Needle View Hillpoint / Needle Rock Viewpoint - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 9 km from Gudalur and 40 km from Ooty, Needle View Hillpoint is a vantage point situated on Gudalur - Ooty Main Road in Tamilnadu. It is one of the most popular viewpoints in Ooty and among the best places to visit as part of Ooty tour packages.

Also known as Soochimalai, the Needle Rock Viewpoint or Needle View Hillpoint presents a mesmerizing 360-degree view of the surrounding valleys and plains. The viewpoint gets its name from its huge pointed rock that resembles a needle. It is hidden away from public view and not frequented too much by tourists like other tourist places in Ooty. The sight is truly magnificent and also a shooting spot for many Tamil films.

Needle Rock Viewpoint is located on the way to Gudalur from Ooty. One needs to walk about 1 km to reach this point but it's worth going there. The view from the top of the point is really great. Needle View Hillpoint is a place where you can literally 'reach for the clouds'. The peak and the clouds are at par and during the rare occasion when they separate you can see small villages, dotted among vast stretches of forests, in a distance. Also, it offers a bird's eye view of the nearby Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Gudalur town, Bandipur, and parts of Mysore. Apart from the few hundred meters of trekking experience it provides, it also puts up an amazing backdrop for some candid photographs with your special one which can be cherished for the times to come.

It is advisable to make the journey during the daytime and not to wait until the sun sets or it is dark to visit the place. As it is a highly forested area, there is a high probability of wild animals coming out on the prowl after sunset. Be advised to take some warm clothes with you, as the temperatures can drop during the leeward end of the day even during the monsoon.

Timings: 8 AM - 6 PM

Entry: Rs. 10 for Person