwind and relax. You could visit the local temples, go kayaking, and stay at local resorts close to nature. Ananthagiri Hills also offer relatively less challenging trekking pathways, which is great for beginners.
Distance From Hyderabad: 79 Km
Best Time To Visit: November to March
How To Reach: Vikarabad Railway Station, Vikarabad Bus Stop
Srisailam
Located near the Nallamala Forests, a drive to Srisailam is super scenic, flanked by greenery on either side. The drive here is perfect for riders. Once you've completed visiting the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple and would like to explore hidden gems, visit the Ista Kameshwari Temple. The path to the temple is a harsh terrain and can be navigated only through a jeep. You could also take a boat ride to Akkamahadevi Caves, ferrying you over the Krishna River. If you want to combine this with adventure, head to the Mallela Theertham Waterfalls. There's also a bunch of adventurous stuff you can do like trek up the Nallamala Hills, we suggest you contact the property you're staying at for the best local recommendations.
Distance From Hyderabad: 213 Km
Best Time To Visit: November to March
How To Reach: Cumbum Railway Station, Srisailam bus stand
Swamimalai Hills - Yelagiri
If you don't mind going deep down to the South, then you must check out the quaint weekend destination Yelagiri in Tamil Nadu. For folks who are trekking beginners, this is where you shine. The Swamimalai Hill in Mangalam village, Yelagiri, is a neat 1.6 km easy trek that can be completed within two hours, offering stunning views. Locals suggest trekking during sunrise. The area offers activities like rappelling and ziplining and a nature park where you can discover some rare flora. The Jalagamparai Falls are great if you'd like to take a dip, and Fundera Park is great for spotting exotic birds.
Distance From Hyderabad: 712 Km
Best Time To Visit: September to February
How To Reach: Indira Nagar Railway Station, Marudeeswar Temple bus stand, Tiruchirapalli Airport
Yana
If you’re all about going to offbeat places, reach Yana for breathtaking caves and massive rock formations. Located in the Western Ghats of Uttara Kannada District, Yana is for everyone — trekking enthusiasts, history buffs, spirituals and nature lovers. To reach there, you’ll need to trek through the dense forest. It’ll be an intermediate-level trek, as the terrain is scruffy at best. On the way, you’ll spot the Bhairaveshwara and Jaganmohini peaks and a cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Go a little further from the caves and witness the Vibhuti Falls in all its glory (during the right season, of course).
Distance From Hyderabad: 669 KM
Best Time To Visit: October to January
How To Reach: Kumta Railway Station, Kumta Bus Stand, Dabolim Airport
Yelagiri Hills
A quaint trekking destination in Tamil Nadu, Yelagiri has an advantage that very few places around Hyderabad have, a pleasant climate throughout the year. If you enjoy driving on ghat roads, you’re in for a treat as 14 hairpin bends will test your skills and offer amazing views too. After reaching there, you can walk through the village, sit by the Punganoor Lake and go boating, click pics at the Jalagamparai waterfalls, check out the Telescope Observatory and count the many monkeys. If you’re ready to lace up, it’s a 5 km trek to the waterfalls, and it’s worth it for the views.
Distance From Hyderabad: 700 km
Best Time To Visit: November to February
How To Reach: Jolarpettai Junction Railway Stations, Vellore bus stand, Salem Airport
Coorg
Coorg, Kodagu, Coffee Paradise—call it whatever you like, Coorg is amazing. There’s a reason it’s called the Scotland of India. Explore the misty landscape and all that it has to offer. There’s Abbey Falls, Raja’s Seat (a hilly viewpoint), Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Dubare Elephant Camp, Namdroling Monastery, and coffee plantations. All you’ll need is 2-3 days to let loose in Karnataka’s best and rejuvenate with clean, fresh air.
Distance From Hyderabad: 833 km
Best Time To Visit: March to June
How To Reach: Mysore Railway Stations, Madikeri bus stand, Mangalore Airport
Agumbe
Clearly, there’s so much to explore in our neighbouring Karnataka, and Agumbe is one of them. If you’re familiar with the show Malgudi Days, you’ll be delighted to know that several scenes of this popular TV show were shot around this place. It’s also one of the highest peaks of the Western Ghats, which means you should definitely catch those serene sunsets and sunrises here. Yup, it is a worthy excuse to become a morning person for once. There are several viewing spots, some of which involve small treks.
Distance From Hyderabad: 700 km
Best Time To Visit: October to February
How To Reach: Shivamogga Railway Stations, Agumbe bus stand, Mangalore Airport
Kodaikanal
There’s no reason one can leave out Kodaikanal (aka the princes of hill stations) when talking about the best hill stations in India. The cool misty weather is a treat for everyone who wishes to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. You can walk through wooden forests, row in lakes, take a dip in the waterfalls, go horse riding or simply cycle around the bendy streets. If you're looking for a unique experience, then check out the Kodaikanal Observatory and the Astronomy Museum.
Distance from Hyderabad: 1000 km
Best Time To Visit: October to March
How To Reach: Dindigul Railway Stations, Vathalakundu bus stand, Madurai Airport
Wayanad
Make arrangements and travel to this hill station in God’s Own Country, Kerala. If you’re a camper, there’s nothing better than Wayanad in South India. The green hills spots are calling you to get lost in its beauty. You can climb the trekking trails, feel the breeze at the waterfalls, explore the caves, look out for rare birds and be in the middle of aromatic spice and coffee plantations. At the plantations, you can taste test the fresh produce and know the real deal. Words don’t do justice; you ought to visit the place yourself.
Distance from Hyderabad: 857 km
Best Time To Visit: November to February
How To Reach: Calicut Railway Stations, Wayanad bus stand, Calicut Airport
Yercaud
While planning a trip to Wayanad, Yercaud is another must-see scenic spot around 340 km from Wayanad. That said, you can also plan a trip from Hyderabad separately. Situated in the Eastern Ghats, this hill station in Tamil Nadu is not yet as commercial as others. So, if you time it right, you might be among the handful of tourists staying there. From waterfalls to caves and lakes, you can find everything that you would in Ooty but much less crowded.
Distance from Hyderabad: 792 km
Best Time To Visit: October to June
How To Reach: Salem Junction Railway Station, Yercaud bus stand, Coimbatore Airport