In the famous Nilgiri hills lies a beautiful hill station called “Coonoor”. This hill station is located in the state of Tamil Nadu in the Nilgiris district. The presence of the lush green Nilgiri Hills adds not only to the greenery but also to the beauty of Coonoor. This hill station is famous for the presence of exotic birds such as parakeets, skylarks, Nilgiriverditeretc and hence it is considered a “paradise” for bird watchers. It is also famous for the presence of large tea plantations and, walking through these tea plantations is said to be an experience itself. So if you are a nature enthusiast who is also looking for some adventure in form of hiking and trekking then “Coonoor” is a destination that you must explore.
Read More: DO YOU KNOW WHY COONOOR IS A WORTH VISIT INDIAN HILL STATION?
How to reach Coonoor
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Coonoor Map
By train:
This scenic town has its own railway station which forms a part of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a World Heritage Site. It is a train called “Nilgiri Mountain Train” running between Mettupalyam and Ooty that halts at Coonoor station. While Coimbatore junction is the closest broad gauge railway station available which is well connected to most of the major cities in the country.
By road:
Regular state bus services to Coonoor are provided from places within the state like Coimbatore, Ooty etc. Additionally, regular private bus services from Mettupalayam are also available. Chennai and Puducherry are starting points located in close proximity to Coonoor.
a. How to reach Coonoor from Chennai : The shortest route to reach Coonoor from Chennai is via NH79 as depicted in the map above. Alternatively, click on the Google Maps link here to view on Google Maps.
b. How to reach Coonoor from Puducherry : The fastest route from Puducherry to Coonoor is via NH544 and NH79 and the route map is depicted above. Alternatively, click on the Google Maps link here to view on Google Maps.
By flight:
The closest domestic airport to Coonoor is Coimbatore’s Peelamdeu Airport. This airport is well connected to major cities like Bangalore and Chennai. On the other hand the nearest international airport is the Bangalore airport.
Climate and best time to visit Coonoor
With Coonoor being located at an elevation of 1850 meters above sea level the climate is pleasant throughout. With the temperatures during the summer season from March to May varying from a maximum of 25 degrees to a minimum of 15 degrees. While during winter the temperature varies from 10 degrees minimum to 20 degrees maximum. While the rainfall received during the monsoon season can be termed as “mild-to-medium”. Although Coonoor can be visited anytime the summer months of March to May is the best time for tourists.
Places to Visit Around Coonoor
Droog Fort: The only option to reach this fort is trekking. Located at an elevation of 6000 feet, this fort, according to the legends, was used by Tipu Sultan as one of the outposts. It is also known as BakasuraMalai. One has to go through the Nonsuch Tea Estate to access the fort.
Catherine Falls: Falling from a height of 250 feet, the Catherine Falls is visible from the top of Dolphin’s Nose. The landscape below is simply breathtaking.
Dolphin’s Nose: This is a unique kind of rock formation that appears like the nose of a dolphin. The ravines on either of the sides are truly ravishing.
Lamb’s Rock: This is a picnic spot that one will come across enroute to Dolphin’s Nose. The rock here is a scraggy cliff that goes down to several hundred feet into the jungle. The Hulical ravine flows on its right hand side. It offers a mesmerizing view of the plains of Coimbatore.
Hidden Valley: The region surrounding Coonoor, the Hidden Valley, is too charming to look at. One has to trek to reach the valley in order to enjoy the lush greenery all around. The impressive mountain views make the trek worthy.
Sim’s Park: An unconventional botanical garden, Sim’s Park was founded by Mr. J.D. Sims and Major Murray in 1874. The park is home to some unusual plant species that have been brought from different corners of the world. An annual fruit and vegetable show is held here.
Other places of interests that you can plan to visit while in Coonoorinclude Red Hills, Bellikkal, Mudumalai, Masinagudi, Ooty, Coimbatore, Wayanad, Bandipur National Park, Mysore, and Munnar.
Accommodation – Hotels, Resorts and Home Stays in and around Coonoor:
Click on the link here to check out the places to stay near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu on Google Maps.
Also Read: WHY IS OOTY ONE OF THE MOST VISITED HILL STATION IN INDIA?