Sholayar Dam
Sholayar Dam
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4.0
197 reviews
Excellent
55
Very good
79
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51
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8
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4
G A
India2,640 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, India698 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.
sudhish_1971
Chennai (Madras), India447 contributions
Dec 2015 • Solo
This review is not about the places which I have mentioned in the title , but a bus trip through this route .
Those who love travelling through forest routes , this route will be the best option .
I started my travel from Chalakkudi (kerala) . After searching internet and through some local contacts , I found that there is a direct bus from chalakkudi to Valparai , via athirappally. This bus starts from challakudi around 1.15 pm from the main road in front of KSRTC bus stand ( parking is little away from bus stand on the main road ). For ensuring the seats it is advised to be there by around 12:15 pm .
Athirappally is about 32 kms from chalakkudi and the bus reached Athirappally by 2:20 Pm . Next stop was vazhachal and on the way there is one more water fall on the left side of the road .
From vazhachal the forest journey starts . Bus reached poringalkuthu ( hydro electric project) around 3:00 pm and after short tea break again started towards valparai . Road upto valparai is good and newly laid, but narrow . Average speed was around 25-30 kmph and time taken will be more due to slowing down at many places for giving way for vehicles coming in the opposite direction.
Please note that there is no fuel stations after Athirappally till you reach Malakapara and majority of the 50km journey from Vazhachal to malakkapara is through thick forest . No mobile coverage is available except at few places and the one only available was BSNL . At 5:30 I reached malakkappara and from there till Valpparai it took another 1 hour to reach (road is not in very good condition from malakkappara till sholayar ) . One can have a good view of the Sholayar dam and reservoir as bus passes close to the dam. Finally I reached valparai by 6:20 pm after about 5 hrs jouney from chalakkudi . Valparai can also be reached from pollachi ( 2 hrs travel by Car and 3 to 4.30 hrs travel by bus )
Those who love travelling through forest routes , this route will be the best option .
I started my travel from Chalakkudi (kerala) . After searching internet and through some local contacts , I found that there is a direct bus from chalakkudi to Valparai , via athirappally. This bus starts from challakudi around 1.15 pm from the main road in front of KSRTC bus stand ( parking is little away from bus stand on the main road ). For ensuring the seats it is advised to be there by around 12:15 pm .
Athirappally is about 32 kms from chalakkudi and the bus reached Athirappally by 2:20 Pm . Next stop was vazhachal and on the way there is one more water fall on the left side of the road .
From vazhachal the forest journey starts . Bus reached poringalkuthu ( hydro electric project) around 3:00 pm and after short tea break again started towards valparai . Road upto valparai is good and newly laid, but narrow . Average speed was around 25-30 kmph and time taken will be more due to slowing down at many places for giving way for vehicles coming in the opposite direction.
Please note that there is no fuel stations after Athirappally till you reach Malakapara and majority of the 50km journey from Vazhachal to malakkapara is through thick forest . No mobile coverage is available except at few places and the one only available was BSNL . At 5:30 I reached malakkappara and from there till Valpparai it took another 1 hour to reach (road is not in very good condition from malakkappara till sholayar ) . One can have a good view of the Sholayar dam and reservoir as bus passes close to the dam. Finally I reached valparai by 6:20 pm after about 5 hrs jouney from chalakkudi . Valparai can also be reached from pollachi ( 2 hrs travel by Car and 3 to 4.30 hrs travel by bus )
Written December 29, 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.
SAVIN55
Kochi (Cochin), India742 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.
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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