Doddabetta
It is highest peak (2634 metres) in the Nilgiris and is about 10kms. from Ooty bus stand. The name Doddabetta literally means 'big mountain' which is so in reality. It lies at the junction of Western & Eastern Ghats and offer beautiful vistas of the Nilgiri Hill ranges. It is surrounded by dense sholas. One can have a magnificent panoramic view of the landscape and the whole of the district and even beyond through the Telescope House run by T.T.D.C., which is an added attraction.
Pykara Lake and Water Falls
It is situated about 21 kms. On the Ooty - Mysore road of well protected fenced shoals, toda settlement, undisturbed grassy meadows and also a good wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam, the reservoir, waterfalls and the Boat House attracts many tourists.
Kalhatty Falls
It is located on the Kalhatty slopes at about 13 kms. from Udhagamandalam on the Udhagamandalam - Mysore Kalhatty ghat road. The height of the water falls is about 100 ft. Kalhatty - Masinagudi slopes is rich in wildlife such as Panthers, Bisons, Wild Buffaloes, Wild Dogs, Spotted Deers, Sambars and different types of hill birds.
Wenlock Downs
This Vast expanse of undulating landscape has the Gymkana Club, the Government Sheep Farm and the Hindustan Photo Films Company and provides great pleasure for a long stroll on quiet roads.
Western Catchmen
It is about 20 kms from Parsons Valley. It contains Rolling Grassy downs interspersed with temperate sholas occupying depressions and valleys. The landscape is extremely picturesque and should be Zealously protected and preserved to maintain primevial beauty and grandeur of tract.
Glenmorgan
It is about 17 kms from Udhagamandalam and it is an ecologically rich forestry spot. There from is an Electricity Board (E.B). Winch carries staff from Glenmorgan viewpoint to powerhouse at Singara. The entire 4 kms of the Winch track passes through undisturbed sholas and wildlife habitat. Prior permission of E. B. authorities should be obtained to enter the viewpoint zone.
Upper Bhavani
Is about 10 kms from Korakundah and about 20 kms from Avalanche. This is a naturalist's paradise. Some of the best sholas like sholas lie enroute. The area is a rich and undisturbed wildlife habitat. From Bangithapal via Sispara one can trek to the silent valley. Permission from the Forest Department is necessary.
Avalanche
Located at a distance of 28 kms from Ooty. A beautiful lake surrounded by a thick shola where even sunlight cannot penetrate the thick foliage and the forests have an abundant with a wide variety of avifauna and it is a nature lover's paradise.
Elk Hill
In the olden days there were quite a number of sambars in this area and the earliest Europen arrivals on the hills used to call these animals as 'Elks'. The hill is about 500 ft. above the town and is less than an hour's walk from the Chating Cross and one gets a panoramic view of Udhagamandalam and its environs.
The Mukurthi Peak & Mukurthi National Park
Is about 40 kms from Ooty. The Mukurthi National Park is located on the southeastern corner of the Nilgiris Mountains. The area contains a viable population of Nilgiri Tahr Hamitragus hilocrius. The silent valley is located on the western side of these ranges. A fascinating feature of the Mukurthi Sanctuary is the variety and similarities that compare well to the flora and fauna of the Himalayan ranges A fascinating feature of the Mukuruthi Sanctuary is its endemism and relationship with Himalayan Flora and Fauna.
Kamaraj Sagar (Sandynullah Reservoir)
The Kamaraj Sagar dam is a good picnic spot and can be reached via Kandal amidst every old trees and green shrubs of various terrains and through Hindustan Photo films on the Gudalur road. It is a very good picnic spot on the slopes of the Wenlock Downs. Apart from studying nature and the environment, fishing provides excellent game in Kamaraj Sagar as well as in the Upper Bhavani and in Avalanche, the waters of which are especially rich in trout.
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
This is the first Sanctuary to be set up in India and forms part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Park. It is located 36 kms from Ooty via Kalhatty and 67 kms via Gudalur. From Mysore it is 91 kms away. This Sanctuary extends over an area of 321 sq. kms in the junction of the three states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. It is at an elevation of 1,140 mtrs. A variety of habitat ranging from tropical evergreen forest, moist deciduous forest, moist teak forest, dry teak forest, secondary grasslands swamps are found here.It is rich in wildlife, like Elephants, Gaur, Tiger, Panthere, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Barking Deer,wild boar, Porcupine etc., birds like-Minivets,Hornbill,fairy blue birds, jungle fowls etc., and reptiles like python, monitor lizards flying lizards etc. You can take a ride into the jungle on the elephant back or take a vehicle ride along designated visitor's route inside the jungle. The elephant rides have to be booked at Body.The Mayor River and the life around it is an experience by itself. The Theppakadu elephant camp is a popular tourist attraction.
Fishing in the Nilgiris
Both fly fishing and spinning methods could prove and adventure to fish hunters. Trout fishing is available in Avalanche lake with prior permission from the Fisheries Department, located near the Ooty Bus stand.
Snooker
Snooker was invented in the Nilgiris at the Ooty Club. Today, apart from the Ooty Club, Coonoor Club, gymkhana Club, the Lawely Institute and the bigger hotles, there are quite a few snooker parlours in town offering good entertainment.
