Welcome to Trip Trek Tales. We believe every destination has a tale to tell. Therefore, today we are going to take you to Ooty, also known as Udhagamandalam. It is one of the beautiful hill stations situated in the Nilgiri Hills. This place has a picturesque natural environment consisting of a nice climate and lush greenery; hence, it serves as a paradise for eco-tourism fans and adventure tourists. In this blog, we will examine the top tourist destinations in Ooty to help visitors explore this cute city.
24 Best Places to Visit in Ooty
Ooty Lake
Amongst other attractions in the town, Ooty Lake stands out. It was established by John Sullivan, who was then Coimbatore collector, in 1824 and covers approximately 65 acres. The lake is enclosed by eucalyptus trees, while its quietness makes it an ideal place for boating expeditions. At your disposal are such boats as paddle boats, motorboats, and rowing boats that you can hire at whatever time you want to do so. The boathouse nearby offers snacks as well as a children’s mini-train ride, thus making it an excellent family outing.
Botanical Gardens
For those enthusiasts keen on flora and nature lovers looking for somewhere to relax while enjoying themselves amid the wonderful outdoor environments around them, they must not miss visiting the Government Botanical Gardens, created in 1847 with over 55 acres of land full of various types of plants, including special species. The garden has different parts, such as the Lower Garden, New Garden, Italian Garden, Conservatory, and Nurseries, walking through which a visitor can feel himself or herself among nature. The annual Mayflower Show held here attracts visitors from all across India.
Doddabetta Peak
Doddabetta Peak stands tall at 8,650 feet above sea level and provides breathtaking panoramic views of surrounding hills and valleys, being the highest point in Nilgiris. The peak is located just 10 kilometres from Ooty and can be reached by a short trek. At the top of the observatory, some telescopes allow tourists to examine remote landscapes closely. The walk up Doddabetta is relatively easy and provides a good opportunity to experience the beauty of nature.
Rose Garden
Ooty Rose Garden, which also goes by the name Jayalalithaa Rose Garden, occupies about 10 acres and has more than 20 thousand varieties of roses. The garden is beautifully landscaped with colourful blooms that give visitors a visual treat wherever they go around this place. It’s found on the slopes of Elk Hill, where visitors can unwind while watching countless roses at their best. It happens to be one of India’s largest gardens for rose flowers, and it has earned various accolades for its well-maintained, diverse species.
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
One cannot have visited Ooty without taking a trip on the toy train called the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The toy train covers a distance of 46 kilometres, starting from Mettupalayam up to Ooty, through a picturesque landscape full of thick forests as well as tea plantations. The journey lasts approximately five hours, thereby enabling travellers to enjoy their ride on steep curves, bridges, and tunnels, thus making it unforgettable. The sweet pastel blue colour with cream shade coupled with a steam engine that appears antique creates a nostalgic feeling when thinking about this ride.
Pykara Waterfalls and Lake
The Pykara Waterfalls and Lake are situated around 20 km from Ooty, meaning that it is one of the most visited places by tourists. The water in the river flows from thick forests on the Nilgiris Hills as the Pykara falls. A great view of cascading water can be seen when visiting these falls, especially during monsoon season when there is very heavy rainfall. There is also a beautiful lake nearby called Pykara Lake with boating facilities that has calm water bodies surrounded by lush greenery, making it an ideal place to relax.
Avalanche Lake
If peace and quietness are what you are looking for as a tourist, then Avalanche Lake is for you, as it’s off the beaten path (only known to a few). This pristine lake lies about 28 km away from Ooty, amidst thick forests and rolling hills. The name ‘avalanche’ was given to the site due to a massive landslide that happened in the early 19th century, resulting in the formation of this lake. In addition, camping, trekking, and trout fishing are some of the recreational activities that can be enjoyed in the surrounding areas around this lake, whereas Avalanche Sanctuary offers those who love nature more because they can see animals as well as plants.
Emerald Lake
Another picturesque but less famous destination near Ooty, approximately 25 km away from Ooty City, is Emerald Lake. Part of Silent Valley National Park, it gives breathtaking views of tea plantations all around, and its green cover is simply mesmerising too. The serene atmosphere together with clear blue waters makes it an ideal spot for people picnicking or relaxing here after a long time spent walking or hiking through dense forest areas, besides enjoying birds watching along with festivities.
Ooty Tea Factory and Museum
The historical background of the tea production industry has been depicted in an informative way at Ooty Tea Factory & Museum. The process that starts with the collection of leaves and ends at the packaging stage is explained in detail on guided tours offered by this factory. In addition, it also presents a wide range of equipment that was used during the cultivation era, including those that are quite old, which can be seen in its museum. Another important thing about this place is that one can sample or even purchase different types of tea from where it’s manufactured.
St. Stephen’s Church
St. Stephen’s Church, built in 1829, is one of the oldest churches in Nilgiris and is a fine example of colonial architecture. It stands along the way to Ooty Botanical Gardens with stained glass windows as well as wooden beams inside, giving it an attractive appearance. The church has a peaceful atmosphere and historical importance, making it a must-see for history buffs who love to know more about past events associated with this area.
Mudumalai National Park
Mudumalai National Park lies approximately 50 km away from Ooty and serves as a home for various wildlife species. It is also known as a wildlife sanctuary because there are many animals, including elephants, tigers, and leopards, that roam freely here. Apart from game drives made within park boundaries, some tourists like visiting parks to view wild creatures while they are still living their normal lives. Another reason why people visit Mudumalai is because it belongs to the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, thus being regarded as a major attraction, especially for wildlife photographers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Wenlock Downs
In Ooty, there is a place known as Shooting Point or Wenlock Downs, which is an open space with many grasslands that stretch out for miles and miles. The name of the area originates from Lord Wenlock, who was also known as Sir Arthur Lawley and served as the Governor of Madras in the early 20th century. Rolling hills dotted with picturesque landscapes have made Wenlock Downs a favourite film shooting location. From here, one can have amazing views of its beautiful surroundings and enjoy a picnic or horseback ride.
