Calicut, now known as Kozhikode, is a historically important city of Kerala. From being an important part of India’s trade throughout history, Calicut has also seen its control change between rules, and then ultimately shifted to the British East India Company in 1792, when it was rebuilt.
Also famous for spice and coconut export, the history of the town lends it a lot of tourism friendly charm. Kozhikode is also blessed with abundant natural beauty in the form of ocean vistas, waterfalls, and of course, a network of the beautiful backwaters.
Top Hill Stations Near Calicut
The charm of natural beauty in Kerala is not limited to the most popular tourist destinations. Here’s a list of some truly amazing hill stations near Calicut:
1. Ooty
Ooty is one of the most visited hill stations in Tamil Nadu, and for good reason. Rich with a thriving biodiversity, along with plentiful scenic beauty, Ooty is home to lakes, hills, viewpoints and waterfalls, all of which, are simply a marvel to behold.
The best part about Ooty is its proximity to other hill stations such as Coonoor and Kotagiri. In fact, thanks to this proximity, Ooty is sometimes used as a base by trekking enthusiasts visiting these areas.
Additional Info:
Distance from Calicut: 101 kilometers
Elevation: 2240 meters
Places of interest: Kamraj Sagar Lake, Ooty Lake, Emerald Lake,
Best time to visit: October to December
Things To Do: Nilgiri Mountain Toy Train, Botanical Gardens, Dolphin’s Nose
Places To Stay: Taj Savoy Hotel, Hotel Gem Park, Zest Danish Villa
Must Read: 9 Handpicked Resorts In Calicut Which One Must Definitely Pick For A Relaxing Vacation!
2. Coonoor
Coonoor has gained a lot of popularity in the recent past. The hill station offers everything that Ooty has to offer, lies in close proximity to Ooty, and is relatively undiscovered by tourists flocking to Ooty.
In other words, those looking for hill station that is not infested with large crowds, Coonoor is the place to be. The hill station is particularly popular for the 9-kilometer, extremely pleasant hike to Lamb’s Rock that attracts hiking enthusiasts by the hundreds every weekend.
Coonoor is part of the Nilgiri Range and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Apart from being home to hiking trails, lakes, and waterfalls, Coonoor is also known to house an incredible variety of avian fauna that might interest the bird-watcher inside you.
Additional Info:
Distance from Calicut: 111 Kilometers
Elevation: 1850 meters
Places of interest: Sim’s Park, Tiger Hill Cemetery, Lamb’s Rock, Dolphin’s Nose Viewpoint
Best time to visit: October to December
Things To Do: Have A Mesmerising View, Witness Exotic Flowers, Check Out The Beautiful Tea Estates
Places To Stay: Sree Harshav Cottages, Praveen Kudil Cottage, Kumars Mountain View Cottage
Suggested Read: 8 Exciting Things To Do In Calicut On Your Trip To South India!
3. Vythiri
Looking for an INstagram-worthy holiday in the hills? VYthiri is definitely the place to be. While the hill station has all the usual suspects including waterfalls, lakes, viewpoints, and breathtaking views, it is also popular for the unique variety of accommodation options available here.
From cozy wooden cabins to actual tree houses perched atop trusty trees, you can find it all here. Don’t worry, you don’t have to make your visit to Vythiri a staycation, there’s plenty to do and see around the city. Pay a visit to the Wayanad National Park for some thrilling wildlife spotting or spend your day relaxing in the picturesque waters of Soochipara Waterfalls.
Additional Info:
Distance from Calicut: 43 kilometers
Elevation: 700 meters
Places of interest:Chembra Peak, Banasura Dam, Soochipara Waterfalls, Wayanad National Park
Best time to visit: October to April
Places To Stay: Morickap Resort, Vythiri Resort, Vythiri Holiday Resort
Suggested Read: 30 Best Places To Visit In Calicut That Are Too Enchanting To Be Missed
4. Kotagiri
Another less-crowded-yet-pleasant alternative to the ever popular Ooty, Kotagiri is blessed with a remarkable collection of scenic views. Once you visit the hill station, look at the scenery and experience the amazing weather, it becomes clear why the Britishers chose this place as their summer resort.
Kotagiri is also home to some of the most sought after hiking trails in the area, including famous trails like the Kotagiri-Kodanad trail and the Catherine Falls Trail. The third largest hill station in the Nilgiris, Kotagiri is also home to some important Hindu temples including the Elk Hill Murugan Temple and the temple of Kamatarya deity.
