The short answer
Mathikettan Shola National Park: what visitors should know first
Go if you like forest walking and are happy to arrange access in advance. It is not a drive-through park and has no published visitor facilities or fees. Check with the Munnar forest office before you set out, and use a guide for any trek.
History and context
The story behind Mathikettan Shola National Park
The area was notified as a Reserve Forest by the Travancore government in 1897. Part of the land was later leased for cardamom cultivation before it became a national park; sources give 2003 or 2008 for the formal declaration.
The park covers about 12.82 sq km in Udumbanchola taluk, Idukki district, and sits between Eravikulam National Park and Pampadam Shola National Park. The forest department took over sole jurisdiction after an earlier period of dual control.
Useful facts
Mathikettan Shola National Park facts at a glance
- Location
- Poopara, Udumbanchola taluk, Idukki district, about 10 km from Munnar
- Experience type
- Guided forest walks by arrangement
- Known for
- Shola forest, elephant corridor and views towards Tamil Nadu
- Area/Declared
- About 12.82 sq km; a national park since the 2000s
- Time or schedule
- Not published; confirm with the forest office
Why it matters
Why Mathikettan Shola National Park is worth your time
Mathikettan Shola protects about 12.82 sq km of shola forest in the Cardamom Hills. The tract was a reserve forest from 1897 and was later notified as a national park, with some earlier land having been leased for cardamom growing. Its position between Eravikulam and the Pampadam Shola park makes it a link for elephants moving through the Munnar region.
For visitors it offers something Munnar's tea estates cannot: unmanaged forest, with water, grassland and large animals still using the land. It is also quieter than Eravikulam, because access is restricted to arranged walks. If you want a half-day of real forest after days of tea gardens and viewpoints, this is the park for it.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Shola forest and grassland
Evergreen and semi-evergreen pockets sit among open grassland, with streams feeding the Panniyar river.
- 02
Njandaar and Uchilukuth viewpoints
Two viewing points look over the border hills towards Tamil Nadu.
- 03
Wildlife corridor
Gaur, sambar and langur live here and elephants pass through, so a guide is essential.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Plan this as a guided forest outing rather than a casual stop. The park lies off the highway at Poopara, and the forest department has organised trekking trips there. A short route of about 3 km is the one most visitors take, while longer routes need prior approval from the department. Start early, wear closed shoes and carry water, and expect to walk through dense shola forest and grassy openings with a guide leading.
The terrain mixes evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forest with shola grassland, fed by streams that join the Panniyar river. Gaur, sambar, wild boar, langur and wild dog are among the animals recorded, but sightings are never guaranteed, and elephants use the corridor, so never go without staff. Two viewing points, Njandaar mettu and Uchilukuth mettu, look out towards Tamil Nadu.
Because facilities and rules can change, confirm the day's arrangements the evening before. Do not enter forest without permission; trespass into reserved forest is an offence in Kerala.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Contact the Munnar forest office before travelling to arrange entry and a guide
- Wear closed shoes, long sleeves and carry plenty of water
- Never walk in the forest alone because elephants use the area
- Allow extra time for the winding drive back to Munnar
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Poopara, Udumbanchola taluk, about 10 km from Munnar, close to the highway to Kumily
- Time needed
- Half a day for a short guided trek; longer for extended routes
- Best time
- Dry months from November to March; avoid heavy monsoon rain
- Walking level
- Demanding
- Senior comfort
- Forest paths are uneven, can be steep and may be slippery, and there is little seating or shelter. Shorter walks suit fit seniors with a guide; those with limited stamina are better off at the viewpoints around Munnar town.
- Tickets and access
- Fees, timings and the trekking permit process are not published online. Enquire at the Munnar forest range office or the Idukki wildlife division before you go. Group visits, including longer routes, are arranged with the forest department's approval.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Mathikettan Shola National Park
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Forest paths are uneven, can be steep and may be slippery, and there is little seating or shelter. Shorter walks suit fit seniors with a guide; those with limited stamina are better off at the viewpoints around Munnar town.
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 Mathikettan Shola without a permit?
Treat access as controlled. Treks are arranged through the Kerala forest department, and entering reserved forest without permission is an offence. Contact the Munnar forest office first.
How far is it from Munnar?
About 10 km, near Poopara on the highway towards Kumily.
What wildlife might I see?
Gaur, sambar, wild boar, langur and wild dog are recorded, and elephants use the corridor. Sightings on a short walk are not guaranteed.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
