Much of kerala's exotic appeal is centred in
the highland area of the western ghats. Rising to an average height of 1520
m, the tropical forests of the ghats house rich flora and fauna. Not to speak
of expansive, loamy plantations of tea, coffee, rubber and fragrant cardamom.
The popular hill stations in Kerala are--
Kannur Hill Station
Pythal Mala ( 65 km from Kannur town ) :
This enchanting hill staion, situated 4,500 ft.above sea level near the Kerala
- Karnataka border is rich in flora and fauna. It is a six kilometer trek to
the top of the hills.
Ezhimala ( 50 km from Kannur ) :
The beautiful beach here has a hillock nearby (286 m high). A Naval Academy
is being developed here.
Best time To visit : October to May
How To reach :
International Airport - Kozhikode (Calicut).
By Train : Kannur is well connected and serviced by rail
to all major cities in India like Kozhikode, Mangalore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram,
Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta.
Kozhikode Hill Station
Tusharagiri (50 km from Kozhikode) :
Famous for its trekking tracks, Tusharagiri, is located near Vythiri in Wayanad.
Treakkers start early in the morning grom the second waterfall at Tusharagiri
and climb uphill through the pristine, evergreen dense dorests populated with
exotic birds and wild animals to reach Vythiri by evening.
Peruvannamuzhi ( 60 kms from Kozhikode ) :
The Peruvannamuzhi dam site set amid hills is a beautiful picnic spot. The
reservoirhere provides facilities for speedboat & row boat cruises. Uninhabited
islands, a bird sanctuary & a crocodile farm add to the charm of the place.
How to reach :
The airport is situated 23 km from Kozhikode town.
Munnar Hill Station
Munnar, a hill station on the Western Ghats has lakes, reservoirs, forests
and tea estates. It is called the Nature-Lovers's Paradise. It stands at the
confluence of three rivers - the Muthirappuzh, Nallathanni and Kundala. Moonu
in tamil means "three" and aar "river". It is a major
center of Kerala's tea industry.
Climatic conditions : It receives heavy rain during the months
of June to September.
Best time to visit : Anytime of the year besides the monsoons
that last from June to September.
How to reach :
The airport at Cochin/Kochi caters to the air transportation to Munnar. It
is the nearest airport at a distance of 130 km from Munnar. The railway station
nearest to Munnar also happens to be that of Cochin-Kochi. The excellent road
network links the hill resort of Munnar with the other important places of
Kerala. It is well connected with places in Tamil Nadu also like Madurai and
Coimbatore.
Idukki Hill Station
Idukki is one of the most nature rich areas of Kerala . As a tourist destination,
idukki offers diverse attractions like wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations,
spice plantation tours, mountain treks, elephant rides etc. Idukki has a large
population of tribals who have unique customs and beliefs and maintain an
ethos which is distinctly different from that of the mainstream culture.
Best time to visit : September to May
Idduki is a small hill town, with wooden valleys and meandering streams, surrounded
by the three main rivers of Periyar, Thalayar and Thodupuzhayar and their
tributaries.
How to reach :
Air: Nearest Airports are Madurai (Tamil Nadu) 140 Kms, Kochi
(Nedumbassery - 190 Km), Thiruvananthapuram (265 Kms).
Rail: Nearest Railway Station is Kumarakom 114 kms and Madurai
station is about 136 kms.
Road: An excellent road network links the district to all
major towns and cities in india.
Nelliyampathy Hill Station
This fascinating hill station is at a height of 467 to 1572 m above sea level.
At least 10 hair pin bends have to be negotiated on the ghat road that passes
through the breathtaking evergreen forests of the Sahya Ranges.
Chithirapuram Hill Station
This hill town of Kerala is also famous for its picturesque tea plantation.
Lakkidi Hill Station
Lakkidi, the gateway to Wayanad, is situated 700 m above mean sea level, at
the crest of the Thamarassery Ghat pass. Lofty peaks, gurgling streams and
luxuriant forests add magic to the journey up the winding roads ti this hill
station.
Devikulam Hill Station
7 kms from munnar, this idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic
flora and fauna and the cool mountain air is a rare experience. The sita devi
lake with its mineral waters and picturesque surroundings is a good picnic
spot in Kerala.
