Chhattisgarh is a landlocked state in central India and is known for its extraordinary natural beauty. The hill stations in Chhattisgarh are some of the top best places in the state to witness the natural beauty. Unlike the mountains of the northern states of India, these are of moderate height and are filled with lush greenery. Moreover, you can also see some stunning temples and waterfalls here that will make your holiday worth visiting.

Although the hill stations in Chhattisgarh are not affluent, a few of them can be suitable for a jaunt. Nevertheless, here is the list of top hill stations in Chhattisgarh –

1. Manipat

Manipat is located in a small district in the Surguja district. Locally, this place is known as ‘Mini Tibet’, as most of the residents here are Tibetan refugees. Sometimes, this small village is recognised as 'Shimla/Swiss of Chhattisgarh' for its amazing greenery and soothing natural beauty.

So, if you are looking for a honeymoon destination in Chhattisgarh, Manipat is an ideal option. Also, you can taste delicious chowmein, momos and thukpa.

• Best Time to Visit: July to September
• Top Things to Do: Trekking, nature exploration, and photography.
• Top Places to Visit: Dhakpo Monastery, Tiger Point, Fish Falls, Mehta Point and Jaljali.
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 3,500 per person (2 Day/1 Night)
• How to Reach: By air, road, and train.

2. Chirmiri

Chirmiri is located in the Koriya district of Chhattisgarh and at a distance of 290.8 km from Raipur. For its natural beauty and mesmerising views, it is also known as the “Heaven of Chhattisgarh.” One of the favourite places to visit at Chirmiri is the Lord Jagannath temple, and every day you can see tourists flocking here to seek blessings.

Also, this place is covered with dense forest and has flourished with exotic flora and fauna. You can visit other pilgrim spots from here; otherwise, this place provides you with enough opportunity for exploration.

• Best Time to Visit: October to April
• Top Things to Do: Trekking, camping and nature walk.
• Top Places to Visit:  Amrit Dhara Falls, Hasdeo River, Haldibadi Temple, and Bartunga Sati Temple.
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 2,500 per person (2 Day/1 Night)
• How to Reach: By air, road, and train.

3. Bailadila

Bailadila is one of the most popular destinations in the state and is located at an elevation of 1276 meters. This hill is blessed with some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state. Also, you can experience its thrilling forest and blissful gardens. The name Baila Dila comes from the local language, which means Bullock's Hump in the local language, which is justified by its shape. The topmost peak of this mountain is the Aakash Nagar, and you can hike to the top for some stunning views.

• Best Time to Visit: July to September
• Top Things to Do: Trekking, Hiking, Rappelling and photography.
• Top Places to Visit: Danteshwari Temple, Batissa Temple Memory Pillars of Gamawada, Tirathgarh and Chitrakoot Waterfall.
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 2,500 per person (2 Day/1 Night)
• How to Reach: By air, road, and train.

4. Gadiya Mountain, Kanker

The Gadiya Mountain or Kila Dongri is the highest mountain in the Kanker district. The major attraction here is the Doodh River which flows beneath the mountains. On Mahashivaratri, people gather here from all around the state to offer prayers to the lord and seek blessing. Local people believe there is a water tank at the top of the hill, and apparently, it will never get dry. However, besides the religious importance, this place also has amazing natural beauty and multiple attractions.

• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Top Things to Do: Tribal tour, nature exploration and photography.
• Top Places to Visit: Chare-Marre Waterfall, Shivani Temple, Churi Pagar Cave, Dudhawa Dam etc.
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,000 to ₹ 2,000 per person (2 Day/1 Night)
• How to Reach: By air, road, and train.

5. Ambikapur

Located in the Surguja district, Ambikapur is one of the best hill stations in Chhattisgarh. Although the elevation is not as high as the previous two, this provides a great opportunity to gaze at some beautiful sceneries. This is a perfect holiday for weekends, and here you can see rivers, caves, springs and beautiful waterfalls. Also, as most of the landscape is covered with forest, this destination provides multiple thrilling activities for travellers. Moreover, this place can be easily accessible from the neighbouring cities, especially from Raipur.

