Blessed with abundant natural beauty, scenic landscapes, majestic lakes, romantic trails and more, Kodaikanal has always managed to lure travellers & nature seekers from near & far. Not only, Kodaikanal is regarded as one of the most popular hill stations in South India but it’s also been crowned the title of ‘The Princess of Hills’. It is also a popular honeymoon destination in Tamil Nadu because of its breathtaking beauty.
The name Kodaikanal translates to "gift of the forest," and the hill station was developed into a retreat in the mid-nineteenth century by British missionaries who used it as their summer capital.
Slowly over time, more tourists got attracted to the area, and Kodaikanal became one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Witness the captivating charm of the mist-covered hills or catch the cottony clouds playing hide and seek with the highlands. When it comes to visiting Kodaikanal tourist places, travellers, particularly nature lovers, have plenty of options.
Here are the top 10 Kodaikanal tourist places that you can bookmark for your upcoming trip to ‘The Princess of Hills’.
1. Kodai Lake
Located in the heart of Kodaikanal, Kodai Lake makes for a perfect place to soak in nature or take a stroll in the evening, zipping through pristine beauty. Kodai Lake is a man-made lake, and also ranks as one of the most exquisite tourist places in Kodaikanal. Vera Levinge was the man behind the creation of this lake.
The star-shaped lake is strategically located in the heart of Kodaikanal, surrounded by the lush green Palani Hills Range, which serves as the lake's main watershed.
Timings: 6 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Time Required: 1.5 hours
Entry Fee: None
How to reach: You can either hire a taxi from the nearest Palani Railway Station (64 km away from Kodai Lake) or directly catch a bus from the Kodaikanal main road. The lake is well connected by road via bus services.
2. Green Valley View (Suicide Point)
Voted as the second-best Kodaikanal tourist place, Green Valley View, also known as Suicide Point, truly deserves to be on your itinerary to Kodaikanal. The viewpoint offers mesmerizing views of the dark & dense valleys, dropping down to 5000 feet below the point.
Timings: 7 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Time Required: 1 hour
Entry Fee: None
How to reach: The suicide point is well connected to the town and other Kodaikanal tourist places by road. You can either catch a bus from the Kodaikanal bus stand (5.5 km away from Green Valley View) or hire a taxi from your hotel.
3. Bear Shola Falls
Bear Shola Falls is one of the most visited among all the other Kodaikanal tourist places due to its undying charm, crystal clear waters & rich biodiversity, marooned by dense woods. This place also makes for an ideal picnic spot and an adventurous trekking destination.
Timings: 10 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Time Required: 2–3 hours
Entry Fee: None
How to reach: You can directly catch a bus from Kodaikanal Bus Stand (3 km away from Bear Shola Falls). Or you can also hire a cab and club this destination with Kodai Lake for a fun-filled day.
4. Thalaiyar Falls
Thalaiyar Falls, also known as Rat Tail Falls, is located on the lush green hillsides of the Palani Hills ranges in Kodaikanal. It is the highest waterfall in Tamil Nadu and the sixth highest waterfall in India, standing at 297 metres. There is a view tower in the park at Dum Dum Rock, from which you can see the falls and the Manjalar Dam.
Timings: 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. (closed on Sundays)
Time Required: 1-2 hours
Entry Fee: None
How to reach: The only way to reach Thalaiyar falls is by hiking as the route is quite inaccessible to the public because of poor road conditions.
5. Pillar Rocks
Pillar Rocks is one of the highly-rated & must-visit destinations among the Kodaikanal tourist places. The location is named after three vertically positioned boulders that reach a height of 400 feet, forming a beautiful mini garden. The allure here is full of passion - David Gell's excellent tribute to love was represented by the 'white cross' that once stood on these rocks. The view of the rocks is not to be missed. They are an unexplored miracle for tourists visiting Kodaikanal.
Timings: 9 A.M to 4 P.M.
Time Required: 45 minutes
Entry Fee: INR 5 per person & INR 20 for a camera
Read more about Kodaikanal trips & weekend getaways here.
