Waterfalls in Kerala

Kerala’s forests are punctuated with small and large streams that merge together to form luscious waterfalls. The swishing and whooshing sound of the flowing stream add to the charm. These coaxes just about anyone to spend hours just gazing at the mesmerizing beauty of the beautiful waterfalls. You will feel the presence of that eternal power which created them while spending time at these waterfalls. Kerala Holidays will not be complete without a visit to any of the below listed waterfalls.

Athirapally Waterfalls

The scenic beauty of Athirapilly waterfalls presents a spectacular visual extravagance to visitors. A very popular picnic spot, Athirapilly is located close to Chalakudy in Kerala. The falls are located amidst dense forests and the entire region looks ‘picture-perfect’ in every way. Athirapilly-Vazhachal waterfalls are situated on the edge Sholayar forest ranges, just 5 kms apart.This sparkling cascade of silvery water, falls from a height of approximately 80 mts to join the Chalakudy river below. You can have a spectacular view from the top of the waterfalls when you walk through the rock pathway that leads from the main entrance. And for those with an adventurous streak, there is a fantastic view from the bottom of the waterfalls which can be reached with a little bit of trekking on slippery mountain trails. It’s a beautiful trail and you can relish the water from the falls sprinkling all over you. The view of the entire landscape is amazing.

But the falls can be treacherous, especially during the monsoons due to the slippery grounds, changing currents and the presence of huge rocks. So, enjoy the view, but be careful, all the same. Best Time to Visit Athirapilly Waterfalls is July to September. Unique attractions in and around Athirapilly Waterfalls are Chapra Falls (1.5 km away from Athirapilly), Vazhachal Falls (about 5 km from Athirapilly), Dream World Amusement Park (24 kms from Athirapilly) and Silver Storm Amusement Parks – (about 30 km from Athirapilly). 

Palaruvi Waterfalls 

Palaruvi - literally, stream of milk - is one of Kerala's most picturesque waterfalls, cascading down a height of 300 feet. It is a favourite picnic spot for visitors from all over south India. The journey to Palaruvi through the dense tropical forest is a spellbinding experience. 

The surrounding mist-clad blue hills and green valleys form a stunning backdrop to the milk white burst of foam that resounds through the otherwise tranquil virgin forest. Visitors love the cool shower. Ayurvedic physicians sometimes prescribe a bath in the waters of Palaruvi. 

Palaruvi is inside thick forests on the high ranges off Thenmala in Kollam district. It is near the Tamil Nadu border, 5 kms from Ariankavu. The waterfalls is from a height of 300 feet. This fall is into a shallow pool and is ideal for swimming. During the rainy season, Palaruvi waterfalls is attarctive and normally get crowded by thousands of tourists. The water gushing during the monsoon season attracts huge crowds at this waterfalls. The fall gets dry during the summer season and the mansoons bring it to its full glory. The area is considered family safe and the pool is relatively shalow for a dip. There are seperate location for kids and ladies. There is also watchman posted. Alchohol is banned in the area. 

There is a Palaruvi Vana Samrakshana Samiti created to protect this spot and some incidents of fights were recently reported in the media between some visitors and the PVSS. However the area is a family torus spot with the help and vigil of local community. 

Access to palaruvi is 35 kilometers east of Punalur on the Quilon - Shenkottah road. It is near Ariankavu mountain pass. There you can see ruins of ancient temples. The water is said to be medicated as it flows down from the forest and is said to be a preventive for many diseases. 

Palaruvi which means stream of milk makes its way down the rocks, from a height of 300 feet. The Palaruvi woods is a beautiful picnic spot. The PWD Inspection Bungalow and the KTDC Motel offer comfortable accommodation. 

The surrounding mist-clad blue hills and green valleys form a stunning backdrop to the milk-white burst of foam whose muffled roar resounds through the otherwise tranquil virgin forest. 

Meenmutty Waterfalls 

Cascading over three stages and falling from a height of over 300 meters, Meenmutty is the tallest waterfall in Wayanad,Kerala. A long days trek through the million shades of green will take you to the spectacular Meenmutty waterfall. The murmurs of the river follow your footsteps through the forest all the way to the falls. The force of water striking the dark rocks and splashing high up, to shimmer in the sun’s rays is breath- taking scenery. The Meenmutty waterfall is situated at the triple point where two other districts Malappuram and Nilgiri join Wayanad in its beauty. 

Meenmutty Waterfalls is situated in Wayanad District,Kerala and is 12 km east of Meppadi. It is a spectacular fall cascading in three tiers, from a height of more than 300 m. A trekkers paradise,Meenmutty waterfall has the distinction of being the second largest waterfall in Kerala. Nearby interesting waterfall destinations are Kanthanpara Waterfalls, Sentinel Rock Waterfall and Soochipara Waterfalls. It is well connected by road with Kalpetta. 

