If you’re looking for the calm drive in Ooty, you can spend a day walking through a pine forest, enjoying open grasslands, visiting a waterfall, and finishing with boating on Pykara Lake. The Pykara route has over five stops, making it a full-day activity.
This drive is the perfect way to experience Ooty’s beauty. We spent several hours exploring the viewpoints, and the stops are truly worth your time.
We put together this guide to the best viewpoints to stop at—plus which overlooks you can safely skip if you’re short on time.
We usually keep one day for Pykara when we visit Ooty. If you’re staying for two or three days, take a look at our Ooty Itinerary to plan the other days.
Overview About this Scenic Drive in Pykara
This road trip will take a full day. After done with your breakfast in central Ooty, start your drive towards Pykara Lake, a popular spot for boating. We did the same Pykara road trip four times last year, stopping at Pine Forest, 6th Mile, 9th Mile, Pykara Falls, and Pykara Lake. Visiting the same route in different weather and crowd conditions helped us understand where to stop longer and what to skip on a busy day.
Pykara Lake is about 20 km from Ooty and is reached via the Ooty–Mysore Road. If you travel directly without stopping, the drive usually takes around 40 minutes to one hour, depending on traffic.
The best way to get around is by car or by hiring a cab. This lets you travel at your own pace and spend as much time as you like overlooking the Queen of Hills. Public buses travel towards Pykara, but they may not be convenient if you want to stop at every attraction.
This was my 12th trip to Ooty, but I still chose a long weekend for Pykara—clearly, I never learn! Learn from my mistake and visit on a weekday if you can.
And one main thing to keep in mind: There will be lots and lots of monkeys on the Pykara route too; be careful with your bags. The monkeys are always watching, and they may suddenly grab a snack, tear open a cover, or steal something from your hand.
Pykara Road Trip at a Glance
DISTANCE | About 22 km one way
DRIVE TIME | Roughly 1 hour without stops
START | Central Ooty
END | Pykara Lake
ROUTE | Pine Forest → 6th Mile → 9th Mile → Pykara Falls → Pykara Lake
TIME NEEDED | Half a day to a full day
Ooty Itinerary Map
The map below shows the main places to visit in Ooty and the driving routes for central Ooty and Pykara. We’ve also marked Coonoor, Kotagiri, Mudumalai, and Avalanche if you have time to explore beyond Ooty.
How to Use This Map: Click the menu icon in the top left corner to see all the places marked on the map. You can turn individual layers on or off to focus on the area or route you want to explore. Click any marker for more information about that stop.
For a larger view, click the icon in the top right corner. To save the map for your trip, sign in to your Google account and click the star beside the map’s title. This makes it easier to find again when you need it.
Top Stops Along the Pykara Route
1. Pine Forest
Estimated Time: 30 Minutes
Pine Forest is one of the most photographed stops on the Pykara road, and I loved visiting it again and again.
The Pine Forest has the tallest trees; you have to tilt your head almost 270 degrees to see their tops. Closely spaced trees create a dramatic backdrop, which explains why the location is popular for photographs and film scenes.
As you walk downhill, you will find a beautiful lake (Sandy Nulla Lake) that adds even more charm to the location. The lake and its surroundings provide a pleasant view.
The ground can be slippery after rain, so wear good shoes for the short trek. This place isn’t ideal for elders or small kids.
2. 6th Mile
Estimated Time From Pine Forest: 30 Minutes
A must-visit scenic spot in Ooty! It’s about 10 km (6 miles) away from Ooty, just near the pine forest. Dense Shola forests surround this place.
It is a popular movie shooting location because of its breathtaking natural beauty. It’s a pleasant space that lets you escape the chaotic hustle of city life. The grasslands, gentle hill views, and wide spaces make you feel relaxed.
This became one of our favorite stops on the Pykara route. We spent nearly 3 hours here. On our March trip, Pine Forest felt too crowded, so we came here; it gave us a more relaxed experience, and now, whenever we drive the Pykara route, we will never miss this spot.
3. 9th Mile Shooting Point
Estimated Time From 6th Mile: 30 Minutes
9th Mile Ooty is a Beautiful place with a great view of nature, 15 km (9 miles) from Ooty. A stretch of open meadow and rolling landscape on the Pykara side, Morning and evening times are perfect for photo shoots because the scenery and lighting look really beautiful. It’s definitely a great place to visit and capture some memorable photos.
The place also appeared in many Indian movies like Chennai Express, Roja, Deewana, Suryavamsam, etc.
It is a short 15-minute hike. The slope will be steep. You can enjoy Horse Riding across the meadows, watch the sunset, pose at iconic filming spots from Indian cinema, and have a fun picnic with family.
