Travel · Destinations · 6 min read

Kalvari Mount: Idukki's Finest View Over the Idukki Reservoir

A short climb above the Kattappana–Cheruthoni road, a grassy hilltop looks out over the blue arms of the Idukki reservoir, its wooded islands and the hills of Kuravan and Kurathi. A guide to Kalvari Mount, its views, trails, pilgrimage and best times to visit.

By GK Global, Adimali, Munnar · Trails & Tales by GK

The road from Kattappana to Cheruthoni winds through cardamom and pepper farms until, near Thankamani, a narrow concrete path turns off and climbs a grassy hill. At the top, the land suddenly drops away, and there, far below, lies the Idukki reservoir: long arms of deep blue water reaching between wooded hills, dotted with green islands, stretching away towards the great arch dam between Kuravan Mala and Kurathi Mala. This is Kalvari Mount, also called Calvary Mount, Kalyanathandu or Pathammile, and it offers perhaps the finest view of the reservoir anywhere.

Unlike the Idukki dam, which is open to visitors only at certain times of the year, the view from Kalvari Mount can be enjoyed every day. It is a place for sunrise and sunset, for quiet walks on the grassy ridges, and for watching the mist and clouds sweep across the water.

Things to see and do

The reservoir viewpoint

The main viewpoint looks out across the Idukki reservoir, formed in the 1970s by the Idukki arch dam and its sister dams at Cheruthoni and Kulamavu. From here you can trace its winding arms towards Ayyappancoil, pick out the islands and the villages of Kamakshi and Mariyapuram on the far slopes, and on clear days see the line of the arch dam. When the reservoir is full after the monsoon, the water spreads in every direction; in the dry months, its fringes turn golden and green. (Read about the dam in Kerala's hydroelectric story.)

Sunrise and sunset

Kalvari Mount is a favourite spot for sunrise, when mist fills the valleys and the reservoir slowly emerges in the light, and for sunset, when the water turns silver and gold. It is also a popular place to welcome the New Year. Come early for sunrise, and bring a warm layer; the hilltop is windy.

Trekking trails

From the viewpoint, trails continue along the grassy ridge and up to the summit. The paths are short but steep in places, and the wind can be strong, so they suit visitors with moderate fitness and good shoes. The forest department has developed the area for eco-tourism, with a small entry fee. Stay on the paths, keep well back from the edges, and avoid the slopes in heavy rain or mist.

The pilgrimage

The hill takes its name from Mount Calvary, the hill of the Crucifixion, and it is a Christian pilgrimage site. During Lent, and especially in Holy Week, devotees climb the hill in procession, following the Stations of the Cross. Please respect the site and the pilgrims.

Nearby

• Idukki arch dam and Cheruthoni dam, with Hill View Park, about 10 km away; the dams open to visitors only in certain seasons.
• Anchuruli tunnel, near Kattappana. (Read our guide to Anchuruli.)
• Kattappana, the busy market town of the cardamom hills.
• A tea factory with a sales outlet near the viewpoint.

Best time to visit

• September to February: clear skies, green hills and the best views.
• March to May: warm and sometimes hazy, but evenings are pleasant.
• June to August: mist, rain and clouds racing over the reservoir; beautiful but slippery, and views may be hidden.
• Time of day: early morning and late afternoon.

How to get there

• By road: from Kattappana, take the Cheruthoni road for about 15 km to the turn-off near Thankamani; from Cheruthoni (Idukki), it is about 10 km. Kottayam is about 125 km away, Thodupuzha about 70 km, and Munnar about 55 km by the Adimali–Cheruthoni route.
• By rail: the nearest major railway stations are Kottayam and Ernakulam.
• By air: Cochin International Airport is about 115 km away.
• Stay: Cheruthoni, Idukki town or Kattappana.

(Read also: the waterfalls of Idukki and trekking and hiking in Idukki.)