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Many people know of Hyderabad as the land of the Nizams and are aware of its rich history and cultural heritage. However, most are not aware that within a little distance of Hyderabad, lies some really beautiful hill stations which make for great getaways during the scorching summer months. You will simply love the cool and pleasant weather and the scenic beauty is a treat for the eyes. Here are some of the hill stations near Hyderabad you should definitely try out.
If you are someone who is an adventurer at heart, then Ananthagiri Hills are a must visit. This is a favorite spot for trekkers and the trails here are great for novice trekkers. You will find exotic plants and flowers growing along the trails which are impossible to find in the city. There are cozy nooks and corners hidden in the turns of the hills and they are great for couple who want to spend some alone time together. The Deccan Trail is very popular among trekkers and you should try the Tarzan Swing and the Spider Web as well.
Distance from Hyderabad: 81 kms
Transportation: One has to take a train till Vikarabad and then a cab from the station to drive uphill.
To do: Camping at Deccan Trail
If you want to experience hills and water all at once, then you have to visit the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam. This gorgeous dam on the river is surrounded by hills in the distance on three sides. When the gates of the dam open, all twelve of them at once, it is a sight to behold. While you will not get high mountains here, the scenic beauty of the place, the distant hills and the cool climate more than makes up for it. It is definitely a hill station to visit within 200 km of Hyderabad. Do not forget to go boating and make it a point to visit the Buddha temple. The Ethipothala Waterfalls makes a great backdrop for pictures.
Distance from Hyderabad: 164 km.
Transportation: Take a train to Macherla from Hyderabad directly and get a cab till the dam.
To do: Boating in the Nagarjuna Sagar to visit the island in Nagarjunakonda Valley.
If you or someone in your family wants to go for a pilgrimage and enjoy the beauty of the hills at the same time, then Srisailam is the place for you. The Ista- Kameshwari Temple is a holy shrine here and one has to reach it after going through quite an adventurous route through the forests. The caves in the surrounding hills also make for a great place for exploration, especially the Akkamahadevi Caves, which has to be accessed by a ropeway. Some of the caves are about 80 feet deep! The region is just by the River Krishna and the beauty of the river from here is spellbinding.
Distance from Hyderabad: 212 km
Transportation: You can reach Srisailam directly by taking a bus from Hyderabad.
To do: Visit the Ishta- Kameshwari Temple and explore the Akkamahadevi Caves.
The best thing about Horeselay Hills is that it is within easy reach of the city, the hills are not very cold and you will get to enjoy the beauty of lush hills at their most majestic. The highlight of the region is the Koudinya Wildlife Sanctuary and a wide range of flora and fauna thrive in the cool climate of the region. You also cannot happen to miss the Thimmamma Marrimanu, which happens to be the largest banyan tree in the world. Boating in the Lake Gangotri is another popular activity here as you take in the beauty of the surrounding hills beyond.
Distance from Hyderabad: 149 km
Transportation: Take a train to Madanapalle and go the rest of the 13 km via a cab.
To do: Visiting the Wildlife Sanctuary and the world’s largest banyan tree.
Lambasingi is not known to many people apart from the people of South India and it is perhaps the region’s best kept secret. Whenever one thinks about snow in India, they think it has to be somewhere in the Himalayas, but Lambasingi happens to be one of the rate hill stations in South India which experiences snowfall during winters. This is truly a place to relax and you could roam about in the coffee and pepper plantations of the region here.
Distance from Hyderabad: 571 km
Transportation: You have to take a train to Vishakhapatnam from Hyderabad and then take a cab from there.
To do: Visit the coffee plantations for some amazing local coffee and in winters to experience snowfall.
Dandeli is located in the Western Ghats and provides the perfect locale for adventure enthusiasts. Not only in the weather amazing throughout the year but different times of the year are suitable for different adventure sports. River rafting is popular mostly during summers and you could go for trekking and cycling in the colder months. Camping under the stars with your friends by your side would be an amazing experience. The Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is close by and is a popular haunt for migratory birds.
