While Odisha is not known for traditional hill stations like those in the northern parts of India, it does have some elevated areas and serene landscapes that offer a cool and refreshing escape.
While odisha’s hill stations may not match the conventional idea of hill stations with snow-capped peaks, they provide a different kind of charm with their lush greenery, cool climate, and cultural diversity. These destinations are ideal for those looking to explore offbeat hill stations and enjoy a peaceful retreat in the lap of nature in Odisha.
Here are a few places in Odisha that are often considered as hill stations:
Daringbadi:
Known as the “Kashmir of Odisha,” Daringbadi is a hill station situated in the Kandhamal district. It is the highest hill station in the state and is surrounded by pine forests, coffee plantations, and picturesque valleys. The area is known for its cool climate, making it a popular destination, especially during the summer.
Phulbani:
Phulbani, the district headquarters of Kandhamal, is located at an elevated altitude. While not a traditional hill station, it offers a pleasant climate and is surrounded by hills and forests. The area is known for its tribal cuscenic spots.
Belghar:
Belghar is a picturesque plateau in the Kandhamal district, known for its scenic beauty and tribal villages. The region is surrounded by            hills and offers a tranquil environment. It is a great place for nature lovers and those seeking a peaceful retreat.
Rajagiri Hill Stations, Nayagarh:
Rajgiri Waterfall is situated on a hill in the Khand pada Forest Range, and it is about 20 km distance from Khandapada town. This beautiful place is surrounded by lush green forests. The Rajgiri waterfall is one of the largest waterfalls in Nayagarh District, whose water is flowing from the top of the hill. After climbing the hill for about 2-3 km, the waterfall is visible. Rajagiri Hill Stations are recognized as Odisha tourism, so a large number of tourists come here in winter.
Tensa Hill Station, Nature Camp, Rourkela, Sundargarh:
Tensa Hill Station is located in the Bonai Forest Division of Sundargarh district. It is about 93 km distance from Rourkela and 13 Koira bus stand. This hill station and nature camp, full of natural beauty, is surrounded by iron mines, hills and forests. Tensa Ghati’s height is about 3,700 meters above sea level. It is known for its iron ore mines. Tensa is mainly developed by SAIL and later by Jindal Steel and Power.
Biswanath Temple, Mundia Hill, Delang, Puri:
The Biswanath Temple is located on the upper part of Biswanath Mundia hill near Delang. It is 37 km away from Jagannath Temple Puri. Archaeologists opine that there are many Buddhist stupas on this hill. Biswanath Hill is known for its ancient monastery of Dignag, the Buddhist Logician and Philosopher. Mundia hill is tourist attraction places near Bhubaneswar, Khordha. A beautiful temple at the top of the hill. The temple is popularly known as Biswanath Mundia.
Deomali Mountain Peak & Hill Top, Koraput:
The highest mountain peak of Odisha Deomali is situated at a distance of 62 km from Koraput. Deomali is famous for Eco-tourism and trekking. The route enters an undulating lush green terrain as after a drive of around 20 km’s the serpentine road leads to Deomali, the highest peak of Odisha. With above 1672 meters from the minimum sea level of the eastern ghat of India. Deomali is the pride of Koraput.
Devagiri Hill, Rayagada:
Devagiri hill is situated at a distance of around 50 km distance from Rayagada town and 158 km from Koraput. A picturesque landscape stands the sacred hill of Devagiri towards the southwest of Kalyansinghpur. There are seven natural holy steps in scaling order placed at a distance of 20- 30 feet apart. On the fourth step Goddess Mahalaxmi has been enshrined. On the top of the hill, there are perpetual pools of water named Ganga, Jamuna, Saraswati, Bhargavi and Indradyumna.
Chandrashekhar Mahadev Temple, Kapilash Hill, Dhenkanal:
Chandrashekhar Temple Mahadev temple is situated on the top of the hill called Kapilash hill and 25 km distance from Dhenkanal Town. The hill is about 1500 feet high from the ground. The hill is surrounding by dense forest and overlooking the river Mahanadi of Cuttack city. Lord Chandrasekhar is 600 feet and belongs to the 14 century AD. The temple was constructed during the king of Narshima Dev II of the Ganga dynasty and was completed in the year 1335- 1336 AD. There are 1352 running steps to the temple.
