Top 10 Best Places To Visit In Valparai, Tamil Nadu

Towering at a height of 3500 feet above sea level is a part of the Anamalai Hills of Western Ghats that deserve to be visited at least once. And, once you travel to this majestic locale, it’s guaranteed that you will keep on visiting this spectacular destination! That is the magic of Valparai, a picturesque and quaint hill station located in the district of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

Top 10s Only has compiled a list of the Top 10 Best Places To Visit In Valparai. Now let’s take a look at the main attractions of this place that finds itself to be one of the lesser-known hill stations in Tamil Nadu, that’s slowly becoming popular.

Time To Explore The Top 10 Best Tourist Places In Valparai, Tamil Nadu

Looking for the top Valparai tourist attractions? Look no further because this article takes an in-depth look at some of the most popular tourist attractions that typically attract travellers who seek a connection with Mother Nature. Surrounded by lush forest reserves, vast tea plantations, and sprawling coffee estates, Valparai boasts some of the most breathtaking sights for photography enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. And let’s not forget the heart-racing 40 hairpin curves on the ascent from Pollachi to Valparai, which offer a truly unforgettable experience amidst the verdant green forests and tea plantations. Moreover, bird watchers also adore Valparai as it is a haven for exotic bird species.

Just a few hill stations have as many dams as Valparai. Nirar Dam, Aaliyar Dam, and Sholayar Dam are some of the hill range’s most well-known dams. Monkey Waterfalls and Chinnakallar Waterfalls are just a couple of the many gems that adorn this region, which is blessed with an abundance of rainfall and verdant greenery. The Nilgiri Tahr is an endangered wild ungulate that inhabits the Valparai range. The habitat of these mountain goats is mostly restricted to altitudes between 1200 and 2600m in the southern Western Ghats. They like open terrain, cliffs, and slopes covered in grass. Before hunting and widespread habitat loss, their range stretched far and wide over these hills, but they are now restricted to a small number of remote locations, such as the Anaimalai Hills. You may be lucky enough to spot them.

Without further ado, let’s take a good look at the Top 10 Best Places To Visit In Valparai, Tamil Nadu.

1. Upper Sholayar Dam

This is one of Valparai’s best tourist places. Upper Sholayar Dam is situated approximately 20 km from Valparai. The dam is surrounded by lush green hills, which is a sight to behold and great for photography. It is the second deepest dam in Asia. As you drive along the roadside of the dam, prepare to be awestruck by the breathtaking beauty that surrounds you. The sheer magnificence of the scenery will stay etched in your memory forever. The area surrounding the dam is quite perfect for delightful picnics. It’s an exhilarating experience to stand under the dam walls as the gates open. Even while you are simply travelling on the curving roads of Valparai, you can take in the splendour of the Upper Sholayar Dam. 

Best Time To Visit Upper Sholayar Dam

The months between June and September are the best time to visit Upper Sholayar Dam as the rain is minimal and the climate is pleasant. Early mornings or evenings are the best times to visit as it is neither too hot nor cold during those times. It only takes about 30 minutes to reach the dam from the town.

2. Tea Estate Garden

One of the top 10 tourist attractions in Valparai, Tamil Nadu, and a source of their economic income comes from the humble cup of tea! Various tea estates can be found across Valparai. There are several Tea Estate Bungalows in Valparai for tourists to stay in. From the guesthouse’s rooms, you can see the vast tea plantations. You can drink fresh tea produced with premium leaves from these tea gardens and enjoy the overall experience of engaging with the locals and learning about manufacturing tea from them. 

Best Time To Visit Tea Estate Garden

Even though you can visit Tea Estates all year round, summertime is the best time to visit and explore the terrain. This is because the summertime temperature in Valparai is excellent for the tea plants to thrive.

3. Birala Waterfalls (Birla Waterfalls)

This is one of the best places to explore in Valparai for nature lovers. Birala Waterfalls, referred to sometimes as the Birla Waterfalls locally, is one of the main attractions in the Valparai region. Located in the Solaiyar area, Birala Waterfall is 2 kilometres from Valparai. The Nadumalai River, a permanent river that runs through Valparai, provides water to the springs that feed this waterfall, which has its source in the Grassy Highlands of the Valparai Mountains. Birala waterfalls is a treasured tourist destination for its picturesque natural beauty and is a superb place for photography enthusiasts. 