Distance from Hyderabad: 595 km
Transportation: You have to get a train till Hubli Junction from Hyderabad and then take a cab for the short distance till Dandeli.
To do: Go for a trek in the tropical rain forests and do not miss the river rafting.
Perhaps one of the most popular hill destinations in South India, Araku Valley has many picaresque locals to boast of. The scenic beauty of the place draws people in like a magnet and one can experience a number of plantations a short distance from the valley. The place has something for everyone, for those who are adventure lovers to those who are more interested in art and history. Do not miss the Museum of Tribal Arts and make it a point to visit the Mulberry plantations to see how silkworms are reared.
Distance from Hyderabad: 706 km
Transportation: Take a train directly to Araku railhead via the Janmabhoomi Express.
To do: Visit the coffee plantations and head for the Damaku viewpoint. Visit Tyda to get a glimpse of wildlife in the region.
Ooty is located in the Nilgiri Hills and it has everything you need for a perfect summer getaway. One of the most famous places to visit here is the stone house, Kal Banaga. Do not fail to visit the Government Botanical House and you will see a plethora plants and flowers never seen before. Visit Dodabetta for an amazing trek uphill and head to the Kalahatti Falls to satisfy the photographer in you.
Distance from Hyderabad: 850 km
Transportation: You can either take a Coimbatore and travel the rest of the short distance by a cab or take a bus directly from Hyderabad which will take you to Ooty in four or five hours.
To do: Visit Dodabetta for an amazing trekking experiences, and go boating in the many lakes of Ooty surrounded by hills on all sides.
Lonavala is located in the state of Maharashtra and the region is known for its lush green valleys. The region is famous for producing a kind of jaggery candy called Chikki and if you are traveling with your family, your kids just won’t be able to have enough of it. You must visit the Karla and Bhaja Caves in the vicinity. Go for romantic walks with your partner in the lovely little trails all over the region.
Distance from Hyderabad: 626 km
Transportation: There are about 6 trains directly plying between Hyderabad and Lonavala and so visiting the region would not be a problem.
To do: Make it a point to visit the Bhushi Dam, the Duke’s Nose Peak and the Karla and Bhaja Caves.
Located in a quaint village in Tamil Nadu, this hill station is known for its mesmerizing beauty and great weather. It is perhaps good that not many people know about this place or the scenic beauty would soon be consumed by commercialization. Most people come here to visit the Velavan Temple. There are 14 tribal villages in the vicinity which you may visit. The Jalagamparai Waterfalls and the Punganur Lakes are sure to captivate you.
Distance from Hyderabad: 727 km
Transportation: You have to take a train from Hyderabad to the nearest railway station of Chittoor and get a cab from there.
To do: Do visit the Nature Park and the Children’s Park which is spread over 6 acres of land.
It happens to be one of the most pleasant hill stations to visit near Hyderabad. If you just want to relax in the laps of nature and not worry about anything, then this is the place for you. Spend your vacation boating, going for nature walks and enjoying the delicious cuisine of South India. The Bear Shola Falls are truly amazing and you have to go boating in the Kodai lake.
Distance from Hyderabad: 1040 km
Transportation: If you are taking a flight, you have to go till Madurai Airport and from there you can take a cab.
To do: Boating and visiting the Bear Shola Falls
Chikmagalur is truly a heaven for coffee lovers and some of the best coffee in India is grown here. The coffee plantations are truly amazing to look at and you will also find a faint whiff of coffee lingering in the air. Not all the plantations allow guided tours but those that do will make your day. Some even have guest houses and you will wake up to drink amazing coffee the next morning. Do fill up your stock of coffee for home as well.
Distance from Hyderabad: 646 km
Transportation: You can either take a flight till Mangalore and book a cab from there or travel to Bangalore via the Kacheguda Express and take a cab from there.
To do: Visiting the coffee plantations and indulging in photography
Your trip to these wonderful hill stations near Hyderabad will leave you rejuvenated and asking for more. You will soon be planning your next weekend getaway to these amazing hill stations around an equally amazing city.
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April 15, 2024 
