Last Updated: June 19, 2019 Nidhi Singh
Tamil Nadu is a gem of a state, it surprises tourists in more than one way and gifts visitors experiences that can never be forgotten. One of the ways that the state pleases tourists is by offering them with such gorgeous hill stations, which are ideal for a perfect holiday. Adorned with lush rolling mountains, expansive tea and coffee gardens, pretty waterfalls and heartwarming weather, these hill destinations are worth falling in love with.
Here are the most popular hill stations for an unforgettable holiday in Tamil Nadu:
Ooty
![Ooty](https://www.tourmyindia.com/blog//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Ooty.jpg)
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The ‘Snooty Ooty’ needs no introduction. Dressed in green and adorned with charming English lanes and houses, Ooty beckons holidaymakers from far and wide. In fact, I have always believed that this beautiful Tamil Nadu hill station can give a run for money to any North Indian hill destination. It is part of the three important hill stations of Nilgiri and is said to be the most popular one for a holiday in Tamil Nadu. Weary, happy, romantic or looking for solace, no matter what your mood is like, you can count on Ooty to add or restore freshness to your life. Click here to get Ooty holiday guide.
Popular Attractions: Ooty Lake, Botanical Gardens, Tea Factory, Doddabatta Peak, Government Rose Gardens, Pykara, St. Stephen’s Church, Wax World, Deer Park, Tribal Museum.
How to Reach: Ooty is well connected through roads and trains with the a number of cities in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is the best and the most exciting way to reach here as the railway has been as a UNESCO world heritage site and the train to Ooty follows quite a picturesque route.
Kodaikanal
![Kodaikanal](https://www.tourmyindia.com/blog//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Kodaikanal.jpg)
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Want to plan a short getaway with your partner, somewhere you can enjoy the company of each other and get oodles of pretty picture with a stunning background? Well, then pick Kodaikanal and you will thank me for ages to suggest it to you. I know sometimes places can get really overrated and when you make it to the destination you find nothing that can interest you. However, Kodai (like everyone calls it) will not give you the chance to get disappointed. Its lush greenery, rolling hills, a strange quietness and of course pleasant weather shall make you fall in love with it. Perfect for hiking, taking a stroll, watching the verdant wildlife and definitely for basking in the sun, Kodai gives you enough reasons to choose it for a hill station holiday in Tamil Nadu. Do you know, that that this pretty hilly town is also home to a special kind of flowers called Neelakurnji Flowers that can bloom once in 12 years and when they do, boy they make the place look like a piece of heaven! See Kodaikanal trip guide here.
Popular Attractions: Berijam Lake, Coakers Walk, Kodai Lake, Kurinjiandavar Temple, Dolphin’s Nose, Bryant Park, Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, Green Valley View.
How to Reach: The best and easiest way to reach Kodaikanal is by taking a flight or train to Madurai, which is some 120 kms away. From Madurai, bus and taxi services are available for Kodaikanal.
Yelagiri
![Yelagiri Tamil Nadu](https://www.tourmyindia.com/blog//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Yelagiri-Tamil-Nadu.jpg)
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Yelagiri is not a hill station, it is in fact a region that comprises 14 beautiful villages in the Vellore district. Therefore, if your idea is to sit in one place and get the most stunning views of the landscape, then you are going to have a tough time deciding where should you finally settle down for a sloppy afternoon. All the viewpoints and destinations are so stunning that you can’t help hopping from one place to another, may be that’s a good reason why trekking is one of the best activities here.
Popular Attractions: Punganoor Lake Park, Jalagamparai Waterfalls, Nature Park, Telescope Observatory, Jalagandeeswarar Temple, Government Herbal Farm, Swamimalai Hills, Velavan Murugan Temple.
How to Reach: The best way to reach Yelagiri is to first make it till Bengaluru, which is some 150 kms away. From Bengaluru, buses and taxis are available for Yelagiri.
Kolli Hills
![Kolli Hills](https://www.tourmyindia.com/blog//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Kolli-Hills.jpg)
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Kolli Hills is a refreshing hill station in Tamil Nadu specially when you take up a challenge of crossing 70 bends/curves to reach here. And the reason why you would like to re-visit this hill station is that it is still lesser known, and thus catches less attention of the tourists. Your options for holiday is to bask in the sun in the lawns of your resort or you can hike the less travelled trails and relish some incredible views of the lush forests surrounding this place. The weather is also an asset and you would love having intermittent tea breaks when you can sit at some pretty place against equally surreal background listening to the sound of nature.
