Known For : Elephant's Head Point Chinaman's Falls Dhobi Waterfall
A hill town in Western Ghats, apart from its strawberries, Mahabaleshwar is also well known for its numerous rivers, magnificent cascades and majestic peaks.
Best Time: October to June
Known For : Tiger's Leap Rajmachi Fort Imagicaa
Popular hill station close to Pune and Mumbai, Lonavla is the place to be during monsoons. With lots of waterfalls, lakes and hills around, Lonavala is frequented by all sorts of people, especially hikers and trekkers.
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Dilwara Temples (Delwada Temple) Toad Rock Mount Abu Sunset Point
The only hill station of Rajasthan, its cool atmosphere and lush green surroundings make it a major tourist spot within the state. The most important attraction, however, are undoubtedly the Dilwara temples, which is one of the most stunning piece of architecture in the country. If you are a history or architecture buff, this is one of the places you should absolutely not miss out in India.
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Louisa point Charlotte lake Monkey Point Matheran
Nestled amidst the Sahyadri range on the Western Ghats, Matheran is a cosy little hill station that stands at an elevation of 2600 feet above sea level, and is just 100 kilometres away from Mumbai, making it the perfect weekend getaway. With its name literally translating to “overhead forest”, Matheran is the smallest hill station in all of India, but it is extremely popular in terms of tourists looking for a short trip amid spectacular vistas and serenity.
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Kaas Plateau Table Land Mahabaleshwar
Deriving its name from the five hills surrounding it, Panchgani is a popular hill station near Mahabaleshwar, famous for its various sunset/sunrise points and scenic valley view.
Best Time: September to May
Known For : Artist Village Hatgadh Fort Vansda National park
Snuggled in the Sahyadris or the Western Ghats, Saputara is a quaint little hill station in the Dang district of Gujarat. Popular for lush green forests, undulating mountains, dazzling waterfalls, dreamy winding roads, livid landscapes and plenty of charming cubbyholes to spend time with your loved ones, the town is the first favourite among tourists. It is located at a height of 875 metres above sea level and is a perfect getaway for eco-lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and people who love adventure sports.
Best Time: Mid March to mid November
Known For : Malshej Falls Pimpalgaon Joga Dam Harishchandragad
A beautiful hill station with its numerous lakes, waterfalls and mountains, Malshej Ghat is popular among hikers, trekkers and nature lovers.
Best Time: July to March
Known For : Sightseeing in Lavasa Lakeside Promenade Bamboosa
Known as India's newest hill station, the Lavasa Corporation is constructing this private city. The city is a beautiful project, stylistically based on the Italian town Portofino. Spreading across 7 hills, covering an area of 25000 acres, Lavasa is a perfect blend of beauty and infrastructure.
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Umbrella Falls Wilson Dam Kalsubai Peak
Bhandardara, a hill station nestled in the Sahyadri ranges of Maharashtra, has all the nature's blessings a place can get. The lush greenery, the humble waterfalls and surrounded by high mountains makes for the perfect holiday spot for city dwellers.
Best Time: June to March
Known For : Karnala Bird Sanctuary Karnala Fort Prabalgad Fort
Panvel is best known for all the forts that dot this city and its proximity from Mumbai. Called the gateway of the Konkan coast, Panvel is the most crowded city of Navi Mumbai. Most travellers have their base in Panvel to travel long and short distances to nearby forts at Raigad and Khopoli. Matheran, a hill-station of Maharashtra is also located nearby.
Best Time: July to February
Known For : Bhimkund Melghat Tiger Reserve Narnala Fort
The scent of coffee enchants you as you enter the hill station city of Chikhaldara in the state of Maharashtra. Being the only coffee growing area in the region, Chikhaldara also boasts of beautiful lakes, breathtaking panoramic viewpoints and exotic wildlife.
Best Time: July to February
Known For : Kondana Caves Peth Fort Trekking in Karjat
Karjat, a quaint little village is the last station of Thane district in Maharashtra. The river Ulhas finds its origin in Karjat and trekking and historical spots make it a popular destination for trekkers and adventure enthusiasts.
Best Time: June to September
Known For : Harnai Port Unhavare - Hot springs Panhalakaji Caves
Dapoli, situated 215km away from Mumbai is popular tourist destination that serves the needs of all kinds of travelers. It is known as mini-Mahabaleshwar of Maharashtra owing to its cool climate throughout the year. It is located in the Ratnagiri district and is a famous Konkan hill station.
Best Time: June to September
Known For : Amboli Falls Madhavgad Fort Shirgaonkar Point
Amboli lies in the Sahyadri hills in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. It is the last hill station of Maharashtra before the plains of Goa begin and is a relatively unexplored one.
Best Time: June to September
Known For : Rajmachi Fort Visapur Fort Bedsa caves
Perched on the foothills of Sahyadri, Khandala provides for a perfect weekend respite for the Mumbai population, with its scenic valleys, grassy hills, serene lakes and misty waterfalls.
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Tringalwadi Fort Vihigaon Waterfall Kalsubai Peak
Igatpuri is blessed with picturesque beauty and is a heaven for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. It also has some of the highest peaks of the Sahyadri range. Igatpuri is also a major railway station in Maharashtra connecting surrounding major cities.
Best Time: July to September
Known For : Vashishti River Marleshwar Temple Guhagar Beach
In the quiet, far away from the city port district of Ratnagiri in Maharashtra, lies Chiplun, the city that offers you time among mango groves next to the beautiful lake, Vashishti. This town is most known for its white sand beaches and beautiful mango and cashew groves by the Vashishti river.
Best Time: July to February
Known For : Trekking in Rajmachi
Rajmachi is a small village situated in the Sahyadri mountain range of the Konkan region of Maharashtra. Rajmachi has two fortified peaks - Shrivardhan and Manaranjan forts, located near two famous hills of Lonavala and Khandala.
Best Time: June to September
Known For : Sawantwadi Palace Moti Talao (Lake) Shopping in Sawantwadi
Sawantwadi is a scenic town situated in the Konkan region of Maharashtra in the Sindhudurg district. It is located on the National Highway (NH17) that connects Mumbai and Goa.
Best Time: September to March
Known For : Durshet Forest Lodge Uddhar Hot Springs Water sports in Durshet
Durshet is a little village found on the banks of the river Amba, nestled in the Sahyadri ranges of Maharashtra. Due to its proximity to Mumbai and Pune it serves as a weekend getaway for people to move away from the crowded cities.
Best Time: September to February
Known For : Sita Khai Lotus Lake Yashavant Lake
Toranmal is a hill town nestled in the lap of nature in Maharashtra and is adorned with nature's best elements.
Best Time: October to February
Known For : Dabdaba Falls Jai Vilas Palace Sunset Point, Jawhar
A small hill station located in the Thane District of Maharashtra, Jawhar is a place with abundant nature's beauty and several man made marvels.
Best Time: September to Apr
Known For : Trekking in Suryamal Suryamal Peak
Suryamal is the highest peak of the region, located in Thane district of Maharashtra. The small but beautiful hill is a popular place among people for the sheer breathtaking views that it can be seen from the hilltop.
Best Time: September to May
Known For : Trekking in Ratanwadi Ratangad Fort Trek Amruteshwar Temple
Ratanwadi is a village near Bhandardara of the Kalsubai peak in Maharashtra. It houses the famous Ratangad fort and the popular Shiva temple called Amruteshwar. It is a famous trekking spot as it is far from the main town and has a rustic charm to it.
Best Time: September to May
Let us know which of these hill stations in West India is your favourite!