Additional Info:
Distance from Calicut: 120 kilometers
Elevation: 1847 meters
Places of interest:John Sullivan Museum, Elk Hill Waterfall, Catherine Falls, Longwood Shola, Kodanad Viewpoint
Best time to visit: December to March
Places To Stay: Hanging Huts Resorts, Enchanting Woods, Teanest Nightingale
Suggested Read: 10 Best Hotels In Calicut For A Delightful Staycation In God’s Own Country!
5. Coorg
Coffee plantations, quiet hilly roads, magical views, and heady local wine- these are just some of the things that have made Coorg one of the most in-demand hill stations of Karnataka.
Favored by nature lovers, adventure lovers, and honeymooners alike, Coorg doesn’t just offer a range of hypnotizing views, but also to a variety of adventure activities such as river rafting, paragliding, and hiking. Tadiandamol, the highest peak of Coorg, is a popular beginner hike of just 3 kilometers that rewards adventure seekers with the most magical views of the Western Ghat mountains.
Additional Info:
Distance from Calicut: 120 kilometers
Elevation: 1750 meters
Places of interest:Raja’s Seat, Omkareshwara Temple, Tadiandamol Peak, Madikeri Fort
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
Things To Do: Enjoy Views Of The Magnificient Waterfall, Explore Talacauvery, Experience The Raja’s Seat
Places To Stay: Serene Woods, Bhagavathy Budget Cottage, Lotus The Cottages
Suggested Read: Visit These 26 Tourist Places In South India During Summer
6. Munnar
Famous for its expansive tea plantations that date back to colonial times, Munnar presents visitors with the perfect blend of old-world charm and natural beauty. Blessed with picturesque lakes, scenic vistas, lush green hills, and a thriving variety of flora and fauna, it is easy to see why Munnar has been the most popular hill stations in Kerala for decades.
The Eravikulam National Park also falls within Munnar, which is home to a number of rare and endangered species of plants, including the infamous Neelakurinji, the flower that blooms once every twelve years.
Additional Info:
Distance from Calicut: 191 kilometers
Elevation: 1532 meters
Places of interest:Eravikulam National Park, Echo Point, Mattupetty Dam, KDHP Museum, Anamudi Peak, Top Station, Kundala Lake, Valara Falls, Lakkam Waterfalls, Elephant Arrival Spot
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
Things To Do: Talayar Valley Bungalow, Mountain Hut Resorts, Veetee Midtown
Places To Stay: Tree House Stay, Tea Estate Tours, Camping And Trekking
Suggested Read: 38 Romantic Honeymoon Places In South India That Cast Utter Magic
7. Nelliyampathy
Also known as ‘the poor man’s Ooty’ there is nothing poor about Nelliyampathy. With that said, the comparison with Ooty is fitting as Nelliyampathy is every bit as beautiful as Ooty, only less popular.
While some may think that’s a bad thing, it only means fewer crowds in your panoramic photos! Blessed with expansive lakes, thriving forests, and picturesque hiking trails, Nelliyampathy is a must visit if you’re looking to get away from the city and spend some time living in the lap of mother nature.
Additional Info:
Distance from Calicut: 128 Kilometers
Elevation: 1500 meters
Places of interest:Seethargundu Viewpoint, Pothundi Dam, Green Valley Farm and Orange Farm, Kara Para Waterfalls
Best time to visit: September to February
Places To Stay: Nelliyampathy Resort & Tent Camp, Mango Village Farm House, Nelliyampathy Tent Camp
Suggested Read: 34 Tourist Places to Visit in Wayanad For An Extended Vacation
8. Vagamon
Vagamon, a hill station that owes its popularity to the man-made pine forest known as Vagamon Forest also offers a variety of adventure sports, including, paragliding, tekking, and rock climbing, making it a popular choice for young travelers seeking a good adrenaline rush.
The Vagamon Pine forest is also a popular shooting location for films, which doubles as a serene spot where travelers can simply sit and enjoy some quiet time with mother nature.
