Top 5 hill stations in Kerala for a misty getaway

Kerala offers a variety of charming and beautiful destinations for its visitors. These include hill stations include tea and coffee estates, endless spice fields and mystic view of the fog clad hills. The hill stations in Kerala give ample chances for an energising and refreshing vacation. So here are the top 5 hill stations in Kerala that you can visit for your next vacation. 

Munnar: Known for its misty tea gardens, scenic hills, paths covered with fog, and cool climate, Munnar captivates one's eyes as well as the mind. 

Trekking in the forests, scenic valleys, numerous streams, beautiful waterfalls, sprawling tea plantations and winding walkways are all part of the great holiday experience on offer for a traveller to Munnar. Cheeyappara waterfalls, Eravikulam National Park, Rajamala, Chinnakanal, Kundala Dam, Mattupetty Dam and numerous spice gardens are the major tourist attractions in Munnar.

Munnar is also known for Neelakurinji, a rare plant that flowers only once in twelve years. 

Athirappilly: Located to the east of Chalakudy, it is situated on the fringes of the Sholayar forests of the Western Ghats, which are the rain forests of Kerala.  Athirappilly is famous mostly for its 42-meter-high waterfalls. Athirappilly, lying at an average elevation of 300 meters above sea level, consists of 14850 hectares of tropical wet, evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous riparian forest ranges. Athirappilly forests is one among the five territorial ranges of Vazhachal Forest Division, the others being Charpa, Vazhachal, Kollathirumedu and Sholayar. The forestland of Athirappilly is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, as it is home to endangered as well as threatened species of flora and fauna.

Ponmudi: This hill station in North Kerala is located within a short driving distance of Thiruvananthapuram. Along with a beautiful array of mountain flowers, exotic butterflies, and small rivulets, Ponmudi offers excellent opportunities for trekking. With its tea estates and mist-covered valleys, Ponmudi is a fast-developing hill station. Popularly called Golden Peak, Ponmudi is surrounded by scenic hills, spice plantations, tea estates, natural springs, and winding streams. Founded by Rishi Parshuram, a prominent Indian mythological figure, you can also visit Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Echo Point, and various trekking spots. Mist-laden valleys, especially Golden Valley near Kallar River, also draw tourists. Travellers can find a deer park and wood and stone cottages coloured in bright hues while visiting here.

Ramakkalmedu:  This beautiful view spot in the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border gives breathtaking views of Kombai villages in Tamil Nadu on one side and the villages around Nedumkandom in Kerala on the other side and is located near Thekkady. Kuravan mount which has the Kuravan Kurathi statue is among the most scenic hill station views in Kerala and the legend is that Rama and Sita came there during their exile and rested on the rock in Ramakkalmedu. Rolling green hills and the fresh mountain air make Ramakkalmedu an enchanting retreat. The hilltop also offers a panoramic view of Tamil Nadu towns of Kumbum, Theni, Kombe, Thevaram, Uthamapalayam, Bodinaykannor and Veiga.

Lakkidi: Referred to as the Gateway of the Wayanad district. Lakkidi is the starting point in exploring the entire Wayanad region which is most notable for containing impressive mountain peaks, dense forests, and beautiful streams and other water features. Lakkidi is one of the highest locations in Wayanad and registers the second-highest degree of rainfall in the world.