Driving to Munnar isn’tjust transportation—it’s the main attraction. The roads twist, climb, andreveal Kerala’s wild beauty one hairpin turn at a time. Here’s the long way up,with routes that make the journey worth every mile.

Start flat through rubber plantations andvillages, then hit the real drama near Adimali. The road starts climbing—teaestates blanket hillsides, mist rolls in, waterfalls splash roadside. LockhartGap Road steals the show: 20km of Western Ghats magic with viewpoints that stoptraffic (literally). Expect hairpin turns, sudden valley views, and that momentwhen Munnar’s tea carpet appears below. 4-5 hours, pure elevation gain.​

95km of NH85 heaven. Leave Periyar’sspice-scented forests, climb through cardamom groves, then burst into teacountry. Winding roads, sudden waterfalls, misty mountains—every curve feelslike a postcard. Stop at roadside shacks for chai with valley views. Thetransition from dense jungle to rolling tea hills is surreal. 3 hours of “did we just turn into a nature documentary?”​

This one’s sneaky good. Escape the lagoons viarural roads, pass Kolukkumalai’s high-altitude tea estate (world’s highest),weave through Devikulam and Marayoor villages. The elevation change isdramatic—palm trees give way to pines, backwaters fade to mist-shrouded peaks.Quiet villages, open vistas, and that satisfying “we’ve arrived somewhere special” feeling. 5-6 hours of landscape whiplash.​

Skip the direct route for this detour through Tamil Nadu’s hills. From Pollachi, climb Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary roads—elephants might cross your path. Enter Kerala through Bodi-Munnarstretch: deep valleys, spice farms, fewer tourists. The Tamil-Kerala borderfeels like entering a different world. Bonus: cleaner roads, dramatic ghat sections. 5-6 hours of cross-state adventure.​

For locals who know better: Pala to Vagamon’srolling meadows, then Kattappana’s spice valleys to Chinnakanal’s tea estates.Pine forests, grasslands, cardamom plantations—feels like Switzerland snuckinto Kerala. Less crowded, roads surprisingly good, views that rival the mainroute. The slow build-up makes Munnar’s arrival more rewarding. 4-5 hours of“where are we?” magic.​

●      Best time: Early morning for mist, golden hour for drama, avoid weekends.
●      Must-haves: Full fuel (stations sparse), snacks, motion sickness pills, good playlist.
●      Stops: Chai stalls with views, photo points, random roadside falls.
●      Road reality: Hairpins demand respect, monsoon adds waterfall drama but slick surfaces.