Best Time To Visit Birala Waterfalls

If you want to enjoy Birala Waterfall in its full glory, the best months to go are from February to May.

4. Koozhangal River View

Here’s another best Valparai place to see that you shouldn’t miss. The Koozhangal River View is a riverbank viewpoint situated in Valparai and is about 2.5 kilometres from Valparai Bus Terminal. It is a beautiful picnic spot for tourists to relax and refresh. The location is well known for its slow-moving shallow waters with pebble stone bottom and lush grassy surroundings. The river’s clean clear water is perfect for swimming. An after-swim stroll along the grassy surrounding is all you need to refresh your mind. This is a good and safe place for families with kids, as the water is shallow and slow-moving. The picturesque surrounding of the tea estate makes for great photography.

Best Time To Visit Koozhangal River

Koozhangal river can be visited throughout the year as the waters are slow-moving and shallow.

5. Nirar Dam

Here’s a Valparai hill station must-visit place. Located in Valparai at a distance of 9 kilometres from the bus station is Nirar Dam. It is an interesting place to visit in Valparai. The dam was erected as an element of a hydroelectric power plant that serves many of the plains’ businesses and residences. Also, it is crucial for agriculture and provides water to areas in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The dam is situated amidst lush green hills and forests. It seems to blend with the landscape and beautify it. Nirar Dam is a spot that ought to be on your travel itinerary. The 8 km long tunnel which links the Nirar Dam to the Solaiyar Dam offers another exciting and unique experience. 

Best Time To Visit Nirar Dam

The best time to visit is from September to March when the weather is quite pleasant.

6. Manampalli Forest

Here’s one of the top 10 places in Valparai, Tamil Nadu for tourists that you simply cannot miss. Manampalli Forest is a highly reserved shola forest in Valparai’s Anamalai Tiger Reserve, 25 kilometres from the Valparai bus station. It is one of the great sites to go trekking in Valparai and is located between Valparai and Sholayar Dam. Manampalli is the best trekking destination for adventure seekers because of its lush Shola jungles, rapid rivers, and magnificent peaks. The Manompally River graces this region, which is recognized for its diverse flora and fauna. You can spot Bison, Deer, Elephants, and other endangered species here while trekking. Manampalli has a rustic little guest house at its slopes that can double as a base camp for hikers. The guest house, which is solar-powered and situated in the middle of a forest, has no electricity. Since there are no local facilities for cooking, visitors must carefully pack everything they’ll need for the trekking. In the base camp, assistance is provided by a caretaker.

Best Time To Visit Manampalli Forest

Summertime is ideal to visit the forest. You need to take prior approval from the head office in Pollachi or contact DFO if you plan on staying in the forest guest house. Timings are from 6 am to 6 pm. Public transportation is available.

7. Chinnakallar Falls

Chinnakallar Falls is among the ten best places to visit in Valparai in Tamil Nadu. It is located in Chinna Kallar village at a distance of 14 kilometres from Valparai Bus station. Chinnakallar falls is famed for its untamed scenic grandeur, surrounded by lush green jungle and narrow roads. This area receives the third-highest rainfall in India after Cherrapunji and Mawsynram. Above the waterfall, a hanging bridge has been built, which offers captivating views of the thundering waterfall and dense forests. Since it receives rainfall throughout the year, the Chinnakallar falls is always cloaked with mist and clouds. This is a spot that ought to be on your travel itinerary. The fall is accessed after a 600 meters daring trek through a narrow track of bushes. Once in the waters, one needs to be careful about leeches. The place is also a natural habitat of elephants, so you may encounter them on your way to the waterfalls. It is best you come in the company of a local guide and not bring children along. 

Best Time To Visit Chinnakallar Falls

November to May is the best time to visit the falls as the rain is minimal. There are no shops around the place, so you should bring your own food and water.

8. Nallamudi Viewpoint

One of Valparai’s ten best tourist places, Nallamudi Viewpoint is located in Nallamudi Tea Estate, around 15 kilometres away from the Valparai bus stand. This is definitely a must-visit spot to add to your travel plan. From among the tea plantation, the Nallamudi viewpoint offers a spectacular view of the tallest peak in South India, Anamudi Peak, surrounded by large tea estates, verdant valleys, and astonishing waterfalls that cascades through sharp cliffs. This stunning viewpoint has been attracting tourists over the years. It is a great place to relax and rewind for nature lovers. To reach this viewpoint, one has to walk uphill through the Nallamudi tea estate. A kilometre into walking, one can view the beauty of the untouched Valparai and Sholayar mountains. 

