Coonoor is a hill station in Tamil Nadu that provides dramatic views to its visitors all thanks to the stunning landscape formed by the Nilgiris (Blue Mountains). The region is filled with shades of green so much so that your holiday photos might look like you fiddled with the saturation levels.
The scenery here calls to unwind and travel at your own leisure. Coonoor doesn’t require extensive planning for exploring, but it’s more about keeping your vacation easygoing. Keeping exactly this in mind, we’ve created a list of the top 9 things to do in Coonoor.
Craving for rich O2? Then Dolphin’s Nose is the point to rush to in Coonoor. The weather here is generally cool year-round so you would feel like you're in nature’s own air-conditioned room. Take your time to pause and take in the spectacular view here and find your own peaceful spot.
If there isn’t much fog, you’d see an unobstructed view of the waterfalls and the entire valley by renting binoculars at the destination itself. Just a heads up that the Dolphin’s Nose hosts a large population of mischievous monkeys. They could be waiting around the corner waiting to snatch stuff from you, so be mindful of them.
Distance From City Mall (central area of Coonoor) - Approximately 2.9 km away and will take you 10-15 minutes by car.
Also Read: Coonoor Travel Guide
Tiger Hill Cemetery in Coonoor is a testament to Gothic architecture. And looks like it’s the perfect setting for a film like Dracula! Perhaps that’s why Tiger Hill Cemetery is not visited by many tourists in Coonoor, so it is less crowded. The entrance of the cemetery is made entirely of stone and may give you spooky vibes because of how old and isolated it is. As you enter the cemetery, you would also see a statue of an angel grieving.
Even if exploring a cemetery isn’t your cup of tea, we suggest riding upto the hill because the views here are spectacular. Not too far away from here, you will also find Green Valley View Point and Coonoor Falls. They are both must-visits if you come all the way to Tiger Hill Cemetery.
Distance From City Mall - Just 2.9 km away and should take you 10-15 minutes to get here by car.
Also Read: Experience The Coracle Ride At Hogenakkal Falls In Tamil Nadu
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway line was built by the British in the year 1908 and is a steam engine train that still runs to this day. It’s also been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is not to be missed when you visit Coonoor.
The railway line runs between Mettupalayam (a city in Coimbatore) and Ooty (another Nilgiri Hill Station). Coonoor is right in between these two points and is one of the stations where the train halts. This makes it fairly easy to board the charming steam train at Coonoor.
You can journey all the way to Ooty or Mettupalayam and take in the impressive views of the valley. You’ll surely be glued to your seat admiring the views out of your window!
Distance From City Mall - You can walk to Coonoor railway station and reach within 15 minutes as it’s easily accessible from the central area.
Wondering what else you can experience in Tamil Nadu? Check it out here!
This is one of the popular things to do in Coonoor if you wish to get up and personal with floating clouds. When you visit you’ll be surrounded by greenery all around because of the supreme height you’ll be at. You’ll be able to see dozens of tea and coffee estates on your way here.
It’s a short hike up and after you get your breathing back to normal, you can capture the view of the Coimbatore plains. The atmosphere at Lamb’s Rock does a better job at making you feel refreshed unlike artificial grass decor found in urban spaces.
Distance From City Mall In Coonoor - 6.1 km away and would take you roughly 20 mins to get here via a four-wheeler.
Also Read: 7 Temples To Visit In Tamil Nadu
Sim’s Park is a botanical garden where you will find century-old massive trees that look like masterpieces of their own. This manicured park is perfect to have a picnic on the lawn or just take a peaceful stroll.
Just a heads up that you may end up spending way more time than you planned here simply because of how well maintained the park is. It’s also a great place to spot some fluffy birds and crazy numbers of butterflies.
You should also drop by the glasshouse where you’ll find a variety of colorful fresh flowers. A florist could lose it here because you’re not just going to find roses but much more.
Distance From City Mall In Coonoor - Just 2 km away makes it walking distance from the center, you can reach here in 20 minutes on foot.
Also Read: Tamil Nadu Travel Guide
If you want to take a short lesson on how tea is actually manufactured into the packets that reach your home, then Highfield Tea estate is where you’ll learn all about it.
