Telescope house, Doddabetta Travel Guide

Located on Doddabetta Peak, the highest point in the Nilgiri Mountains at 2,637 meters (8,652 feet), the Telescope House is a popular tourist attraction offering sweeping views of the surrounding region. The peak is about 9 km from Ooty on the Ooty-Kotagiri Road.The Telescope House was opened to the public on June 18, 1983, and is maintained by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC). The observatory once housed two telescopes that allowed visitors to view the landscape, including parts of Bandipur National Park, the plains of Mysore and Coimbatore, and Chamundi Hills. However, recent reports suggest the telescopes are often not working. Despite this, the views from the peak remain a major draw.The journey to the Telescope House is as rewarding as the destination itself. The road to the summit winds through lush forests and grassy meadows, offering opportunities to spot local flora and fauna. The slopes of Doddabetta are covered in Shola forests and rhododendron trees, adding to the area's natural beauty.While at the peak, visitors can also explore the nearby tea factory and museum to learn about the region's tea production. The peak is accessible by road, making it a convenient destination for tourists. For those seeking a more adventurous route, trekking trails are available.