4.5 / 5

Doddabetta Peak

📍 Doddabetta Peak, Tamil NaduView map ›

🗓 Best Time To Visit:October to June

⏰ Open Hours:7:00 AM to 6:00 PM

🎒 Things To Do:Trekking, Photography, Picnicking, Sightseeing

💰 Budget:Entry is Free

🧳 Traveller Types:Adventure Seekers, Nature Lovers, Photographers

🔖 Known For:Highest peak in the Nilgiris, Spectacular panoramic views, Telescope House for a closer look at the valley

🚉 Distances:From Ooty Railway Station: 9 km, From Coimbatore Airport: 92 km, From Coonoor: 18 km

🚗 Parking:Available at the base of the peak

🧭 Altitude:2,633 meters

📌 Accessibility:Well connected by road, Accessible by car/taxi

👟 Tips:Wear comfortable shoes for the trek, Carry water and snacks, Weather can be unpredictable, so carry a light jacket or sweater

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Doddabetta Peak: The Highest and Most Scenic Point in the Nilgiris

Are you looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the beauty of nature? If yes, then Doddabetta Peak is the perfect destination for you. Doddabetta Peak is the highest peak in the Nilgiri Mountains and one of the best places to visit in Ooty, Tamilnadu.

It offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes, a thrilling trekking experience, and a glimpse of the rich history and culture of the region. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Doddabetta Peak, including how to reach, when to visit, what to do, and what to expect.

The History and Culture of Doddabetta Peak

Doddabetta Peak derives its name from the Kannada words “dodda” meaning big and “betta” meaning hill. It is also known as the “Big Mountain” by the locals. The peak has been a sacred site for the indigenous tribes of the Nilgiris, such as the Todas, Badagas, and Kurumbas, for centuries. They believe that the peak is the abode of their gods and ancestors. They also perform rituals and festivals at the peak to celebrate their culture and heritage.

The peak was first explored by the British in the 19th century, who established a military camp and a meteorological observatory there. They also built a road from Ooty to Doddabetta Peak, which made it accessible to tourists and visitors. In 1983, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) constructed a telescope house at the peak, which allows visitors to enjoy a closer view of the scenery. The peak is now a popular tourist attraction and a protected area under the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

The Attractions and Activities at Doddabetta Peak

Doddabetta Peak is a paradise for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and photography enthusiasts. The peak offers a panoramic view of the Nilgiri Hills, the Eastern Ghats, and the Western Ghats. On a clear day, you can even see the plains of Coimbatore and Mysore from the top. The peak is also home to a variety of flora and fauna, such as rhododendrons, orchids, ferns, lichens, eagles, vultures, langurs, leopards, and bears.

Photo of Doddabetta Peak 1/2 by

One of the main attractions at Doddabetta Peak is the telescope house, which is managed by TTDC. The telescope house has two telescopes that allow visitors to zoom in on the details of the landscapes and landmarks. You can see the Ooty Lake, Botanical Garden, Government Rose Garden, and other places of interest from here. The telescope house also has a souvenir shop and a cafeteria where you can buy some memorabilia and refreshments.

Another attraction at Doddabetta Peak is trekking. The peak is an ideal destination for trekkers of all levels of experience and fitness. There are several trekking routes that lead to the peak from different starting points, such as Kotagiri, Coonoor, Glenmorgan, and Lovedale. The trekking routes are well-marked and offer scenic views of the valleys, forests, tea estates, and villages along the way. The trekking duration varies from 2 hours to 8 hours depending on the route you choose. You can also hire a guide or join a group tour if you want to learn more about the region and its biodiversity.

The Practical Information for Visiting Doddabetta Peak

If you are planning to visit Doddabetta Peak, here are some practical information that you should know:

- The best time to visit Doddabetta Peak is between October and May when the weather is pleasant and clear. You can avoid visiting during June to September when it is rainy and foggy.

