Ponmudi: In the beauty of the mist-laden hills

Ponmudi is a picturesque hill station in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram district. It is the nearest hill station to Trivandrum, at a distance of 61 kilometres. Ponmudi is a part of the Western Ghats and lies parallel to the Arabian Sea. At the foot of the mountains, thick tropical forests of Ponmudi cover the area. Hiking and trekking are practised by the tourists in the region, the base camp is Trivandrum. The climate of Ponmudi is pleasant throughout the year. The tea and spice plantations grace the hill station with their green environs.


The prime tourist spots around Ponmudi are:

Golden Valley

Ponmudi is home to several valleys and rivulets. The most visited valley in the region is the Golden Valley. It gives a clear view of the hills and the River Kalla is easily accessible from this valley. Rounded pebbles, soothing cold water, fish and evergreen trees are a part of the Golden Valley. This mist-laden valley attracts tourists towards its beauty.

Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary

This wildlife reserve lies on the outskirts of Ponmudi. It is spread across an area of 53 square kilometres. It is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, as it is home to wild animals such as Asian Elephants, sambar, leopards, lion-tailed macaques and the Malabar Grey Hornbills. Peppara Reserve can be accessed from Vithura.

Deer Park

This Deer Park is distanced at 3 kilometres from the Ponmudi Resort. It is located at a mountain top and is a major tourist attraction in the area.

Ponmudi Waterfalls

This cascade is located 1.5 kilometres from the hill station. The water pools at the base of the falls and the rocks along with them, add to the beauty of the falls. A trek through the thick jungle leads one to the Ponmudi waterfalls. However, this trek needs to be under the supervision of a local guide, who can help the trekker along the track.

Meenmutty Waterfalls

This beautiful waterfall is located 3 kilometres from the Kallar main road.

Agasthyarkoodam Biosphere Reserve

Agasthyarkoodam is one of the highest mountain peaks in the Western Ghats. The Reserve covers Neyyar, Peppara, Shendumey Wildlife Sanctuaries and parts of Achencoil, Thenmala, Konni, Ponalur and Thiruvananthapuram.

There are several hairpin curves on the connecting road to Ponmudi from Trivandrum. Mountain flowers, rivulets and rapids enhance the hill station gracefully. The vegetation is in accordance with the tropical climate of the region. This hill station is rich in wildlife, with several wildlife preserves around the area. Ponmudi houses 283 species of birds and 195 species of exotic butterflies, most of them endangered and rare. There are various trekking spots in Ponmudi, providing a variety of tracks to choose from, for the tourists visiting this hill station. The wooden and stone cottages dot the region. The best time to visit the hill station would be from the months of November to May when the monsoons have declined.