Looks like a real painting but they are India's rare forest that capture clouds. You can even trek to magical landscapes

India is a land of incredible wonders. From the vast stretch of forest in the Sundarbans to the endless ranges of mountains in the Himalayas and the azure waters of the sea in the Andaman Islands, the country is a paradise for travellers. India is also home to several offbeat destinations, untouched by mass tourism, waiting to be explored. One such location, nestled in valleys between the mountains of the Western Ghats of southern India, is the Shola ‘sky islands’ in the Nilgiris. Recently, IAS officer Supriya Sahu shared a visually picturesque image of the location on X.

All about Nilgiris’ shola sky islands

As per Surpiya Sahu, the Shola ‘sky islands’ is one of the most magical landscapes on earth that looks no less than a painting. Locally known as ‘cauliflower shola’ due to their clustered topography, these clouds of evergreen forests are living water systems that capture drifting clouds, store rain deep within their soil, and release it slowly into rivers that sustain millions of lives.




The shola sky islands stretch from the south of the Baba Budan Hills in Karnataka. Some of the isolated islands in Karnataka and northern Kerala are fairly small, measuring only about 10-20 sq.km, while other larger islands like Nilgiris and Anamalai-Palani Hills are about 1500 sq.km. Do you know that you can even trek through these mesmerising forest patches, soaking in the beauty of the surroundings?

Shola sky islands trek

As per the official website of the Tamil Nadu department, adventure enthusiasts willing to undertake the trek will be bestowed with an enchanting journey through a high-altitude mountain ecosystem to reach the serene village of Avalanche. A local jeep ride will take you through the colourful cauliflower shola forest, unveiling hidden waterfalls, lush grasslands, and abundant wildlife like the Nilgiri tahr, langurs, gaurs, sambar deer, elephants and even tigers and leopards if you are lucky, alongside several bird species.

The landscape evokes the vintage charm of the British countryside with its wattle plantations and vibrant shola forest stretching endlessly as far as the eye wanders. During this journey, you will witness stunning glimpses of the Mukurthi Peak and the Upper Bhavani Dam, culminating in a visit to the Kolaribetta tower, where panoramic vistas complete this unforgettable adventure in nature's embrace.

How to reach

By air: The Coimbatore International Airport (about 90 km) is the nearest.

By train: The Udagamandalam Railway Station, connected via the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, is the closest railhead

By road: The trek is well-linked to routes from Ooty and Coimbatore that lead to Avalanche and the surrounding Shola regions.

Best time to visit

The best time to explore the Shola ‘sky islands’ is between October and May, when the weather remains cool and pleasant, skies are clearer, and trekking conditions are favourable.