Suggested time
1-2 hours
Distance from town
4 km
Entry fee
Free
Timings
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Best season
Jan-Jul
Ratings
Planted in 1906 by forest officer H.D. Bryant for timber production, Pine Forest has since become one of Kodaikanal's most photographed spots, with rows of tall pines and a frequent backdrop for Tamil and Hindi film shoots. Note that Kodaikanal actually has two separate Pine Forest sites — one near the Solar Observatory, another near Moir Point — so it's worth confirming which one a driver or guide means.
Safety precautions
- Wild mushrooms grow throughout the forest, including varieties locally described as hallucinogenic — do not pick or eat any
Know before you go
- Free entry, open 9 AM–5 PM
- Camping is possible but requires prior permission from local forest authorities — arrange this ahead, not on arrival
Practical tips
- Early morning gives the quietest, most peaceful walk through the trees before tour groups arrive
- It's close to the Solar Observatory, making it easy to combine both into one stop
