Coakers Walk is close to the Kodaikanal lake and bus stand, which are within walking distance. Coakers walk is of 1 km length built by Lieutenant Coaker. You can enter using one of the two entrances located near Van Allen Hospital and St. Peter’s Church.
We visited this place in December during Christmas vacation. During our visit, Coakers Walk was not crowded, but the boating area at Kodaikanal Lake was crowded and traffic was heavy. Coakers walk is a nice place to go for a walk while soaking in the scenery of the mountains and the city’s housing area.
When we visited, the place was completely covered by clouds, so we didn’t get to see the entire picturesque scenery.
We got our entry tickets and began walking down the road that led us straight to the Telescope area. I expected the path to be sloped, but to my surprise, the walkway is completely smooth and flat.
We came across several shops and stalls along the path. Before heading to the telescope area, we had some snacks in one of the shops present. In comparison to the outside shops, I felt the prices of the items provided inside were fairly expensive.
Entry charges might vary depending on visiting seasons:
Entry Fee – 25 per person
Telescope/Binocular fee – 10 per person
Camera fee – 30 Rs
They constructed fencing around the walkway’s edge to protect tourists from accidents. We were informed that there were two telescope areas inside, but we were unable to see both, so we only visited one because the view seemed to be blocked by the surrounding clouds.
I would recommend you to avoid visiting this location during the misty season, when you can only enjoy only by strolling all along route.
The place is perfect for all visitors. If you want to get some fresh air and avoid crowds, go for a morning walk. It’s worth a visit because they don’t charge an hourly fee and you can stay for as long as you want. Once within a short distance, there is a seating area. There are also Rest Rooms that may or may not be hygienic.
I recommend bringing water bottles and snacks with you If you are allergic to any outside foods.
Coakers Walk is best visited between March and September when the weather is pleasant and there is very little mist or fog. If you prefer freezing weather to the extreme, the best time to visit is during the winter season, from October to January, when the area is completely covered in mist and fog.
The park is open from 7 am – 7 pm on all weekdays. If you don’t want to carry anything heavy, I noticed there are lockers available at the entry gate to keep your belongings safe. Since there are no Auto Rickshaws or local buses, you should either walk (10 minutes) or take a cab from the Kodaikanal bus station to reach Coakers walk.
Outside the park, there is a limited parking place, but I realized that it has to be extended because traffic is heavy and most tourists vehicles are parked on the roadside. We couldn’t find a parking space outside the Coakers Walk or in its parking area, so we parked our vehicle in an open area around 700 meters away from the Coakers Walk.
The nearest airport is Madurai 134 km, Trichy 201 km, and Coimbatore 175 km. These airports are well connected to major airports across the country, as well as several international airports. You can take a bus to Kodaikanal from any of these airports nearest the city bus terminal.
The nearest railway station is Kodai Road Railway Station, which is around 47 kilometers from Kodaikanal. The other nearest railway stations are Dindugal Junction (56 km), Sholavandan (58 km), Tirumangalam (72 km), and Thirupparankundram (75 km). To reach the Kodaikanal bus station, go to the relevant city’s main bus station and take a bus or rent a car.
But the easiest way to reach Kodaikanal and other tourist places in Kodaikanal is by road. There are many direct buses from various cities to reach Kodaikanal. You can also travel on your vehicle or rented vehicle or bikes to enjoy the ride and to click pictures by stopping at scenic places.
Other attractions when visiting Coakers Walk:
- Kodaikanal Lake
- Berijam Lake
- Bryant Park
- Vattakanal falls
- Dolphin Nose
- Pillar Rocks
- Silent Valley View
- Guna Caves
- Pine Forest
- Poombarai
- Silver Cascade falls
- Green Valley View ( Suicide Point)
- Bear Shola falls
- Devil’s Kitchen
- Mannavanur
Temple / Church attractions :
- Kurinji Andavar Temple
- Subrahmanya Temple
- Christ the King Church
- La Salette church
- Lutheran Church
Happy Visiting !!
Do share your experience in the comments.
