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Book NowAre you planning a trip to Chennai, but worried about the climatic conditions? The main concern while planning a visit to Chennai is the hot and humid weather around the year. But where there is a problem, Chennai overcompensates with the stunning hill stations. The best hill stations near Chennai are bestowed with one of the best natural wonders, thrilling hiking routes, and ancient temples that call it home. Chennai is a stone’s throw from mesmerizing hill stations like Kodaikanal, Coorg, Ooty, etc, which is a perfect weekend getaway to curb the summer heat and relax in the lap of Nature.
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Most Visited Hill Stations Near Chennai
Although there are numerous places to visit in Chennai, here is a curated list of the best hill stations near Chennai, which will help you plan your perfect trip.
Ooty – The Queen Of Hills
If you want to evade the summer heatwaves and relax amidst Mother Nature, along the rolling hills, Ooty is a perfect place to head to. Referred to as the Queen of Hills, Ooty is situated along the stunning backdrop of the Nilgiri Hills, which provides a much-needed break from the city hustle and the hot and humid weather. Ooty treats its visitors with dazzling lakes, endless green pastures, and nail-biting hairpin bends as you drive along the alluring hills.
Major Tourist Attractions In Ooty
- Ooty Lake: As the name suggests, Ooty Lake is one of the main tourist attractions on your trip to Ooty. Surrounded by nature, the mesmerizing artificial lake was brought to life by John Sullivan in 1824. The lake offers various engaging activities like boating, picnics, cycling tracks, and horse riding, which make it one of the best places to visit.
- Botanical Gardens: Sprawling over 55 acres of greenery, the Botanical Garden is one of the most visited places in Ooty. The humongous garden houses more than 650 species of flora and fauna, which are uniquely displayed with their scientific names. The stunning garden is divided into five sections: Italian Garden, Conservatory, Fern House, Lower Garden, and Nurseries. The exceptional Flower Show organized from 19th May to 23 May, every year, is one of the main attractions of the Botanical Gardens.
- Toy Train Ride: If you wish to witness the location of the famous Chaiya Chiaya song, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway Toy Train or the Toy Train Ride is the pinpoint location. The Toy Train ride takes you through the dense forests, tunnels, and various species of birds, and the fog makes it one of the best hill stations near Chennai.
- Tiger Hill: The towering Tiger Hill is located towards the tapering end of Dodabetta Trek and stands at an altitude of 6000 feet above sea level. A haven for thrill-seeking hikers, the hike to the summit takes you through dense vegetation and allows you to catch glimpses of exotic species of animals.
Best Time To Visit
The ideal time to plan a visit to Ootyis during the winter season, which ranges from October to February. The temperature during these months oscillates between 5 degrees and 22 degrees.
Golden sunny days allow you to traverse through some of the best sightseeing points and the alluring hills. The chilly nights accompanied by gusty winds are ideal for wrapping around a blanket and having enough sleep to shun off the fatigue from the day-long tour.
How To Reach
Visitors can commute from various nearby locations, with Coimbatore being the nearest airport, which is 88 km away from Ooty. The most comfortable commute from Coimbatore airport to Ooty is via booking a cab or selecting from the various tour packages. You can book your perfect Coimbatore to Ooty- transfers+Hotel+Sightseeing tour package here.
Ooty is well connected by the most renowned national and State Highways, providing a comfortable and relaxing journey. Some of the nearby locations and their distances are:
- Mysore to Ooty Distance: 155 km
- Bangalore to Ooty Distance: 278 km
- Chennai to Ooty Distance: 555 km
Ideal Trip Duration: 2 – 3 days
Coorg – The Scotland of India
If you’re craving for coffee, then this can tempt you to commute to any corner of the world. So, how about visiting Coorg, one of the most mesmerizing hill stations near Chennai. Drop-dead gorgeous scenic views, cascading waterfalls, heritage sites, unending tea and coffee plantations, and snuggled amidst Mother Nature, Coorg righteously earns the name of the Scotland of India.
Major Tourist Attractions
- Coffee Plantations: Visit the unending coffee and tea plantations, which allow you to take a walk amidst winding roads. The coffee estates organize various paid tour guides, which allow you to soak in the sweet aroma of coffee while you walk through the unending plantations. The Coffee and tea estates house a variety of stores where you can grab some fresh homemade tea leaves and coffee beans.
- Abbey Falls: Visit the captivating Abbey Falls, which is a stone’s throw from the beautiful town of Madikeri. The Abbey Falls is a cascading waterfall, where the water gushes down from a 70-foot-high cliff, making it one of the most visited waterfalls near Chennai.
- Raja’s Seat: A spectacular garden built on high grounds, the Raja’s Seat treats its visitors with one of the most stunning sunrise and sunset views. Once seated by the Kings of Coorg, the artificial garden was built for holding court sessions while soaking in the breathtaking views of the hills. The garden is dotted with vibrant flowers and artificial fountains, which was once considered as the places of rejuvenation for Kings and queens. The fascinating views, while being surrounded by lush flora and fauna, create the perfect scenario for a relaxing picnic with your family.
