By Sreejith Kamalanayanan
Photography : Retheesh Kariyam
Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, is home to many places known for their scenic beauty. The district can rightfully boast of some of the best beaches and hill stations in Kerala. Ponmudi, the hill station is such a tourist attraction worth exploring at least once in our life time.
Ponmudi possesses attractive features like beautiful streams and water falls which offer relief from the intense dryness of the city life. But it’s the white mist in Ponmudi that really steals our hearts.
When the wanderer inside you cries out for a relief don’t hesitate to travel all the way to Thiruvananthapuram by bus, train or any other means and you won’t regret it. If you prefer to feel the pulse of the life there, it is always better to travel by KSRTC buses that ply to the hill from Thiruvananthapuram city.
The bus you board passes via Vithura town. Going right to Vithura town you can find the Peppara dam. A wildlife sanctuary is also situated there which is a delight for shutterbugs.
En route to Ponmudi is the Kallar town which owes its name from the famous Kallar river.
Kallar is an ideal spot for trekking and boasts of tourist attractions like the adjacent Golden Valley and Meenmutti waterfalls.
Leaving Kallar we reach the Golden Valley which actually serves as an entry point to Ponmudi. We have to negotiate at least 22 hair pins from Golden Valley to reach the top of Ponmudi.
You will be blessed if you get slight showers along the way: Such a magical experience!
How to reach
Ponmudi is 55.2 km away from Thiruvananthapuram city. The peak is located to the North east of the city at an altitude of 1100m. The nearest town is Kallar.
KSRTC buses are available to the destination. And KTDC hotels are available for stay.