Additional Info:
Distance from Calicut: 214 kilometers
Elevation: 1200 meters
Places of interest:Vagamon Pine Forest, Kurisumala, Vagamon Meadows
Best time to visit: March to May
Things To Do: Trekking, Off Roading, Boat Ride, Waterfall Camping & Trekking
Places To Stay: Honeycomb By Astral Inn, Falcon Crest, The Kissing Mountains
9. Kodaikanal
Also known as the ‘Princess Of Hill Stations” Kodaikanal has been a popular hill station in Kerala for a very long time. Home to a dense cover of lush green forest, surreal plunging valleys, clear skies, glistening freshwater lakes, misty mountains, and expansive plantations, Kodaikanal has all the elements that make for a superb hilly getaway.
The hill station is a small one, and can be explored on a bicycle or if you are feeling fancy, on a horseback ride! Thanks to the pleasant weather, the hill station is frequented by travelers around the year. Popular activities in Kodaikanal include hiking, boating, and sightseeing.
Additional Info:
Distance from Calicut: 218 kilometers
Elevation: 2133 meters
Places of interest:Dolphin’s Nose, Suicide Point, Pillar Rocks, Silver Cascade Falls, Bear Shola Falls, Devil’s Kitchen
Best time to visit: October to June
Things To Do: Night Safari, Enjoy Biking, Go Birdwatching, Have A Fun Picnic, Wander In The Wilderness
Places To Stay: Vivera Grande, Parsons Court, Hotel Theni International
Suggested Read: Why You Should Visit Kerala In Spring? Here Are The Beautiful Reasons That’ll Get You Going!
10. Chikmagalur
The first place in India to cultivate coffee, Chikmagalur is a popular hill station, especially among trekking enthusiasts. Chikmagalur is home to the highest peak of Karnataka, Mullayangiri, which has emerged as a popular hiking destination.
Another popular hiking trail in Chikmagalur is the Kemmanagundi Hike that leads to a peak called the Z-point. The hike is dotted with scenic waterfalls, making it one of the top choices for beginner treks in the state.
Additional Info:
Distance from Calicut: 229 kilometers
Elevation: 1090 meters
Places of interest:Kudremukh National Park, Mullayanagiri, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Kemmanagundi, Z-Point, Sharadamba Temple
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
Things To Do: Discover An Exotic Wonder, Pray To Goddess Saraswati, Go For Trekking, Enjoy A Jeep Safari
Places To Stay: Nature Craft Homestay, Clover Leaf Homestay, Shanthi Kunnj Homestay
Further Read: 8 Kerala Travel Tips To Bear In Mind While Planning For A Trip To God’s Own Country
The southern states of India are gifted with an abundance of natural beauty, just waiting to be explored by curious travelers. In this respect, nature has been biased with Kerala, enriching it with unmatched views, mountains, greenery and as a result, tourist interest. Visiting this area has been on many Indian bucket lists and if it is time for you to cross it off yours, we are here to help you plan your trip to South India.
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Start your research for your visit to Kerala (or Kozhikode) as we answer the most commonly asked questions in the next section:
Frequently Asked Questions About Hill Stations Near Calicut
How do I reach Munnar?
Munnar is an important city of Kerala and thus, is connected with major highways in the area. Therefore, reaching Munnar by road isn’t a challenge, and is also the only way to reach Munnar (and most other hill stations in the area). The closest airport is in Cochin, which lies at a distance of 195 kilometers. The nearest railway head also lies in Cochin. From Cochin, one can easily find buses and cabs to Munnar.
How do I reach the different hill stations in Kerala?
Kerala is known for its scenic drives between even more scenic hill stations. If you don’t have your own car/bike, it is always possible to rent one. Even if you don’t like that option, the hill stations of Kerala are connected by a network of government and privately operated bus routes, making it convenient to visit any hill station in the state. With that said, for many of these hill stations, the only way to reach is through road as they don’t have their own railway stations or airports.
Is there a shoulder season for visiting these hill stations?
Shoulder season, as the name suggests, refers to the time around the peak tourist season for a destination. As a rule of thumb, you can assume the two months around the specified “best time to visit” as the shoulder season for that destination. The weather may or may not be as pleasant during the shoulder seasons but the cost of travelling and lodging is dramatically lower.
Can I pitch my own camp in Kodaikanal?
There are popular camping sites in Kodaikanal, like the Pillar Rocks camping site, where you can pitch your tent. Sometimes, doing so may attract a small charge from the owner of the camping site. However, this charge is significantly lower that what you will be paying for a night at a hotel, or a managed camp site.
A writer by choice, a photographer by passion, a seasonal sailor preferably monsoons and a pilot when the wind is just right! When not in the city, I’m often found chasing sunrises in the mountains or sunsets at the beaches!
