Top-Notch Hill Stations to Visit in Winter, Explore India's Winter Wonderlands!

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suryani pandey
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Winters are a charming season in itself, specifically for the ones who love to travel. For the travellers who love to witness snow covered landscapes and love to play with snowballs and ending the day by bonfire giving a cozy vibe and a warm feeling. Hill stations during winters transform into dreamy destinations where nature showcases its most enchanting side. Sounds so fascinating right, you will be even more fascinated by reading ahead the top-notch hill stations. But before that, firstly let's motivate you, to indeed go there.

Why to visit Hill Stations in Winter?

Visiting hill stations during the winter season is a whole different kind of, another level of charismatic feeling. An experience which you will never go through except at the time of winters. Just imagine the essence of cold breeze, frozen lake, misty mornings, misty days, misty nights, and everything covered from snow with sparkling lights of festive vibes. If you are still not convinced then here are some of the reasons of why to visit hill stations in the winter season, which includes:

  • Experiencing the beauty of snowfall and enjoying the fun of winter sports.
  • Enjoying the peaceful surroundings far away from the city life, just a serene atmosphere.
  • Witnessing the astonishing snow-covered landscapes to blow your mind and urge you to play from snowballs.
  • Hill stations are not just ideal for honeymooners or couples but also for the solo travellers.
  • Winters are the perfect weather to feel the aura of nature in-depth and to have a look at the beauty of nature closely.

List of Top-notch Hill Stations 

Here are the best hill stations and their details for planning your next vacation trip. The list of top-notch hill stations includes:

Hill Stations in Winter

1. Shimla - The Queen of Hills in Winter

Shimla is the capital city and the largest city in the state of Himachal Pradesh. This place is an excellent destination to visit. Best places to visit in Shimla are:

  • The Ridge of Shimla
  • The Viceregal Lodge
  • The Green Valley 
  • The Jakhoo Hill
  • The Kufri

2. Manali - A Snow Paradise for Adventure Lovers

Manali is a resort town located in the Kullu district of the state of Himachal Pradesh. It’s a perfect spot to plan your next visit. Best places to visit in Manali are:

  • The Solang Valley
  • The Gulaba
  • The  Beas River
  • Manikaran Gurudwara
  • The Jana Waterfall

3. Gulmarg - India’s Skiing Capital

Gulmarg, regarded as the “meadow of flowers.” It is located in the district of Baramallu in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This destination is definitely worth visiting. Best places to visit in Gulmarg are:

  • The Gulmarg Gondola
  • The Apharwat Peak
  • The Strawberry Valley
  • The Alpather Lake
  • The Gulmarg Golf Course

4. Auli - The Skiing Jewel of Uttarakhand

Auli is located in the Chamoli district, situated amidst the Himalayan mountains, in the state of Uttarakhand. Visiting here would be a wonderful decision. Best places to visit in Auli are:

  • The Gorson Bugyal
  • The Trishul Peak and Nanda Devi Peak
  • The Auli Ski and Snowboard 
  • The Chenab Lake
  • The Auli Artificial Lake

Hill Stations in Winter

5. Mussoorie - The Queen of Hills Turns Snowy

Mussoorie, also known as the “queen of hills.” It is a hill station, referred to as a municipal board, located in the district of Dehradun, in the state of Uttarakhand. It stands out as a great place to explore. Best places to visit in Mussoorie are:

  • The Landour
  • The Lal Tibba Scenic Point 
  • The Happy Valley
  • The Cloud’s End
  • The Gun Hill

6. Darjeeling - Winter Charm with Himalayan Views

Darjeeling is a city situated in the northern part of the state of West Bengal but it is located in the the eastern part of the Himalayas. This destination is a must-visit. Best places to visit in Darjeeling are:

  • The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also famous by the name of “Toy Train”
  • The Happy Valley Tea Estate
  • The Barbotey Rock Garden
  • The Tiger Hill
  • The Batasia Loop

7. Nainital - A Winter Lake Retreat

Nainital is a town that is the headquarters of the Nainital district for the Kumaon division, in the state of Uttarakhand. This place is well worth your time and visit. Best places to visit in Darjeeling are:

  • The Tiffin Top, also famous by the name of “Dorothy’s Seat”
  • The Naini Lake
  • The Snow View Point
  • The Naina Peak, also known as the “China Peak”
  • The Kilbury Forest and Pangot 

8. Tawang - A Serene Winter Wonderland

Tawang is a town that is the administrative headquarters of the Tawang district, in the state of Uttarakhand. Visiting here would be a delightful experience. Best places to visit in Darjeeling are:

  • The Tawang Monastery, also known as the Galden Namgyal Lhatse
  • The Sela Pass
  • The Gorichen Peak
  • The Nuranang Falls, also known as the Jang Falls or the Bong Bong Falls
  • The Tawang War Memorial

Hill Stations in Winter

9. Munnar - A Misty Winter Escape

Munnar is a town situated in the Idduki district of the state of Kerala. Planning a trip to this place is a wonderful choice. Best places to visit in Darjeeling are:

  • The Munnar Hill Station
  • The Echo point of Munnar 
  • The Munnar Rose Garden
  • The Kolukkumalai Tea Estate
  • The Tata Tea Museum

10. Ooty - Winter Bliss in the Nilgiris

Ooty, indeed known as the Udagamandalam. It is a town along with a municipality in the district of Nilgiris, in the state of Tamil Nadu. Choosing to visit here is a great idea. Best places to visit in Darjeeling are:

  • The Doddabetta Peak
  • The Adam's Fountain Charring Cross
  • The Emerald Lake
  • The Ketti Valley View Point
  • The Thread Garden

Each and every hill station is a top-notch choice, being the perfect place to visit during winters. From the charm of Shimla to the beauty of Manali, from the allure of Gulmarg to the elegance of Auli, from the charm of Mussoorie to the beauty of Darjeeling, from the allure of Nainital to the elegance of Tawang, and from the beauty of Munnar to the charm of Ooty. So what are you waiting for, plan and book your trips, pack your winter luggage and be ready to experience the bestest ever winter vacation trip by visiting these ultra beautiful hill stations filled with serenity and prettiness. 

Read More: Best Places To Visit In "The Queen Of Hills" Mussoorie

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