If you are in Ooty and looking for a retreat amidst nature’s majesty, then Needle Rock View Point is the paradise for you, offering some stunning panoramic views of the Nilgiri hills. Beyond the scenic views you witness from View Point, you also get an escape from the chaos of city life to rejuvenate and meditate. Once you reach the vantage point of the View Point, you will be greeted with a vast carpet of tea estates surrounded by dense green forests that are mesmerizing to watch.
Needle Rock View Point: A Place Where You Can “Reach For The Cloud”
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Needle Rock View Point, located 9 km from Gudalur, The Nilgiris, promises a 360-degree view of the surrounding valleys and plains. One of the most famous viewpoints in Ooty, this vantage point is situated on Gudalur – Ooty Main Road in Tamilnadu. This viewpoint gets its name from its resemblance to a needle. Needle Rock View Point, also famous as Soochimalai, is a hidden gem in Ooty and is thus preferred by those who love to spend time alone amidst nature’s lap. Due to its off-beat location, less crowd and stunning views, this place is also used as a shooting spot for many Tamil films.
Once you reach this point, you can see almost every part of Gudalur and Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, along with Gudalur town, Bandipur and some parts of Mysore. Not only this, but you can also see parts of Kerala from the other side’s viewpoint. If you look closely, you can also spot Aanakallu, a mountain famous as Sleeping Beauty, which is exactly like a sleeping woman. Apart from sightseeing, trekking to Needle Rock View Point is a fantastic experience as it passes through lush green landscapes filled with diverse flora and fauna. Besides this, this place is also a favourite among photographers as it puts up a fantastic backdrop of The Nilgiris.
Also Read: Things To Do In Ooty
Why To Visit Needle Rock View Point
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Needle Rock View Hillpoint is an off-beat tourist place in Ooty where you can literally ‘reach for the clouds’. Once you reach the top, you can see the floating around, and if luck is on your side and the weather becomes clear, you can see small villages dotted among vast stretches of forests. There is no end to why you should visit Needle Rock View Point. However, we can give you major ones. Witness Nature’s Majesty- Needle Rock View Point, nestled amidst the verdant hills near Gudalur, is a hidden gem of Ooty that promises solace in nature’s lap. As you start trekking up to the vantage point, you can sense that a paradise of unparalleled beauty awaits at the top.
Admire the iconic Needle Rock: Apart from being a vantage point, it is a point of admiration. Every visitor is amazed at the marvel of nature, a rock formation nestled amidst the surrounding landscape resembling the tip of a giant needle. This striking centrepiece, sculpted over millennia by the forces of wind and water, stands against the backdrop of rolling hills and verdant valleys and gives some major goals to nature lovers and adventure freaks.
Popular Tourist Attractions Near Needle Rock View Point
Plan your trip to visit the rock viewpoint, and remember to explore the nearby places mentioned below.
1. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
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Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is a must-visit tourist destination if you are visiting Needle Rock View Point. Where else would you get this never-forgetting experience of watching the elephant herds, deer, and tigers roaming freely in their natural habitat?
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is the right choice if you want to add a rejuvenating retreat to your South India tour. Along with a perfect retreat amidst the lush green forest, you can enjoy some adventure and recreation. Also known as Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is home to various rare and endangered flora and fauna.
Location: M9C9+JFV, Bathery- Puthupally Road, Sultan Bathery, Kerala 673592
Timings: 7:00 am to 5:00
Related Post: Ooty To Wayanad Road Trip
2. Elk Falls
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Situated eight km from Kotagiri, Elk Falls is considered one of the magnificent waterfalls in Ooty. This tourist destination near Needle Rock View Point is one you cannot miss for its splendid natural beauty. Located at Uyilatty village, this waterfall is 28 km from Coonoor and 30 km from Ooty.
Elk Waterfall is like heaven on Earth, where you can deeply connect with nature and escape city life’s chaos. This is one hidden gem in Kotagiri. Beyond the cascading water, the surroundings of the waterfall are covered with lush green landscapes and plantations of tea and coffee, which itself is a fantastic sight.
Location: Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu
Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
3. Doddabetta Peak
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Feel a sense of calmness inside you while sitting at the Doddabetta Peak, one of the most beautiful vantage points in Ooty. If you think you have the ultimate beauty of the Nilgiris, you are wrong, as you have not seen an aerial view of nature’s splendour from Doddabetta Peak.
Doddabetta Peak is the highest peak in South India. It is also quite renowned for its long stretches of rhododendrons, along with other species of flora and fauna, that greet you once you reach the top of the peak. The peak’s location at the junction of the Eastern and Western Ghats gives it the advantage of offering a beautiful view of the entire Nilgiri mountains from its picturesque peak.
Location: Udagamandalam, Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu, India
Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM every day
Related Post: Doddabetta Peak
Best Time To Visit Needle Rock View Point
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Many tourist spots in Ooty are worth visiting. The greenery in Ooty attracts nature enthusiasts throughout the year who witness something enchanting in the woods. Though Ooty has pleasant weather all year, you will get the most out of Needle Rock View Point post-monsoon between October and June, as the weather will be clear for some stunning undisturbed views.
The temperature remains cool during this time, and the air is less misty than during the monsoon season. There will be scant rainfall, making the roads easier and safer to drive on.
Tips To Consider While Visiting Needle Rock View Point
- The timings to visit Needle Rock View Point is from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
- The entry fee for Needle Rock View Point is INR 10 per person
- Make sure you visit the viewpoint during the daytime, as you will be able to see some stunning views from there
- It is not advisable to be at this place after the sun sets as it is a highly forested area, and there is a high probability of wild animals coming out after sunset
- Make sure you carry some warm clothes with you, as the weather in Ooty gets chilly during the early hours of the day and in evening
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There is no doubt that Needle Rock View Point is a timeless testament to the ultimate beauty of the Nilgiri hills. Once you reach this point, you can see how nature inspires, captivates, and rejuvenates your body, mind, and soul uniquely. Gazing at these majestic vistas and soaking in the tranquillity of this retreat is all you need on vacation. So, plan a trip to Tamil Nadu soon to explore the profound beauty of Needle Rock View Point.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Needle Rock View Point
Where exactly is Needle Rock View Point located?
Needle Rock View Point is situated 9 km away from Gudalur on the Ootacamund-Gudalur National Highway. This is an off-beat tourist destination in Ooty to witness a 360-degree view of the grasslands of Nilgiri.
How do you reach Needle Rock View Point from Ooty?
Needle Rock View Point is a hidden gem in the Nilgiris, located 40 km from Ooty. You can either hire a cab or drive your vehicle to reach Needle Rock View Point from Ooty. It would take around 1 hour to reach the view point from Ooty via Gudalur - Ooty Main Road. Another way to reach the viewpoint is to take the bus from Ooty to Naduvattam Bus Stop which is around 6.7 km away from Needle Rock View Point. From there you can take an auto-rickshaw to reach the destination.
What are some popular tourist spots to visit near Needle Rock View Point?
There are many beautiful tourist destinations near Needle Rock View Point that you can explore. Amongst them, the popular ones are Mudumalai National Park, Pykara Lake, Ooty Lake, Government Botanical Garden, and Nilgiris Hills.
What is the complex level of the trek to Needle Rock View Point?
The trek to Needle Rock View Point is about 1 km long. Its difficulty level is moderate, and any healthy person can do it.
Which is the nearest airport to Needle Rock View Point?
The nearest Needle Rock View Point airport is Coimbatore International Airport, about 127 km away. Once you land at the airport, you can hire a cab to Needle Rock View Point, which would take around 4 hours to drive via NH181.
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