Top Station

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Label : Top Attraction

Tags : Landmark

Timings : 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Time Required : 1-2 hrs

Entry Fee : No entry fee

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Top Station, Munnar Overview

Top Station is located about 32 kilometres away from Munnar, on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It the highest point in Munnar 6276 ft to enjoy the panoramic view of the majestic Western Ghats and valley of Theni District of Tamil Nadu. Top Station with its low-lying clouds and abundant foliage, is an excellent example of natural beauty.

Top Station is historically known as a transhipment point for the delivery of tea that Munnar produced to Tamil Nadu and got its name as it was the uppermost railway station in Kundala Valley. You can still find the ruins of ropeway lines.

Every 12 years, Top Station provides the view to one of the most exotic sightings and beautiful miracles of nature - Neelarkunji. The hills in and around it are laden with the shrub Neelakurinji, and once in every 12 years, these shrubs blossom with blue flowers, leaving the mountains with a coat of blue. Top Station is also famous for its tea gardens. You can also interact with the tea pickers and get a taste of the regional culture and lifestyle.

Top Station Highlights

1. Mountain Biking at Top Station

Mountain Biking at Top Station
Owing to its picturesque location and towering height, this destination is a favourite for some mountain biking. The regular rough and sandy terrains of mountain biking are not what one should expect (Read More)here. The roadway of these hills is serene and they jet through tea estates and hilly forests. With the perfect backdrop of the mighty Western Ghats in the background, Top Station is certainly one of the most adventurous rides that need to be on everyone's bucket list!

2. Neelakurinji Blooming Spectacle at Top Station

Neelakurinji Blooming Spectacle at Top Station
The entire Western Ghats are laden with a shrub locally known as the Neelakurinji, which translates into blue blooms; or Kurinji. These shrubs are very unique in nature as they produce a flower that b (Read More)lossoms only once in every 12 years. On the occasion of them blossoming the entire valley lights up with a blue tone. As far as your eyes can see, the hills look like they've been covered in delicate blue gems that glitter with the sun's rays. The Paliyan tribe that reside on the Kerala-Tamilnadu border calculate their age based on the blooming of these shrubs.

The last blooming season was in 2018

3. Photography at Top Station

Photography at Top Station
Owing to its picturesque location and towering height, this destination is a favourite for some candid shots of nature. The untouched beauty of this place is ideal to capture a few pictures of the plu (Read More)nging valleys and crystal clear waterfalls. With the perfect backdrop of the mighty Western Ghats in the background, Top Station is certainly a photographer's dream come true!

4. Trekking and Nature Walk at Top Station

Trekking and Nature Walk at Top Station
The pathways of the Top Station make up for a gentle trekking terrain, which is the perfect way to enjoy the surrounding landscape.

Read More on Top Station

History of Top Station

Top Station is historically known as a transhipment point for the delivery of tea that Munnar produced to Bodinayakkanur. Its name was inspired by its location, as it is the upper terminus of the Kottagudi Aerial Ropeway. The Kundala Valley Railway was built to help transport the tea from Munnar to Kundalai, the lowest point in the crest above the cliffs. The terminal railway station for this railway line was also at Top Station. The initial installation was a monorail goods carriage system which was later replaced by 24-inch gauge railway in the year 1902. Kundalai is about 12 kilometres west of Top Station on the way to Munnar station. You can find remains of the Kundala Valley Railway at the Munnar Tea Museum.

The transportation process of tea was not an easy one. The tea chests that arrived at Top Station from Kundalai Valley were directed to Kottagudi through the ropeway on a 5-kilometre journey downhill. These chests were then transported to Bodinayakkanur by a cart which was a 15-kilometre long journey. From there the chests were sent within India by rail or shipped to England via sea routes. Remains of the ropeway can still be seen from Top Station. The elevation at the top of this ropeway was about 1,911 meters that are 6,270 feet.

Tips For Visiting Top Station

1. Best time to visit is in the morning or evening as it tends to become a little warm during the afternoons.
2. Hiring a cab to reach Top Station provides a better view as the road goes through valleys.
3. Wear comfortable shoes as it involves walking on the hilly terrain

How To Reach Top Station

This destination is located on the Munnar-Kodaikkanal highway. Cabs can be hired to reach the attraction. Bikers can drive down too.

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