Ottakkal Weir View Point: Lovely Pit Stop on the Thenmala – Kollam Highway
It is home to a lookout tower that offers an aerial view of a weir bridge, the Kallada river, the Shendurney wildlife sanctuary and the mountains of the Western Ghats in the background. It is a great place for photographers, nature enthusiasts and adventure lovers. I am talking about the Ottakkal weir view point and its 20 meter high tower with a spiral staircase and a circular platform at two levels all of which make for a lovely pit stop on the Thenmala – Kollam highway.
The Ottakkal weir view point that is part of the Thenmala ecotourism project and a major point of Kallada Irrigation Project, is an ideal place to relax and rejuvenate your senses with soothing sounds and sights of nature. Once you are done enjoying the view from the lookout and if you have time at hand, you can walk down to the river base and weir bridge. This will allow you to get closer to the river and get a different view of the surrounding nature. There is also a motorable road that connects to the weir bridge, but it looks like one needs permission from the authorities to take their vehicle in. No permissions required if you are on foot. This place would make for a fabulous pit stop during the rainy season when the river is full of water and the surroundings are full of lush nature. Do not miss to take a break at this pit stop when you are driving or riding towards Thenmala from either Kollam or Thiruvananthapuram. There are a couple of shacks selling some local fruits, tea and snacks. It might be a great idea to have a mini brunch here while enjoying the serene views.
Other nearby tourist attractions
1) Mekkarai to Achankovil to Konni: Heavenly motorcycle route through pristine forest
2) Mekkarai: One of Tamil Nadu’s prettiest villages
3) Courtallam: The herbal bath holiday destination of Tamil Nadu
4) Sunderapandiapuram: Of lovely Brahmin agraharam houses, sunflower fields, windmills and mountain views
5) Puliyarai View Point: Scenic pit stop on the Tenkasi – Kerala highway
6) Manalar Falls: The herbal jungle waterfall of Kerala
7) Kambhavurutty Falls: Scenic Waterfall Holiday Destination of Kerala
8) Rosemala View Point: Gorgeous motorcycling route inside Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala
9) Thenmala Forest: Offbeat nature and wildlife getaway
10) Vintage Pathimoonu Kannara Bridge: Colonial charm of the Indian Railways
11) Punalur Suspension Bridge: Historical gem of Kerala
12) Lesser Known Kerala Mountain Railways: Treat for nature lovers
13) Achankovil Saastha Temple: That happy Lord Ayyappa in the middle of pristine jungle
14) Palaruvi Falls: Kerala’s herbal waterfall that drops like milk from the sky
15) Thenmala Dam: A monsoon pit stop view
16) Aryankavu Saastha Temple: Ancient temple located in the sacred forests of the Western Ghats
17) The exotic tropical fruits of Puliyarai
18) Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple: World’s richest Hindu temple
19) Shangumugham Beach: The tranquil and divine beach of Thiruvananthapuram
20) Kappil Beach: Sandy beauty hemmed in between the sea and the backwaters
21) Varkala Beach: The stunning cliff beach of Kerala where you can wash away all your sins
22) Meenmutty Falls inside Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary: A beautiful tropical jungle trail
23) Ponmudi: The offbeat hill station of Kerala with a 360 degree mountain panorama
