Sholayar Dam

Part of the Parambikulam–Aliyar project, and by the municipality's count, the second largest rock dam in Asia. Access is restricted, so you see it from the viewpoint — which is actually the better angle.

The reservoir

Sholayar sits in a steep-sided valley on the border between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It holds a long stretch of deep, still water, with unbroken forest coming right down to the shore on both sides. There's a Kerala Sholayar too, further down the same river system — the two get confused in trip reports all the time.

It's a place to look at, not a place with facilities. The draw is the drive out, the size of the water against the ridges, and how quiet it is.

The drive

The road out from Valparai runs through tea and then forest. It's one of the better wildlife drives on the plateau — gaur especially are regularly seen along it in the early morning.

It's far enough from town that it works best as a half-day trip, not something squeezed between two other stops.

Before you go

Dam sites are controlled infrastructure. What's accessible, where you can stop, and whether photography is allowed at a given point can all change — that's not ours to promise. Follow the signage and the staff on site.

Our Jims Rooms property is out this way. That's why guests staying there usually see Sholayar without needing a separate trip.