- Grade
- Moderate
- Distance
- 5 km one way
- Walking time
- 4 hours
- Altitude
- 2250 m
- Best months
- Sep – Nov, Feb – May
- Start point
- Pandiyar Rest House
- District
- Nilgiris
- Nearest station
- Ooty, ~45 km
- Nearest airport
- Coimbatore, ~140 km
About this trail
This route starts at the Pandiyar rest house, close to Mudimund and Naduvattam, and crosses the high Mukurthi plateau to Mukurthi Dam. At around 2,200 metres, it moves through pockets of shola and wide stretches of grassland, with fresh air and long views. Mukurthi National Park protects the Nilgiri tahr and is part of the Western Ghats World Heritage area.
The walk is 5 km and takes about four hours at a relaxed pace. Report by 8 AM. Since it finishes at the dam, arrange a vehicle to pick you up there. The trail is usually closed in December and January, so plan for autumn or spring.
Highlights
- Ends at Mukurthi Dam
- High grassland and shola patches
- Cool, fresh mountain air
- Part of the Western Ghats World Heritage area
- One-way route
How the day goes
- 8:00 AMReport at Pandiyar rest house for permits and briefing.
- StartBegin walking through the forest near Mudimund.
- GrasslandCross shola patches and open grassland.
- Mukurthi DamReach the dam and rest.
- ReturnTake pre-arranged transport back.
Getting there and staying over
- By train: Ooty, ~45 km
- By air: Coimbatore, ~140 km
- Stay: Day trek; hotels in Ooty or around Pykara.
What to carry
- Photo ID
- Warm jacket
- Rain jacket
- Trekking shoes
- Water bottle
- Snacks
Good to know
These are guided trails run with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, and each has a daily limit on walkers. Book a few days ahead, carry the same photo ID you booked with, and expect a trail to close at short notice after heavy rain or when elephants are active nearby. We book the permit, arrange the car to and from the start point and, if you want, a hotel nearby for the night before.
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Send us your date and group size. We will confirm the slot with the forest team and share the reporting time, car and total cost.
