Coonoor

Coonoor is a famous hill station that is 17 km from Ooty in Tamil Nadu, India. It is probably the second most popular hill station in the Nilgiris. The hill station stands at a height of 1839 meters and is known for its great picnic spots and picturesque surroundings. Coonoor is also famous for tea gardens and tea factories.

One of the popular trekking trails leads Tourists to Lamb’s Rock that is 9 km from Coonoor. Lamb’s Rock overlooks the Coimbatore plains, providing a spectacular view of the tea and coffee plantations. A little ahead of Lamb’s Rock is located the Lady Canning’s Seat that offers a panoramic view of the Nilgiris.

Tourist can trek from Lady Canning’s Seat to Dolphin’s Seat, which is located 12 km from Coonoor. Also, you can trek to Law’s Falls, which is located 5 km from Coonoor. You can then trek from the falls to Droog that is located at a distance of 13 km from Coonoor.

Droog is also known as Pakkasuran Kottai. You will find the ruins of a 16th century fort in Droog. The fort is located at a height of 750 m, and there are innumerable medicinal springs in the vicinity.

Coonoor is the first hill-station once one gets off the hot and humid plains of Tamil Nadu. The other two are the well-known Ooty and the lesser known Kotagiri. Coonoor is serviced by the Niligiri Blue Mountain Railway and is good for a short stay, perhaps an extended weekend. It offers panoramic views of the Niligiris, its hills and valleys lush with tea shrubs and eucalyptus trees. There is a quaint hill market which peddles leaf tea and essential oils. Although the height of summer is peak season, winter too is enjoyable in its own special way.