Known For : Kudremukh Trek Kudremukh National Park Hanuman Gundi Falls
A mountain range named – Horse’s Face, Kudremukh is 332 kms from Bangalore. As green as one’s imagination can run, the place is a literal heaven nestled in the Western Ghats. Kudremukh Peak, which is Karnataka’s third highest peak, is a paradise for trekkers while Kudremukh National Park, a wildlife enthusiast’s nirvana. Hanuman Gundi falls looks as beautiful as pearls plummeting from a hundred feet. Don’t forget to take home bags of fresh coffee powder, tea leaves and authentic spices from here!
Best Time: October to May
Known For : Nilgiri Mountain Railway Ooty Lake Emerald Lake, Ooty
This queen of Nilgiris is a great place near Bangalore for summers offering green landscapes, cool air and misty clouds floating by lifelessly- it only gets better and better once you step in here. While Ooty Botanical Gardens are a treat to the eyes, standing right there on Doddabetta peak is an equally healing bliss. Do relish a hot cup of tea with any South Indian snack!
Distance from Bangalore: 265 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Green Valley View (Suicide Point) Kodaikanal Lake Bear Shola Falls
Located in the state of Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal is one of the most famous honeymoon destinations in India. When you think of Kodaikanal, you think of a wonderful climate, cliffs covered in mist, cloud-capped mountains and beautiful lakes and valleys, and once you visit this hill station, you will find that every bit of what you have imagined it to be is true. Nestled amidst the rolling slopes of the Palani Hills in Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal stands at an altitude of 7200 feet above sea level and has a cool, pleasant climate all year round. Kodaikanal means the gift of the forests.
Distance from Bangalore: 465 km
Best Time: September to May
Known For : Emerald Lake, Yercaud Pagoda Point Botanical Garden, Yercaud
“The land of seven forests” and also popularly known as the poor man’s Ooty, Yercaud is hill station nestled in the laps of Western Ghats with one of the most beautiful places near Bangalore for summers. Yercaud is a perfect place to trek with many natural wonders like Killiyur falls and Emerald lake to greet you. Visiting the lake without tasting the capsicum fries of the lakeside vendor is but a blunder!
Distance from Bangalore: 230 km
Best Time: October to June
Known For : Abbey Falls Mandalpatti Raja's Seat
Present day, Kodagu district is still referred to as Coorg by the majority. Misty is perhaps the apt word that reduces this place in a mere five letter word. Lush green landscapes and coffee plantations seem to be the sole prerogative of Coorg. Iruppu falls is a great place near Bangalore for summers to completely lose yourself to the fresh air and water gushing down the rocks. Rameshwara Temple is located close to the falls. Honnamana, a lake known for it’s historical and spiritual significance is the largest one in Coorg. It is a total photography paradise as it is surrounded by coffee plantations, man-made caves and hills.
Distance from Bangalore: 264 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Chembra Peak Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Stay in a Treehouse
A place popular for wildlife and spice plantations, Wayanad has some amazing resorts and home stay facilities. It is bound to be nature’s epicenter provided the fact that it’s located in a forest reserve. Be well equipped with good cameras, hire an informative guide and set out on a safari in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Edakkal caves is also a must visit. Who doesn’t love enchanting pre-historic caves? Then there’s Sulthan Bathery - which was once the military town of Tipu Sultan. Since then, it’s been serving Wayanad as quite an attraction.
Distance from Bangalore: 276 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Baba Budangiri Mullayanagiri Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
The coffee land of Karnataka, Chikmagalur is famous for its beautiful hills and views, along with its aromatic coffee. Chikmagalur means the town of the younger daughter, the name originating from the historical event in which the city was offered as dowry to the younger daughter of Rukmangada, the chief of Sakrepatna. Situated in the foothills of the Mullayanagiri ranges, it is a great place near Bangalore for summers for trekkers and those wishing to experience the peaceful ambience of the city. The other attractions that the town has to offer include Mullain Giri, the highest peak in Karnataka, Jamia Mosque, Kodandarama Temple, St Joseph’s Cathedrals well as the Siddheshwar temple, which is just nearby.
