Valparai Travel Guide: Top 6 Places to Visit, Route and Travel Tips

Today’s content – The Right Route to Valparai from Coimbatore, How to Get to Valparai from Coimbatore – Distance, Timing, and Safety Travel Tips.

Here's we learn about the right route to Valparai from Coimbatore, the distance, the time it takes, and some major Safety Precautions. Valparai is a serene hill station situated at the Anamalai Hills, on the foothills of Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu. It is famous for its misty hills, jungle, green tea plantations, lovely roads, and waterfalls.

At an elevation of approx. 3,500 ft above sea level, Valparai is best suited for Families, Couples, Eco Freaks, Trip Lovers and roadtrippers. One of the most charming and beautiful things on the way to the place is crossing Pollachi, Aliyar, and 40 hairpin bends.

Coimbatore to Valparai Route

The commonly used road route is:

Coimbatore → Kinathukadavu → Pollachi → Aliyar → Attakatti → Valparai

Depending on the starting location in Coimbatore, Google Maps may show the route simply as:

Coimbatore → Pollachi → Aliyar → Attakatti → Valparai

The distance between Coimbatore and Valparai via road is 104–110 KMS & it takes approximately 3.5 to 5 hrs to reach Valparai. After Valparai the road distance to Pollachi is 64–65 KMS. The later section is a hill road with about 40 hair pin bends, thereby this segment would take time on rainy and foggy days or huge traffic.

Route Information

• Coimbatore to Pollachi: Approximately 40–45 km.
• Pollachi to Aliyar: Approximately 25–30 km.
• Aliyar to Valparai: Approximately 45–50 km.
• Total distance: Around 104–110 km.
• Total travel time: Approximately 3.5–5 hours.
• Best fuel stop: Pollachi.
• Main attractions on the way: Aliyar Dam, Monkey Falls, and the 40 hairpin bends.

Pollachi is the best place to fill fuel, buy snacks, and take a break before entering the ghat-road section.

Top 6 Places to Visit in Valparai

1. Nallamudi Poonjolai View Point

It would be a crime to compile a list of this nature and omit the favourite Nallamudi Poonjolai! The vista from here offers such a panoramic, pleasant view of Valparai, tea estates, hills, valleys and foggy, mystic scenarios. Certainly a favorite spot to visit early in the morning when the cool breeze wafts past and hills might be veiled in fog.

• Location: Approximately 15–16 km from Valparai Bus Station.
• Travel time: Around 30–45 minutes from Valparai town.
• Suggested timing: Approximately 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
• Entry: An entry fee may apply.
• What to see: Tea plantations, valleys, mountains, and distant waterfalls.
• Walking distance: Visitors may need to walk through a tea-estate area to reach the viewpoint.
• Best time to visit: Morning for cooler weather and better visibility.

The base camp is situated on a tea estate – depending on whether that is open to tourists or not, consult locals or check availability prior to your trip. According to the Valparai Municipality, Nallamudi Poonjolai is located approximately 15 km away from Valparai bus station.

2. Chinnakallar Falls

The Chinnakallar falls is a wonderful sight and you will be welcomed by a breathtaking backdrop that is covered with green dense forest and high rainfall during certain seasons. It truly depicts nature in the most soothing ways that the soul demands to witness.

One may have to trek a small distance in the forest path to reach the falls. The path may be slippery during monsoon season.

• Location: Approximately 14 km from Valparai Bus Station.
• Travel time: Around 30–45 minutes from Valparai town.
• Suggested timing: Approximately 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
• Entry: An entry fee or permission may apply.
• What to see: Waterfall, forest trail, and lush greenery.
• Best time to visit: After the monsoon, when the water flow and surroundings are attractive.
• Safety: Avoid entering the water during heavy rain or strong currents.

Please be sure to visit these new locations, but visit after you get to verify access during heavy rains or unsafe weather conditions. The paths throughout the forest will be closed and inaccessible during those conditions.

3. Sholayar Dam

Sholayar Dam is one among the prominent attractions near Valparai. This dam has a reservoir with hills and forests in the background which serve as a scenic spot for photography and viewing.

This is located some distance away from the main town, so allow adequate time for the trip and to come back before it is dark.

• Location: Approximately 20–21 km from Valparai town.
• Travel time: Around 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Suggested timing: Daytime, approximately 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Entry: Access may depend on local restrictions.
• What to see: Reservoir, mountain views, and forest scenery.
• Best time to visit: Morning or late afternoon.
• Important: Some areas may not be open to the public.

Do not enter the prohibited dam area or the warned area by your own. Obey your local police directions. Do not pass through this road after dark.