The three-tiered Meenmutty waterfall is most spectacular waterfall in Wayanad District, is a 2 km hike though the jungle from the main Ooty Road. It is a vast waterfall and the one most unspoiled in its natural setting. Each of its three tiers requires a separate hike through a moist, deciduous forest.The path is quiet dangerous and tiresome.but the waterfalls is worth it. 

Soochipara Waterfalls 

  Soochipara waterfalls is a spectacular three-tiered waterfalls in Vellarimala, Wayanad.The Soochipara Waterfalls, famously called Sentinel Rock Waterfalls,l, and since it is shaped as a needle like mountain, it is ,locally refered as Soochipara in malayalam (Soochi means needle, and para means Rock), is located near the town of Meppadi. Surrounded by huge hills and dense forests, it falls from a height of 100 feet to 300 feet. There is a pool below this waterfall, which is suitable for bathing, river rafting and swimming.

  There are few tree top huts located near the Western Ghats Valley, adding to the beauty of this waterfall. Soochipara Waterfalls is situated at a distance of 22 km from Kalpetta and is known for rock climbing and nature walks. Nature walks are the best way to explore the destination and see deer and other wild animals near the waterfalls. 

It takes 30 minutes by taxi to reach the falls from Meppadi, which has beautiful tea plantations and dense forests. 

Chethalayam Waterfalls 

Chethalayam is one of Wayanad's smaller waterfalls. It's surroundings offer a number of vantage points for bird-watching. You will find a variety of birds like peacocks, babblers, cuckoos, owl, woodpecker and jungle fowl. It is also popular with trekking enthusiasts. Located 12 kms from Sulthan Bathery on the Pulpalli Main Road, are the breathtakingly beautiful Chethalayam Waterfalls with crystal clear waters. To reach Chethalayam waterfalls one has to trek a distance of around 4 kms from Chethalayam. The trek towards Chethalayam falls takes you through the forest with lot of grasslands in between and a number of mango trees and a lot of others.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary is another tourist spot. About 15 km from Sultan's Bathery, the Wildlife Sanctuary covers over 344 sq. km. and forms part of the area of Mudumalai Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and Bandipur Sanctuary in Karnataka. Here you can see elephants, spotted deer, guar, sambhar and sloth bear. 

Thusharagiri Waterfalls 

Thusharagiri / Tusharagiri means snow capped or Misty mountains. Thusharagiri waterfalls is located in the Kodencherry village in the district of Kozhikode / Calicut of the state of Kerala. In Thusharagiri two streams on top of the hills of Western Ghats join together to form Chaliyarppuzha. The river Chaliyarpuzha river falls down in three parts, giving just a beautiful and spectacular sight to the viewers. The complete area looks like snow capped or misty giving rise to the name Thusharagiri. 

Thenpara is the highest waterfalls among the three and the most beautiful one. Thenpara falls down from the height of 75 meters. If you are travelling By air you have to reach Karipur International airport at Calicut and is about 76 kilometers away from the watrfalls. 

If you are travelling by rail you have to reach Kozhikode Railway station which is about 60 kilometers from the waterfalls . 

If you are travelling by Road Thusharagiri is about 52 kilometers from the city of Kozhikode via Kunnamangalam and Thamarassery. You can also travel via Kunnamangalam and Koduvalli to reach Kozhikode. 

You can see lots of KSRTC and private buses plying in the route. You can also get private cabs / taxis from the airport and the railway station to reach Thusharagiri. 

Thoovanam Waterfalls 

Thoovanam Falls is a popular waterfall of Devikulam, lying within Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. The waterfall is formed by river Pambar, which flows eastwards through the wildlife reserve. Unlike most of the reserve region, Thoovanam Falls remains open for tourists round the year.

Karimutti Forest Station to Thoovanam waterfalls is a trekking trail that allows travellers to explore wildlife while venturing deep into the forest. Trekking through dry and deciduous forest provides a glimpse of several endemic and rare species. 

Thommankuthu Waterfalls 

If you are a nature lover or an adventure seeker, Thommankuthu is just the right place in Kerala. 20 km away from Thodupuzha, this site draws the attention of several tourists. The exhilarating beauty of Thommankuthu waterfalls captures the heart and soul of every traveler. 

Thommankuthu waterfall is a beautiful seven-step waterfall offering salubrious weather. Amidst verdure foliage, this shimmering waterfall is a perfect place to spend time in the lap of nature. Thommankuthu waterfall tours will allow tourist to savor the wild beauty of forest and stream. Tours to Thommankuthu Waterfalls in Kerala with Kerala Travel Tourism truly has something for everyone. If you are looking for an adventurous vacation, Thommankuthu waterfall tours offer all the adventure you can handle. 