Distance from Bangalore: 244 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Sim's Park Dolphin's Nose Ketti Valley
One of the most beautiful and serene hill stations you will come across in the country, Coonoor is the second largest hill station in the wonderful Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats. It is situated at an altitude of 1930 meters and just 19 km from Ooty. Coonoor is a delightful location to have a panoramic view of the Nilgiri Hills and the Catherine Falls. Coonoor is a dream come true for writers and poets due to its rich greenery, the manicured hills, the Colonial culture and amazing sceneries, which will leave you relaxed and inspired. While in Coonoor you can completely lose yourself to nature and its eternal beauty.
Distance from Bangalore: 284 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Abbey Falls Talacauvery Namdroling Monastery
Generally covered as a part of trips to Coorg, Madikeri is a hill town in Karnataka with vast coffee plantations, lush forests and misty hills, all culminating into a breathtaking view.
Distance from Bangalore: 264 km
Best Time: February to September
Known For : Hogenakkal Falls Mettur Dam Melagiri Hills
Hogenakkal is a waterfall located in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu where the Kaveri river splits into multiple streams of waterfalls. Located at a distance of 180 km from Bangalore, Hogenakkal has water throughout the year. The carbonite rocks, the coracle (basket boat) rides, freshwater fish, oil massages by locals make it a perfect one day trip or a weekend getaway from Bangalore.
Distance from Bangalore: 127 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Jungle Safari, Kabini Boating in Kabini
Once a private hunting area for the British, this famous wildlife destination has a rich variety of flora and fauna making it a gorgeous tourist spot.
Distance from Bangalore: 164 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Cauvery Fishing Camp Doddamakali Nature Camp Boat Rides in Bheemeshwari
A lot like other hill stations, Bheemeshwari is also an amalgamation of vast expanses of beautiful terrains as well as flora and fauna in abundance. However, what sets it apart from the rest of the bandwagon is its prevalent fishing options. There are numerous fishing camps like Cauvery and Galibore which you can visit, when you’re done with the more famous Doddamakali Nature Camp. Taking a boat ride in the waters of Cauvery is a must!
Distance from Bangalore: 102 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : BRT Wildlife Sanctuary Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Adventure Activities
The Biligiriranga hills, or the BR Hill as they are better known, are a bit of heaven between the Western and the Eastern Ghats, with a wonderful floral diversity and a vast variety of fauna as well.
Distance from Bangalore: 170 km
Best Time: April to October
Anthargange is situated in the Kolar district of Karnataka in the Shathashrunga range, about 70 km from Bangalore. The mountains at an altitude of 1712 meters from sea level with rocky boulders, small caves and dense plantations are one of the best getaways for trekking, rock climbing and cave exploration enthusiasts.
Distance from Bangalore: 67 km
Best Time: October to March
Apart from being one of the greenest places near Bangalore for summers that you’ll visit, Nagarhole is also one of the most recognized biodiversity hubs. It offers perfect landscapes to drop everything and set out on long treks. Nagarhole National Park is one of the best-known wildlife reserves in India and it is predominantly famous for housing tiger, Indian bison and Asian elephant. A visit to the misty small town of Kutta also adds to the already amazing experience.
Distance from Bangalore: 219 km
Best Time: October to May
Bellikkal is a place near Bangalore for summers where you don’t need to be in a rush to check out all the wishes from your to do list. It’s a small village perched in green hills where you can just chill and do nothing. Bellikkal lake, Bison valley and Kalhatti falls are a must visit. However, there’s nothing more enrapturing than its serenity.
Distance from Bangalore: 258 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Madumalai National Park The Jungle Safari Theppakadu Elephant Camp
The town of Mudumalai rose to fame when it became the home of the oldest national park in southern India. Madumalai National Park is quite apt to view some exotic species like crested hawk-eagle, golden jackal and Asian elephant. When you’re not on a safari in the National park, you can visit Theppakadu Elephant Camp or simply relish the Tamil food!
Distance from Bangalore: 233 km
Best Time: December to June
Known For : Belur Hoysaleswara Temple Yagachi Dam
Halebid is a ruined town famous for it’s Hoysala architecture- being home to numerous temples, sculptures, shrines and stories that are never ready to leave the four walls of this place. When in Halebid, one must visit Hoysaleswara Temple, Belur, Kedareswara Temple, Shantaleswara Temple and Basadi hill. When not spending time with the ruins and their silence, one can surely indulge in some city shopping for terracotta items, statues and other souvenirs.
Distance from Bangalore: 210 km
Best Time: October to March
Which of these places near Bangalore for summers are you excited about? Let us know in the comments below!