Most Scenic Destination

12-Mile Road Eco Tourism

PILLAR ROCKS

Pillar Rocks, rising majestically to a height of 400 feet, the Pillar Rocks are one of Kodaikanal’s most iconic natural landmarks. Pillar rock formations is a set of three giant rock pillars which stand 122 m (400 ft) high. These three massive granite rock formations stand shoulder to shoulder, offering a breath-taking panoramic view of the surrounding valleys and misty hills. There is an excellent public garden adjacent to the viewpoint, maintained by Pambarpuram VMC. 
Visitors can enjoy the surreal panoramic views of Theni flood plains during a well-lit day. A selfie point forms a key attraction here where tourists enjoy photographing themselves along with this serendipitous landform. The shops are being operated by the local community to facilitate the tourists for their various needs.

Guna Caves

Guna caves is located along Moir Point Road, about 10 kilometres from Kodaikanal. The Guna Caves offer a unique and mysterious experience for visitors. Nestled deep within pine forests and surrounded by Shola trees and grassy meadows, the area evokes a surreal atmosphere, perfect for those in search of nature, history, and intrigue.
Guna caves were previously called Devil’s Kitchen, are deep bat-infested chambers between the three gigantic boulders that are the Pillar Rocks. The deep narrow ravines of the caves are now closed to the public due to the tragic deaths of people there. These dangerous caves are highly protected now, and tourists can see sections of the cave system from a far. The caves are accessible via a scenic forest walk through tall pine trees. Though entry into the caves is restricted due to safety concerns, visitors can view them safely from designated viewing areas. The twisted root sets of Syzygium spp. and related evergreen tree roots weave spectacularly over the rocky terrain, creating the famous dark, cavernous network inside the surrounding terrain, creating an otherworldly landscape that serves as a striking backdrop for photography. The old-growth forests around Guna Caves feature different ancient and magnificent shola species.The caves were discovered in 1821 by an American, Mr. B. S. Ward. As per Hindu mythology, the Pandavas are believed to have stayed in these caves and used them to cook their meals during their exile. The deep,narrow cave passages have since become legendary. The site gained widespread popularity after the Tamil film “Guna” was shot here.

PINE FOREST

The Pine Forests of Kodaikanal are a must-visit destination for those who seek solitude, scenic beauty, and a touch of timeless wilderness. Visitors can step into an endless canopy of tall, majestic pine trees, where nature embraces you in its serene grasp and birdsong fills the air. The forest is blanketed with hundreds of old-growth pine trees, creating a tranquil atmosphere that’s perfect for nature walks, photography, or simply unwinding.Walking under the shade of these towering pines offers a rare sense of quietude and introspection—a welcome escape from the bustle of modern life. These plantations were established in 1906 by Mr. H. D. Bryant, a British Officer, as part of an effort to grow commercial Timber. Pine forests came into existence due to the efforts put in by Mr. Bryant (British Forest Officer) as he was the one who raised the 15 varieties of pine plantations between 1905 to 1915. 

MOIR POINT

Pillar Rocks, rising majestically to a height of 400 feet, the Pillar Rocks are one of Kodaikanal’s most iconic natural landmarks. Pillar rock formations is a set of three giant rock pillars which stand 122 m (400 ft) high. These three massive granite rock formations stand shoulder to shoulder, offering a breath-taking panoramic view of the surrounding valleys and misty hills. There is an excellent public garden adjacent to the viewpoint, maintained by Pambarpuram VMC. 
Visitors can enjoy the surreal panoramic views of Theni flood plains during a well-lit day. A selfie point forms a key attraction here where tourists enjoy photographing themselves along with this serendipitous landform. The shops are being operated by the local community to facilitate the tourists for their various needs.

Timings for Tourist Visitors

MOIR POINT

The 12-Mile Road Ecotourism site operates daily offering visitors access to prominent natural attractions such as Moir Point, Pine Forest, Guna Caves, and Pillar Rock.

Timings: 9.00AM to 4.00PM, All days.

Entry to Moir Points

QR Code Based Ticketing

Kodaikanal Forest Division has introduced a digital QR-code ticketing system for popular eco-tourism spots. Visitors/Tourists can scan and buy tickets with any of their UPI (Unified Payments Interface) mobile applications and even credit/debit card payments with fast payment options like ‘tap-to-pay’. Designated and exclusive ticketing counters are installed in places of easy public accessibility like Silver falls, Upper lake view, Coaker’s walk, Bryant park, Star lake, Hotel Tamara entrance, Liril falls, Bhavan’s school, Pambar falls, Tamaraikulam for visiting all iconic destinations like Pillar Rocks, Guna caves, Pine Forest and Moir Point. 

Entry tickets purchased at any of the QR-code counters are valid for the selected date. The entry fee can be separately purchased for Indian citizens and Foreigners for which different amounts of fee are fixed based on categories such as children within 5 to 12 years, Adults, Video camera usage, Photo camera usage, Bus facility, Car/Van entry fee, Two-wheeler entry fee. This in turn reduced individual ticketing time, traffic congestion, vehicular choking at bottlenecks and paved the way for hassle-free visitation.

Entry Tariffs

Entry fees are collected at Moir Point as per Government Order G.O. (Ms.) No. 11, Environment and Forests (FR.5) Department, dated 08.02.2018 (Wildlife Sanctuary Tourist Place Entry Fee), with rates fixed by the Government.

Entry Fees Indian (₹) Foreigner (₹)
Car / Van 50 500
Two Wheeler 20 200
Adult 30 300
Children (5–12 Years) 20 200
Still Camera 50 500
Video Camera 300 3000
  • This ecotourism destination remains open throughout the year without any closure period, ensuring continuous visitor access. 
  • It may be closed for unavoidable reasons like forest fire, heavy rain, wild animal threats, any other natural calamities, maintenance and security reasons. 
  • Ticketed entry is permitted for vehicles like two-wheelers, cars, and vans, facilitating convenient transportation for tourists exploring the scenic 12-Mile Road and its surrounding attractions.