Outside the Himalaya and the southern Ghats, India's hill stations are smaller and fewer, but they matter to the people of the plains around them. Maharashtra's Sahyadri towns serve Mumbai and Pune; Gujarat has Saputara; Rajasthan has Mount Abu in the Aravallis; and Madhya Pradesh has Pachmarhi in the Satpuras.
Several are at their best in the monsoon, when the plateaus turn green and waterfalls come alive.
Quick answer
The main hill stations of western and central India are Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Lonavala and Matheran in Maharashtra; Saputara in Gujarat; Mount Abu in Rajasthan; and Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh. Smaller hill retreats include Mainpat in Chhattisgarh, Netarhat in Jharkhand and Daringbadi in Odisha. The monsoon and winter are the best seasons; summer is warm in most of them.
Key takeaways
- Maharashtra has the most hill stations in the region; see our state page.
- Mount Abu is Rajasthan's only hill station, and Saputara is Gujarat's.
- Pachmarhi sits inside the Satpura Tiger Reserve landscape.
- Most are best in the monsoon and winter; summer days are warm.
- These hills are lower than the Himalaya; expect pleasant, not cold, weather.
At a glance
| Hill station | State | Known for | Best months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani | Maharashtra | Viewpoints, strawberries | October to June; monsoon for greenery |
| Lonavala and Matheran | Maharashtra | Monsoon waterfalls; car-free Matheran | June to February |
| Saputara | Gujarat | Lake, tribal crafts, monsoon festival | July to February |
| Mount Abu | Rajasthan | Nakki Lake, Dilwara temples | October to March; monsoon |
| Pachmarhi | Madhya Pradesh | Waterfalls, caves, Satpura forests | October to June |
| Mainpat | Chhattisgarh | Tibetan settlement, plateau views | October to March |
| Netarhat | Jharkhand | Sunrise and sunset points | October to March |
| Daringbadi | Odisha | Pine forests, coffee, cool winters | October to February |
Maharashtra
The Sahyadri hill stations
Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani, Lonavala and Khandala, car-free Matheran, and quieter Bhandardara.
Hill stations in Maharashtra · Mahabaleshwar guide · Matheran guide
Gujarat and Rajasthan
Saputara
Gujarat's hill station in the Dang district, with a lake, viewpoints and a monsoon festival.
Mount Abu
Rajasthan's hill station in the Aravallis, with Nakki Lake, the Dilwara Jain temples and Guru Shikhar, the highest point of the range.
Central and eastern India
Pachmarhi
Madhya Pradesh's hill station, with waterfalls, cave shelters and Satpura forests.
Mainpat, Netarhat and Daringbadi
Small plateau retreats in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha.
Why the monsoon matters here
For most of this region, the monsoon is the high season. The Sahyadri towns near Mumbai and Pune turn green, clouds roll across the plateaus, and waterfalls appear along every road. Saputara holds a monsoon festival, and Mount Abu's lake fills. The trade-off is heavy rain, slippery paths and, in Mahabaleshwar, some activities pausing in the wettest weeks.
Getting there
- Mahabaleshwar: about five to six hours from Mumbai and three to four from Pune by road.
- Matheran: by road to Dasturi, then on foot, horse or toy train (when running).
- Mount Abu: from Abu Road station, about 30 km below.
- Saputara: from Nashik or Surat by road.
- Pachmarhi: from Pipariya station, about 50 km away.
A little history
Mahabaleshwar was developed as a summer retreat of the Bombay Presidency in the 1820s, and Matheran was opened up in the 1850s; its narrow-gauge railway followed in 1907. Mount Abu has far older roots as a Jain and Hindu pilgrimage site, with the Dilwara temples built between the 11th and 13th centuries. Pachmarhi was noticed by British officers in the 1850s and became a summer station, while its rock shelters hold much older paintings.
Which one to choose
| If you want | Choose |
|---|---|
| A short break from Mumbai or Pune | Lonavala, Matheran or Mahabaleshwar |
| Monsoon waterfalls | Lonavala, Bhandardara, Saputara |
| Temples and a lake | Mount Abu |
| Forests and waterfalls | Pachmarhi |
| Somewhere very quiet | Mainpat, Netarhat or Daringbadi |
Where to stay
Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala, Mount Abu and Pachmarhi have a wide range of hotels and state tourism properties. Matheran's stays are reached on foot or by hand-pulled rickshaw from the entry point, so pack light. The smaller plateau retreats have limited, simpler options, so book ahead and carry cash.
Safety
- Mountain and ghat roads close or slow down after heavy rain; check updates and avoid driving after dark.
- Stay back from cliff edges at viewpoints, especially in mist.
- Carry a light warm layer for winter evenings.
What to pack
- Rain jacket or umbrella
- Shoes with grip for wet rock
- Light layers
- Insect repellent
Want to combine several mountain destinations into one trip?
FAQs
Which is the only hill station in Rajasthan?
Mount Abu.
Which is the only hill station in Gujarat?
Saputara, in the Dang district.
Which is Madhya Pradesh's best-known hill station?
Pachmarhi, in the Satpura range.
When should I visit Mahabaleshwar?
October to June for sightseeing; the monsoon for green landscapes, though some activities pause in heavy rain.
Are these hill stations cold?
They are cooler than the plains but mild compared with the Himalaya.
Can I visit Matheran by car?
No; private vehicles stop at the Dasturi entry point, and you continue on foot, by horse, hand-pulled rickshaw or the toy train when it runs.
Which is easiest from Delhi?
Morni Hills near Chandigarh, or Mount Abu by an overnight train to Abu Road.
