Endless mist pervading gorgeous and expansive hills, a breezy cool weather throughout the year, wide patches of lush greenery, a fun trekking experience, wild bisons idling amongst eucalyptus trees -- these are some of the things you’d associate with a trip to Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu. Yet there’s a place just nearby that harbours the same charm and pleasantness, that offers the same enriching experiences but without the crowdedness that you’d expect out of the former.
This is the village of Vattakanal, and it’s quite the charming little hill station in the Western Ghats. At a height of about 2011 m and towards the western edge of Tamil Nadu, Vattakanal is a small hamlet at a distance of about 7-8 km from Kodaikanal. The name of the place translates from Tamil into ‘circle of forest’ -- and it is indeed quite accurate. The abundance of flora here not only freshen the air but also make for endearing scenery. One shouldn’t miss out on visiting it, especially if they’re in Kodaikanal.
Places to See
Ridges, cliffs forests, gorgeous path trails, and waterfalls are some of the elements of Vattakanal’s natural beauty and constitute its major attractions:
1. Vattakanal Falls
Quite the gorgeous sight to behold, these falls can entice all those who choose to visit. Staying in this wonderful lap of nature, paying close attention to the meditative sound of water hitting the rocks as birds chirp in nearby trees, you’d find yourself mesmerised! This site is ideal for picnic with friends or family. Additionally, the beauty of these falls get especially heightened during monsoons when the falling waters form a clear, cold pool: some tourists even opt for taking a dip! At a distance of about 3 km from Vattakanal, these falls should definitely be your priority if you travel to Vattakanal, attempt nature photography, or simply intend to relax.
2. Vattakanal Shola Tree Nursery
If you’re enthralled by the diverse flora of Vattakanal on your visit and find yourself curious about it, then Vattakanal’s Shola Tree Nursery is the place you should be consider visiting. Maintained by the Vattakanal Conservation Trust, this nursery houses native shola trees and engages in distributing and planting them all across the village. There’s also hundreds of rare species of plants here. The nursery also has a glasshouse. If you’re a nature lover, then this is certainly not an experience to be missed.
3. Dolphin’s Nose
A half an hour trek downhill for those light on their feet, Dolphin’s Nose is essentially a rock protruding from the mountain. Standing upon its narrow surface and gazing at the valley down below, you find yourself at once scared and wonderstruck. The experience becomes downright spooky when the mists are intense, whereas on a clear day you get to see a vast expanse of hills as well as the town of Periyakulam. As with most locations in Vattakanal, some of the most memorable and picaresque visits are to made during the early morning hours. All in all, Dolphin’s Nose be has come to characterise the thrilling yet awe-inspiring experience that Vattakanal is capable of providing!
4. Echo Point
A mere ten minutes walk from Dolphin’s Nose, Echo Point is yet another unique vantage point that Vattakanal has offer. Here you can -- as the name suggests -- scream your name and the hills would reverberate it back at you! It makes for quite an eerie yet interesting experience. Overlooking lofty ridges and distant valleys, it still makes for a great view. The trail to this point is lined with shrubberies and plants, so be sure to watch out for those and pluck a few ripe Avocados straight from the belly of nature!