10 Incredible Western Ghats Must-Visit Places

1. Drive Through The Ghats On The Mumbai-Pune Expressway

“The well-maintained Mumbai-Pune Expressway and free flowing roads makes your drive enjoyable and worth driving. For those who love driving, it's a must-go trip by car. Firstly, you don't find any traffic, secondly, you cannot go below 80 kmph and thirdly, friends and loud music makes the drive even more enjoyable and exhilarating. The Mumbai-Pune expressway is very scenic. There are many dhabas and resorts on the way.”

2. Igatpuri

Igatpuri is located in the serene western ghats in Nashik District just 130 km from Mumbai. It is extremely beautiful in the monsoon with many waterfalls and green mountains all along. Its easily accessible by rail and road. It is also the starting point for many treks in the Sahyadri. One can go to Kalsubai the highest peak in the Sahyadri via Igatpuri.  There's not much for shopping but key attractions include the camel valley, Randha Falls, Bhadardara Lake, Umbrella Falls. Ghoti a nearby town has many rice mills and the rice from here is fragrant and tasty. One can think of buying it as its really cheap.

3. The Twin Towns of Mahabaleshwar - Panchgani

Fantastic place with excellent weather. You can reach within 5 hours from Mumbai. The weather was a little rainy and a little cold. Strawberry and ice cream lovers, this is the place for you. Nearby place is Mahabaleshwar. Table land in Panchgani is the best sightseeing.

4. Varandha Ghat

Located between Konkan and NH4 in Maharashtra, and about 108 km from Pune, Varandha Pass is a lovely route that is wrapped with scenic lakes and gushing waterfalls. This little known place is just the perfect choice for getting drenched in the rain while you soak up the mesmerizing natural beauty around you. 

5. Kakkabe

This heavy region has a dense rainforest that comprises a rich bounty of rare orchids, plants and birds. Kakkabe is a trekker’s pleasure to those people seeking for serenity, as there a number of treks small and medium and of varying grades that is apt for most visitors. The well laid trekking trails in Thadiandamol is challenging and enjoyable. It’s windy peak offers unhindered views of impressive mountain ranges and valleys of Coorg and beyond. Neatly stacked layers of hills align one behind the other, extending to the horizon and gently merging into the blue sky.  It is really a thrilling experience to trek through these stunning and appealing forests of Kakkabe. Not to be missed: Trekking to Thadiandamol peak and visiting the ruined structures of Nalakkanad palace and ends at the Iguthappa peak.

6. Karkala

Karkala [kaːrkəɭɐ] is a town and the headquarters of Karkala taluk in the Udupi district of Karnataka, India. Located about 380 km from Bangalore, it lies near the Western Ghats.

The town was called Pandya Nagari (ಪಾಂಡ್ಯ ನಗರಿ) during the period of Jain rule, and later became known as Karikallu (ಕರಿಕಲ್ಲು), then Karkal(ಕಾರ್ಕಲ್) and finally to Karkala (ಕಾರ್ಕಳ).

Karkala has a number of natural and historical landmarks. It is located at the bottom of Western Ghats covered with greenery around the year. It is one of the major junction for the religious tourists. It is located strategically on the way to Sringeri, Kalasa, Hornadu, Udupi, Kolluru Mookambika and Dharmasthala.

7. Kukke Subrahmanya

The Kukke Subramanya Temple is located in the beautiful Western Ghats range of Karnataka. Overlooking the temple is the famous mountain of Kumara Parvatha, a popular hiking destination for trekkers from across South India. Kumara Parvatha forms a picture-perfect backdrop to the temple entrance and the Shesha Parvatha (a mountain shaped like a six-headed mythological serpent, adjacent to Kumara Parvatha) looks like a cobra with its open hood, as if protecting the temple shrine of Lord Subramanya. The temple is situated on the western slopes of the Ghats and is covered with dense evergreen forests.

8. Munnar

Greenery greenery everywhere. Beautiful tea plantations, lakes, hills, activities, Munnar has it all. It is a perfect destination for couples, family and individuals be it for honeymoon or relaxing or adventure or just nature watch. The mesmerizing views of the hills are just like wallpaper pics providing the perfect snap. Good food and courteous behaviour of the locals adds to the joy of the vacation.

9. Ponmudi Hills

Ponmudi is, indeed, one of the most beautiful hill-stations in Kerala. I was taken aback by its scenic beauty and the serenity of the place. Unlike other hill-stations that are either over-crowded with people, Ponmudi is calm and peaceful. There are not many shops or hotels. If I had to put it in one line-- I would say Ponmudi is NOT a place for tourists; it's a place for travelers. If you happen to visit Ponmudi, make sure you go all the way up to the cliff, and take some time around to gaze the beautiful open farms. There are no points in this hill-stations; it's just the experience that's amazing. Make sure you wear shoes with rubber-sole, or the ones that have solid grip. Also, if you're too tightly wound, take an umbrella.

10. Coonoor

Coonoor tea estate and tea factory are a must-visit. Visiting High Field tea factory will give you gyaan of how the green tea leaves turn into the dark brown tea powder. The step-by-step explanation is worth listening to. We could see the entire processing unit. Had a nice time! Also, For tea lovers you have a variety of flavors like lemon, masala, clove, cinnamon, classic leaf etc. Try out the chocolate and masala tea, they are awesome.