Top 5 Beautiful Waterfalls in Ooty (2024)
The hill station of Ooty in Tamil Nadu is well-known for its mesmerizing waterfalls. The beautiful and majestic cascading waterfalls of Ooty are a sight to behold. These waterfalls in Ooty are the perfect destination that awaits at the end of the many thrilling trekking routes in Ooty. Some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Ooty are nestled between lush greenery, dense forests, and misty environment. A perfect place for a day out to relax and sightseeing. Many of these waterfalls are still unexplored and persevered in their natural condition. What are the best waterfalls in Ooty? Here are some of the top waterfalls in Ooty that you must visit the next time you are in Tamil Nadu.
Top 5 Beautiful Waterfalls in Ooty
1. Catherine Falls
Catherine Falls is not just the most beautiful waterfall in Ooty, but also one of the most famous and mesmerizing waterfalls in India. It was earlier known as the Gaddhehaada Falls, and it is one of the best places to visit in Ooty. If you have only one day to spend in this hill station, Catherine Falls should be a must-visit on your list.
Catherine Falls is not just famous because of its majestic beauty, but also because of the awe-inspiring cascading water that falls fiercely from a great height of 250 meters. The lush green and dense forest surrounding the waterfall provides the perfect background and adds to the beauty of the environment. 
The Nilgiri Mountain range surrounds the entire area of Catherine Falls, and due to this, many tourists prefer to reach Catherine Falls by the many trekking routes.
While visiting the Catherine Falls, it is worth your time to make a stopover at the Dolphin Nose Viewpoint to take in the breathtaking view of the entire hill station. The waterfall originates from the Kallar River, which falls in a double cascade from the huge height. The height of the falls also makes it the second-highest waterfall of the Nilgiri range.
So how can one get to Catherine Falls in Ooty? The Catherine Falls is located near Kotagiri and can be accessed by people from the Ooty and Coonoor region. The best way to truly experience the beauty of Catherine Falls and the surrounding natural beauty is to opt for taking the trekking route to the waterfall.
The waterfall is unique in that it is one of the rarer falls in Southern India that has an English name. It is named after Catherine Cockburn, who was the wife of M. D. Cockburn, the original person who is credited to have introduced coffee plantation in the Yercaud and Kotagiri region. The original name of the waterfall, Gaddhehaada Halla, used to translate to mean ‘Foothills of the Dale River’ in English.
The best time to visit the Catherine Falls is during the monsoon season when the water is in full flow. September to March is, therefore, the best time to come here.
2. Kalhatti Falls
Located just 14 kilometers from the main town of Ooty, the Kalhatti Falls is situated in Bellikal. The waterfall is traditionally known as a Bird Watcher’s Paradise, as standing at the top of the falls can give you one of the most amazing aerial views of the entire valley. It is also the best place to spot many endemic birds in the area. The beautiful and calm atmosphere at the Kalhatti Falls has made it the perfect spot for short trips and one-day getaways.
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The lake that the Kalhatti Falls merges into is another important tourist attraction of Bellikal as it is surrounded by lush greenery and is a popular picnic spot. This lake is also a major source of fresh drinking water for the surrounding regions. If you are lucky, you may get to see elephants having a drink at the lake. Tourists to the lake can also take a long walk amongst the blissful atmosphere to reach the shore of the lake. This is known to offer some breathtakingly beautiful and misty views of the valley all around.
So what is the height of the famous Kalhatti Falls in Ooty? Located to the south of the Sigur Plateau in Tamil Nadu, the Kalhatti Falls cascades down from a mighty height of 400 feet. The waterfall comes from the expanses of the surrounding Nilgiri Mountains. Not only is this waterfall a fantastic natural wonder, but it is also an important location for nature conservation and biodiversity in Ooty.
The Kalhatti Falls is also known as the Kalahasti Falls by the locals of Ooty. Dense forests that surround the falls are known to be home to wild animals like tigers, bears, elephants, and monkeys, who also frequently visit the Bellikal Lake to drink water.
The locals of the region have a belief that the water flowing down the Kalhatti Falls contains healing and medicinal properties that can cure many diseases. Due to this, many people with religious beliefs also visit the Kalhatti Falls.
3. Pykara Falls
The Pykara Falls is located at a distance of 20 kilometers from Ooty and can be reached in an hour’s drive from the Ooty highway. Local government transport buses also regularly ply to the Pykara Falls.
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Nestled amidst lush green forests, the Pykara Falls is a beautiful sight to behold. The waterfall derives its name from a nearby village. A river that runs through this Pykara Village is also named Pykara. The Pykara River is considered to be sacred to the locals of this area. The river flows downstream from the mountains and forms a series of waterfalls, which are known as the Pykara Falls.
This series of waterfalls cascade down the mountain in two separate sections. One is of 55 meters, and the other is of 61 meters. The sheer magnificence of this view draws many tourists to the Pykara Falls. If you are heading to the falls, making a stop at the Pykara Dam is also a good idea. This dam is one of the oldest hydro projects in India and dates back to the British era. There is also a reservoir attached to the dam which you can visit. The Pykara Falls is one of the most mesmerizing waterfalls of Ooty.
4. Katari or Katary Falls
Though the Katari Falls is not as famous as a tourist spot as compared to the other falls on this list, it is still a stunning waterfall that must not be missed. This is the third-largest waterfall in South India. The waterfall comes cascading down fiercely from a height of 590 feet. If you visit the Katari Falls during the monsoon season, you will see the waterfall swelling with water and falling with maximum intensity.
Due to the high intensity of the waterfall, Katari Falls also houses the Kathary Hydroelectric project. The ferociousness of the waterfall ensures that the hydroelectric project is able to produce over 1000 KW of energy.
The Katari Falls is located in Adikarratti in Ooty and is just a stone’s throw (10 kilometers) away from Coonoor. This silvery water gushing down forms a pool at the bottom, which is a popular picnic spot for tourists and locals.
5. Halashana Falls
Located in the Nilgiris, the Halashana Falls is another beautiful waterfall in Ooty. The cascading silver waters of the Halashana Falls come down from a height of 150 feet above sea level and makes for a great picnic spot. It is one of the lesser-known waterfalls in Ooty. Therefore there is less crowd surrounding the water body. The surrounding area of the waterfall is owned by a private estate.