This exotic place is congenial for trekking or mountain climbing. Tourists looking for adventure can trek the mountain, which is around 12 km of climbing. Since there are no accommodation facilities available at this site, tourists can enjoy only one-day tours. Tourists can also enjoy boating on the lake. Fishing and horse riding are other options available in this pleasant valley. 

If you are interested in visiting this amazing Kerala highlight, you can board a bus from Thodupuzha, 18 km from Thommankuthu. For lodging, there are many hotels, rest houses and restaurants at Thadupuzha. The nearest railway station is Nedumbassery Airport, which is 80km away. The nearest railway stations are at a distance of 60 km away at Kochi and Kottayam. 

Perunthenaruvi Waterfalls 

The Perunthenaruvi Waterfalls is situated about 36 kms. from Pathanamthitta. The Perunthenaruvi Waterfalls on the banks of the Pamba river is a favourite picnic spot for both domestic and foreign tourists. Here, the water flows down a rocky bed into a ravine about 60 to 100 feet deep. 

Powerhouse Waterfalls 

Power house Waterfall is on a way to view the magnificent wildlife of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady is 17 kms from Munnar Hill Station to Thekkady. The water from “Sita Devi Kulam”, believed to be a panacea for all ills. This spot is packed with number of Western mountain range and ideal for the break on a way to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Powrehouse Waterfall are a visual treat for eyes. Falling from a great height of 2000 m, the fall takes its spectator by surprise due its beauty. Western Mountain ranges surrounding it add to its beauty.

Nyayamakad Waterfalls 

About 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Munnar on the way to Rajamala, Nyayamakad is a land of breathtaking waterfalls and an endless stretch of verdant greenery. Behold the spectacle of water tumbling onto a fern-fringed pool from a hill at a height of 1600 meters (5333 feet). Enjoy a peaceful mountain walk, stop along the way to take photographs and simply soak up the scenery. 

Walk up to the Nyayamakad gap to take in brilliant views of the Munnar valley covered with a green carpet of tea plantations. Here you might come across tea pickers at work. It is a great opportunity to mingle with the locals, learn a thing or two about tea gardening and experience a day in their lives. Nyayamakad is a good base for a trek into the Munnar wilderness filled with numerous photographic opportunities. You can enjoy a picnic here, stroll around and explore the surroundings, marvel at the sheer might of the waterfall and view the distant tea estates. 

Meenvallam Waterfalls 

Meenvallam waterfall is around 8kms from Thuppanad junction on the Palakkad- Manarkkad route. It is a combination of enchanting beauty and scenic splendor. The water falls from nearly 20 to 25 feet and the depth is around 15-20 feet. 

There are 10 steps of waterfalls of which eight are situated in the upper hills inside the dense forest. They are inaccessible, only the remaining two steps are accessible. One has to hire a jeep from Koomankund junction and then trek a distance of 1.5 km by crossing the river Thuppanad. 

The ten step waterfall with the height of each step varying from five to fourty metres provide a visual treat to the beholder. 

Mankayam Waterfalls 

Mankayam waterfall is Situated close to Palode in Nedumangadu Taluk, Mankayam waterfall is an apt choice for trekking if you are looking for a rich rainforest experience at any time of the year. This beauty is managed by Kerala Forest Department and has been recently announced as an eco-tourism zone. Situated at an elevation of around 500 m above sea level, the fertile soil here has yielded lush foliage that houses interesting species of flora. The entire area from Mankayam to Kalakkayam covers a long stretch of forest vegetation on the banks of the Mankayam River. The undulating terrain with rocky patches shelters the Kalakkayam Waterfall, one of the biggest falls in this area.From Mankayam, visitors can go to nearby picturesque spots and can also go for trekking. An interior area trek here, covering Iruthala Moola – Ayampara is a half day trek, which also would enable one to witness the Ayampara waterfalls and some of the wildlife in the area. Adventure inclined visitors may opt for the one day Mankayam – Varayadin Mottai trek. This trek would take one through rolling valleys, grasslands and shola forests. You would also come across the endangered Nilgiri Tahr – a species of wild goat, at the peak of Varayadin Mottai. Camping options are available here along with trained guides.

