The short answer
Peringalkuthu Dam and Reservoir Viewpoint: what visitors should know first
Only as a quiet roadside pause on the Vazhachal–Malakkappara drive. The dam proper needs special permission, so do not plan a visit around it. The reservoir view is a good place to scan the forest for birds and elephants.
History and context
The story behind Peringalkuthu Dam and Reservoir Viewpoint
Peringalkuthu Dam was commissioned on 15 May 1957 on the Chalakudy River and houses the Peringalkuthu Hydro Electric Power Project, operated by the Kerala State Electricity Board. It is a concrete dam about 23 metres high and 290 metres long, and is described as the first hydroelectric project built on the river. Its unusual shutter design, which opens downwards, contributed to damage during the 2018 floods.
Useful facts
Peringalkuthu Dam and Reservoir Viewpoint facts at a glance
- Location
- Vazhachal forest division, on the Vazhachal to Malakkappara road
- River
- Chalakudy River
- Built
- Commissioned 1957; about 23 m high
- Operator
- Kerala State Electricity Board
- Visitor access
- Reservoir viewpoint from the road; dam needs special permission
Why it matters
Why Peringalkuthu Dam and Reservoir Viewpoint is worth your time
Peringalkuthu is where the Chalakudy River's hydropower story began. The dam, built in the 1950s, was the first hydroelectric project on the river, and it set the pattern for the later debate about what else the river could be made to do. That debate, over a proposed further dam near Athirappilly, shaped the way people now talk about this forest.
Seen from the viewpoint, the reservoir shows what a working river looks like in this landscape: quiet, deep and controlled, with the forest unbroken around it. It is a useful counterpoint to the waterfalls, which show the river in its free-flowing state.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The reservoir view
A broad sheet of still water backed by unbroken forest, quiet after the noise of the falls.
- 02
Wildlife along the road
Elephants, gaur and hornbills are all reported in this part of the Vazhachal division.
- 03
A stop on a longer drive
It fits into the road to Sholayar and Malakkappara as a natural pause for tea or binoculars.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
The Peringalkuthu reservoir is passed on the forest road beyond Vazhachal, in the Sholayar range. There is no visitor centre or gate for it; you slow down at the viewpoint, look across the still water to the forested ridge behind, and move on.
The water is quiet and deep green, a contrast to the roaring falls lower down. Early in the day mist often sits on the surface, and birds, including raptors and sometimes hornbills in the trees on the far bank, are easier to spot. Bring binoculars if you have them.
Do not leave the vehicle except where the viewpoint is clearly marked, and never walk towards the dam, which sits inside restricted forest. The dam is a working power installation, and the surrounding forest is wild elephant country. Treat this as a scenic pause on the longer Vazhachal–Malakkappara drive rather than a destination.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Do not attempt to enter the dam area without permission
- Stay in or beside your vehicle on the forest road
- Carry water and snacks; there are no facilities nearby
- Check forest-road timings at the Vazhachal checkpost
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- On the Vazhachal to Malakkappara forest road, in Vazhachal forest division
- Time needed
- 10–20 minutes as a stop on the drive
- Best time
- Post-monsoon months from September to January for full water and clearer skies
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- This is a pull-in on the road with a short look over the water, so there is almost no walking. The practical difficulty is the road itself, which is a long forest stretch with limited facilities, no toilets and wild elephants.
- Tickets and access
- Access to the dam structure is restricted and requires special permission from the electricity board and forest authorities. The reservoir viewpoint is on the regulated forest road, so entry rules, timings and any checkpost fees apply to the road itself.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Peringalkuthu Dam and Reservoir Viewpoint
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
This is a pull-in on the road with a short look over the water, so there is almost no walking. The practical difficulty is the road itself, which is a long forest stretch with limited facilities, no toilets and wild elephants.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can I visit the dam itself?
No, not without special permission. The dam is in deep forest and is run by the electricity board; most visitors see only the reservoir from the road.
Is it on the way to Malakkappara?
Yes, it lies on the forest road between Vazhachal and Malakkappara.
What can I see there?
Mainly calm reservoir views and forest birds; sightings of elephants along the road are possible.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
