The short answer
Old Courtallam Falls: what visitors should know first
Choose it for a calmer alternative to the Main Falls, if the water is moderate. It is under forest-department control, so check that it is open first, as bans here lasted longer than at the others in August 2026.
Useful facts
Old Courtallam Falls facts at a glance
- Location
- About 8 km from the Main Falls, toward Tenkasi
- Experience type
- Quiet falls with children's pools
- Managed by
- Forest department, with regulated flow
- Setting
- Hills, paddy fields, coconut and mango trees
- Status note
- Bathing ban stayed after other falls reopened, Aug 2026
Why it matters
Why Old Courtallam Falls is worth your time
Old Courtallam shows the quieter side of the Courtallam area, where the falls are a rural bathing place rather than a spectacle. For families that find the town falls too crowded, it is a useful second option.
Its closure record is also useful: it is often the first place to have bathing banned after floods, which reflects how the stream behaves. Understanding that helps you plan alternatives and not rely on a single falls for the whole trip.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Drive out
The road passes paddy fields and forested hills.
- 02
Children's pools
Two small pools in front of the falls suit young bathers.
- 03
Check status
Bans here can outlast those at the other falls.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Take the road toward Tenkasi and enjoy the drive, which goes between hills, paddy fields and coconut and mango trees. The falls have two small separate pools for children in front. There are banana and snack stalls near the car park.
Because the forest and public works departments regulate the flow, it can close when the other falls are open. Check with your stay or the panchayat before you drive out. One traveller guide describes the place as looking like an abandoned quarry, so do not expect a grand waterfall; it is a calmer bathing spot.
Pair it with Tiger Falls, which lies on the same road, and then return via the Main Falls for lunch. If you have a car and driver, this is a natural half-day loop.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Confirm with locals that it is open before driving out
- Take a car; stops are spread along the road
- Bring a change of clothes
- Combine with Tiger Falls on the way back
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- On the road toward Tenkasi, about 8 km from the Main Falls
- Time needed
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Best time
- Mid-June to September in moderate flow; weekday mornings
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- There is ample parking and the walk is short, but the bathing steps are wet. It is quieter, with less jostling, which many older visitors prefer, though facilities are basic.
- Tickets and access
- Under the forest department, so access and flow are regulated. Check the day's status locally. Bathing was still banned here in August 2026 after the other falls had reopened.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Old Courtallam Falls
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
There is ample parking and the walk is short, but the bathing steps are wet. It is quieter, with less jostling, which many older visitors prefer, though facilities are basic.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Old Courtallam Falls less crowded?
Generally yes, according to travel guides, but crowds vary by season.
Why is it sometimes closed?
Flow is regulated by the forest and public works departments, and bathing is banned when water is high.
How far is it?
Official pages say about 8 km from the Main Falls; other guides give 7 to 11 km depending on the start point.
Sources and further reading
- Tenkasi district: Famous falls
- Outlook Traveller: Courtallam, Get Splashed
- NewKerala: Courtallam bathing ban lifted (2 Aug 2026)
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
