Coonoor
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By Air
Air Timing at Coimbatore
The nearest airport is in Coimbatore, 100 km away. You can catch a direct flight to Coimbatore from Chennai, Kozhikode, Bangalore and Mumbai. Indian Airlines flies Delhi-Kochi via Mumbai and Coimbatore.
The nearest airport is in Coimbatore, 100 km away. You can catch a direct flight to Coimbatore from Chennai, Kozhikode, Bangalore and Mumbai. Indian Airlines flies Delhi-Kochi via Mumbai and Coimbatore.
By Train
Train Timing at Coimbatore
Train Timing at Mettupalayam
Nearest broad gauge railway head is Mettupalayam (46 kms). Major broadgauge railway junction is Coimbatore. It is connected with all major cities. Mettupalayam to Ooty, is connected by a Mountain Railway which is 4 hours journey.
At a height of 2,600m stands Udhagamandalam (Ooty) the Queen of Hill Stations. The 'Nilgiri toy train' connects Ooty to Mettupalayam, at the foot of the Nilgiris.
The constructions of this line was a big challenge as the terrain is rather tricky. It was in 1854 that the first plans were drawn to built a mountain railway from Mettupalayam to the Nilgiri Hills.
But it was a good 45 years later in 1899 that the first train chugged up this track. This railway is widely regarded as a marvel of engineering. The train itself is a charming blue and cream with wooden coaches and large windows. It is hauled uphill by steam engines, desgined and built by the Swiss Locomotive Works. Twelve of such locomotive engines survive even today.
The train covers the 46 km to Udhagamandalam in four - and - half hours. There are five stations between Mettupalayam and Coonoor - Kallar, Adderley, Hill Grove, Runnymede and Kateri - and, at one time, there were five between Coonoor and Ooty too. Though Wellington, Aruvakadu, Ketti, and Lovedale are still functional, Fern Hill, the last one, was closed down a few years ago.
Nearest broad gauge railway head is Mettupalayam (46 kms). Major broadgauge railway junction is Coimbatore. It is connected with all major cities. Mettupalayam to Ooty, is connected by a Mountain Railway which is 4 hours journey.
At a height of 2,600m stands Udhagamandalam (Ooty) the Queen of Hill Stations. The 'Nilgiri toy train' connects Ooty to Mettupalayam, at the foot of the Nilgiris.
The constructions of this line was a big challenge as the terrain is rather tricky. It was in 1854 that the first plans were drawn to built a mountain railway from Mettupalayam to the Nilgiri Hills. But it was a good 45 years later in 1899 that the first train chugged up this track. This railway is widely regarded as a marvel of engineering. The train itself is a charming blue and cream with wooden coaches and large windows. It is hauled uphill by steam engines, desgined and built by the Swiss Locomotive Works. Twelve of such locomotive engines survive even today.
The train covers the 46 km to Udhagamandalam in four - and - half hours. There are five stations between Mettupalayam and Coonoor - Kallar, Adderley, Hill Grove, Runnymede and Kateri - and, at one time, there were five between Coonoor and Ooty too. Though Wellington, Aruvakadu, Ketti, and Lovedale are still functional, Fern Hill, the last one, was closed down a few years ago.
Extensive rice fields surround the 7 km stretch between Mettupalayam and Kallar. Soon after is an impressive 21 km section through truly rocky terrain. The track passes over 26 viaducts, and twists and bends through 13 tunnels. After a steep climb, the train enters Coonoor, the little hill station known for its tea plantations. From here, the track is uphill till you reach Fern Hill at a height of 2,218m, the highest point on the railroad. Shortly before Ooty, the line dips downhill. If you enjoy taking pictures, keep your camera ready for a few shots of the viaduct between Kallar and Adderley.
This ride is sure to turn the most hardened rail critic into an avid fan. You'll delight in the edge - of -the - seat twists and turns as the train runs cross tall grider bridges, and over green hills before gently meandering through rolling tea estates. The exhaust beat of the loco never falters, maintaining a defening staccato which can be heard for miles around. Truly a journey to remember.
By Road
Road Distance from Coonoor
Ooty is well connected by good roads.
There is a regular bus service from Bangalore, Mysore, Coimbatore, Calicut, Kanyakumari, Tanjavur, Tirupati and Cochin. Buses ply regularly to Mudhumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Kotagiri, Coonoor and Doddabeta.
Local Transports
City Bus, Taxi and and Call Taxi Auto available.
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Sim's Park
The park is situated in a deep ravine on the Northern side of Coonoor Railway Station at an elevation of 1768 to 1798 mts. The park can be divided into eight major sections. The natural shola with winding footpaths all over the higher slopes of the park is the most distinctive and picturesque feature of this park. This apart a number of individual tree specimens planted in a scattered fashion all over the place, lend a special charm to the park, specially when they bloom in different seasons throughout the year.