- The entry fee for Doddabetta Peak is Rs 6 per person for adults and Rs 3 per person for children. The camera fee is Rs 10 per camera and Rs 50 per video camera.

- The timings for Doddabetta Peak are from 7 am to 6 pm every day.

How To Reach

The distance from Ooty to Doddabetta Peak is about 10 km. You can reach there by road or rail.

By road:

You can take a bus or taxi from Ooty bus stand or railway station to Doddabetta Junction. From there, you can walk or take an auto-rickshaw to reach the peak. The bus fare is Rs 15 per person and the taxi fare is Rs 250 per vehicle.

By rail:

You can take a toy train from Ooty railway station to Lovedale railway station. From there, you can walk or take an auto-rickshaw to reach the peak. The toy train fare is Rs 10 per person and the auto-rickshaw fare is Rs 100 per vehicle.

Best Restaurants Near Doddabetta Peak

If you are looking for some places to eat near Doddabetta Peak, here are some options that you can consider:

Photo of Doddabetta Peak 2/2 by

High hill tea:

This is a cozy and charming cafe that serves delicious tea, coffee, snacks, and desserts. You can enjoy the view of the tea gardens and the mountains from here. The cafe is located on Doddabetta Road, about 2 km from the peak.

Seasons Restaurant:

This is a multi-cuisine restaurant that offers a variety of dishes, such as Indian, Chinese, Continental, and South Indian. The restaurant is part of the Hotel Accord, which is situated at Doddabetta Junction, about 1.8 km from the peak.

The Culinarium:

This is a fine dining restaurant that specializes in European and International cuisine. The restaurant has a stylish and elegant ambience, and a panoramic view of the hills. The restaurant is located on Ooty Coonoor Main Road, about 3 km from the peak.

Also read: Explore Ooty's viewpoints from the famous Doddabetta Peak of Nilgiris!

Tips for Travellers

Some tips and suggestions for a safe and enjoyable trip to Doddabetta Peak are:

1. Carry enough water, snacks, and sunscreen as there are no shops or vendors at the peak.

2. Wear comfortable shoes, clothes, and accessories for trekking and sightseeing.

3. Do not litter or harm the environment or wildlife at the peak.

4. Do not venture too close to the edge of the peak or the cliffs as they are steep and slippery.

5. Respect the local culture and customs and do not disturb the rituals or festivals of the tribes.

Doddabetta Peak is a must-visit place for anyone who loves nature, adventure, and culture. It is a place where you can witness the beauty of the Nilgiris, the diversity of the wildlife, and the richness of the history. It is a place where you can challenge yourself, relax yourself, and inspire yourself. It is a place where you can create some unforgettable memories and stories.

You may also like to check out: Highest Peaks in Western Ghats

So, what are you waiting for? Book your trip to Doddabetta Peak with Tripoto today and experience the magic of the Big Mountain.

