Travelling in and around the : Queen of Hill stations - Ooty

By Abhilasha Sidana

6 min read

Ooty, rightly known as the "Queen of Hill Stations" is one of the most serene and popular summer destination, to get respite from the scorching heat. Located far from the city clamor, Ooty lies curled up in the very heart of the charming Nilgiri Hills, where the two mountain ranges meet. Enchanting towering mountains, stunning still water lakes, dense forest, mesmerizing pine and eucalyptus-studded pathways, emerald grassy slopes, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of picturesque tea gardens and terraced farms dot the hillside in Ooty and its environs making it a marvelous sight to behold. Here at ShoutLo, we bring you:

8 places in and around Ooty you must visit:

Please note, if you are traveling from Bangalore to Ooty by road you need to cross Bandipur National Tiger reserve and the timings are 6 am to 9 pm.

Pykara Lake & Waterfall

travelling in and around the queen of hill stations ooty

Pykara is a well-known getaway set at a distance of 20 kilometers from Ooty. It is a beautiful village with a gushing river that flows through the plateau and forms several cascades and waterfalls known as Pykara Falls. Amid the lush green valley lies the placid lake of Pykara. The area around the lake is surrounded by sholas (local name for forest) that add to its natural beauty. Head here for some unmatched tranquility and beautiful breathtaking scenery, while your boat gently glides over the lake. A boat house on the Pykara reservoir is an added attraction for those who wish to enjoy some time amid the beauty of nature and peace. This lovely village also boasts well protected fenced sholas, toda settlements, large grassy meadows and good wildlife habitat.

Avalanche

Avalanche is a reserve forest area, located in the heart of the Nilgiris 28 kilometers from Ooty and is renowned for Avalanche Sanctuary and Avalanche Lake. Avalanche Lake, was formed naturally in the year 1823 due to a massive landslide and is surrounded by the shoals that are so dense that even sunlight cannot penetrate through the thick foliage. The beautiful lake is certainly a wanderer’s haven with a picture-perfect ambiance of small waterfalls falling down from the encircling mountains. Please note that as the lake is situated in the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve, prior permission is needed from the forest office in Ooty.

Upper Bhavani

Upper Bhavani, the beautiful blue-green lake perched inside the deep forest of Nilgiris is actually the backwater of Upper Bhawani Dam. Set at a distance of 38 kilometers downhill from Ooty town, Upper Bhavani Lake is an absolute delight for nature lovers. The entire area is declared as a reserved wildlife area, the drive up to the lake passes through the very picturesque countryside and is enchanting. The fog and mist, in winter the season add the mystery to the road that leads to this place. En route to the lake, there are beautiful spots which include small springs and lakes. Please note that you need a Forest Department pass with the number of your car and details of people entering the zone. The lake is not accessible via private cars or cabs, once you reach the forest office, a bus/jeep will take you to this untouched lake by paying Rs. 150/- per head.

Dolphin’s Nose

Situated 30 kilometers from Ooty, lies the spectacular viewpoint of Coonoor town. It is a unique enormous rock formation with the peak resembling a dolphin's nose. Settled at an elevation up to 1,000 ft above the sea level, this is one of the striking viewpoints with a breathtaking view of gigantic ravines found both to the left and right encompassing the magnificent Catherine Falls (claimed to be the second highest waterfall in Nilgiris, it is a double-cascaded mountain stream in Kotagiri). The drive up to Dolphin’s Nose is quite spectacular and the enchanting tea plantations stretched for miles on the way will leave you awestruck.

Doddabetta Peak

The Doddabetta Peak is the highest mountain in the Nilgiri Hills, making it possibly the best vantage point around Ooty. It is merely 10 kilometers from Ooty and offers amazing trek spots (that are worth every step you take through the jungle) and plenty of quiet and breathtaking locations to solitary wanderers. A treat to the eyes, this picturesque land is indeed a great sightseeing place. You might get lucky to see far off areas, even the plains of Coimbatore and the flat highlands of Mysore, if you are climbing the peak on a clear sunny day, which is honestly not that often. So go early for better chances of stunning mist-free panoramic views.

Ooty Lake

Ooty lake is an artificial lake skirted by groves of tall Eucalyptus trees with a railway line running along one shore. The lake spreads over an area of 65 acres in an irregular 'L' shape, damming the streams that meander through the hills. The lake also features a boathouse which offers boating facilities with the beautiful Nilgiri mountain ranges in the backdrop and an amusement park which has a mini train for kids. It is a perfect place for the picnic and enjoys the scenic beauty. During summer seasons, boat races and boat pageantry are organized for two days attracting a lot of visitors. Adjacent to the lake, lies a deer park which is one of the few high altitude zoos in India.

Botanical Garden

Located in the heart of the city, this beautifully constructed garden has a wide span of more than 50 acres and is spread along the Dodabetta peak. It is the home to more than 650 stunning flowers and trees spread out in well-maintained lawns and is a horticulturist’s delight. It has an explicit collection of orchids, roses, rare colored lilies, beautiful Eucalyptus trees, imported shrubs, rare flowering plants, ferns, herbs and bonsai plants. One of the must see attraction of this garden is a 20-million years old fossilized tree trunk. Another attraction here is the last remaining bastions of the Todas, the huts which are located on the east hill of the garden. Although several Toda people have abandoned these huts in the recent years, these remain one of the most interesting specimens of an ethnic architecture of southern India.

Rose Garden

Lying on the slopes of Elk Hill, Ooty Rose Garden is one of the largest rose gardens in India. This garden has been beautifully laid out in terraces on 10 acres of land, with 2000 species of pure-bred as well hybrid species roses, rose tunnels, pergolas, and bowers with rose creepers. Awarded as the ‘Garden of Excellence’ by World Federation of Rose Societies, this garden has 20,000 different varieties of roses including hybrid tea roses, miniature rose, floribunda, ramblers, yaki moar, polyanthas, black and green roses and much more which will leave you spellbound with their fragrance. It is a perfect wonderland for nature lovers.

Ooty, boasting a breathtaking combination of natural beauty with enchanting hills, picturesque peaks, stunning still water lakes and mesmerizing gardens, is a must see travel destination this summer, to get respite from the scorching heat. So what are you waiting for?

Abhilasha Sidana

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A girl with Atlas in her hands, Adventure in her eyes, Wanderlust in her blood. Professionally, she creates and curates socially relevant viral-worthy content. Abhilasha's life and work led her to her current role as an Entrepreneur.

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