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, which are all under 15 hours drive (max) for that much-needed break.
Coffee Estates To Windy Rocks: Pack Your Bags & Head To These Hill Stations
Chikmagalur
Located at the foothills of Mulayanagari Range, in Karnataka is the town of Chikmagalur. Surrounded by hill stations like Baba Budan Giri, Mullayanagiri, Kalasa, 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
Getting There: Although Chikmagalur is well connected to Hyderabad by both rail and air, you can also plan a road trip via Bangalore and get here in about 12 hours.
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 bio-diversity. So, while here, you can explore these forests, and also visit shoot locations of popular Tollywood films like Happy Days, Life Is Beautiful, and more that were shot here. Check out the famous Borra Caves, Coffee Museum and Araku Adivasi Arts & Crafts Museum while you're here.
Distance From Hyderabad: 702 Km
Getting There: You can either take a day or overnight train to Vishakhapatnam and drive to Araku Valley in 3 hours from there, or just go on a road trip via NH65 and NH16 to get there in about 14 hours.
Lambasingi
One of the less explored hill stations around the city is Lambasingi, a small town 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, but 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 when you visit.
Distance From Hyderabad: 602 Km
Getting There: You can take a train to Visakhapatnam and hire a cab from there, or drive there via Suryapet, Vijaywada, Rajahmundry and more. Ideally, the long drive would take 12 hours to get to Lambasingi.
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 view points 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
Getting There: Although you can take a train to Pune and a bus from there to Mahabaleshwar, we recommend making this a road trip with the family or squad for a perfect weekend.
Horsley Hills
Horsely Hills is a series of hills located in the Chittoor district which come with some of the best views of nature and a cool climate. Check out Gali Bandalu (Wind Rocks) and 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 a 150-year-old Eucalyptus Tree called Kalyani.
Distance From Hyderabad: 534 Km
Getting There: You can get there in about 10 hours by road but there are daily and overnight trains too.
Ooty
Comparatively farther, Ooty is still a popular choice among Hyderabadis. It is often called the queen of hill stations. Tea gardens, British style bungalows, and winding roads characterise this hill station that has cool weather for us to run to, this Summer. You could trek up the Doddabetta peak, shop for knick-knacks and souvenirs at the main bazar, explore the tribal lifestyle at Toda village, and take a super scenic drive to Coonoor when you visit.
Distance From Hyderabad: 842 Km
Getting There: Since there is no direct train, bus or flight from Hyderabad to Ooty, the best way would be to get to Coimbatore and then drive to Ooty which is 85 Km away. You can also consider making a road trip from Hyderabad as it is a 15-hour drive.
Ananthagiri Hills
Possibly the closest and easiest spots 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 staying close to nature. Ananthagiri Hills also offer relatively lesser challenging trekking pathways, which is great for beginners.
Distance From Hyderabad: 79 Km
Getting There: Driving down would be the easiest way to get to Ananthagiri. The Telangana state government runs buses to Vikarabad, after which you can hire an auto to take you to the hills. A train ride will get you to a station approximately 6-8 kilometers away from the hills, so you can hire an auto after reaching the Vikarabad railway station.
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'd like to combine this with some 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
Getting There: The drive is just about 5 hours from the city. While there are no direct trains from Hyderabad to Srisailam, you can take the Kacheguda-Guntur Express to Markapur, which is a two-hour drive from Srisailam.
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, 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, where you can check out some exotic birds.
Distance From Hyderabad: 712 Km
Getting There: The drive to Yelagiri is around 12 hours from Hyderabad. Interestingly, the quaint town is just a 3 and a half hour drive from Bangalore, if you'd like to take that route. Trains from Hyderabad go until Jolarpettai or Jolarpet, from which Yelagiri is just 30 minutes away.