Similar to its cultural diversity, the landscape of India is also quite diversified. Right from the Himalayas in the extreme north and the Aravalli Ranges in the west to the Western Ghats in the south, India features a number of major mountain ranges. The total count of prominent ranges in India are nine including the Himalayas, Karakoram, Kunlun, Shivalik, Aravali, Purvanchal, Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats. These mountain ranges give rise to numerous picturesque hill stations. Each of these hill stations in India has its own unique features in terms of history, heritage, scenery and culture. The best part is that many of these hill cities and towns are even today inhabited by different communities who have been following their own customs and traditions for years.

Some prominent hill/ mountain ranges in India include:

Himalayan Range
Having the distinction of being the youngest in the world, the Himalayan massifs separate India from other countries of the Asian continent. The Himalayas features around 30 peaks, Mount Everest and Kunchenjunga being the two of the world’s highest peaks. States like Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh are all located in the lap of the Himalayas. Much frequented hill stations in the Himalayan foothills include Shimla, Mussoorie, Nainital, Shimla, Kausani, Almora, Badrinath, Ranikhet, Dehradun etc.

Karakoram Range
The mountain range extends close to the Chinese border. Located in the Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh region, the Karakoram Ranges are comprised of around 60 peaks. The range has the distinction of having K2, the second highest peak in the world. In addition, some of the world’s most known glaciers like the Siachen Glacier and the Biafo Glacier are also located here. The region offers hill stations like Leh, Ladakh, Sringar, Pahalgam, Jammu, Sonmarg etc.

Kunlun Range
The mountain range of Kunlun stretches towards the east along the northern of Kashmir and the Tibetan Plateau. These mountains have the distinction of being one of the longest in Asia. The Kunlun Ranges cover a huge expanse of around 3,000 km.

Shivalik Range
Situated in the lower Himalayan foothills, the Shivalik Ranges extends from Jammu to Dehradun to the Bhabbar tracts of the Garhwal and Kumaon region. Numerous smaller hills fall into this zone. Famous Indian hill stations like Dehradun and Nainital are located in the Shivalik Ranges.

Aravali Range
The mountain range happens to be the most ancient in India. Extending over an expanse of 300 miles, the Aravali Ranges run from northeast to southwest across the state of Rajasthan in northwestern India. Mount Abu, perched at 1,300 m a.s.l. is the only hill station in this hill range.

Western Ghats
Also known as the Shayadri Hill ranges, the Western Ghats Ranges spread along the western edge of the Indian Deccan Plateau. The hill ranges are stand in parallel position with the Arabian Sea. Hill stations like Matheran, Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Ooty, Kodaikanal and Lonavala are located in the hill ranges of the Western Ghats in India.