View of Ooty - Top things to do in Ooty

The Nilgiris or the Blue Mountains have always been an attraction in the southern region. Out of all known locations in that vicinity, Ooty is the most popular destination for nature lovers as well as adventure seekers. Ooty also called as Udagamandalam is a prominent hill station situated in Tamil Nadu, near the borders of Karnataka and Kerala. Settled at an elevation of around 2240 meters above the sea level, the hill station enjoys pleasant weather round the year.

The journey to Ooty is dotted with mesmerizing views of lush green mountains of Nilgiris, tea estates, dense forest, and magnificent waterfalls. Ooty is home to many sightseeing spots where visitors can enjoy and spend quality time. Below is a list of top things to do in Ooty.

Enjoy Asia’s steepest train ride – Nilgiri Mountain Railways

A toy train ride in Nilgiri Mountain Railways is one of the best things to do in Ooty. Around 100 years old, Nilgiri Mountain Railways is considered to be the steepest train ride in Asia. This 46 km journey passes through deep and scenic valleys, crazy tunnels, steep curves, and of course the views of majestic Nilgiris.

Trek up to the highest point of Nilgiris – Doddabetta Peak

View from Doddabetta Peak - Things to do in Ooty
View from Doddabetta Peak – Things to do in Ooty

Standing at an altitude of around 8607 feet, Doddabetta peak is considered the highest peak of Nilgiris mountain ranges. The peak offers alluring panoramic views of valleys and mountains and also has a Telescope through which visitors can get attractive sights of the nearby places. A trek to this fascinating place is no doubt one of the best things to do on a trip to Ooty.

Read Also: A Trip to Ooty, Chennai & Mysore

Try the homemade chocolates at the main market

Main Bazaar is another attraction of Ooty where travelers can spend a good time. The Bazaar is a kind of flea market where people roam around to have local cuisines and delectable home-made chocolates and which makes this place a mandatory stop for foodies. Apart from all this, the market houses ample shops where people can buy souvenirs, handicrafts, tea & coffee paintings, and jewelry.

Take a speedboat ride at the Pykara Lake

Pykara Lake - Things to do in Ooty
Pykara Lake – Things to do in Ooty

Pykara is a tiny but picturesque village famed for the Pykara Waterfall, Pykara dam and the beautiful Pykara lake. The lake is vast and quite scenic. The best way to explore the lake is by taking a speedboat ride in it. However, there are other boat rides are also available.

Camping on the shore of the Avalanche Lake

However, there are several hotels available, ranging from budget stays to luxury properties, in case if anyone wants to get a taste of adventure with a soothing experience then camping on the banks of Avalanche Lake is an activity that can be vouched for. Avalanche Lake is another beautiful lake situated near Ooty and is popular for activities such as camping, rafting, and fishing.

Written by

Manu Khandelwal

An engineer and a travel blogger. Loves trekking and doing bike road trips. Burger lover (want to try every burger in the world). Clinomaniac. Sports fanatic. Likes technology but not a technology addict.