4. Pykara Falls
Estimated Time From 9th Mile Shooting Point: 30 Minutes
Beyond the greenery, Ooty offers excellent waterfall experiences. It’s about a 500-meter walk; you can also take battery-operated cars that take you up to the entrance of the falls. After that, you need to walk down a little for the amazing view of Pykara Falls. It is a pleasant nature stop on the Pykara route.
This place isn’t exactly a waterfall, but more of a gentle stream flowing over the rocks, which still creates a pleasant, refreshing view.
The overall experience can vary by season; we visited in September, and the water level was good. If the water level is low, it may feel less attractive; if you are already tired or have a toddler or elders with you, skip it and save their energy for Pykara Lake.
5. Pykara Lake
Estimated Time From Pykara Falls: 30 Minutes
My most and most favorite spot. The lake is genuinely beautiful, surrounded by mountains.
On our last year March trip, the temperature hit 25 °C, and the crowd was at its peak; queues were long, we felt overwhelmed, and we ran away, but our October visit was unforgettable: the temperature was around 15°C, and the boat ride felt wonderfully chilly.
To fully experience the beauty of the place, you must go boating on this lake. Last year we went in a 6-seater jet ski and a 2-seater as well.
On our recent September trip, the boating queue at Pykara Lake took around 30 minutes. Honestly, that was still better than the waiting time during the summer peak season. Water bikes and speedboats weren’t available at this time. Only 8- and 10-seater boats were available. Also, you have to share a boat if you want to go boating.
We visited when it was drizzling, and we took the boat ride. We opted for the 20-minute, 10-seater motorboat ride by sharing the boat with another lovely family. It was an awesome experience with breathtaking views. The water was clean and fresh, not stinking. We enjoyed it with our family.
Our boat driver told us that elephants, tigers, black panthers, and other wild animals are sometimes seen near the water. We didn’t see any, though—as usual, the only wildlife waiting for us was a monkey calmly drinking water, lol!
Best Time to Visit Pykara
The best time to visit Pykara is undoubtedly from September to February. The weather is usually cool, the grasslands look greener, and Pykara Falls may have better water flow after the monsoon.
On our September and October trips, we were able to enjoy Pykara at a more relaxed pace. In our experience, crowds are minimal in winter if you like the chilly climate. However, Christmas, New Year, and long weekends can be very busy, so don’t assume Pykara will always be quiet in winter. During heavy rain, Pykara Lake and some attractions along the route may be temporarily closed for safety. Check with your hotel or a local driver before starting the trip.
How Much Time Do You Need?
How long does it take to drive to Pykara? It depends on how many stops you make along the way. If you plan to stop only at Pykara Lake, you can drive there in 40 minutes to 1 hour.
Most people visit Pine Forest, 6th Mile, 9th Mile, and Pykara Falls along the way. Each stop adds an additional 30 mins to 1 hour to explore. At Pykara Lake, keep at least 1 to 2 hours for the boating queue and ride. Thus, adding these spots makes it easy to spend a full day exploring the Pykara side.
You can complete the main stops in half a day if you move quickly. But if you want to walk around, take photographs, enjoy boating, and avoid rushing your family, set aside one full day.
We’ve shared where we stayed and how we travelled in our Ooty Travel Guide, along with a few tips from our visits.
Helpful Tips for Visiting Pykara
Try to start early, especially if you are visiting on a weekend or public holiday. After breakfast, start as early as 8:00 am or 8:30 am to beat the afternoon crowd. We started around 11:30 am during a long weekend, and almost every stop was crowded.
Fill up your fuel tank in Central Ooty before starting the drive; there are no petrol bunks along the Pykara side. Carry some water, snacks, and an extra layer of clothing for your children because the weather can change quickly. You can find small shops at the entrance at every spot, where you can get hot Maggi, bread, biscuits, tea, coffee, and a quick snack.
Restrooms are available at Pine Forest, 9th Mile, and Pykara Lake, but don’t expect proper facilities at every stop.
Pine Forest, 9th Mile, and Pykara Falls involve some walking. If you are traveling with toddlers or older adults, choose the stops they will enjoy instead of trying to cover everything.
Heavy rain can temporarily stop boating or close some attractions. Ask your hotel or a local driver about the current situation before leaving Ooty. Entry fees, boat options, and closing times may also change, so check them at the ticket counters. Flying a drone near Pykara Lake is not allowed.
Is Pykara Worth Visiting?
Absolutely yes, Pykara is a wonderful way to experience the other side of Ooty. Most stops are scenic, and visitors can see forests and falls and enjoy mountain views. However, I don’t think Pykara is a must, especially if you have limited time.
Since much of the drive is through the trees, driving the Pykara side would make the experience much more worthwhile. But if you are planning a one-day trip to Ooty, visiting the Botanical Garden, Ooty Lake, and a few places around Central Ooty may be easier. The full Pykara route deserves at least half a day, and preferably a full day if you want to enjoy it without rushing.
Do you have any questions about this Ooty guide? Let us know in the comments below.