Sim's Park Photo Gallery..........
Pasteur Institute
Located opposite to the Sim's Park, this institute was established in 1907. It is a famous Institute doing research on Rabbies and giving effective treatment to persons bitten by a rabid animals. One of the most important projects of this Institute is the manufacture of Polio Vaccine.
For More Details +91- 423 - 2236289
Lush Green Tea Gardens enroute Coonoor
Pomological Station
This is one of the three experimental fruit gardens in the Nilgris maintained by the Horticultural Department. The other two are Burliar and Kallar on the Coonoor - Mettupalayam ghat road. Apples, Plums, Peaches, Persinments, Lemons, Apricots and Pomogranates are grown here for the purpose of research. Surplus fruits and fruit based jams are sold to the public.
Silk Rearing Station
Adjoining the Pasteur Institute there is a Silk Rearing Station maintained by the Central Silk Board. The Sericultural experts at this station may be contacted for special assistance.
Laws Falls
The Place is a beautiful picnic spot, situated at Coonoor-Mettupalayam Road at the distance of 7 Kms from Coonoor. The height of the falls is about 180 feet. There are vast stretches of undisturbed sholas and it is a paradise for Naturalists.
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 Caninng'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.
Dolphin's Nose
The view point is 10 Kms from the town. The Nose is a unique rock of tremendous proportions which looks like a Dolphin.
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
. For More Details..........
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. So don't be too surprised if you do see some wild tuskers on the road. Apart from the scenic beauty of the road, the drive through Masinagudi is charming in itself.
The road between Ooty and Coonor is quite forested with hills looming in the distance. Again, there are blind turns and you have to be very careful around the corners. There are a number of fabulous treks in Masinagudi. For refreshments, there are a number of delightful little tea and coffee shacks at Masinagudi.
Droog
The Name sounds ordinary enough; but don’t underestimate Droog. When the photographer and I start off from Coimbatore on a pleasant Morning, we have little inkling of what the place has in store for us. Driving up the Mettupalayam – Coonoor road, our car takes a detour on the last hairpin bend to touch the road leading to Glendale Estate.
The state of the road is a portent of things to come. But we ignore it, much to our discomfort. Turned back by construction workers, we take the longer road passing through Silas to reach Nonsuch Estate route to the Pakkasuran Hill View Point, the watchtower at Droog.
Travel books refer to droog (2000 metres MSL) as home to a crumbling fort constructed by Tipu Sultan. That should have got me thinking. Tipu and I don’t seem to gel – my last trip to one of his forts (Sankari Durg) had to be abandoned half way. Undeterred by such thoughts, I am game to start the climb, brand – new trekking shoes in place, to take in the view from the peak. Even before we reach Nonsuch, the locals tell us the road is bad. But, after sitting through a 3-km long bone crunching journey on a road that has more pebbles than mud; we decide nothing can be worse.
Ever Ending Climb
Droog proves us wrong. Travel books measure the distance to the peak at 3-km. But, since our car is unable to climb a road that was and is now a part – time stream, we walk it from the Nonsuch tea factory. It is a never-ending climb (about 7-km and two odd hours to the top).
After half-an-hour of inching up the steep incline, we refresh ourselves at a hillside stream. The cold, sparkling water keeps us going for a while longer by which time we reach a Tantea estate, the last stop for any vehicle. After that, it is a trudge to the top. There is no semblance of a road and you have to plant your feet firmly on the ground to avoid a free trip on Nature’s sliding board. The sight of cheery – looking everlasting flowers that dot the stretch is some balm to your over-worked muscles. I initially resist the offer of a stick from an estate worker; but soon seek one. That helps, to an extent.
But, the watchtower is still elusive. It is afternoon by now and mist is swirling all over me. I feel like I am in the midst of one big dream sequence. Visibility has dropped and we decide to spot the tower from where we are. After a 10-minute wait, the mist cover parts and the peak seems achingly close, but our feet refuse to move forward any more. Taking in the view from our post through the camera, we make our
Way down disappointed. Those who have been to the top say the scenery from there is a site to behold. What greets you at the watchtower is a view of the Bhadrakaliamman temple at Mettupalayam, the Bhavani Sagar and Pilloor dams and the remnants of the compound of a fort built by Tipu Sultan.
To ensuer you get to see all this, leave early. Reach the summit at least by 11 a.m. After that, the mist determines your plan. If you’re lucky, a tractor that passes by every four hours to pick up tea leaves might give you a lift. Predictably, our luck deserts us yet again.
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