Needle Rock View Point is known as Soochi Malai. Soochi in Tamil means needle and Malai means hills. The name needle is derived from the rock that narrows to a sharp needle tip.
As you wind up the hills to your destination, this offers a perfect break between Gudalur and Ooty to stretch your legs as you need to trek a kilometre to reach the view point. A well-laid path leads to the view point.
This view point offers a spectacular 360 degree view of hills, tea plantations, forests, and the plains. The dense cover of Bandipur forest and Madumalai Tiger reserve can be seen. When the weather is sunny and bright, you will be able to see Frog Hill, Wilson Pine plantations, Silver Cloud Tea Estates, Wilson Pine plantations, plains of Mysuru and Kerala. You will wonder at the Sleeping Beauty mountain, a rock that looks exactly like a woman sleeping.
The mountain air is crisp and clear and fills your lungs with the much needed clean oxygen. Your breath is easy and sharp as you take in the vistas.
The scenery at Needle Rock View Point changes during Sunset. The whole area is lit up in Orange and Pink. This is a very pleasant place to spend some time with family and friends. Do take care of children at the view point as the railing is not so strong.
Best time to visit in during October and June. For photographers this is the best time. It is not advised to visit this place during late evenings as you might encounter wild animals. Plastic is banned in the whole of Nilgiris. Be mindful not to litter the place not just here, anywhere.
Swatcha Bharath (clean litterfree India) is the way forward.
Place statistics:
Type of place: View point
Situated: Ooty-Gudalur highway
Distance: 8 km from Gudalur and 40 km from Ooty
Transport: Well connected by road
Timings: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Facilities: Government tea shop
