12 Offbeat Hill Stations in India

12 Offbeat Hill Stations in India (Image: Canva)

Hill stations have been the favourite summer holiday destination of India, yet there are still places that are relatively peaceful and undiscovered. These 12 offbeat hill stations are beautiful with their scenic views, cultures and few people in comparison to the mainstream.

Auli, famous for its snow-covered hills and Alpine valleys, is ideal in winter and summer for skiing and trekking, respectively. It has great mountainous scenery and pine trees that make it look like a postcard, and it has an abundance of adventure opportunities.

Shoja is a small village around Jalori Pass that is enclosed in pine forests and wooden houses. It has waterfalls, nature trails and a cool climate, making it a serene escape compared to the hurly burly of Shimla or Manali.

Tirthan Valley is close to the Great Himalayan National Park. Clarity of rivers, fishing of trouts, walking trails and homesteads give a pure and natural experience to the traveller that appreciates calmness and a slow-moving journey.

This fertile valley is provided with rice fields, foggy mountains and ethnic culture. Ziro is a quiet place with music festivals being the only loud thing, but otherwise blending heritage, soft adventure and tranquillity.

Kausani is known to have Himalayan sights of Trishul and Nanda Devi, tea gardens, nature walks and village camps. It is perfect for lazy mornings, reading and photography.

Chikhaldara is characterised by misty hills, wildlife locations and coffee plantations. A little-known offbeat destination in central India is popular among those who want to explore less-travelled destinations with more favourable weather.

Haflong is the only hill station in Assam with rolling hills, tea gardens and lakes that are serene. The combination of cultures and greenery in it makes it so unique and relaxed.

Yercaud is a combination of coffee plantations, perspective and colonial beauty in the Shevaroy Hills. It is not as noisy as Ooty, and at the same time, it is just as picturesque.

Lambasingi, also referred to as the Kashmir of Andhra, provides visitors with unique winter frost, forest walks and peaceful mornings.

With dramatic sceneries of Kanchenjunga, Pelling is a mix of monasteries, waterfalls and mountain trails.

Dhanaulti is a relaxing substitute to Mussoorie with deodar woods, eco parks and no noise of tourists.

This unseen valley is known to be trout fishing, river side camping and thick pine trees, which are ideal for an offline vacation.