The picturesque lakes and dams of Ooty

Perched beautifully in between the blue mountains of Nilgiris, Ooty is a secluded green hill station situated at an altitude of 2240 m in the Tamil Nadu. Also termed as the “Queen of Hill Stations”, Ooty is one of the most prominent hill stations in South India. Brimmed with lush green forests, serene lakes, attractive locations and breathtaking landscapes, Ooty, also called as Ootacamund, is one of the most visited places in Tamil Nadu. The forests of Ooty are equipped with trees of Conifers, Eucalyptus and Pine which enhance the awe-inspiring beauty of this destination and keep the environment of Ooty clean and fresh.

Ooty is a kind of place that can be visited around the year due to its ideal weather. Summers are quite pleasant, winters are cool, and monsoons are beautiful in Ooty. The Blue Mountains or the Nilgiris are the major reason behind the fame of Ooty. Every evening, the blue mountains of Ooty spread a blue misty haze amidst the hills and forests that make this place spellbinding and make every single person fall in love with Ooty.

Ooty houses several tourist attractions such as Doddabetta Peak (highest peak of Nilgiris and 2nd highest peak in South India), Botanical Garden, Rose Garden, Ooty Lake, emerald lake, pykara waterfalls, tea gardens, coffee plantation, etc. Apart from these attractions here, one can find a good market rich in local items such as home-made chocolates and Nilgiri tea.

Out of all the attractions that Ooty dwells, the major thing for which Ooty is famous for is its lakes and dams.

Here we have compiled a list of some of the unexplored lakes of Ooty, which contribute to the top reasons to visit Ooty. Read on to know more.

Pykara Lake & Dam

Formed by the water of Pykara Dam in Ooty, the lake offers amazing views and experiences. Pykara Lake is situated on the Ooty – Mysore road near the Pykara Dam. The lake is blessed for the Todas (local tribes of Nilgiris) and is considered an important place in between the locals of that region.  The lake is one of the top tourist attractions in Ooty and offers a variety of activities that one can experience such as boating, etc. Pykara lake offers one of the best boating experiences and one can also spot elephants on the banks of the lake while boating.

Emerald Lake

Another scenic lake settled in between the hills of Nilgiris, Emerald Lake is situated near the Emerald village near Ooty. The lake is a part of Silent Valley National Park located near the Avalanche village. The clear blue waters of the lake which is encircled by lush green pastures and thick forest make this one of the beautiful lakes near Ooty. Emerald lake is also an ideal place if one loves bird watching as the lake receives a variety of birds. There are also other activities that one can experience near the lake such as trekking, fishing, and boating.

Avalanche Lake & Kundah Dam

One of the oldest formed lakes which is situated near the village Avalanche in the Nilgiris. The lake is formed naturally in 1823 due to a huge landslide and that’s why it is called Avalanche Lake. Girded by lush green landscapes having colorful blossoms, Avalanche Lake is truly a breathtaking place for nature lovers. The place is like a heaven due to its amazing ambiance. The view from the lake includes tiny waterfalls falling from the surrounding hills. This lake is one of the major sources of water supply for the Kundah Hydro Power station.  The lake is highly visited in the post-monsoon season as the water level rises and it gives a great experience for visitors. The lake comes under the vicinity of a wildlife sanctuary that is home to wild animals such as Nilgiri Thar, Leopard, Tiger, Gaur, Sambhar Deer, Barking Deer, Sloth Bear and Nilgiri Langur.

Bellikal Lake

Bellikal Lake is one of the wonderful places nestled amidst the lush green forest and pleasing landscapes. Famous as one of the tourist places in Ooty, the lake is an ideal place for wildlife and nature lovers. The serene lake is a preferred watering hole for several animals such as beard, deer, tigers, bison, and elephants. Also famous for bird watching because a variety of birds visit the lake and make the environment pristine. Some of the birds that can be spotted here are bulbuls, shrikes, crow pheasants, woodpeckers and mourning doves. One can also do mountain biking and trekking here which makes this a preferable place for adventure enthusiasts.

While you are here, make sure you stay at Sterling Ooty Elk Hill or Sterling Ooty Fern Hill for th experience of a lifetime.