Coonoor is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris, surrounded by tea plantations, at an altitude of 1839 metres. Its climate is milder than Ooty. It is a very popular weekend get away for the people in Coimbatore. Coonoor is essentially a small tea garden town where the weather remains pleasantly cool throughout the year
The Nilgiri Hills are famous for their sublime hill stations. Notable among them is Coonoor, located at the head of the Hulikal ravine at an altitude of 1,800 m above sea level. It is 19 km from Ooty (also, Udhagamandalam or Ootacamund), another famous hill station of the Nilgiris. Coonoor is famous for its verdant environs and for a variety of wildflowers and birds. Coonoor provides a perfect setting for activities like trekking and hiking. It is also famous for its tea plantations and festivals. During summer, this hill town is over-spilled with holidaymakers. Coonoor is also an ideal locale for filmmakers, both from India and abroad. It formed the backdrop for David Lean’s movie A Passage to India (1984) based on E. M. Foster’s novel. Coonoor comes under the Coimbatore-Mettupalayam-Coonoor-Ooty circuit.
Coonoor provides the traveler with the panoramic view of the lush green Nilgiri hills, with its ravines, valleys, and waterfalls. Bird watching is a popular pastime in Coonoor, as the area boasts of a large variety of species like cormorants, pipits, thrushes, parakeets, skylarks, Nilgiri verditer, etc. Travelers can take a walk through the tea gardens. There are number of trekking and hiking trails around Coonoor. Travelers can enjoy the exhilarating and unique ride on the toy train that connects Coonoor with Mettupalayam and Ooty. The trip provides some breathtaking views of the Nilgiri hills in all its natural glory. There are several places to see and visit near Coonoor. The Dolphin’s Nose Viewpoint, which is 10 kms from Coonoor, is an important place to visit. It not only provides a panoramic view of the vast expanse of the Nilgiri hills but also of the famous Catherine Falls.
There are several places to see and visit near Coonoor. The Dolphin’s Nose Viewpoint, which is 10 kms from Coonoor, is an important place to visit. It not only provides a panoramic view of the vast expanse of the Nilgiri hills but also of the famous Catherine Falls.
The Nilgiri Hills are famous for their sublime hill stations. Notable among them is Coonoor, located at the head of the Hulikal ravine at an altitude of 1,800 m above sea level. It is 19 km from Ooty (also, Udhagamandalam or Ootacamund), another famous hill station of the Nilgiris. Coonoor is famous for its verdant environs and for a variety of wildflowers and birds. Coonoor provides a perfect setting for activities like trekking and hiking. It is also famous for its tea plantations and festivals. During summer, this hill town is over-spilled with holidaymakers. Coonoor is also an ideal locale for filmmakers, both from India and abroad. It formed the backdrop for David Lean’s movie A Passage to India (1984) based on E. M. Foster’s novel. Coonoor comes under the Coimbatore-Mettupalayam-Coonoor-Ooty circuit. Coonoor offers panoramic views of the lush green Nilgiri hills, with its ravines, valleys, and waterfalls. One can take a walk through the tea gardens. Bird watching is a popular pastime in Coonoor, as the area boasts of a large variety of species like cormorants, pipits, thrushes, parakeets, skylarks, Nilgiri verditer, etc. One can also enjoy the ride on the toy train, which connects Coonoor with other hill stations in the Nilgiri Hills. The trip provides some breathtaking views of the Nilgiri hills in all its natural glory.
Best Season to Visit Coonoor
Summer is the best season to visit this hilly region which stays cool all round the year. Summer in this area is in the months of March – July.
How to get there
The south Indian city of Coonoor is easily accessible through air, road and rail from the other major Indian cities and states.
Nearest Airport: The nearest airport is located at Coimbatore. The airport at Coimbatore serves several national destinations as well as having a few international routes to Singapore and Sharjah.
Nearest Railhead: The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is one of the oldest mountain railways in India. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway was declared by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in July 2005. This railway links Coonoor to the town of Mettupalayam at the foot of the hills.
By Road: Coonoor is connected by road to Mettupalayam. The road which continues on to Ooty is one of the Nilgiri Ghat Roads and is one of the main access routes for the entire district. Another major road connects Coonoor to Kotagiri via Bandishola and Bettati Tollgate and then this road connects to State Highway 15.
Coonoor Major Travel Attractions.
Dolphins Nose :The Dolphin’s Nose Viewpoint is a must see for all tourists and is just 10 km from the city. A panoramic view of the huge Nilgiri hills and the famous Catherine Falls can be viewed from this place which is situated at a very high altitude.
