Stretching tall along the Ooty – Kotagiri Road, Doddabetta Peak is the highest peak in the Nilgiris ranges. If you are vacationing in Ooty then your trip would be considered incomplete if you haven’t visited Doddabetta Peak and experienced an aerial view of nature’s splendour. The summit’s peak greets visitors and trekkers with its long stretches of rhododendrons and other flora and fauna species. With its strategic location exactly at the junction of the Eastern and Western Ghats, Doddabetta offers a beautiful view of the entire Nilgiri mountains from its picturesque peak
All You Need To Know About Doddabetta Peak
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Mountains are the perfect escape from the chaos of city life and bring peace and calmness to one’s soul. In South India, the Nilgiris ranges are quite popular among tourists for their lush green mountains. Doddabetta Peak in Ooty is an important part of the Nilgiris range as it is one of the highest peaks of South India standing at a towering height of 8,650 feet above sea level. The beauty of this place lies in its surroundings, which are covered with dense forests. You can see as far as Mysore if you are lucky enough to get clear weather.
Doddabetta means Big Peak and it is located 10 km away from Ooty, strategically located between the Western and Eastern Ghats. You can reach Doddabetta Peak by driving a vehicle or trekking through the forest, making it a perfect destination in Ooty for adventure as well as leisure tourists. On reaching the top of Doddabetta, you will find an observatory with two telescopes to enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of the whole district.
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Trekking At Doddabetta Peak
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Doddabetta Peak is located at the junction of the Western and Eastern Ghats, which makes it the best spot to view the entire Nilgiri mountains. This makes it an ideal place in Ooty for trekking, offering striking views of the colourful rhododendrons sprinkled over the lush green landscapes. For ages, Doddabetta Peak has been the dream of every trekker, offering a picturesque view of its mist-clad hills covered with dense flora of colourful rhododendron trees and herbs.
With a spectacular trail of approximately 3 km to Doddabetta Mountain, you pass through rugged paths and grassy slopes where you can smell the rich fragrance of the ferns and alpines filling the air. This trek to Doddabetta Peak offers a bird’s eye view of the surroundings, even Mysore and Coimbatore if the weather is clear, thus making it a perfect vantage point for the Nilgiri Hills.
Top Places To See Near Doddabetta Peak
Here is the list of the best places to visit near the peak, where you can click beautiful pictures with your loved ones.
1. Ooty Botanical Garden
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If you are a true nature lover, you will fall in love with this place, one of the top tourist spots near Doddabetta Peak. This botanical garden in Ooty was built in 1897 AD by William Graham Mclvor under the supervision of George Hay to promote the study of various plant species all around and in the Nilgiris hills. The garden is sprawled across 55 acres of land, covered with over 650 species of flora. The best time to visit this Botanic Garden Ooty is in May when a flower show is held here.
Location: 6.4 km away from Doddabetta Peak
Timings: 7:00 am to 6:30 pm
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2. Ooty Lake
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Ooty Lake is an important tourist place in Ooty, nestled amidst the eucalyptus trees and dollops of green bushes. It is an artificially constructed lake originally used for fishing in Ooty. However, today, it has become one of the most beautiful lakes in South India. The best time to visit the lake is during the Summer Festival in Ooty, when boat races and boat pageantry are organized there. Some of the most popular activities that attract tourists are boating on the lake, horse riding along the shores, and hopping on a mini train ride.
Location: 10 km away from Doddabetta Peak
Timings: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
3. Ithalar, Ooty
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Ithalar, popular as Red Hills, is part of the Nilgiris ranges and is the famous hill station near Doddabetta Peak. This place is quite popular among tourists vacationing in Ooty as it gives amazing views of the seven lakes below. If you are lucky enough to have clear weather, you can also see the nearby hills of the Silent Valley National Park and Mukurthi National Park from this place. Ithalar in Ooty was named Red Hill by a British Colonel who thought the hill resembled Red Hills in Britain.
Location: 22.7 km away from Doddabetta Peak
Timings: Open 24 hours
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How To Reach
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The highest mountain in the Nilgiri Hills, Doddabetta, is 2,637 metres (8,650 feet) high. It is nestled amidst a reserved forest area and is located 9 km from Ooty, on the Ooty-Kotagiri Road, in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu, South India. You can reach Doddabetta Peak via road, train, and flight or get it by whatever best suits you.
By Road: If you are coming via road, you can reach Doddabetta by taking the bus to the Ooty Bus Stand, which is 8 km away. The second option is to hire a taxi or drive your vehicle to reach Doddabetta via Ooty-Kotagiri Road in the Nilgiris district.
By Rail: Traveling by train is another way to reach Doddabetta. The nearest railway station is Ketti Railway Station, which is 14 km away. You can also take the Nilgiri Mountain Railway Toy Train and get off at Mettupalayam, the closest railway station from Ooty.
By Flight: Doddabetta is located in Ooty, and the nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport, which is 90 km away from Doddabetta Peak.
Important Information About Doddabetta Peak
- Doddabetta Peak remains open for visitors every week from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm.
- The entry fee for Doddabetta Peak is INR 6 per person for Adults
- There is no entry fee for children who are below 5 years of age
- A charge of INR 10 is applicable for still photography and INR 50 for videography at the peak
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Witness the spectacular view from the top of Doddabetta Peak, the fourth-highest peak in South India next to Anamudi, Mannamalai, and Meesapulimala. Being the pinnacle of the plateau of the Nilgiris, this mountain should be on your list of the places to see in Ooty. Whether you are a nature lover or an adventure enthusiast, this highest peak of the Nilgiris is the dream place for everyone wishing for a magnificent view of the entire Nilgiris mountains. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and book a trip to Ooty to appreciate the mesmerising exquisiteness of the Nilgiri Mountains.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Doddabetta Peak
What is special about Doddabetta Peak?
Doddabetta Peak is the highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills, towering to a staggering height of 8650 feet or 2,623 metres above sea level. It is also one of the favourite trekking spots in Ooty for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.
What is the best time to visit Doddabetta Peak?
You can visit the Doddabetta peak in Ooty from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. However, the best time to visit is early morning to avoid crowds in the afternoon. The peak is best visited from October to January, as the weather is pleasant during those months.
Do we have to climb the Doddabetta Peak?
Yes, you need to climb a trail of 1.3 miles to reach Doddabetta Peak. It is a moderately challenging route that takes an average of 50 min to complete. This is one of the popular trekking trails in Ooty for birding, hiking, and walking.
Which is higher, the peak Doddabetta or Anamudi?
The Anamudi Peak in Kerala is the highest in the Western Ghats, at 2695 metres. On the other hand, Doddabetta Peak, located in Tamil Nadu, is also quite high, at 2637 metres.
What are the opening times for Doddabetta Peak?
The Doddabetta Peak remains open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and it is open for visitors all days of the week. The entry fee for adults is INR 6 per person.
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