Golfing
The Ooty Golf Course is unique and playing on it is an exceptional experience. It is an 18 whole natural golf course located at a height of 1,400 ft above MSL and is spread over an area of 193 acres. It is said that if you can play to a single digit handicap on this course, you and play under par anywhere in the world.
Horse Racing
A very popular sport during the summer months of April, May and June. You can see the thoroughbreads in action here. The race course, located in the heart of Ooty, is about 2.4 km long and is one of the best courses in India.
Coonoor
Situated at an altitude of 2000 ft and only 17 kms from Udhagamandalam, this is the first of the hill stations. Coonoor is a small town with an equable climate that has made it popular as a hill resort in its own left. The main attraction is the Sim's Park, which is a small well-maintained botanical garden that has several varieties of plants not to be found in the other hill stations. Viewpoints and picnic spots around Coonoor include Lambs Rock, Lady Canning's Seat, Dolphin's Nose, St Catherine Falls, Law's Falls, Ralliah Dam and Droog.
Sims Park
This garden was laid out in 1874 Mr.J.D. Sim, the then Secretary to Government and Major Murray, acting Superintendent of the Nilgiris forest and the park was named after the former. Though this was started as a pleasure resort for the residents and visitors, the park has now developed into Garden. M.S.L.The Park cum botanical garden contains many species of trees and shrubs not found in Ooty. Annual Fruit and Vegetables show is held every year in May here attracts tourists in large numbers. Pomological research station located near Sim's park can also be seen which do research on nursery plants and fruits. The Pasteur Institute may also be seen just across Sim's Park which produces anti-rabi Vaccine, DTP, DT, and TT.
Dolphins Nose
Ideally visited in the morning, this view point is located about 12 kms from Coonoor near Tiger Hill. Amidst dense Sholas Criss-Crossed by winding road, you can get a beautiful view of the Catherine falls from here.
Lamb's Rock
This view point is within a reserve forest about 8 kms from the Coonoor Bus Stand. Overlooked a sheer precipice of several hundred metres with a phenomenal view of vast stretches of forests all the way to the Coimbatore plains. Between January and March, the trees become extremely colourful.To be one with nature in the Nilgiris, you have to get into the wilderness and trek. The Grasslands and Sholas of the Nilgiris form a unique eco-system and a wonderful terrain to trek through. Endemic species like the rare Nilgiris Marten (dog like arboric animal) the Nilgiris Black Buck, the Mouse Deer, the Nilgiris Tahr amongst others and a wealth of bird life like the Nilgiris Pippet, etc make Nilgiris a dream destination for nature lovers. Explore the wealth of this land revel in the experience. Best time to visit through out the year expect when the sanctuary and National Park are closed normally between Mid-January and Mid-April.
Lady Canning's Seat
Lady Canning's seat is about 8 kms. from Coonoor bus stand and further along the same road as that to Lamb's Rock. It is perhaps the loveliest point in the heart of the woods. Lady Canning, the wife of the Viceroy, was found of this spot which commands a panoramic view of the numerous tea estates, Lamb's Rock, the Droog, the Lampton's Peak all could be seen one above the other and even Mettupalayam is visible at a distance.
Law's Fall
7 kms from Coonoor, set inside the Coonoor forest range with vast stretches of undisturbed sholas, the Laws falls is a paradise for naturalists. The water fall is very wild and rocky.
Katery Falls
A diversion from Coonoor on the Kundah Road about 1 km from kendala Village. Water from the Katery dam flows as a falls. This is one of the highest falls in the Nilgiris.
The Droog
17 kms from Coonoor. One has to go up to Nonsuch Estate and trek down for about 4 kms. In this spot a dilapidated fort is there which was said that Tippu Sultan used this fort as outpost. The peak stands at an elevation of about 2000metres and directly overlooks the plans.
Kotagiri
It is 31 kms, From Udhagamandalam. The climate is very salubrious which 6503 feet above sea level is. Kotagiri is shielded by the Doddabetta ranges which receive much of its rain from north west monsoon. One can enjoy a pleasure ride on road flanked by green tea beds on either side.
Needle Rock:
It is 8 km. on the way to Ooty Gudalur road, this view point gives you a 360 degree view. The sunset from here on clear days is guaranteed to take your breath away. A panaromic view of the Mudumalai Wild life Sanctuary and Gudalur town far below is a visual treat from this view point.
Frog Hill View Point
It is about 12 km. on the Gudalur - Ooty road. From here one can see frog shape of a hill view.
Santhanamalai Murugan Temple
The temple, where you can realize the wonders of nature, is 19 km. from Gudalur. It is surrounded by Valleys, streams and water falls which sound is very soothing and mesmeric effect. One can enjoy by seeing Cardamom, Clove, Pepper, Tea and Coffee planatations on the way to the temple.
Numbalakottah
8 km. from Gudalur. A shrine of Betterayasamy (Lord of the Hunts) with sub-shrine built in kerala style is there. Wynad scenes are visible from here.
Nellakotta
20 kms. From Gudalur. A few ruins of historical ummatur dynasty can be seen here.
Nelliyalam
20 kms. From Gudalur, A few ruins of historical Ummatur dynasty can be seen here.
Cherambadi
35 kms Gudalur It is extreme western corner, which has plantations, and mica mine. Sultan's Battery is very near.