Kanthanpara Waterfalls 

Kanthanpara waterfalls are a treat to the eye of nature lovers and multi cultural visitors. At Upavan one of the major attractions for nature savvy tourists is Kanthanpara waterfalls. Kanthanpara waterfalls are situated in Wayanad Kalpetta. Next time you visit Wayanad remember to include Kanthanpara waterfalls in your trip itinerary. Kanthanpara Waterfalls is located twelve kilometers southeast of Wayanad Kalpetta. It is eight kilometers east of Meppadi. There are beautiful tea gardens on both sides of Kanthanpara waterfalls adding more beauty to the scenic waterfall. The nice aroma of tea leaves can be smelled near this waterfall. The waterfall raises a mild noise while falling and it is a very excellent trekking spot for novices. This wonderful 99 foot cascade is an excellent tourist spot for a day-long trekking tour. 

You can reach to Kanthanpara waterfalls easily from the Kozhikode railway station. The closest airport to Kanthanpara waterfalls is the Calicut Airport. The waterfall at Kanthanpara is about 30 meters in height. Even though Kanthanpara waterfalls are relatively smaller than Sentinel Rock Falls, it is also a beautiful cascading water body for exploring and trekking. But unfortunately it is rather less frequented by tourists. Kanthanpara with its gorgeous surroundings present a very pleasant and interesting camping site. The major advantage with Kanthanpara waterfalls is that it is an easy hike away from main road, and even children and trekking novices can reach the waterfalls with minimum effort. Kanthanpara is an essential spot in Upavan sightseeing list. The waterfalls present scenic view points for photographers and nature lovers. You can capture excellent snaps with your handy cams in and around the waterfall area. Children would love to trek and camp in these beautiful waterfalls. 

Dhoni Waterfalls 

Dhoni waterfall is situated in the Dhoni hills in Palakkad district. It is surrounded by dense forests. On reaching the base of the Dhoni hills, one has to reach to the top by trekking for around 3 hours. During monsoon season, the water will be full and it is the ideal time to visit this waterfalls. The water from here flow to reach the Malampuzha dam. Near to the mountain lies a temple and the people believe that it was constructed by Goddess for Lord Shiva.

The `misty mountains' make Palakkad one of the major tourism centres of the country. Malampuzha dam and its surrounding mountains are the prime tourism location in Kerala for more than five decades now.But Dhoni, a reserve forest with its misty mountains just 12 km from Palakkad town, is emerging as a major tourism centre. Its lush green surroundings are a pleasure to watch. Dhoni is also famous for its farmhouse, harbouring hundreds of cattle of Swiss variety. 

Tourists interested in watching nature at close quarters attract the Dhoni waterfalls, particularly Sapal waterfalls at Parasuramkundu.It is also easy to reach the waterfalls and other beautiful spots inside the reserve forest. A four-km walk from Dhoni main road will take you to the beautiful waterfall and the forest area, which is rich in wildlife like elephant, tiger, deer, etc.It is an ideal place for trekking. One can walk down to Malampuzha and Meenvallam waterfalls from Dhoni through the thick forests. Location15 Kms From Palakkad. 

Cheeyapara-Valara Waterfalls 

The Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls are situated between Neriamangalam and Adimali on the Kochi - Madurai highway. The Cheeyappara Falls cascades down in seven steps. It is a actual feast for the eyes. This is also a huge place for trekking.

Valara waterfalls are 10 km from Adimali on the Kochi - Madurai highway. Valara has a chain of waterfalls bordered by thick green forests. The Cheeyappara Waterfalls is one of Kerala's most magnificent waterfalls. You can see water cascading down here over seven steps, providing a truly fantastic spectacle for you to behold! This is certainly a unique spectacle! 

The awesome scene of white waters cascading down from the top of a peak will remain forever in your heart as one of your most precious memories. 

The surroundings of the beautiful Cheeyappara Waterfalls are a great place where you can pursue a range of activities, foremost among these being trekking. 

You can also visit the Valara Waterfalls which lie not very far from the Cheeyappara Waterfalls. 

Valara Waterfalls is only about 10 km away from Adimali along the Cochin-Madurai highway. Valara features an astounding chain of waterfalls and provide a particularly magnificent treat for the eye. These waterfalls are surrounded by lush, dense forests that are home to a wide variety of small animals and birds. 

Adyanpara Waterfalls 

Adyanpara waterfall is located in Kurumbalangode village of Nilambur taluk. Adyanpara is natural waterfall originated from surrounding jungles. Adyanpara waterfall is one of the tourist attractive places in Nilambur. There is a mythology that the water in Adyanpara waterfall is purified and having medicinal power by nature. The reason is each drop of the water is coming filtered by soil and there is direct impact of medicinal plants by their leaves, roots and outer part. 

Adyanpara waterfall is proposed for generating electricity by Kerala Government. Still the people surrounded by the Adyanpara waterfall is using for agricultural purpose.