Emerald Lake, Ooty: How To Reach, Best Time & Tips

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Emerald Lake Overview

Emerald Lake is located in Emerald Village away from the hustle and bustle of a city, offering some peace and quiet so that you can relax in the lap of nature. That is because Emerald Lake is still pristine and less frequented compared to other places visited by tourists in South India every year.

Travel enthusiasts visit Emerald Lake for its breathtaking scenic beauty such as the lush Nilgiri hills and the tea plantations surrounding the water body. With tea plantations surrounding Emerald lake, you can buy various tea products if you like. The lake and its picturesque surroundings are a photographer’s paradise for taking beautiful photos of the landscape. Emerald Lake is also visited due to its stunning sunrise and sunset views, which is a bonus or takeaway for photographers.

It is an ideal picnic spot for locals and tourists alike. You can carry picnic baskets and some badminton gear when visiting this place. The surrounding woods and blue lake-water are home to diverse flora and fauna. Take delight in watching some native birds including ducks and other aquatic animals.

It is a bird watcher’s paradise, where you can spot them easily without having to wait for a long time. Emerald Lake is also popular for activities like mountain biking and trekking down the lakeside. Again, if you are not much of an adventure-seeker, you can fish by the lake or sit with your favorite book and read in peace.

How To Reach

Credits: Sankara Subramanian

There is no bus route to connect to the city and therefore,you need to take a car to reach Emerald Lake from Ooty City Center. You will need to drive along Woodcock Road and subsequently, Lake Road to reach the lake in approx 40 minutes.

Best Time To Visit

Credits: Ashwin Kumar

The best time to visit Emerald Lake is during the summer months from April-June and winters from September-November. Avoid visiting the lake during the monsoons, from June-September because the weather is challenging and you will have no fun around that time.

Other Essential Information

Credits: AshwinKumar

Location: Emerald Village, the Nilgiris, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, 623704, India

Timings: The timings are from 6 am to 5 pm throughout the week.

Entry fee: There is no entry fee at Emerald Lake, Ooty.

Distance from Ooty City Centre: The distance is 19.8 km and it will take around 54 minutes via MDR 1071 to reach Emerald Lake.

Places to Eat in and Near Emerald Lake

1. Clifftop Restaurant

Take delight in the one-of-a-kind dining at Clifftop Restaurant near Emerald Lake, Ooty. Spoil your taste buds with local dishes, signature delicacies, and authentic international cuisines. When you are here, try the pan-fried noodles made in Mandarin style, dragon chicken, barbeque, keema matar, Mughlai mutton seekh kebab, and yellow daal. The buffet is a full-course meal with salads, soups, main dishes, and of course desserts for your sweet tooth.

2. Ponmari

The restaurant offers guests an array of fresh, seasonal ingredients and recipes. It serves sumptuous delicacies including Indian, continental, and Chinese, and some of the best beverages. Enjoy the chic, sophisticated ambiance while you eat to your heart’s content while taking in the beauty of the verdant hills surrounding the restaurant.

3. Earl’s Secret

If you are looking for the finest dining experience in and around Emerald Lake, Earl’s Secret is your best bet. The restaurant serves Mughlai, Chinese, and continental food. You can dine inside, where the Earls ate or you can choose to eat in the beautiful glass house outside, in the lawn. If you are not staying at Kingscliff, table reservation might be necessary if you come only to eat.

Places to Stay Near Emerald Lake

1. Destiny the Farm Resort

The resort features 35 rooms with wood flooring, furniture, and numerous fireplaces. There are standard rooms, deluxe rooms, superior rooms, and luxury rooms with all modern amenities including a luxurious spa. The rooms are mountain facing offering splendid views of nature and greenery.

2. Green Leaves – The Country Inn

Green Leaves is tucked away, secluded and offers breathtaking views of the lush tea plantations, winding paths, and shola forests. Stay in luxurious rooms with balconies offering stunning views of nature. The amenities include 24-hours hot water, free Wi-Fi, toiletries, farm visit, can facility, bicycle on request, and hair drier. The premium facilities include a campfire, tourist guide, room heater, barbeque, and laundry.

3. Sterling Ooty Fern Hill - Resorts and Hotels

The property features well-appointed, luxurious rooms with all modern amenities. The resort comes with a vegetable garden from where the fresh produce is used to toss up delicious meals for the guests. The amenities include LED TV, mini-refrigerator, room heater, tea-coffee maker, in-room dining, bar, banquet, multi-cuisine restaurant, power backup, spa, concierge, gift store, and travel desk.

Travelers’ Tip before visiting Emerald Lake

1. Always pack your photography equipment such as camera, lenses when you visit Emerald Lake, Ooty.

2. Carry some food, water, and beverage when you are at Emerald Lake because there are no shacks or food stalls if you want to have some snacks and tea.

3. Avoid visiting during the monsoons because it is not safe. You cannot enjoy the scenic views when the weather is challenging.

4. Wear durable trekking shoes if you want to trek by the lake and surrounding areas.

Emerald Lake FAQs

How do I get to Ooty Emerald Lake?

-You can reach Emerald Lake Ooty by road through the state or national highways. The Tamil Nadu Government operates several luxury coaches from Mysore, Chennai, and Bengaluru. Private buses also operate from Madurai, Kanyakumari, and Tirupati and they take around 7-8 hours to reach Emerald Lake, Ooty.

-The closest airport to Ooty is the Coimbatore International Airport and connects with South India via direct or indirect flights.

-You can also travel by train; the closest is the Mettupalayam Railway Station, about 45 km from Ooty. You can access the rail services from Mysore, Coimbatore, Bengaluru, and Chennai. Private taxis operate to take you from the station to Emerald Lake.

How do I get to Upper Bhavani Lake in Ooty?

First, you need to head for the forest department, close to the four-point crossing in Ooty, which is 24 km from the city. It will take an hour to reach, and from here, you will reach Upper It will take you approx 30-45 minutes to reach Bhavani Lake. You can choose to travel by the forest department vehicles. However, remember that the vehicles will not stop for more than 20 minutes, while you explore Emerald Lake. You cannot take cabs or private cars, because the lake is not accessible via private cars.

How far is Coonoor from Ooty?

The distance from Ooty to Coonoor is approx 19 km. Board the Ooty-Coonoor toy train, offering you a rejuvenating experience while you travel through dense forests, lush tea plantations, lofty mountains, and imposing eucalyptus trees. The toy train ride is a nostalgic experience, a slow journey that lets you discover nature’s bliss and bounty.

How can I go to Avalanche Lake?

The lake is located an hour from Ooty and you can head for Avalanche Lake by buses or cars. Private cabs are permitted only until Avalanche Checkpoint, after which, you need to travel by the forest vehicles provided by the government.