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Weekend plans? These 6 hill stations near Bengaluru are just stunning

Weekend plans? These 6 hill stations near Bengaluru are just stunning

Time of India2 days ago
Tired of staring at your ceiling fan and pretending it's a Himalayan breeze? Same. Luckily, Bengaluru's greatest perk, besides dosas and good weather, is that it's just a scenic drive away from some seriously stunning hill stations.
These make for great weekend getaways, which have it all: views for days, air so fresh it feels filtered, and just enough adventure to make Monday meetings bearable. Here are six hills that will prove to be you weekend's best decision yet.
Coorg
Rolling hills? Check. Waterfalls? Check. Coffee plantations as far as the eye can see? Double check. Coorg (aka Kodagu) is where mist covers emerald landscapes and every view looks like a filter has been applied.
Bonus points if you wake up to a monsoon morning here. The fog alone deserves its own applause.
Chikmagalur
If you've ever imagined quitting your job and running away to grow coffee, Chikmagalur will fuel that fantasy. It's all winding roads, cloud-kissed peaks, and the kind of stillness that even your meditation app can't deliver. Mullayanagiri, Karnataka's highest peak, stands here like it knows it's being photographed.
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Sakleshpur
Sakleshpur is what happens when the Western Ghats decide to show off.
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Hidden homestays, railway bridges lost in the jungle, and trails that make your smartwatch work overtime. It's the offbeat cousin of Coorg and Chikmagalur, and frankly, it's loving the under-the-radar attention.
Horsley Hills
Just a few hours north of Bangalore lies Horsley Hills — a tiny slice of tranquility perched at 4,100 feet. It's got pine trees, a chill breeze year-round, and sunsets that make you question your life choices (like not coming here sooner).
Bonus: far fewer tourists and way more space for your picnic mat.
Yercaud
Set in the Shevaroy Hills, Yercaud is sometimes called 'Poor man's Ooty.' We call that rude. Yercaud has its own vibe, complemented with orange groves, emerald lakes, and viewpoints that make your phone's storage scream. And with fewer crowds than Ooty or Kodaikanal, it's peace, not people, that you'll find here.
Read more:
Cherrapunji to Coorg: 10 best monsoon destinations in India for cloud chasers
BR Hills
Biligiriranga Hills is where wildlife and hill station energy combine. You might spot elephants on your drive up, or at least hear them trumpet in the distance. There's a temple on top, forest safaris nearby, and the kind of forest breeze that smells like a spa day.
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