NELLIYAMPATHY HILLS
Cradled in the wilderness of The Western Ghats, The Nelliyampathy hills with its scenic setting, salubrious weather and breathtaking landscape is a verdant delight. This charming hill station offers a welcome antidote to the scorching summer heat.
From the small town of Nenmara starts the eye soothing, mind refreshing and soul uplifting journey to the Nelliyampathy hills via Nenmara- Nelliyampathy road. The first halt will be the Pothundy Dam.
POTHUNDY DAM:
A beautiful picnic location with boating facilities and a well maintained garden that has kids play area. The dam was constructed in the 19th century with a mixture of Jaggery and Limestone across the tributaries of the Ayalar river. One can walk through the pathway along the reservoir and be mesmerised by the Ghat beauty.
From Pothundy, start the steep and winding roads to Nelliyampathi encompassed by enchanting waterfalls, mystical woods, tea plantations and several other attractions. The view of the Pothundy Dam from the hilltop is breathtaking and there are various viewpoints spread across the hairpins from where one can view most parts of Palakkad district and parts the adjoining state of Tamil Nadu.
The Nelliyampathy hills are of varying heights ranging from 467m to 1572m and hence there will be slight variations in the temperature as well. These hills are famous for coffee, tea, cardamom and orange plantations. There are various hotels, resorts and privately managed bio farms along the hill.
PALAGAPANDY ESTATE:
The estate is caped with acres of tea, coffee and cardamom and is thoroughly divine( especially during the monsoon). The place houses an old bungalow built during the British rule which has now been converted into a private resort.
SEETHARKUNDU VIEWPOINT:
A little further from Palagapandi is Seetharkundu which adorns a 100 ft high waterfall. The cascade reaches the valley below to form a tributary of Gayathripuzha. It is believed that Rama, Lakshmana and sita from the epic Ramayana found sanctuary near these falls during Vanavasa. The legendary belief that Sita took a bath here gives the place its name “Seetarkundu”.
TREKKING AT NELLIYAMPATHY:
The Community Hall at Kaikatty serves as an ideal camping place for trekkers. It is a jeep safari that starts at 8 am and may continue till 3 pm. If you are lucky enough, you can also catch glimpses of wildlife at the hills in the form of elephants, leopards, Giant squirrels, deer and a number of rare migratory birds (especially hornbills).
In short, Nelliyampathy is the ideal destination for nature walks, birdwatching and simply doing nothing but enjoying nature at its best.
CLIMATE: Nelliyampathy can be visited at any time of the year. It’s always beautiful.
Summers (March- May) at Nelliyampathy are pleasant with a temperature staying within the range 20 to 33 degrees and hence may be a good time for trekking.
Monsoons (mid May- Aug) are constantly wreathed in black clouds adding to the beauty of the hill station. This would be the best time for nature walks.
Winters (Nov- Feb) are usually very cold with a temperature range of 15 to 28 degrees.
LOCATION: 61.5 Kilometres from Palakkad town. The nearest railway station is palakkad railway station. You can either hire a taxi or avail public transport. There are frequent buses along the hair pin.
