Top Station

Mountain Biking at Top Station

Neelakurinji Blooming Spectacle at Top Station

Photography at Top Station

Top Station

Name: Top Station
Rating: 4.5

Munnar Kerala

#1 Among Things To Do in Munnar

4.5 /5 (84 Votes)

Munnar Travel Packages

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4 Nights / 5 Days

Explore Kerala in 4 Nights Package

Munnar(2N) → Thekkady(1N) → Alleppey(1N)

Sold By: ASWAMEDHAM HOLIDA...(4.8 )

₹ 19,500

38% off

₹12,000/person

4 Nights / 5 Days

4 Nights 5 Days Kerala Getaway

Munnar(2N) → Thekkady(1N) → Alleppey(1N)

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₹ 16,500

24% off

₹12,500/person

4 Nights / 5 Days

4 Night 5 Days Enchanting Honeymoon Experience in Kerala

Munnar(2N) → Thekkady(1N) → Alleppey(1N)

Sold By: Sri Vacations Tours(4.6 )

₹14,500/person

6 Nights / 7 Days

7-Day Kerala Highlights: Munnar, Thekkady, Houseboat, Kovalam, and Trivandrum

Munnar(2N) → Thekkady(1N) → Alleppey(1N) → Kovalam(2N)

Sold By: Aswamedham Holidays(4.8 )

₹30,000/person

6 Nights / 7 Days

6N/7D Kerala Tour Package | Munnar, Thekkady, Kovalam & Alleppey

Munnar(2N) → Thekkady(1N) → Kovalam(2N) → Alleppey(1N)

Sold By: Corbett Step Hosp...(4.9 )

₹20,500/person

4 Nights / 5 Days

5-Day Kerala Highlights: Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey Backwaters & Kochi

Munnar(2N) → Thekkady(1N) → Alleppey(1N)

₹12,000/person

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Tags : Landmark

Timings : 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Time Required : 1-2 hrs

Entry Fee : No entry fee

Top Station, Munnar Overview

Top Station, on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu about 32 km from Munnar, is the highest point in Munnar at 6,276 ft, with panoramic views of the Western Ghats and the Theni district valley in Tamil Nadu. Low-lying clouds and abundant foliage add to the scenery, and every 12 years the rare Neelakurinji flower blooms here.

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.

1. 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

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

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

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