It’s rare, as a traveller, to earn entry to a lovely destination that demands daunting hairpin drives to savour its panoramic views. It’s equally rare to experience a place where not only its evergreen forest and pristine valleys but also plenty of cascades greet you on your journey. Nelliyampathy, situated around 1500 metres above sea level in Palakkad, is one such place.

The name Nelliyampathy is believed to have derived from the gooseberry trees (Nelli in Malayalam) that are found abundantly here. It is also said that the place owes its name to the Kadar tribes who lived in a hamlet (pathy) near Nellikulam.

This exotic hill station offers many trekking options as well. Wild animals like Indian Gaur, Giant Squirrel, Nilgiri Tahr and Lion-tailed Macaque can be spotted while trekking through the forest.