6. Coaker's Walk
A beautiful place to stroll in the evening & feel the romance in the air, Coaker's Walk makes for a must-visit spot in Kodaikanal and ranks among the top 10 Kodaikanal tourist places. It is about a half-kilometre walk from Kodaikanal Lake and is built on a steep hillside. The walk begins near Van Allen Hospital and ends just across St. Peter's Church on the main road.
Timings: 7 A.M. to 7 P.M.
Time Required: 1.5 hours
Entry Fee: INR 10 per person and INR 30 for a camera
How to reach: Coaker's Walk is quite accessible by road and you can reach the destination either by a public bus via St Mary’s Road or hire a private cab.
7. Devil’s Kitchen (Guna Caves)
One of the most unique & natural heritage sites, Devil’s Kitchen, also boasts to be the best hiking destination amongst all the other Kodaikanal tourist places and deserves to be on your itinerary. It rose to popularity only after a Tamil movie named ‘Guna’ was filmed here in 1992. The enigmatic beauty of the caves is truly a sight for sore eyes and makes for an ideal place to visit for nature lovers & photographers.
Timings: 9 A.M. to 5:30 P.M.
Time Required: 30 minutes
Entry Fee: INR 5 per person and INR 10 for a camera
How to reach: Devil's Kitchen is located on the Pillar Rocks road, which is easily accessible by car. You can also walk down to get a better view of the caves. You can also opt for a trekking trail & make your way to the caves zipping through the Pine Forests.
8. Bryant Park
Situated on the other side of Kodai Lake, Bryant Park boasts to be one of the most popular botanical gardens & attracts a huge number of tourists than any other Kodaikanal tourist place. It’s a great spot to go on a picnic with your family & kids or observe various types of plants.
Timings: 9 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Time Required: 1 hour or more
Entry Fee: INR 30 for Adults & INR 15 for kids
How to reach: Bryant Park is located at a walkable distance from Coaker's walk & can be covered on foot.
9. Kodai-Palani Trek
A popular trekking route, the Kodai-Palani trek is for the ones who crave adventure with a side of scenic beauty. At a height of 6, 998 feet, it is situated on a plateau above the southern cliff face of the Upper Palani Hills and makes for a beautiful yet not-so-explored destination in Kodaikanal.
Time Required: 1 day
Entry Fee: None
How to reach: It’s quite accessible by road and you can reach the destination from Coimbatore, Bangalore, Madurai or Chennai via public bus services.
10. Kukkal Caves
Granulite and charconite, two types of metamorphic rocks, have overhanging slabs that make up the Kukkal Caves. More than 30 families resided on the hilltop, where a small temple was also located, up until the mid-1980s. The Kukkal caves are one of the highest points in Kodaikanal, tucked at the height of 6200 feet above sea level.
Timings: 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Time Required: 1-2 hours
Entry Fee: None
How to reach: You can catch a bus to Poombaraj (the nearest spot to the Kukkal’s caves) and then reach the destination on foot. Hiring a local is advisable.
Where to stay in Kodaikanal for a perfect nature escape & proximity to Kodaikanal tourist places?
If you are thinking of where to stay in Kodaikanal? Well, fret not. We have got your back! Kodaikanal is sprouted with several beautiful resorts & eco retreats located near the popular tourist places, where you can gaze at the clouds & watch the rolling hills or sense the aroma of coffee as you sip on a freshly brewed one.
You can find more about the best resorts in Kodaikanal here
Best time to plan a visit to Kodaikanal tourist places
The best time to visit Kodaikanal tourist places is around the summer from April to June, when the temperature stays between 20-30 degrees Celsius, and makes for an ideal time to explore Kodaikanal tourist places, go sightseeing, trekking, or venture out on other outdoorsy activities.
Book a trip to Kodaikanal on Tripoto here.
So, of all the places listed above, which of the following Kodaikanal tourist places are you most likely to visit? Do let us know in the comments below.
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