4. Loam’s View Point

Loam's View Point is a viewpoint situated on the Valparai ghat road and has views of Aliyar reservoir, Pollachi plains, the meandering ghat road, and the surrounding Western Ghats. It's a good point to halt during the upward trip; however, do park safely and don't block the road.

• Location: Along the Valparai ghat road near the hairpin-bend section.
• Travel time: It is reached during the climb from Aliyar towards Valparai.
• Suggested timing: Daylight hours, preferably between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
• Entry: Usually a roadside viewpoint; local access rules may apply.
• What to see: Aliyar reservoir, mountain slopes, and valley views.
• Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon.
• Safety: Do not stop in the middle of a hairpin bend.

This roadside attraction is Loam's View Point, not a distinct city or side journey. It's perfectly doable en route between Pollachi & Aliyar and Valparai.

5. Aliyar Dam

Aliyar dam lies on Pollachi to Valparai road and this would be before the start of the hill top journey. Undoubtedly one of the best stopping point during the road journey.

The reservoir is nicely surrounded by green hills and it makes a good place for taking pictures, for relaxation and for a brief stopover.

• Location: Near Aliyar, on the Pollachi–Valparai road.
• Distance from Pollachi: Approximately 25–30 km.
• Suggested timing: Approximately 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, subject to local access.
• Entry: Entry fee may apply.
• What to see: Reservoir, hills, viewpoints and surrounding greenery.
• Best time to visit: Morning or late afternoon.
• Suggested duration: Around 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Aliyar Dam is outside the Valparai town. It is one of the sightseeing spots on the way to Valparai so best visited before entering the main ghat road.

6. Monkey Falls

One can reach a more frequented point known as Monkey Falls. This water-fall falls alongside the Pollachi–Valparai road near Aliyar. A waterfall which is nestled within greenery of forest and also a perfect point to make a pit-stop before you start your arduous climb into the zig-zag roads on mountains.

Depending upon the rainy season the water-fall is either mighty and thundering during rain-fall and hence one is not to enter into the water due to its force and risk.

During peak season when you could venture out without apprehension.

• Location: Approximately 5 km from Aliyar Dam and around 37–38 km from Valparai.
• Travel time: Around 10–15 minutes from Aliyar Dam.
• Suggested timing: Approximately 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, subject to weather and local rules.
• Entry: Entry fee may apply.
• What to see: Waterfall, forest landscape and natural surroundings.
• Best time to visit: After the monsoon, when the area is green and the waterfall is active.
• Safety: Do not enter the water during heavy rain or strong currents.

Monkey Falls is another tourist attraction outside of Valparai town and on the way.

Suggested Two-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Coimbatore to Valparai

Take a bus from Coimbatore in the morning to Pollachi. Refuel at Pollachi and then proceed to Aliyar.

First, visit Aliyar Dam, then proceed to Monkey Falls before beginning the climb up. Pass the 40 hairpin bends and, if safe, you can park at Loam's View Point. Reach Valparai in the afternoon and check in.

Day 2: Valparai Sightseeing

Begin the day with at the Nallamudi Poonjolai View Point. You may proceed to visit Chinnakallar falls and later Sholayar Dam according to the weather and permission to enter for sight.

Return to Valparai town by evening – check time constraints in forest road, it’s highly recommended not to drive during night because of possible movement of wild animals and visibility.

Toll Gates and Forest Checkposts

The direct Pollachi - Aliyar - Valparai route usually does not come with regular highway toll plaza in the hill section. Travelers would come across forest check post around forest entry point.

Forest check post is different from toll gate; may be vehicle check up, forest entry rules and entry fees/e-pass will apply. If your navigator picks Coimbatore bypass or NH 544 there will be highway toll plaza(s). The toll plazas required vary on the route.

Best Time to Visit Valparai

• October to February: Cool weather and comfortable sightseeing.
• March to May: Suitable for road trips and tea-estate views.
• June to September: Mist, greenery and waterfalls, but slippery roads.

For the best weather experience, the ideal visiting months are Oct - February. Monsoon travelers would definitely check the rainfall patterns, road, and waterfalls conditions before the visit.

Conclusion

Keep aside a minimum of 2 days to enjoy the Coimbatore to Valparai and to explore Places to see. Make your itinerary plan to start driving from Coimbatore during the day break so that you utilize every hour.

Please note the sightseeing timings, entry fees, forest pass and roads conditions may change from time to time, so recheck them during the course of your plan to travel here. Making a Safe Travel Here is something that you’re likely to plan and prepare appropriately.

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