Upper Bhavani Lake
Upper Bhavani Lake is a peaceful and scenic destination situated around 40 km away from Ooty and still not affected by commercial tourism. It’s surrounded by forests and hills that are very thick; hence, it has remained quiet all these years. On your way to Upper Bhavani, one goes through lush green landscapes along with tea estates and wildlife sanctuaries, which makes it a scenic drive too. Bird watching at the lake can offer great moments to admire the natural beauty of Nilgiris.
Kalhatti Waterfalls
There is another waterfall called Kalahasti Falls, also known as Kalhatti Falls, located nearly 13 km before Ooty on Mysore Road in Ooty district. The fall drops down about forty metres amidst a dense forest enveloped by greenery all around. The hike up to the falls offers amazing visuals of the surroundings. Wildlife found here includes various bird species, among others.
Catherine Falls
Also close to Kotagiri are Catherine Falls, which cascade twice, falling from an altitude of approximately two hundred and fifty feet. They got their name from M.D. Cockburn’s wife, who brought coffee plantations to Nilgiris. Its surrounding environment comprises thick vegetation and provides breathtaking views over hills on this side. Trekking to these waterfalls is fairly easy because it lets you experience the nature of the place.
Ooty Toy Train Museum
For children and adults alike, a very interesting place to visit is the Ooty Toy Train Museum, which is situated near the railway station in Ooty. This museum has on display old toy trains, miniature models, and other rail-related materials. The main attraction here is a live model of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, which gives a peek into the history and functioning of this celebrated train for kids. This museum contains valuable artefacts about NMR that are known by tourists because they learn about its rich historical background.
Mukurthi National Park
This park happens to be Mukurthi National Park, located around 40 km from Ooty within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, famous for its exclusive shola grassland ecosystem. It harbours many endangered species, such as Nilgiri tahr, which are unique to these mountains. There are possibilities for trekking and camping in the park so that people may enjoy its diverse nature and awesome scenery. The Silent Valley, an area inside the park, stands out due to its pristine status as an unaffected area by humans.
Needle Rock Viewpoint
Located about 8 km from Gudalur is Needle Rock Viewpoint, or Oosi Malai, which offers an uninterrupted view of the Nilgiri Hills and the surrounding valleys. It is called such because it has a rock formation shaped like a needle, making it easily recognizable. The route up the hill to the viewpoint passes through lush green landscapes with fantastic views of the Western Ghats in front of you. It is perfect for photography and also for appreciating nature’s beauty.
Thunder World
Thunder World amusement park, commonly known as Dinosaur Park, is located near Ooty Lake. The park has full-size models of dinosaurs, a 5D theatre, a haunted house, and other attractions. Amusement rides and various other activities make this park a great place for families with kids to spend their time. It is one of the places that enjoys school trips since its educational value derives from dinosaur models and exhibits, thus making it a perfect destination for family outings.
Sim’s Park
Situated in Coonoor, about nineteen kilometres away from Ooty, Sim’s Park is an impressive botanical garden covering about twelve hectares of land. The gardens are famous for their wide range of plant species, including several endangered ones, which makes them very important centres for conservation purposes. The different sections have distinct varieties to showcase flora diversity across all parts of this garden. Besides having a small lake where one can take part in boating, there are facilities provided for children’s play so that people can visit here with their families.
Dolphin’s Nose
Dolphins’ noses at Coonoor provide a panoramic view of the hills around and vast plains down below that look like dolphin’s beak-shaped rocks. The road winds through tea estates to reach Dolphin’s Nose, with some stunning views along the way. It is an ideal point for taking photos as well as admiring natural beauty.
Hidden Valley
Hidden Valley takes its name from a peaceful and quiet place situated near Coonoor. The valley is surrounded by thick forests and rolling hills of tea plantations, giving the area a calm and serene atmosphere. It is an ideal place for trekking, nature walks, and picnics with family or friends. The valley remains largely unexplored, so one may savour the beauty of nature away from the crowds.
Lamb’s Rock
Lamb’s Rock offers beautiful views of the Coimbatore plains and surrounding hills. It stands eight kilometres away from Coonor. Named after Captain Lamb, who turned it into a picnic spot, it takes only a short walk through luxuriant vegetation and stunning landscapes to arrive at Lamb’s Rock. The viewpoint is an ideal spot for photography and enjoying natural beauty.
Law’s Falls
Law’s Falls, which is situated near Coonoor, is a beautiful waterfall coming down from an approximate height of 30 metres. The falls are surrounded by thick forests that make the area peaceful and calm. The spot around the falls can be great for picnics and hiking since it looks out over fantastic landscapes. This is especially true during monsoons, when there will be an increase in water flow, making the falls look more attractive.
Final Words
On account of its mesmerising beauty and multiform attractions, Ooty has become a favourite destination for naturalists, sportsmen, and those who want to stay alone with themselves or their family members far away from the noise of ivilization. There are many things to do in Ooty: romantic boat rides on the peaceful lakes; strolls amidst blooming gardens; exciting hikes along mountain paths; fascinating tours around historical places… You can do anything you like here, from having a wonderful time with your family or your beloved to spending lonely nights in breathtaking scenery—all thanks to the pleasant climate changes of this place! So prepare your bags and get ready to discover the miraculous charm of Queen of Hill Stations-Ooty.