There’s also a eucalyptus oil extraction unit here which is quite interesting so you can check it out. Eucalyptus is the base material for various balms in India and if you need it, you can buy the oil here itself.
As you exit this place, you can consider purchasing different packets of tea straight out of the tea estate. Trust us, the serene view of the tea estate is all the positivi-tea you’ll need! So do try keeping this visit on your Coonoor itinerary.
Distance From City Mall In Coonoor - 3.7 km away from the central part of Coonoor and will take you 12-15 minutes via car.
For some waterfall therapy and to sit under ice-cold running water, we highly suggest trekking to Catherine Waterfalls. Just a heads up that this trek comes under the medium difficulty level, so beginners will find it a little tough.
The same waterfall can be seen from a distance at Dolphin’s Nose but if you want an up-close view and wish to dip in the water, you’ll need to trek here. On your hike, you’ll be accompanied by beautiful tea estates and the relaxing sounds of nature. Once again, this suggestion is only for the adventurous because it’s not the easiest climb.
Distance From City Mall In Coonoor - 21 km away and will take you 45 minutes to get to the base point of Catherine Waterfalls.
Now what’s really going to catch your attention among the things to do in Coonoor are the chocolate factories! For some tourists, it is actually tradition to not leave Coonoor without trying the different varieties of white, milk, and dark chocolate. We suggest that you also keep trying samples till you find the one you’re looking for and leave this hill station with a box full of chocolates.
If this is your first visit, you’ll certainly be shocked at the variety when you walk into a store. The factories here experiment and create wacky combinations as well so you can have a ball trying it all. Overall, just have fun picking the fudges and truffles you like to take back home.
When you’re looking for a place to grab a bite and sit with a coffee, it’s a sign to head to a cafe. A steaming cup of coffee during the cold in Coonoor is everything you need when you travel here. You will have plenty of choices but here are some of our favorite cafes:
Open Kitchen
Speciality - Fresh out of the oven pizzas
Cafe Koffee Bean
Speciality - Rich pastries and the view
Tea by Thé @180Mciver
Speciality - Vietnamese iced coffee and neat wooden outdoor seating
Mud Pie Cake Shop And Cafe
Speciality - Pocket-friendly cakes and pastries
Café Diem
Speciality - Café Diem starter platter
Summing Up
One thing that remains true about the things to do in Coonoor is that it is all about recuperating. In its essence, Coonoor is a destination where you can truly have some quiet time to yourself. The air is not congested with pollution and these things make it a perfect hill station to run away to. We suggest picking the things you like most from our list when you plan a holiday here.
What Is Special In Coonoor?
Coonoor is a famous hill station from where you can see the stunning views of the Nilgiri mountain ranges. You should visit Coonoor for its peaceful surroundings and year-round pleasant weather conditions. It’s a great destination to relax, watch birds, and take nature walks.
How Many Days Do You Need In Coonoor?
Ideally, it’s best to visit Coonoor for a minimum of 3 nights and a maximum of 6 nights. You can stay longer if you wish to slow down the pace and really take your time to appreciate the scenery in Coonoor.
Which Is Better, Ooty Or Coonoor?
Ooty and Coonoor have similar things to offer when it comes to tea plantations and serene landscapes. The only major difference being that Ooty is way more touristy so if you want something quieter, Coonoor will be a better option.
What Should I Buy In Coonoor?
Coonoor is known to be a tea lover’s paradise and tea packets are something you should definitely pick when you visit here. Next on your shopping list should be homemade chocolates and gourmet cheese! You will find many local stores selling these products.
What Should I Wear In Coonoor?
On average, the year-round temperature in Coonoor is 21°C, which makes it sweater weather mostly. It’s usually chilly so it’s best to carry a jacket or wear long sleeves. It never gets too hot but it can get warm during the summer months (March to May). If you’re visiting during the monsoon season (June to September), make sure you have an umbrella and windcheater with you.
How Far Is Ooty From Coonoor?
The distance between Ooty and Coonoor is 21 km and you can easily reach Coonoor via road or railway. It will take you a little over an hour by train and roughly 45 minutes by car.
