Kotagiri is a splendid hill station situated in the Nilgiri district. It is one of the oldest and third tallest hill stations in the Kotagiri. Located at 1793 m above sea level, kotagiri remains a significant spot for trekking and rock climbing. Sloped terrains in the region are dotted with tea gardens offering beautiful green landscapes. Kotagiri means ‘mountains of the Kotas’; it gets name from the Kota Tribes, who are the indigenous people of this region. Catherine Falls, Kodanad, and Longwood Shola are the famous trekking trails in Kotagiri. Kotagiri is a great summer destination for tourists to get immersed in its cool climate and admiring natural landscapes.
Top 8 Places to visit in Kotagiri
Elk Falls
Elk Falls lies on the main route to Mettupalayam in the Nilgiri District. About a 7 km distance from Kotagiri town, it is very close to Uyilathi Village. Magnificently sits in a tranquil place with the gorgeous landscape it’s excellent refreshment for visitors. Another attraction at this spot is the European House, constructed in 1819.
Longwood Shola
A Beautiful natural reserve area located in Kotagiri. This nature reserve looks dense with different varieties of tall evergreen trees. It is also home to various species of flora and fauna. Numerous hiking trails lead through the forest offer picturesque views, and it is also an ideal spot for bird watching.
Rangasamy Peak
Most Prominent tourist spot in Kotagiri situated at a distance of 20 km from Kotagiri. Standing at an altitude of 1785 m above sea level, this is the most sacred peak in Kotagiri, which houses the holy shrine dedicated to Lord Rangasamy. Rangasamy Peak also remains as a holy place for Irulas tribes. This majestic peak is visible from the Kodanad viewpoint.
Rangasamy Pillar
Sits on the northwestern side of the Rangasamy Peak. The height of the pillar is about 400 ft. No one will try to climb on the pillar due to its sacredness. Some other sites to explore near are Karagodumattam, Kil Kotagiri, Kadasholai, and Sholurmattam.
Kodanand View Point
Kodanand View Point is around 16 km away from the main Kotagiri town in the Nilgiri district. From this point, one can get a splendid view of Rangaswamy Peak and Pillar, Dolphin’s Nose, and Catherine Falls. It also offers awe-inspiring views of the nearby Thengumarahada Village, Deccan Plateau, and Bhavanisagar Reservoir.
Catherine Falls
Located at a distance of 7 km from Kotagiri, Catherine Falls is a double cascade waterfall. Nestled between lush green mountain slopes of the Nilgiris, it offers refreshing natural scenery’s for tourists. The water is falling from 250 m, making it the second-largest waterfall in Nilgiris.
John Sullivan Memorial
John Sullivan Memorial is a site restored in memorial of John Sullivan, a British civil servant who recognized Ooty as a hill station in the Niligiri Mountains. About 2 km from the Kotagiri town center, the memorial located at Kannerimukku was the original residence of John Sullivan and was popularly called by locals as ‘Pethakal Bungalow.’
Nehru Park
Nehru Park is a private botanical garden located somewhat 3 km from the town of Kotagiri. It provides numerous relaxation activities for visitors. The park contains the temple of Kota tribes, a worshipper’s center, and a small park area devoted to the memory of our nation’s father, Mahatma Gandhi.
Trekking
Trekking is the most popular activity in the hill town of Kotagiri, and it offers the most scenic trekking trails in the state. Kotagiri-Kodanad is the most popular trekking trail, which takes you through the lush green landscape, grumbling rivers, and lawns. Longwood Shola and Catherine Falls offers some easy trekking routes for visitors.
Best Time to Visit Kotagiri
The best season to visit Kotagiri is winter, which is from December to February. At that time, the temperature is freezing; driving along the mist-covered roads will give a memorable experience.