Doddabetta Peak Reviews

My first destination was Doddabetta. It is the highest point in Ooty. The govt runs a special tourism 'Circuit Bus' in which you have to purchase ticket once and you can travel for the whole day. Its a chain of buses running in certain interval of time. I reached Doddabetta at about 10 am and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. From here one can view the entire Ooty city, Wellington, Love dale etc. You have restaurants near by and few souvenir shops. Headed back in the same Circuit bus I reached the city, had my dinner. I then headed to Botanical garden. I was amazed to see this. Lots of plants, rather than lots its variety of plants trees. Its one of it in the country. Finishing my dinner and roaming the city I headed back to hotel.Day 8: (Back to Coimbatore by Nilgiri Railways) Its pack up time. I was heading to Coimbatore from where I have booked my ticket to Chennai in KPN B9R. Initially I thought i will take a bus. But while walking to bus stand the railway station struck me and made me to think "I have tried Shimla toy train. Let me try this one too - Nilgiri toy train". I went to the counter and surprised no one was there. I enquired, till now no one has came. So I was the first person. Kept my backpack there and sat aside. Slowly the queue stretched as the time to open the counter neared. I was the first to get the ticket. I asked for a reservation but he told reservations are full and current ticket is from Ooty to till Connor. Ok. Anyway within short notice I managed to get a ticket is a big achievement for me. The train powered by an environment friendly diesel engine. The journey was awesome. Tunnels, bridges I reached Connor. From Connor the real adventurous train journey starts. The bogies are cut shortened to 3. From here the train climbs using a teeth gear system as assistance. After finishing my lunch at Connor, I boarded a bus to Mettupalayam. From there another bus to Coimbatore. Finally by 9 pm I reached omnibus stand. At 11.45 pm my journey towards Chennai commenced.
Our next spot of this journey is Doddabetta peak. The highest point of the district of 2623 m. One can see as far as the plains of Coimbatore and Mysore, if climate is clear. But it was our hard luck that the day was foggy hence we were not able to see. We enjoyed the heights with some snacks..so,gradually the dawn mets and we finishes our day with slight walk in botanical garden. This is famous garden maintained by horticulture department of government. Garden is full of variety of charming plants. Many different kinds of roses, eucalyptus and several old fossilised trees are living where you can actually depict dreamland......... This how we finishes our day. At last We went to bus stand and caught a bus to return back to Bangalore. I really hope that i have given you sweet reasons to visit this paradise... Trip to Ooty is definitely a best way to recharge your batteries. Till then..Happy tripping!!!! Frequent Searches Leading To This Page:- ooty tour package for family, ooty tour package for couple, ooty is famous for which things,tamilnadutourism hotels in ooty, ooty best places, ooty famous places, ooty tourist spot, Bangalore, pykara, trip, roadtrip, ooty, travel, couple, India, south India, Tamil Nadu, blog, vlog, blogger, blogger, 2 day trip, famous, places, peace, fun, enjoy, vacation
Next day, we had breakfast at our hotel, and then took off to our first location, which was the Doddabetta Peak. Doddabetta is the highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills at 2,637 metres. There is a reserved forest area around the peak. The observatory atop the peak offer 360-degree panoramic views of the picturesque surroundings. On the way back we went to the Tea Museum and Factory. They showed us each and every step in the manufacturing of Tea. They have made the arrangement for purchasing the variety of Teas. Behind the tea factory there are stalls, where they sell handmade chocolates.Both tea and handmade chocolatesare popular indulgence in Ooty. We came back to our room had lunch and rested for some time. Then we took of to Botanical Garden which was about 2 km from where we stayed. The Botanical gardenin Ooty is home to many rare species of trees, some being the cork tree, the only one of its kind in India, the paperbark tree, the monkey puzzle tree and an old fossilized tree estimated to be 20 million years old. We did spent some quality time there, ate some street food, and did some street shopping. Then went back to our rooms, had dinner and that's how our second day came to an end.
The first stop was Doddabetta, which is the highest mountain in the Nilgiris hills and approximately 10 kms from Ooty. This place seems something out of a magazine and loved it. We got 30 minutes here before we leave for the next stop. We explored the place by walking and keeping an eye on the time as well. We also had some good masala tea, which was amazing. On the way toward the next stop, we took a pit stop in one of the tea plantation near by and learnt some more about tea and how it is made. I bought like 5-6 different types of tea which included; masala tea, strawberry tea, normal tea, green tea etc.
One can reach Doddabetta by travelling towards Kothagiri either by bus or taxi. Doddabetta tea factory is not to be missed travelling enroute. You can encounter experience of tea leaves being processed through various stages and being packed right in front of your eyes and at the end of visit being served with a cuppa chai. There is even a factory outlet from when you can purchase tea leaves if desired. While trip to Doddabetta will only take half day, rest of the day can be spent by exploring #1. Ooty Botanical Gardens : Where one can find around thousand variety of flora. #2. Deer Park #3. Rose Garden #4. Emerald Lake #5. Ooty Museum #6. Ooty Lake
Photos of Doddabetta Peak
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