Best Time To Visit Nallamudi Viewpoint

The viewpoint is enveloped by clouds from September to February, which makes it a good location for taking pictures and enjoying the panorama.

9. Monkey Falls

Monkey Falls is another gem from the 10 best tourist spots in Valparai. Located 38 kilometres away from Valparai Bus Terminal on the Valparai-Pollachi street among the Anamalai Hills is this stunning waterfall. Located close to Aliyar Reservoir, this waterfall thunders down from a peak of 60 feet. It’s a magnificent view to watch the falls enveloped among lush jungles and rocky ridges. As the title implies, in this place you’ll find a lot of monkeys. Therefore, be careful about your belongings. It takes a brief hike through the forest to get to these falls, which are encircled by rocky cliffs. One must obtain advance approval from the Forest Department of Tamil Nadu two weeks prior to trekking. The head office is in Pollachi, and getting permission isn’t difficult. For those who want to know more about the varied flora and fauna that are found around these falls, there are also guided tours available. 

Best Time To Visit Monkey Falls

The prime time to visit Monkey Falls is from October through March.

10. Hornbill View Point And Jungle Walk

This is one of the top 10 best spots in Valparai for family trips. Situated at a distance of 28 kilometres from Valparai, Hornbill View Point and Jungle Walk is a special treat for tourists. The Upper Aliyar Dam, the Kadamparai Powerhouse, luscious green valleys, and majestic waterfalls running between the rocky cliffs of the high mountains can all be seen from Hornbill Viewpoint, which is located on the Pollachi-Valparai Road. The calm environment and spectacular view have been attracting so many tourists over the years. It is a perfect place to relax and rewind your mind. 500 meters of walking is required from Attakatti Checkpost to reach this viewpoint. The scenic view and tranquillity of nature make the walk worth it. You can see hornbill birds on your way to the viewpoint perched up on the trees. 

The Best Time To Visit Hornbill View Point And Jungle Walk

The viewpoint is cloaked by wispy clouds from September to February, making it a perfect location for photography and enjoying the scenery.

One of the most well-liked tourist spots in India is Valparai, thanks to a number of its charms. Valparai is, all things considered, the perfect vacation spot for travellers looking for a unique adventure amidst nature and peace. The rustic charm of this place will leave you mesmerized for days. Well, pack your bags and get going!

There are many less explored hill stations in Tamil Nadu just waiting to be explored. Have you read our article about the Top 10 Best Places To Visit In Kotagiri Hills, Tamil Nadu? We also have an article that lists the awesome places that ought not to miss in yet another lesser-known hill station in Tamil Nadu called Yelagiri. Check out both articles before you plan your next trip to the hills!

Frequently Asked Questions About Valparai

1. What is famous in Valparai?

Valparai is a serene hill station located in the district of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The hilly ranges take pleasure in being a top Valparai tourist attraction. With its rustic charm and pollution-free environment, it’s a great place to connect with mother nature. The place is surrounded by forest reserves, tea plantations, and coffee estates that make for spectacular sight visits and photography. Why not read our article on the Top 10 Best Places To Visit In Valparai, Tamil Nadu to know more about what makes Valparai famous?

2. Is Valparai worth visiting?

In Valparai, you may visit several stunning locations, including reservoirs, tea estates, waterfalls, hills, forests, and much more. Most of the beautiful, evergreen deciduous forests that encircle the hill town of Valparai are perfect for trekking, sightseeing, or just enjoying long walks. Our list of the 10 best tourist spots in Valparai is bound to make you realize why it’s worth visiting Valparai.

3. What are the popular tourist attractions in Valparai?

Valparai has many popular tourist attractions, including the Aliyar Dam, Nallamudi Viewpoint, Balaji Temple, and Monkey Falls. The area is also known for its tea plantations and wildlife reserves, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts.

4. What is the best time to visit Valparai?

Valparai is a popular tourist destination, and the period between September to March is the peak season for tourism. The pleasant climate during these months makes it an ideal time to explore the various tourist attractions and indulge in outdoor activities.

5. What are the accommodation options in Valparai?

Valparai offers a range of accommodation options to suit every budget and preference. There are many hotels, resorts, homestays, and guesthouses in Valparai, ranging from budget-friendly to luxurious. Visitors can choose the accommodation option that best suits their needs and budget.