Mattupetty, Kundala and Top Station drive
The road east of Munnar runs about 32 km to Top Station, climbing through tea estates and eucalyptus and passing two reservoirs. The first, at Mattupetty, has the Indo-Swiss dairy farm, set up in the 1960s, and quiet water where you can take a short boat ride. Further on, Kundala is a smaller lake fringed with tea, and the drive in between passes Echo Point, which is busy with families at weekends.
Top Station takes its name from the old ropeway that once carried tea down to the plains of Tamil Nadu for onward shipment. From the roadside, a path drops through the trees to a series of viewpoints at about 1,700 m, where the hills fall away dramatically into the valley of Theni. On a clear morning you can see far across the plains; by noon cloud often fills the valley.
We go early to beat both the cloud and the traffic, which can be heavy at weekends and in Indian holiday periods. The walk to the lowest viewpoint is steep on the way back up, so pace yourself. We stop on the return for a picnic lunch at a quiet spot on the estates, away from the roadside stalls.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How far is Top Station from Munnar?
About 32 km, which takes around 1.25 hours each way on a winding hill road with stops at Mattupetty and Kundala. Allow a half day for the round trip with time at the viewpoints. Traffic is heaviest on weekends and Indian holidays, so we leave by 7.30 am.
Is the Top Station viewpoint walk difficult?
Moderately. The path from the road to the lower viewpoints drops steeply, and the climb back up takes 15–20 minutes. The upper viewpoints near the road need little walking. Wear shoes with grip, as the path can be wet and slippery in the morning mist.
Can we take a boat ride at Mattupetty?
Yes. The Kerala Hydel Tourism centre at Mattupetty runs speedboats and pedal boats on the reservoir during the day. It can be busy at weekends. If you prefer something quieter, we skip the boats and walk the lakeside instead. Check current status before you travel, as operations can change.
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