Known For : The Borra Hills and Caves Araku Tribal Museum Musi River
Set amid the Eastern Ghats, Ananthagiri is a beautiful retreat where majestic hills in the backdrop flirt with clouds all the time. This hill station near Hyderabad also offers some of the best trekking trails. Ananthagiri is a hill town of ancient caves, temples, and medieval fort palaces making it ideal for a long drive from Hyderabad.
Distance from Hyderabad: 693 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Pathala Ganga Srisailam Tiger Reserve Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple
Home to the holy Malikarjuna Jyotirlinga and also as one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas of goddess Parvati, Srisailam is also a hill station near Hyderabad. It boasts of picturesque views and thick forests and houses a wildlife sanctuary and a dam. Srisailam is also good for trekking.
Distance from Hyderabad: 213 km
Best Time: October to February
Fondly called the ‘Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh’, Lambasingi is a quaint hamlet nestled in Chintapalli Mandal in the richly forested Arakku Valley. This lesser-known hill station near Hyderabad has majestic hills, apple orchards and panoramic views of the adjoining valleys. Also known as Korra Bayalu, the village is the only place in all of South India that experiences snowfall as the temperatures drop significantly.
Distance from Hyderabad: 602 km
Nallamala Hills is an offbeat hill station near Hyderabad replete with natural beauty, gushing waterfalls, thick forests and deep valleys. It falls on the way to Srisailam and is located between Pennar and Krishna rivers. Nallamala houses the largest tiger reserve in the country.
Located near the Southern-Western border of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, this hill station near Hyderabad is believed to have taken on bits of Andhra and Ooty. Known for its breathtaking landscape, rich biodiversity, countless holiday options and comparative exclusivity, Horsey hills is a promising refuge. Home to the largest banyan tree in the world, the oldest eucalyptus, an environmental hub and a destination for adventure sports, Horsey Hills often make for an enjoyable day trip or weekend getaway.
Distance from Hyderabad: 527 km
Araku Valley is a comparatively unexplored hill station near Hyderabad, situated some 120 kilometres away from Vishakhapatnam. This destination is quite famous for its exquisite coffee, whose subtle aroma will have you craving for a cuppa. In addition to being a beautiful vista point, you can also try your hand at a number of adventure sports here, which include trekking and swimming.
Known For : River Rafting in Dandeli Kali Tiger Reserve Magod Falls
Bestowed with the lush green forests and laying on the banks of the Kali river, Dandeli is truly a fascinating mix of wildlife, scenic beauty and adventure sports. Known for its many fantastic adventure opportunities, Dandeli is a hub for river rafting on river kali. Adventure seekers have many options such as mountain biking, trekking, cycling, kayaking and canoeing. Camping is also popular here.
Distance from Hyderabad: 583 km
Best Time: October to May
Known For : Baba Budangiri Mullayanagiri Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
If you love the aroma of freshly brewed coffee in the mornings, you are going to love Chikmagalur. Very famously known as the ‘Coffee Land of Karnataka’, Chikmagalur is situated in the foothills of the Mullayangiri Range. Famous for its tall mountains, lush green forests and its tranquil environment (apart from its coffee production), Chikmagalur is a popular overnight destination and is a stunning hill station near Hyderabad.
Distance from Hyderabad: 657 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Punganur Lake Nature Park Jalagamparai Falls
Yelagiri is a quaint little hill station near Hyderabad and is just an overnight getaway from the city, making it the perfect spot for a weekend trip. Yelagiri offers its tourists some beautiful places like the Jalagamparai falls, sweeping orchards and rose gardens. The ideal destination for nature lovers, Yelagiri is a town that is completely off the beaten tourist trail, lending it a quieter and much more peaceful vibe compared to other more famous hill stations nearby.
Distance from Hyderabad: 730 km
Best Time: November to February
Known For : Green Valley View (Suicide Point) Kodaikanal Lake Bear Shola Falls
Kodaikanal is one of the most popular hill stations near Hyderabad. It is a place you can go to take a break from the rigours of daily city life, and this hill station lets you sit back and connect with nature as you head out on biking or trekking trails or take a stroll through the vast forests surrounding the town.
Distance from Hyderabad: 1,034 km
Best Time: September to May
Known For : Nilgiri Mountain Railway Ooty Lake Emerald Lake, Ooty
The Blue Mountains have always been shrouded in mysticism, and Ooty is no exception to that. Ooty is a hill station in Tamil Nadu dotted with tea gardens, serene waterfalls, winding country lanes, and charming colonial architecture. It is ideal for everyone but is especially popular among couples and honeymooners.
Distance from Hyderabad: 841 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Abbey Falls Mandalpatti Raja's Seat
Located amidst imposing mountains in Karnataka with a perpetually misty landscape, Coorg is a popular coffee producing hill station near Hyderabad. It is well known for its breathtakingly exotic scenery and lush greenery. Forest covered hills, spice and coffee plantations only add to the landscape.
Distance from Hyderabad: 820 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Kaas Plateau Table Land Mahabaleshwar
Deriving its name from the five hills surrounding it, Panchgani is a popular hill station in Maharashtra, famous for its various sunset and sunrise points and scenic valley view. The picturesque backdrop of hills on one side and coastal plains on the other makes for an amazing view. Other than the verdant green valleys, and soothing environment, the red, juicy strawberries are a major attraction of Panchgani.
Distance from Hyderabad: 565 km
Best Time: September to May
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. Surrounded by dense forests, waterfalls, and dam alongside lakes, it is a must-visit if you admire nature.
Distance from Hyderabad: 629 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Proximity to the Western Ghats opens up the avenue for visiting Dandeli and Coorg, are some of the scenic hill stations near Hyderabad. Let us know which of these are your favourite in the comments below!