NELLIYAMPATHY--TREKKERS PARADISE

NELLIYAMPATHY-TREKKERS PARADISE

    Nelliyampathy is one of the little known hill stations of South India. This picturesque tourist spot is located 52 km from Palakkad. Nelliyampathi is blessed with ever green forests with number of wild animals like elephants, hill squirrels and bison. The sprawling tea gardens, coffee, cardamom and orange plantation add beauty to this wonderful summer destination. While driving towards Nelliyampathy, one has to negotiate a dozen hairpin bends that gives breathtaking views of valleys and mountains with thick green forests. Seetha Kundu, Kesavanpara and Mampara are the prominent viewpoints that provide panoramic view of the entire Sahya mountain ranges. Nelliyampathy is connected with roads from Palakkad and Coimbatore. Though there are bus services available, their frequency is very less. Hiring a car from Palakkad or Coimbatore would be an ideal solution.

   Nelliyampathy consists of mountain ranges from 500 m to 1600 m providing immense opportunities for trekkers and adventure sports lovers. Kakatty serves as an ideal base camp with various trekking and other facilities. Nelliyampathy also provides great opportunities for hand gliding. Nelliyampathy is the perfect location for eco tourism and farm tourism. Sitting at a height of 1585 m above the mean sea level on Western Ghats, Nelliyampathy is a beautiful place. Vellachimudi, Mayanmudi, Valiyavana and Vela Vanchan are some of the important peaks in this mountain range. According to some historians, a rich civilization existed in Nelliyampathy during Tamil Sangam era. Padagiri is the highest peak situated on the Nellikotta mountain ranges.

       Nelliyampathy is a  HILL SATION in the Palakad District of Kerala It lies in the Southern half of Western ghats. The major tourist attractions at Nelliyampathy are Pothundi Dam, Seetharkundu view point, Kesavanpara view point, Mampara view point and many tea estates. The Pothundi Dam was constructed in 1800AD without using cement or concrete and lies at the foot hills of Nelliyampathy. From the Seetharkundu view point one can see the Kollengode town and the  far reaching plains. From the Kesavanpara view point the Pothundi dam and Nemmara town can be seen. From Mampara view point the towns of Pollachi and  Valparai can be spotted. Among the three prominent viewpoints mentioned, Mampara is the highest one. There is a  Kerala Government run orange farm at Nelliyampathy. The Manalaroo Estate at Nelliyampathy is one of the highest yeilding Tea estates in India. The mountains and forests of Nelliyampathy offer immense opportunitites for  trekking .Padagiri the highest peak nearby Nelliyampathy is a trekkers paradise.

                                                           Prof. John Kurakar