Rockwood Peak Trek
The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu
Opens without signal on this phone, with the map file and checklist. Saved for offline →
- Max altitude
- 1,530 m
- Satellite terrain suggests about 1,401 m
- Days
- 1 day
- Distance
- 6 km
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Only about 3 km each way, but the official portal describes a steep uphill climb over grassy hills, roughly 400 m of ascent from the reception point, and rates it moderate with 5 hours allowed.
Photos
On the trail
The route
Day by day
Day 1 · highest point
Rockwood reception point → Rockwood reception point (via the summit)
1,130 m → 1,530 m → 1,130 m
Ups and downs
Altitude profile
Where it is
Map
Trailhead and high point only — not a recorded track. Use it with a proper map.
Weather
Next 5 days on the trail
Live forecast for the trailhead and the high point. Mountain weather changes fast — check again on the morning you start.
Trailhead · Rockwood trek reception point, west of Gudalur
at 1,130 mLoading forecast…
High point · Rockwood peak summit, on the Needle Rock (Oosi Malai) - Morapu Malai ridge (approximate)
at 1,530 mLoading forecast…
Each day: high / low °C · rain mm and chance · snow cm · wind km/h
Weather data: Open-Meteo.comModel forecast, not an official warning. For alerts follow IMD and the local administration.
Plan the trip
How to reach
- Trailhead
- Rockwood trek reception point, west of Gudalur
- Nearest railway
- Nilambur Road (about 38 km)
- Nearest airport
- Mysuru (about 110 km)
- By road
- Gudalur bus stand (about 12 km to the reception point); Ooty (about 51 km to Gudalur on NH 181, then on to the reception point)
- Drive
- About 3.5 h from Mysuru
Plan the trip
Permits and fees
| Permit | Issued by | Fee (Indian) | Fee (foreign) | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trek Tamil Nadu trail booking: Rockwood Peak | Tamil Nadu Forest Department / Tamil Nadu Wilderness Experiences Corporation (Trek Tamil Nadu) | ₹1,499 | — | Book online at trektamilnadu.com (trail 'Rockwood Peak', Nilgiris). ₹1,499 per adult (18+) and ₹999 per minor aged 12-17, plus 5% GST (seen 18 Oct 2026). The fee includes the trek permit, a forest guide, trek insurance on the route and light snacks. Groups of up to 15; the listed start time is 8 am. Report at the Rockwood reception point with photo ID. |
Plan the trip
Cost
Self-guided
₹1,800–3,500
With an operator
₹1,574–3,000
Per person, ex-Gudalur. Every walk here is guided: the official Trek Tamil Nadu booking (₹1,499 + 5% GST = about ₹1,574 for an adult, seen 18 Oct 2026) includes a forest guide. We found no operator selling this trail, so the upper guided figure is our estimate for the portal fee plus a hired jeep and food. The self-guided range is also our estimate: the portal fee plus a taxi or auto from Gudalur (about 12 km each way) and food.
Gear
Top picks for this trek
The gear that matters most on this route, chosen from its altitude, season and risks.
Ad · affiliate link
Ad · affiliate link
Ad · affiliate link
Ad · affiliate link
Ad · affiliate link
Ad · affiliate link
Ad · affiliate link
Ad · affiliate link
Store buttons open a search on that store, not a product we picked. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Photos show the kind of item, not a specific product. Affiliate disclosure
Packing checklist
Matched to this trek: altitude, season, days and the risks on the route.
Packed 0 of 19
Tick each item as it goes in the bag.
Know before you go
Good to know
- Mobile network
- Not confirmed by our sources; expect patchy signal on the open ridge and weak signal in the estate area.
- Last ATM
- Gudalur town (not confirmed which ATMs are working; carry cash).
- Nearest hospital
- Government Hospital, Nelakottai (about 12 km)
- Water
- Not confirmed; the route is open grassland with no reliable water source mentioned. Carry at least 2 litres per person.
Highlights
- A short, steep climb over open grassy hills to a 360-degree summit view (Trek Tamil Nadu)
- Views over Gudalur, the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and the hills of the Kerala border
- Grassland and shola forest where leopard, sambar, elephant and wild dogs live
- Official Trek Tamil Nadu trail with a forest guide; nearby sights include Frog Hill viewpoint and Needle Rock viewpoint
Risks
- Wild elephants, leopards and wild dogs live in this area (Trek Tamil Nadu); a trekker reported seeing five elephants on the trek in August 2026. Stay with the forest guide.
- The west face of the Nilgiris gets heavy south-west monsoon rain; the grass slopes turn slippery and the summit is often in cloud from June to September.
- The open ridge has little shade; carry a hat, sunscreen and water.
- Trekking in Tamil Nadu forests is allowed only through the official Trek Tamil Nadu booking; going in without it is not permitted.
Know before you go
Questions
How long is the Rockwood Peak trek?
The official Trek Tamil Nadu trail is 6 km out and back (about 3 km each way) and the portal allows 5 hours. It starts at the Rockwood reception point west of Gudalur, through an estate before climbing onto the grassy ridge.
How much does the Rockwood Peak trek cost and how do I book it?
Book on trektamilnadu.com. In October 2026 the fee was ₹1,499 per adult and ₹999 for ages 12-17, plus 5% GST. It covers the permit, a forest guide, insurance on the route and light snacks; your transport to the reception point is extra.
Can I do Rockwood Peak on my own?
No. The trail is in forest land in the Nilgiris, and Tamil Nadu allows trekking in forest and wildlife areas only through the Forest Department's Trek Tamil Nadu booking, which always includes a forest guide.
How do I reach the start of the Rockwood Peak trek?
Reach Gudalur, about 51 km from Ooty on NH 181. The reception point is about 12 km from Gudalur bus stand. The nearest railway station is Nilambur Road (about 38 km) and the nearest airport the portal lists is Mysuru (about 110 km).
Is Rockwood Peak suitable for children?
The portal sells tickets for adults and minors aged 12-17 only, so younger children cannot book. The climb is steep but short, so fit teenagers usually manage it.
In an emergency
Save these numbers before you lose signal. Tap to call.
- 112All emergenciesIndia’s single emergency number — works in every state
- 108Ambulance
- 1077District disaster control room
You are in
District: The NilgirisTamil Nadu
- Nearest hospital
- Government Hospital, Nelakottai (about 12 km)
- Last ATM
- Gudalur town (not confirmed which ATMs are working; carry cash).
- Phone network
- Not confirmed by our sources; expect patchy signal on the open ridge and weak signal in the estate area.
Before you set off
- Tell someone your route and when you will be back.
- Carry a charged phone and a power bank.
- Download an offline map of the route.
- Turn back if the weather turns bad — the mountain will wait.
Questions about Rockwood Peak
No questions yet. Ask something and trekkers who have done it can answer.
Share your trek photo with #TreksAndTrails
I trekked this
Did Rockwood Peak look different from this page? Tell us what changed and we will check it.
Where this comes from
Sources
Last reviewed:
- Rockwood Peak — Trek Tamil Nadu (Tamil Nadu Forest Department / TNWEC) (official)
- Trek Tamil Nadu trail list, July 2026 — Trek Tamil Nadu (Tamil Nadu Forest Department / TNWEC) (official)
- Needle Rock View Point — Wikipedia
Photos: Timothy A. Gonsalves, CC BY-SA 4.0; Timothy A. Gonsalves, CC BY-SA 4.0
