Kerala is a place where you rather drive through gradually – passing by coconut trees swaying along narrow roads, tea gardens that open up following a twist of the road, village waterways reflecting the sunlight during evening, and the long stretches of silent forests where only the sound of your vehicle can be heard. This is what offers one of the best scenic drives Kerala.
The Top 5 Scenic Drives Kerala
If you drive yourself, you can stop whenever you want. That is why we at Kottayam Cars recommend a self-drive car rental for your road trip. Here are the top 5 destinations you should include in your itinerary.
- Which is the most scenic road in Kerala?
The most scenic roads in Kerala is the Kochi to Munnar road. This road has all the features of a Kerala hill drive that everyone imagines: waterfalls, mist, spice plantations, serpentine roads, and beautiful tea hills.
You can drive through Neriamangalam and Adimali before coming to Munnar. Initially, this road seems crowded and industrialized; however, little by little, it becomes colder, there are fewer cars on it, and you get to enjoy the hilly scenic views. Although it is one of the most visited drive routes, this road still remains romantic and amazing when traveled leisurely. You can take time for hot tea, a rest stop near a waterfall, or just stop when the mist appears on the road. For a first-time visitor, it will definitely become one of the best scenic drive roads in Kerala.
- Alappuzha to Varkala Coastal Drive
For travelers looking for an ideal blend of the backwater and beach vibe, Alappuzha to Varkala is a great option to consider. This one route that should not be rushed into but instead experienced slowly, with a scenic drive through the canals, fishing villages, bridges, beaches, coconut groves, and local life of Kerala.
In this Alleppey backwaters drive, you can start your journey from Alleppuy and go further south through the waterways all along till reaching Kollam and Varkala. As you keep on going to Varkala, there is yet another transformation in the scenery – red cliffs, sea breeze, and sunsets.
- Thekkady to Gavi: An Offbeat Drive through Forests
Beyond the popular routes, we suggest an offbeat scenic drives Kerala from Thekkady to Gavi. It is the kind of route which feels more like entering an entirely different world. The route runs through plantation lands, forests, and misty corners making the road itself feel tranquil and mysterious.
This drive is perfect for travelers who are not interested in popular viewpoint points or towns. Gavi is famous for its eco-tourist appeal, its forest-like ambiance, and the natural beauty of its untouched nature. The drive is suitable for travelers who enjoy traveling on silent roads in the early morning hours.
- Munnar to Thekkady: Tea Plantations, Cardamom Hills and Valley Drives
Munnar to Thekkady road trip is an excellent choice if you wish to visit two of the most popular Kerala hill resorts. While Munnar has its tea gardens, Thekkady provides a blend of spice plantations, forest fringes and the ambiance of Periyar.
What you will like the most about this drive is the gradual transformation in scenery as you move from open tea hills of Munnar to the land of cardamom, winding roads and valleys. This is ideal for couples and families wishing for an enjoyable hill drive experience on the weekends.
- Palakkad to Nelliyampathy: An Underappreciated Hill Journey in Kerala
If you are wondering, Is Nelliyampathy worth visiting? Let us tell you, it is absolutely worth visiting. Driving through Nenmara-Nelliyampathy on the way from Palakkad is one of the most underappreciated hill journeys in Kerala. This journey features hairpin bends, plantation scenery, forest zones and view points that offer some peace from the commercialized hill stations of Kerala.
This offbeat scenic drives Kerala begins from the hot climate region of Palakkad and gradually ascends towards the cooler greenery zone. As the journey proceeds, plains can be seen fading out behind you. This journey features sections which provide an old-world feeling with no crowds and plenty of room for admiring the surroundings.
Final Thoughts
For those loving long drives, scenic drives Kerala with a self-drive option is the best decision you can think of. While there are many ways to experience Kerala, journeys that lie between destinations such as a a canal route near Alleppey, a foggy tea bend near Munnar, or a tranquil forest stretch near Gavi, can pump up your experience further.
That is precisely, we at Kottayam Cars recommend a self-drive road trip. You can set out early in the morning, stop where you find the view most beautiful, make a quick deviation from the usual route, enjoy local cuisine, or just stay a little longer where you feel attracted by the charm of the place.
| Route | Best For | Duration |
| Kochi to Munnar | Tea gardens, waterfalls, hills | 1-2 days |
| Munnar to Thekkady | Tea gardens, forest, and spice plantations | 1 day |
| Thekkady to Gavi | Forest, wildlife, and quiet roads | 1 day |
| Alappuzha to Varkala Costal drive | Beaches, backwaters, sea | 1 day |
| Palakkad to Nelliyampathy | Hairpin bends, plantations and viewpoints | 1 day |
If you wish to tailor a road trip for you, do not hesitate to contact us further and help us choose the ideal vehicle, plan an itinerary and give you pro-tips that will save you a lot of time and effort.
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