Top Station, Munnar - Timings, Accessibility, Best Time to Visit
#5 of 52 Places to Visit in Munnar
Distance (From Munnar): 32 Kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): 2-3 Hours
Place Location: Past Mattupetty Dam & Kundala Lake
Transportation Options: Bus / Cab
Travel Tips: This place can be visited along with Mattupetti Dam (22 Kms)
At a distance of 32 Kms from Munnar, Top Station is a breathtakingly beautiful place on Kerala - Tamilnadu boarder. From here, one can get 360 degrees view of the Western Ghats. This is one of the best Munnar tourist places and among the prime place to visit on a Munnar tour.
At an altitude of 2200 meters, this place is also known for the Neelakurunji Plant, which flowers only once every 12 years (next flowering year is 2018). The view point is at a distance of 2 kms from the road point and has to be trekked down. The trek path is very steep with deep valleys one side. One should be very careful while trekking to the view point, which offers lifetime memories. Top Station is the highest approachable road in South India.
The viewpoint at Top Station offers breathtakingly beautiful views of Kannan Devan Hills. The valleys all around, the misty mountains and distant waterfalls all make this place a must visit spot in Munnar.
Top Station is also a wonderful trekking destination in Munnar. There are multiple trekking routes in Top Station. The most popular route starts from Kurangani, a small village in Theni district of Tamilnadu. The total distance of Kurangani to Top Station is about 9 km and it usually takes around 6 hours to complete the trek. Camping is also allowed on the trail if overnight stay is preferred. This can also be done as a single day trek. This trek is of moderate difficulty with well marked path.
Other trekking trails start from Top Station and run through Pambadum Shola National Park and end up at Vattavada / Koviloor in Kerala or take a diversion to Kilavari / Kavunji in Tamilnadu (known as Kerala - Tamilnadu border trail). This trail is a part of protected area and taking permission at the check post at the entrance of Pambadum National Park (after Top Station) is mandatory along with payment for trekking permission. Accommodation on this is also available at forest hut on the trekking route. This trail is little difficult and prior trekking experience is suggested to participate in this.
Top Station is connected by frequent buses from Munnar.
