Road Trips to The Picnic Spots In and Around Ooty That You Must Plan

Ooty has been one of the holiday destinations in India for ages. Also called Queen of Hills, the hill station is encircled by the lush Nilgiris. You can find several gardens, dams, and lakes, etc. here. One of the major factors that woo every tourist here is the weather, which is very pleasant. It is so good that even if you are on a three days trip to Ooty, you will feel like stepping out of your hotel room and go on a picnic with your loved ones. There are in fact several picnic spots in Ooty, and we can discuss some of them here today. However, before talking about the picnic and other tourist attractions in and around Ooty, let us fetch out some other information.

Best time to travel in Ooty: You can plan a trip to Ooty any time of the year. However, if you want to know the ideal time, it is between April and June and September and November.  The weather during these times of the year is very pleasant.

Things to do in Ooty: There are several attractions in Ooty that you can cover during your stay at this hill station. You can also go camping and picnic with your friends or family. There are several spots for a picnic in Ooty that you can choose from.

Now let us check out some of the top tourist places in Ooty

• Avalanche Lake
• Kamraj Sagar Dam
• Doddabetta Peak
• Ooty Lake
• Pykara Lake and Falls
• Bellikkal
• Coonoor
• Bandipur
• Mudumalai
• Wayanad

1. Avalanche Lake

It is certainly one of the best places to visit in Ooty for couples, especially for the picturesque scenery. The lake has been named such as it was formed because of a landslide in 1823, not avalanche though. The lake is surrounded by various colorful flowers and mountains. Apart from a picnic, this is also a great spot for trekking, photography, fishing, horse riding, etc.

Timings: 8 am to 6 pm

2. Kamraj Sagar Dam

Also called Sandynallah Reservoir, this is certainly one of the best places to visit in Ooty with family. This spot is visited both by locals and tourists who are seen unwinding by the water. You can even try fishing here and spot various flora and fauna. This is also a great place for people who are fond of bird watching.

Timings: 9 am to 6 pm

3. Doddabetta Peak

Doddabetta Peak is one among the top 10 places in Ooty. The natural beauty of this spot cannot just be described in words. The peak is covered with verdant greenery and not only will soothe your eyes but your soul as well. This is a perfect picnic spot where you can enjoy the view and some time with your dear ones.

Timings: 7 am to 6 pm

4. Ooty Lake

The blue water in this lake and the green forest that surrounds this lake look one of a kind. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ooty and is an artificial lake that is more than 200 years old. The lake was built by John Sullivan in 1824 for fishing. Today, you can even enjoy boating here. You will find several shops on the premises from where you can grab some snacks.

Timings: 10 am to 6.30 pm

5. Pykara Lake and Falls

No matter how many times you have visited Ooty, you cannot miss out on visiting Pykara Lake and Falls. This has been declared as a heritage site. Here you can enjoy the view, take a boat ride, and even go trekking. 

Timings: 8.30 am to 5 pm

Tourist places around Ooty

6. Bellikkal

As we are discussing picnic spots around Ooty, mentioning Bellikkal is a must. This is a small hamlet in the Sigur Plateau and is known for its beauty and welcoming migratory birds every year. The best time to visit this place is between July and September.

Distance from Ooty: 14 km

7. Coonoor

There are several places to visit in Ooty and Coonoor, and you will actually be spoilt for choices. However, if you are wondering about the things to do here, do not miss out on going for wonderful trekking. You can also visit a Japanese-style botany garden, Catherine Falls, Dolphin’s Nose Viewpoint, etc.

Distance from Ooty: 20 km

8. Bandipur

Bandipur is mostly famous for housing Bandipur National Park. You find some of the endangered species of animals here in their natural habitat. You can even find natural water coming here from rivers like Kabini, Nugu, and Moyar. This is also a great place for taking elephant safaris, trekking, mountaineering, and camping. 

Distance from Ooty: 41 km

9. Mudumalai

You can visit this place to witness some of the most exotic flora and fauna. One of the most popular attractions here is Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. The national park and wildlife sanctuary houses more than 34 species of reptiles, 200 species of birds, and several other animals and birds. This is a great place for wildlife lovers.

Distance from Ooty: 45 km

10. Wayanad

Wayanad is one of the most sought-after destinations, especially for tourists in South India. Often referred to as the spice garden of India, Wayanad is just the right place for you if you find peace in nature’s lap. While you are here, you can witness the splendid view of the sunset and go trekking with your adventure-loving bunch of friends.

Distance from Ooty: 110 km

There are several in and around Ooty vacation places that you can visit for a wonderful short vacation. However, if you want to make your trip memorable you can go for a self-drive car rental from Revv. To get Revv’s car rental service, you can visit their website or check out their app, which you can find at Google Play Store or iOS App Store.