Sholayar Dam
Sholayar Dam
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4.0
197 reviews
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55
Very good
79
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51
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8
Terrible
4
G A
India2,641 contributions
Feb 2020
I went to the Sholayar Dam less than a week ago. Shockingly, despite the very heavy monsoons of 2019, the lake is empty, almost completely dry. I have seen it at very low levels in the past but not as bad as this.
Apparently within ten days of the next monsoons, the lake will fill up again as it rains incessantly and copiously in the Valparai region.
Public buses go to the Sholayar Dam from Valparai, auto rickshaws and taxis too. Not really worth a special visit for now unless you have time to spare.
Apparently within ten days of the next monsoons, the lake will fill up again as it rains incessantly and copiously in the Valparai region.
Public buses go to the Sholayar Dam from Valparai, auto rickshaws and taxis too. Not really worth a special visit for now unless you have time to spare.
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sudharshan Dop
Vellore, India29 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Solaiyaaru is located 20 km (12 mi) from Valparai, a hill station in the Anaimalai Hills of the Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu India. As it is a part of the hydroelectric project of Tamil Nadu.
No need any special permission is required to visit the dam. Best time to visit is monsoon
No need any special permission is required to visit the dam. Best time to visit is monsoon
Written February 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VishnuKV
Bengaluru, India94 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
i suggest valparai - pollachi road and on the way u can explore lot more fun. Better for a bike ride and choose winter season as the climate influence more.
Written February 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cebin
60 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
This dam falls between Valparai to Athirappilly.It is located in a beautiful place. Between tea plantations. Its near the road side. I went through this place during the dry season. So the dam was empty. If you are able to visit this place just after the monsoon, then you will be able to see the dam as fully occupied with water. The view of the filled dam with fogs from mountain will be a nice treat to the eyes.
I was travelling from Pollachi to Thrissur via Valparai. Its one of the best route through Western Ghats. If you are travelling through this route, you can stop at this place for a rest.
I was travelling from Pollachi to Thrissur via Valparai. Its one of the best route through Western Ghats. If you are travelling through this route, you can stop at this place for a rest.
Written March 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jose T
Bengaluru, India699 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
Been through this mesmerizing forest drive many a times, each time it is a different experience. This time it was when it was pretty dry and hot and the condition of the forest was very much dried up.
This route is scenic yet risky as well. Advised to try in groups and in bigger vehicles to avoid animal attacks. Must check out destinations enroute are Aliyar Dam, Aliyar Dam Sever at the downstream, Malakkappara, Valpara, Upper Sholayar, Lower Sholayar, and Athirappilly Vazhachal Dam. Never tease or feed animals enroute. Advised not to stop or get out of your car. This is a tiger reserve area, and expect the un expected everytime you take this route up.
Best time of the day is Early Morning or evening if you wish to spot animals, and if you wish to avoid animals coming in b/w as road block then make sure you take this up during peak Day / Sunny day.
This route is scenic yet risky as well. Advised to try in groups and in bigger vehicles to avoid animal attacks. Must check out destinations enroute are Aliyar Dam, Aliyar Dam Sever at the downstream, Malakkappara, Valpara, Upper Sholayar, Lower Sholayar, and Athirappilly Vazhachal Dam. Never tease or feed animals enroute. Advised not to stop or get out of your car. This is a tiger reserve area, and expect the un expected everytime you take this route up.
Best time of the day is Early Morning or evening if you wish to spot animals, and if you wish to avoid animals coming in b/w as road block then make sure you take this up during peak Day / Sunny day.
Written November 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sree_adr
Kochi (Cochin), India205 contributions
Jan 2014 • Friends
Sholayar dam situated around 20km from Valparai on Athirapally, Chalakudy route. The dam and the reservoir are beautiful in actual, but we couldn't see any tourists other than us during that time (morning 7.30). We were going to Valparai via malakkapara-Valparai road. We just stopped at the reservoir for 10 minutes to take some photographs. Entry not allowed on the dam top. Water level was very low and there was not much fun on the top.
There are very limited shops available at this point.
There are very limited shops available at this point.
Written January 8, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PARWANOO
Chennai, India117 contributions
Oct 2013 • Solo
Because where ever Dam there they maintain beautiful Green Garden .But Here no small single flower plant.Even though that climate condition very much good no flower there.
