Kerala is more popular the world over for its beautiful beaches, bewitching backwaters, silky sand, sensuous sea and wilderness of the wildlife. But there is more to Kerala than this. Far off in the heights of the Western Ghats, Kerala has number of hill stations less ventured and explored. The hill stations of Kerala are the most perfect choice if you want to getaway from the city noises, deadlines, stress, tension and crowd. Decorated with meandering roads, ravishing rivulets, splendid springs and wondrous waterfalls, these hill stations are really different from other popular hill stations of India.
The hill stations of Kerala are dense in vegetation and provide natural habitat to exotic wildlife. These beautiful hill stations of Kerala are also the source of the famous spices of Kerala. Spices such as pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and the cashew nut are grown in the plantations on the hill stations in Kerala. The Dutch and English colonial rulers of Kerala introduced cash crops plantations such as rubber and tea in the 18th and 19th centuries, which has continued till today.
Ponmudi
This hill station a mere 61 km from Trivandrum is a tourist's paradise. One gets enchanted by the sheer abundance of nature; the shimmering green waters of the winding streams and verdant woods do not spare anybody. It is at an altitude of 100 ft perched on the Western Ghats.
Nelliyampathy
It is a range of hills separated by valleys of dense lush green woods and orange plantations. The tallest peak here is Padagiri which is at a height of 1572 m while the shortest one is 467 m. The two and a half hour journey from Palghat to Nelliyampathy is a very thrilling one because there are nearly 12 hairpin curves on the ghat road. Also, dense jungles come on the way. Pothundi reservoir is a lovely place which is worth a stopover.
Wagamon
Wagamon is engulfed by green tea gardens and deep puzzling valleys. All the trekking enthusiasts will enjoy climbing this 1100 tall hill. Situated at 64 km from Kottayam, this place also has to offer Thangal Para, the Indo-Swiss project and Kurisumala Ashram.
Lakkadi
Lakkadi registers the second highest degree of rainfall in the world. The place is is just green green green. It is one of the highest locations in Wayanad enriched with streams.
Wayanad
It is situated in the north eastern tip of Kerala with Panamaram, Mananthavady and Kabini rivers enriching the land. Abundance of coffee, tea, cardamoms, Pepper and rubber plantations captivates one and all.
Mattupetty
Thirteen km. away from Munnar lies Mattupetty, at an altitude of 1700 m. above the sea level. The Indo-Swiss Dairy Project with the green meadows and the exotic cattle and the rose garden also attracts tourists.
Devikulam
Situated at 16 km southwest of Munnar, this picturesque location, offers a unique feature-clusters of slender red and blue gum trees.
Devikulam, meaning the lake of the goddess, has a lovely little lake hidden within the rolling hills. According to legend, Sita Devi, the holy consort of Lord Rama, came down to frolic in the lake and the place came to be known as the present name ever since.
Malampuzha
Malampuzha is in the site of a large irrigation dam built across the longest river in Kerala, the Bharathapuzha. It is set at the base of the hills of the Western Ghats.
Beautiful gardens, amusement parks and facilities for boat cruises make this an ideal picnic spot.
Other attractions are the rock garde
n, the fish-shaped aquarium, the snake park, the ropeway which takes the tourist on an aerial tour of the park, and the famous work Yakshi (an enchantress) sculpted by Kanai Kunjiraman.The most interesting feature of the rock garden is that the whole place is made of unwanted and broken pieces of bangles, tiles, used plastic cans, tins and other waste materials.
The garden is a master work of sculptor Padmasree Nek Chand Saini. His rock garden in Chandigarh is world famous and attracts thousands of tourists every year.