Popular Attractions: Seekuparai Viewpoint, Agaya Gangai Waterfalls, Semmedu, Masila Falls, Selur Nadu, and the Botanical Garden.
How to Reach: The nearest railway station to Kolli Hills is at Salem, which is almost 90 kms away. Trichy station is also located relatively close and from both these destinations taxis to Kolli Hills are available.
Yercaud
![Yercaud](https://www.tourmyindia.com/blog//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Yercaud.jpg)
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Yercaud sits pretty in the Eastern Ghats amidst the gorgeous Shevaroys Range of Hills and is probably the most popular hill station for a vacation in Tamil Nadu. The best thing about Yercaud is the diversity that one gets to see here. The hill station is adorned with a scenic lake, a stunning waterfall and plenty of places where you can hike to or bask at. I mean on a hill station holiday what more can one need than a beautiful location, tranquility and less travelled roads that lead to some place exotic. Read Yercaud holiday information here.
Popular Attractions: Yercaud Lake, 32-km Loop Road, Pagoda Point, Servaroyan Temple, Kiliyur Waterfall, Lady’s Seat, Silk Farm and Rose Garden, Deer Park, Norton’s Bungalow, Bear’s Cave, Kottachedu Teak Forest, Anna Park, Orchidarium.
How to Reach: The best way to reach Yercaud is through Salem, where the railway junction is situated. Salem is only 35 kms from Yercaud, one can take a taxi or a bus to reach the destination.
Coonoor
![Coonoor](https://www.tourmyindia.com/blog//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Coonoor.png)
Photo: https://goo.gl/hHizca
Coonoor sounds so much better to me as an option for a holiday in Tamil Nadu hill stations, because number one, it is less crowded and number two, it has many unexplored trekking trails. The two options make it a destination obviously for nature lovers, but honeymoon couples would also like the idea of visiting here. Coonoor is surrounded by expansive tea gardens and some beautiful rolling mountains to feast your eyes on. Also, it is a great place for birdwatching as well. My advice would be however to choose the Upper Coonoor region because the lower part can set a wrong expression about peacefulness of this place. Get holiday information of Coonoor here.
Popular Attractions: Sim’s Park, Dolphin’s Nose Viewpoint
How to Reach: Coonoor can be easily reached from Coimbatore, which is the nearest airport, situated at a distance of 71 kms and Mettupalayam, which is the closest railway junction, located some 45 kms away.
Kotagiri
![Kotagiri](https://www.tourmyindia.com/blog//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Kotagiri.png)
Photo: https://goo.gl/h5XYZX
The smallest of the Nilgiri hill station, Kotagiri is something that a nature lover will find a delight in. Beautiful and serene, this place has endless red dirt trails amidst the pine for leisurely strolls and spectacular landscape to relish. Kotagiri also offers a number of cottages and lodges which add to the lovely vacation experience here. View trip guide of Kotagiri here.
Popular Attractions: Catherine Falls, Elk Falls, Doddabetta Range, Rangaswami Pillar, and Kodanad Point
How to Reach: Kotagiri can be easily reached from Coimbatore, which is the nearest airport, situated at a distance of about 47km kms and Mettupalayam, which is the closest railway junction, located some 31 kms away.
Here you have it, the most beautiful hill stations in Tamil Nadu to go on a holiday. So, now don’t put off a plan to visit one of these destinations with your loved ones or even solo; and let us at Tour My India help you have the best trip. You can give us a call at +91-9212553106/07 or even send us an email at info@tourmyindia.com for our attractive travel packages and discounts. Also if you liked this blog, please give it a Thumbs Up and share it with your friends and family. Happy Travelling!
Published: 06 Mar, 2017
From the Lake District, Nainital, Nidhi Singh is a travel writer whose love for mountains can be seen in her write ups. Talk about solo travelling, indulging in adventure activities, binging on good food, planning budget trips or the Aurora Borealis and you will get all her attention. It is the wanderlust that keeps her going and if at all she could get one wish granted she would love to live a life less ordinary. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.