Upper Lake View Kodaikanal | Best Time to Visit, How to Reach, Accommodations (2026)

Just 2.3 km from the famous Kodaikanal Lake, Upper Lake View is one of the most rewarding short stops on any Kodaikanal itinerary. From this elevated viewpoint, you get a sweeping panorama of the star-shaped Kodaikanal Lake cradled by shola forests and rolling green hills — a view that’s especially magical at sunrise or just after the mist clears. This guide covers everything you need: timings, entry fee, how to reach Upper Lake View whether you’re already in Kodaikanal or arriving from Palani, Madurai, or Kodai Road, nearby accommodation, and the best time to visit.

Upper Lake View is a scenic viewpoint located 2.3 km from Kodaikanal Lake, with no entry fee, open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Last Updated: 22 September 2026

Detail	Info
Also called	Upper Lake View Point
Rating	4.3 ★★★★★
Location	Upper lake road, Kodaikanal
Distance from Kodaikanal Lake	2.3 km away from Kodaikanal Lake via Observatory Rd
Entry ticket	Free Entry
Timings	9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Best time to visit	Early morning to evening, once the fog clears,

• About Upper Lake View & Highlights
• What to do at Upper lake view
• Timings & Entry Fee
• Best Time to Visit (Season-by-Season)
• How to Reach Upper Lake View
• Accommodations & Hotels Nearby
• Top Attractions to Pair Nearby
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

About Upper Lake View

Upper Lake View is a popular photography and sightseeing spot in Kodaikanal, prized for offering one of the few elevated vantage points over the entire Kodaikanal Lake. Unlike the lake itself, which you experience at ground level, Upper Lake View lets you take in the full star shape of the lake along with the surrounding pine and shola forest in a single frame.

Facilities here are minimal by design — a handful of small handicraft stalls, fruit vendors, and a tea stall near the viewpoint — which keeps the spot peaceful rather than commercialized. Most visitors spend 15–20 minutes here: enough time to take in the view, click a few photos, and breathe in the cool mountain air before continuing their sightseeing circuit.

What to do at Upper Lake View

• Take in the panoramic, star-shaped view of Kodaikanal Lake from above
• Snap photos of the lake and surrounding shola forests — especially good early morning or just after the mist clears
• Browse the small handicraft, fruit, and tea stalls nearby
• Sit and relax for a few quiet minutes away from the busier spots in town

Timings & Entry Fee

• Upper Lake View Timings: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Upper Lake View Entry Fee: No entry fee — Upper Lake View is free to visit.

Best Time to Visit Upper Lake View

The best time to visit Upper Lake View is October to June, when skies are clearer and the lake view isn’t obscured by heavy mist. Within that window:

• October–November: Post-monsoon greenery, lake at its fullest — arguably the best visual payoff
• December–January: Crisp, cool mornings with light mist that burns off by mid-morning
• February–March: Quiet season with fewer crowds, ideal for unhurried photography
• April–June: Peak season, pleasant daytime weather, busiest with families

July–September brings heavier monsoon mist, which can obscure the lake view for parts of the day, though it does give the surrounding hills a dramatic, moody look if you don’t mind reduced visibility.

How to Reach

Upper lake view from Kodaikanal lake

• From Kodai lake, Travel in Kodaikanal Observatory Road.
• After about 2 km, you’ll spot the Upper Lake Road.
• Travel in Upper lake road, after few distance you will see the Upper lake view.

Upper lake view from Bryant Park

• From Bryant Park, head toward Coaker’s Walk (110 m).
• Turn sharp right at Coaker’s Walk onto Club Road (750 m) — you’ll pass IMA Paramedical Institute on your left.
• Continue onto Upper Shola Road (1.6 km) — you’ll pass Aframe House on your left.
• Turn right at the TEA TIME junction onto Upper Lake Road (600 m) — you’ll pass Vijaya Fancy on your right.
• Arrive at Upper Lake View.

If you’re arriving from outside Kodaikanal

Upper Lake View is typically included as one of the first stops on a Kodaikanal sightseeing circuit, since it sits close to the town center and other popular spots like Coaker’s Walk and Bryant Park. If you’re planning your trip from outside the hill station, check our ready-made packages:

• Palani to Kodaikanal Tour Package
• Kodai Road to Kodaikanal Tour Package
• Dindigul to Kodaikanal Tour Package

All our packages include cab pickup, accommodation, and a sightseeing itinerary that covers Upper Lake View along with the rest of Kodaikanal’s top attractions.

Explore Upper Lake View & top valley sights with a private, hassle-free cab. Call +91-6382505650 now to get an instant quote and book your Kodaikanal tour package!

Accommodations Near Upper Lake View

This viewpoint sits close to several well-regarded stays, ranging from luxury resorts to budget-friendly hotels:

• The Carlton — lakeside views, classic colonial-style property.
• Kodai Resort Hotel — comfortable mid-range option close to the town center
• Sterling Kodai Valley — resort-style stay with hill views
• Suryaholidays kodaikanal Priderock
• Asoor Guest House

For a full breakdown of options across budgets, see our guide: 10 Famous Hotels in Kodaikanal.

Top Attractions Near Upper Lake View

Since Upper Lake View sits centrally in Kodaikanal’s main sightseeing belt, it pairs naturally with these nearby spots:

• Rose Garden
• Moir Point
• Coaker’s Walk
• Bryant Park
• Kodaikanal Lake
• La Saleth Church
• Guna Caves
• Pillar Rocks

FAQs

Conclusion

Upper Lake View is one of the simplest yet most rewarding stops in Kodaikanal — a free, quick visit that rewards you with one of the best panoramic views of the star-shaped lake and surrounding hills in the entire hill station. Pair it with Coaker’s Walk, Bryant Park, and a stroll around Kodaikanal Lake for a perfect half-day circuit. If you’re planning your trip from Palani, Kodai Road, or Dindigul, check out our ready-made tour packages above to have your stay, cab, and sightseeing sorted in one go.

Have questions about planning your Upper Lake View visit? Drop them in the comments below — we’re happy to help.

Have a great journey!