The short answer
Loam's View Point: what visitors should know first
Yes, and it costs almost nothing in time. Stop for 15 to 30 minutes on the way up, in the morning if possible, when the air is clearer. It suits all ages because it is a roadside platform, but traffic on the bends and monkeys need care.
History and context
The story behind Loam's View Point
The road is named for engineer Mathew Loam, who according to the Tamil Nadu urban portal marked the Valparai road in 1886. Other details of its construction are not confirmed here.
Useful facts
Loam's View Point facts at a glance
- Location
- Ninth hairpin bend on the Pollachi–Valparai road
- Experience type
- Roadside viewpoint
- Known for
- View of Aliyar reservoir and the plains
- Named after
- Mathew Loam, who marked the road in 1886
- Time needed
- About 20–40 minutes
Why it matters
Why Loam's View Point is worth your time
Valparai's road is a piece of colonial engineering as much as a scenic drive, and Loam's View Point is where that becomes clear. Tamil Nadu's urban tree portal says the platform is named after Mathew Loam, who marked the road in 1886, at the ninth hairpin bend. Seen from here, the road is a ladder cut into a steep slope to reach the tea plateau.
The view also shows why the plateau gets so much rain. The western face of the Anamalai Hills catches the monsoon, while the plains below stay far drier, and Aliyar reservoir sits in the transition. For many families it is the first moment the climb feels worthwhile, and an easy stop for older relatives who may not manage the longer walks later in the trip.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Aliyar reservoir below
The reservoir and farms of the plain open out beneath the railing.
- 02
The ladder of bends
Look up and down the slope to see how the road is cut into the hill.
- 03
Evening light
Late afternoon gives colour, but only in the dry months.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Treat Loam's View Point as the pause in the climb. After the lower hairpins, the road bends back on itself and the view opens to Aliyar reservoir, the farms of the plain and, on a clear day, the town of Pollachi far below. It is worth stopping even if you have been up before, because the view changes with the light and the cloud.
Walk to the railing and look straight down first; the reservoir sits like a green-grey sheet in the lap of the hills. Then turn and look up the slope, where the road continues towards Valparai. Early morning gives the clearest air. In the afternoon, haze and cloud often build, and from June to September mist can hide everything.
Keep the stop short and sociable. Tea or snacks may be sold nearby, but do not feed monkeys; they can snatch bags. Make sure your driver parks safely off the carriageway, since buses and trucks come round the bend without warning. Then continue up; the next bends are tighter and steeper.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Park off the carriageway; buses use the bend
- Keep bags closed because monkeys are common
- Go in the morning for clearer views
- Skip it in heavy rain and mist
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Ninth hairpin bend, Pollachi–Valparai road (SH 78)
- Time needed
- 20–40 minutes
- Best time
- Morning in the dry months, December to February; sunset for the plains view
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The platform is beside the road with only a few steps, and it is suitable for most older visitors. Seating is limited and there is little shade, so keep it short in the afternoon heat of the foothills. The road is narrow with buses, so get out on the viewpoint side only.
- Tickets and access
- There is no known ticket for the roadside platform; check at the Aliyar forest check post for current rules on the Valparai road.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Loam's View Point
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The platform is beside the road with only a few steps, and it is suitable for most older visitors. Seating is limited and there is little shade, so keep it short in the afternoon heat of the foothills. The road is narrow with buses, so get out on the viewpoint side only.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Where is Loam's View Point?
It is a platform at the ninth hairpin bend of the road from Pollachi to Valparai.
Is it worth stopping?
Yes. It gives a wide view of Aliyar reservoir and the plains and takes only a short time.
Is it suitable for older people?
Usually yes, since it is beside the road, but traffic on the bend needs care.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
