Valparai
Valparai is a hill station in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. This is located 3,500 feet above sea level on the Anaimalai Hills range of the Western Ghats, at a distance of 95 km from Coimbatore and 55 km from Pollachi. There are 42 hairpin bends on the way to Valparai from Azhiyar. Valparai remains relatively undisturbed from pollution. While major portions of the land is owned by private tea companies, large forest areas continue to be out of bounds.
Valparai experiences a pleasant climate throughout the year. Valparai still is a no-fan place. That means this place always experiences a mild cold climate and never requires a fan to stay. Valparai receives high rain showers from June to October. The climate is suitable for cultivation of tea, coffee, cardamom and cinchona. Valparai is still in an infant stage with respect to Tourism Industry. Though Valparai has a rich substance for the growth of tourism, it was lying unnoticed for a longer period.
The scenic drive to the town from Pollachi passes through the Indira Gandhi Wild Life Sanctuary noted for elephants, boars, lion-tailed macaques, gaur, spotted deer, sambar, and Giant Squirrels. The area is also rich in birds, including the great hornbill.
A different perspective of a hairpin bend... the road is elevated and so gives a tilted look.... Hairpin Bends are always scary and so wanted to give a different angle to it....
We're supposed to cross the bridge to get to Chinnakkalar falls. It was scary. And most certainly, more than 2 people cannot use it!
The trail from Athirapally to Valparai was beautiful. Virtually no traffic on the road with dense jungle on either side! We saw dung at many places - your guess is as good as mine on what animal it was