Sim’s Park
This Park is situated at an elevation of around 1768 meters in a deep ravine on the Northern side of Coonoor Railway Station. The park is built in a different fashion and can be divided into eight major sections. The winding footpaths all over the higher slopes of the park is the most distinctive and picturesque feature of this park which is worth a walk for every tourist. A number of individual tree specimens are scattered all over the place, which lend a special charm to the park. The park becomes all the more special when the flowers bloom in different seasons throughout the year.
Pasteur Institute
This institute was established in 1907 and it is located opposite to the Sim’s Park, which was mentioned above. Pasteur Institute is a very famous Institute where researchers and students conduct experiments on Rabies and give effective treatment to persons bitten by rabid animals. One of the most important contributions of this Institute is the preparation of the Polio Vaccine which has proved to be a boon to the world.
Lamb’s Rock
It is 8 Kms from Coonoor on the way to Dolphin’s Nose. It commands a grand view of the Coimbatore Plains. It is a favourite place for tourists.
Lady Canning’s Seat
From Coonoor it is 9 Kms. It is marked by a small house and commands panoramic view of the tea estates and the plains.
The Droog
This is also a picnic spot which is used by Tippu Sultan as an outpost. It is 15 Kms from Coonoor and stands 6000 feet high overlooking the plains. Three kilometers of trekking has to be done to reach the point
Masinagudi
Masinagudi is 35 kms from Ooty and 18 kms from Coonoor. The drive beyond Masinagudi entails 35 hairpin bends and though these are very enjoyable drives, the trouble is, everyone else seems to think so too. Watch out therefore for maniacs coming tearing down from the opposite side. Masinagudi used to be an elephant corridor. Masinagudi is a great place to see elephants, So don’t be too surprised if you do see some wild tuckers on the road. Apart from the scenic beauty of the road, the drive through Masinagudi is charming in itself.
Pomological Station
This is one of the three experimental fruit gardens in the Nilgris and provides a splendid view. The other two gardens are the Burliar and Kallar on the Coonoor – Mettupalayam ghat highway. A lot of fruits such as Apples, Plums, Peaches, Persinments, Lemons, Apricots and Pomogranates, different hybrids are grown here for the purpose of research. Surplus fruits and fruit based jams are sold to the public, which are quite in demand.
Laws Falls
This place serves as a lovely picnic spot, situated at Coonoor – Mettupalayam Road at the distance of just 7 km from Coonoor and hence is very popular. The altitude of the falls is about 180 feet. Vast stretches of undisturbed sholas make it a paradise for all nature lovers.
Activities to Do in Coonoor
Golfing in Coonoor
For those who have a knack for playing golf, Coonoor can be an ideal haven to retreat to during vacations. One of the most popular golf courses in India, the Wellington Golf Course Coonoor is spread over a large area and is surrounded in the midst of exotic landscape. The serenity of the place coupled with its picturesque beauty adds to the charm and charisma of the place. Due to this, the Wellington Golf Course has become hugely popular among film crews, who film in this area.
Trekking In Coonoor
The trek along this path will let you explore most of the tourist attractions which lie around Coonoor. Start the trek by climbing up to Lamb’s Rock, just nine km from Coonoor. Lamb”s Rock is set high on a hill that offers sweeping views of the plains. Further along the road from Coonoor, past Lamb’s Rock, lies Lady Canning’s Seat, named for the wife of the viceroy. Like Lamb’s Rock, Lady Canning’s Seat offers a spectacular view of the Nilgiris.
Carry on from Lady Canning’s Seat to the towering rock known as Dolphin’s Nose. About 12 km from Coonoor, Dolphin’s Nose is shaped much like the snout of a rising dolphin and is a great spot for taking photographs. From here you can also spot Catherine Falls. On the trek back towards Coonoor, do a detour to Law’s Falls, about five km from Coonoor, along the road to Mettupalayam. The falls, near the junction of the Coonoor and Katteri rivers, are a popular tourist attraction.
From Law’s Falls, head for the Droog, about 13 km from Coonoor. Also known as Pakkasuran Kottai, The Droog, is where there is a 16th century fort which is believed to have been used by the ruler of Mysore, Tipu Sultan, in his battles against the British. The fort, which is situated at a height of about 750 mt, has a number of medicinal springs in the vicinity, of which the most famous is the Maan Sunai (`Deer Spring’), which is never touched by the rays of the sun.
Coonoor Accommodation:
Coonoor has plenty of accommodation options to suit all budgets and they range from family run guest houses to government rest houses. So take your pick.