Best Time To Visit
Although Coorg is a round-the-year epicenter for tourist attractions, the moderate temperatures are favorable depending on your choices and inclinations attracting tourists around the year. If you want to engage in various outdoor activities like trekking, October to March is the ideal time for planning a visit to Coorg. With cooler temperatures churning out the best of nature, the valley brims with fresh white flowers, which is a sight to behold.
How To Reach
Visitors can board the various domestic and international flights to reach Mangalore, which is just 160 km away from Coorg. Visitors can choose a convenient commute to Coorg by availing of the various cab or taxi rental services, which will take roughly 4 hrs 30 minutes, depending on the traffic.
Ideal Trip Duration: 2-3 days
Yelagiri Hills – The Poor Man’s Ooty
Dating back to the British colonial era, Yelagiri or Elagiri is a quaint town located in the newly formed Tirupathur in the District Of Tamil Nadu. Various initiatives have been taken by the government in the past years to increase tourism in Yelagiri by encouraging thrilling activities like paragliding and rock climbing. Surrounded by stunning rose gardens, mesmerizing orchards, and an eye-catching valley, Yealgiri Hills is one of the best hill stations near Chennai.
Major Tourist Attractions
- Explore the most challenging trail, Swamimalai Hill is the highest point in Yelagiri, which is 4338 ft from sea level. Soak in the beautiful feeling of nature, while you hike your way up to the top of the hill. There are various other easier trails like Palamanthi Hills and Javadi Hills.
- The Yelagiri Summer Festival, celebrated during May hosts various fun-frolic shows, which makes it one of the best times to visit Yelagiri. The festival is celebrated over three days and hosts vibrant flower shows, stalls selling unique items, and a stunning show with a variety of dog breeds.
- There are various tourist attractions like Telescope Observatory, Jalagamparai Waterfalls, Punganoor Lake Park, and Yelagiri Forest Hill, to name a few of the list.
- Experience a fun day with friends and family at Fundera Park, where you can explore more than 300+ species of exotic Indian birds, which call it home.
- Unfurl the rich culture and heritage by dropping a visit to the ancient temples like Moksha Vimochana Temple, Velavan Temple, Perumal Temple, and Jalagandeeswarar Temple to name a few off the list.
- If you are an audacious adventure seeker, then Yelagiri Adventure Park is the perfect place that will keep you on your toes. The stunning adventure park is an initiative taken by the Tamil Nadu Government to add more zest to their visit to the park. The park hosts various hair-raising activities like shooting, ATV rides, archery, bungee jumping, paragliding, and more, which will turn the experience into a memorable one.
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Yelagiri Hills is during the winter season which starts in November and tapers towards the end of February. The cool and calming temperatures are perfect for engaging in various nerve-wracking activities like trekking, paragliding, and rock climbing. During winter, the valleys are also filled with vibrant flowers and lush green vegetation, making it one of the most blissful experiences for honeymooners.
How To Reach
The closest airport, Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru, which is 118 km away apart, caters to both domestic and international flights from various corners of the world. The nearest railhead to Yelagiri Hills is Tirupattur Railway Station, which is at a commutable distance of 31 km.
Ideal Trip Duration: 2-3 days
Also read: 22 Thrilling Weekend Road Trips from Chennai
Various tourist attractions in and around Chennai allow you to curb the summer heat and enjoy nature at its prime. So, pack your bags and en route to one of the best hill stations near Chennai which doesn’t cease to amaze you with its cool weather and vivid landscapes. Feel free to drop in your reviews about your replenishing experience and which hill stations made it to the top of your list.
FAQ’s
At a mere distance of 10 km from the Ooty Bus Stand, the highest peak in Tamil Nadu is Doddabetta, which is at 2,623 mts above sea level. The towering peak derives its name from the Badugu language which means the Big Mountain.
The best time to visit Tamil Nadu is during the winter season, which oscillates between November and March. With cool and soothing temperatures, the end of the year marks the incoming festivities that fill the air with a joyous and cheerful vibe.
The closest hill station near Vellore is Yelagiri, which is at a distance of 91 km.
Renowned as the Queen Of Hills, Ooty is the coolest place which is known for its unending coffee plantations, mesmerizing scenic views, and cascading waterfalls making it one of the best hill stations near Chennai. If you are planning a visit, November to March is the ideal time to engage in various outdoor activities and enjoy nature at its prime.
Yes, The natural wonder Horsley Hills is one of the best hill stations near Chennai. The hill stands at an astonishing height of 4312 meters and is known for its stunning view from the top and the lush green flora and fauna that surround it. The main tourist attractions are the oldest Eucalyptus Tree and the largest Banyan Tree, which calls it home.
The nearest railhead to Kolli Hills is Salem Railway Station which is 91 km apart. The most convenient commute to reach Kolli Hills is by boarding the local buses which span approximately 3-4 hours, depending on the traffic.