• Best Time to Visit: October to February
• Top Things to Do: Enjoy a picnic near a waterfall, visit age-old temples, and dip in the hot water spring.
• Top Places to Visit: Tiger Point Waterfall, Buddha Temple, Jogimara Caves and Ramgir mountains.
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,500 to ₹ 2,500 per person (2 Day/1 Night)
• How to Reach: By air, road, and train.

Apart from these top hill stations in Chhattisgarh, you can also visit other hills in neighbouring states that are located close to Chhattisgarh. These are located very close to Chhattisgarh and can easily be reached by train, air or road. Nevertheless, a few of the top hill stations are –

6. Netarhat

Located close to Chhattisgarh, Netarhat is a hill station in the state of Jharkhand. This place is also known as Queen of Chotanagpur, and the tribal community ‘Asur’ lives here. Netarhat, which means "heart of nature," is a really captivating location and is famous for its sunrises and sunsets. It is a reasonably priced destination for weekend getaways for residents of the state of Jharkhand and neighbouring states.

• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Top Things to Do: Tribal tour, nature exploration and photography.
• Top Places to Visit: Lodh Falls, Upper Ghaghri Falls, Pine Forest Sadni Falls, Betla National Park, etc.
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 9,500 for two people (4 Day/3 Night)
• How to Reach: By air, road, and train.

7. Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh's Pachmarhi is renowned for its exhilarating and refreshing atmosphere. This hill town is also known as the "Queen of Satpura Ranges'', and you will see tourists here every season. You may explore the area's exotic wildlife, prehistoric caverns, and architectural remains, which are scattered across Pachmarhi. Most importantly, Pachmarhi is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, making it worth visiting.

• Best Time to Visit: March to September
• Top Things to Do: Trekking, nature exploration and photography.
• Top Places to Visit: Satpura National Park, Dhoopgar, Duchess Falls and Bee Fall.
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 9,000 per person (4 Day/3 Night)
• How to Reach: By air, road, and train.

8. Adilabad

Often known as the gateway district to Central and southern India, Adilabad is located in the Telangana state's northern part. This place is heaven unto itself and is known for its waterfalls, gentle zephyr, and vibrant culture. Moreover, the town has a rich history and exhibits an amazing fusion of several traditions and beliefs. So, if you are looking for a quick getaway trip, Adilabad is an attractive option.

• Best Time to Visit: November to March
• Top Things to Do: Nature exploration and photography.
• Top Places to Visit: Kuntala falls, Basara Saraswathi Temple, Pochera Falls, Gayatri Falls, Kanakai Falls, etc.
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 3,000 per person (1 Day)
• How to Reach: By air, road, and train.

9. Papikondalu

Papikondalu is a mountain range that runs along the western side of the Rover Godavari and is a popular tourist spot for locals. The sight of glittering waters and majestic hills makes it a perfect place if you want to forget the fast pace of city life. Additionally, this place has a rich tribal presence, and it is among the most popular reasons to visit this place. Moreover, travelling through waterways amidst gentle breeze makes it an enjoyable weekend destination.

• Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year
• Top Things to Do: Nature exploration, learning tribal lifestyle, and photography.
• Top Places to Visit: The Papikondalu hills, Jamalapuram Temple, Papi Kondalu national park, Perantapalli Village, etc.
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 4,200 per person (2 Day/1 Night)
• How to Reach: By air, road, and train.

10. Hazaribagh

One of the treasures of Jharkhand, besides minerals and coal, is its lush greenery. Located at the height of 600 meters, Hazaribagh is a wonderful destination and is often visited by locals. The district has three main divisions: Lower Plateau, Medium Plateau and Damodar Valley. The height of the three divisions is 1,300 ft, 2000 ft, and 1,000 ft, respectively. Moreover, the thriving greenery of Hazaribagh makes this place very refreshing, and you will feel very close to nature as well.

• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Top Things to Do: Nature exploration and photography.
• Top Places to Visit: Hazaribagh Jheel, Canary Hill, Narsingh Sthan Temple, etc.
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1000 per person (1 Day)
• How to Reach: By air, road, and train.

11. Toranmal

Toranmal is located in Maharashtra and is one of the most beautiful hill stations near Chhattisgarh. This hill station is located at the height of 1,150 m and is known for its extraordinary vistas. Also, for its rough and challenging landscape, it is often visited by trekkers and adventure-seeking travellers. Most importantly, the fantastic view of the sunset from Toranmal is breathtaking, and its soothing climate blissfully supports it.

• Best Time to Visit: October to May
• Top Things to Do: Nature exploration and photography.
• Top Places to Visit: Machhindranath cave, Lotus Lake, Aawashabari Point, Yashavant Lake etc.
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 2,500 per person (2 Day/1 Night)
• How to Reach: By air, road, and train.

12. Samalkot

Located in Andhra Pradesh, Samalkot is located in the East Godavari District. It is a well-known religious site among the locals and is a popular place for the devotees of Lord Shiva. Also, this is one of the best places to visit near Chhattisgarh, and in recent years, Samalkot has seen some rapid changes. Thus, this place has become a mixture of culture and urbanisation that provides opportunities for exploration too.

• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Top Things to Do: Nature exploration, trekking and photography.
• Top Places to Visit: Kumararama Bheemeshwara Swamy temple, Veera Venkata Satyanarayana temple, River Godavari etc.
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 2,000 per person (2 Day/1 Night)
• How to Reach: By air, road, and train.

13. Ananthagiri

Ananthagiri is located about 590 kilometres from Raipur and is one of the best places that you can visit near Chhattisgarh. This place is famous among the locals for its temple, and frequently it is visited by the locals for religious purposes. Moreover, Ananthagiri is easily accessible from nearby cities and hence is also a popular trekking destination near Hyderabad.

• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Top Things to Do: Nature exploration, trekking, camping and photography.
• Top Places to Visit: Padmapuram Gardens, Musi River, Araku Tribal Museum, The Borra Hills and Caves, etc.
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 1,500 per person (2 Day/1 Night – Accommodation cost)
• How to Reach: By air, road, and train.

14. Ramgarh

Ramgarh is probably the right destination for you if you love offbeat destinations. This place is often overlooked, but if you have a yen for travelling, the serenity of this place will surely captivate you. Ramgarh is located in the Kumaon district, and the spot is divided into sections: the part situated on the rise, known as 'Malla' and the other on the downhill, known as 'Talla.' This place is also known as the 'Fruit Bowl of Kumaon' for its plantations of apples, pears, apricots and peaches.

• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Top Things to Do: Nature exploration, trekking, camping, birdwatching and photography.
• Top Places to Visit: Bhalu Gaad Waterfall, Baba Neem Karoli Mandir, Geetanjli Bhawan, etc.
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 6,000 for two people (2 Day/1 Night)
• How to Reach: By air, road, and train.

15. Chikhaldara

Chikhaldara is located in the Amravati district and is famous among tourists for its wildlife sanctuary. Also, this place is the only coffee estate in Maharashtra and is home to numerous exotic species of flora and fauna. As a result, Chikhaldara is a great place for birdwatching and also for trekking. Additionally, this place becomes stunning during the monsoon and gives an idyllic view.

• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Top Things to Do: Nature exploration, trekking, camping, and birdwatching.
• Top Places to Visit: Panchbol Point, Semadoh Lake, Gawaligad Fort, Devi Point, etc.
• Average Cost of the Vacation: ₹ 8,000 for two people (3 Days/2 Nights)
• How to Reach: By air, road, and train.