I reach Valparai 13th oct 2013 From Valparai Gandhi statue more buses available for Sholiyar Dam in regular Gap one hour running time .you ask Conductors before you enter bus this bus go to Sholaiyar dam because buses go to Sholaiyar Estate also separate buses for Sholaiyar Dam .Near upper Dam only Two small Tea and snacks shops .Bus last stop Sholaiyar Dam there more shops there food items available but Remember all are small shops .I get down bus last stop from there I walk to Dam down side to catch the Photo of Water Flowing. I am waiting in Sholaiyar dam to Return Valparai more than 1.30hrs bus not available in evening time
I reach Valparai 13th oct 2013 From Valparai Gandhi statue more buses available for Sholiyar Dam in regular Gap one hour running time .you ask Conductors before you enter bus this bus go to Sholaiyar dam because buses go to Sholaiyar Estate also separate buses for Sholaiyar Dam .Near upper Dam only Two small Tea and snacks shops .Bus last stop Sholaiyar Dam there more shops there food items available but Remember all are small shops .I get down bus last stop from there I walk to Dam down side to catch the Photo of Water Flowing. I am waiting in Sholaiyar dam to Return Valparai more than 1.30hrs bus not available in evening time
Written October 22, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SAVIN55
Kochi (Cochin), India744 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
This dam situated is 20 km away from Valparai on the direction to Athirampally Waterfalls , Thrissur, Kerala. Valparai is the one of the Hillstation in Tamilandu. From Pollachi to Valparai distance is around 65 km's. There are 40 hairpin bends on the way up to Valparai from Aaliyar. The 9th hairpin bend gives beauty of Aliyar dam and ghat roads. Places to visit in Valparai's are Aaliyar Dam, Monkey Falls, Chinnakallar dam, Koolangal River & Sholayar Dam. If you are coming from Athirampally, Trissur, Kearala you must enter the Checkpost before 6 P.M, because the Checkpost is open @ 6 A.M to 6 P.M only.
Written April 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Muhiyadheen P
10 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
Solaiyaris situated 20 km from Valparai, a hill station in the Anaimalai Hills of the Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu India. It is the second deepest dam in Asia.It is a part of the hydroelectric project of Tamil Nadu, special permission is required to visit the dam.
Written April 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G A
India2,641 contributions
Jan 2013 • Couples
The Sholayar Dam is really the Upper Sholayar, a part of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board's vast network of hydro power reservoirs, each connected to the other by a series of underground tunnels.
It is a large azure water body about 18km from Valparai, along the highway to Chalakudy in Kerala. The inter state border is just after the dam.
Few leave Valparai without the mandatory trip to the Sholayar Dam. Public buses ply here at regular intervals from Valparai if you do not have your own vehicle. When asking for the bus, do remember to specify Sholayar Dam, as buses also ply to the Sholayar Estate which is not the same.
Autos and taxis are also available at negotiable rates. If coming from Pollachi, one can get here directly by taking the Valparai bypass route from Iyerpadi.
Food stalls exist at the dam end near the TNEB guest house. A few basic tea/food stalls can be found next to the en route bus stops, catering to the estate colonies. Home stays are available near the lake.
The road beyond the dam goes to the well known Athirapally waterfalls, so an excursion can be planned to take this in as well.
The lake shore is lined with tea estates interspersed with patches of shola forest. Sightings of bisons and sometimes elephants on the banks is common though with better chances in the mornings and evenings. Birds, giant squirrels, nilgiri langurs and lion tailed macaques abound. Even without the wildlife, it is very scenic and makes for a good half day excursion. A great place for those who enjoy walking, though that holds true for all of Valparai!
It is a large azure water body about 18km from Valparai, along the highway to Chalakudy in Kerala. The inter state border is just after the dam.
Few leave Valparai without the mandatory trip to the Sholayar Dam. Public buses ply here at regular intervals from Valparai if you do not have your own vehicle. When asking for the bus, do remember to specify Sholayar Dam, as buses also ply to the Sholayar Estate which is not the same.
Autos and taxis are also available at negotiable rates. If coming from Pollachi, one can get here directly by taking the Valparai bypass route from Iyerpadi.
Food stalls exist at the dam end near the TNEB guest house. A few basic tea/food stalls can be found next to the en route bus stops, catering to the estate colonies. Home stays are available near the lake.
The road beyond the dam goes to the well known Athirapally waterfalls, so an excursion can be planned to take this in as well.
The lake shore is lined with tea estates interspersed with patches of shola forest. Sightings of bisons and sometimes elephants on the banks is common though with better chances in the mornings and evenings. Birds, giant squirrels, nilgiri langurs and lion tailed macaques abound. Even without the wildlife, it is very scenic and makes for a good half day excursion. A great place for those who enjoy walking, though that holds true for all of Valparai!
Written July 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, How can i get accomadation in that dam guest house? Can u plz share any contact numbers? Thanks in advance
Written October 1, 2019
No idea about any nearby guest houses
Written July 21, 2020
Is it gud to visit Valparai and nearby places during October and November?? Hw abt the rainfall during that time ??
Written September 5, 2017
Is it a right time to visit valparai and roam around other places in valparai during April End/First week of May?
Written March 27, 2017
We wouldn't recommend visiting Valpai during April and May because of the hot and humid weather. It's best after September to March is the best time.
Written April 11, 2017
how to book rooms in sholayar dam pwd guest house.what is the procedure.
Written December 29, 2015
How is the PWD guest house in Sholayar dam, is it possible to stay there.
Written May 8, 2015
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