Vagamon Pine Forest.
The Vagamon Pine Forest is the only naturally-growing pine forest in Kerala — planted experimentally by the Kerala Forest Department in the 1970s on an exposed grassland plateau, the trees adapted and self-seeded. Most Kerala hill-station visitors do not realise pine grows in Kerala because the climate is wrong for pine elsewhere. The forest is unfenced but KFD-managed; access via the Vagamon-Erattupetta road.WHY NOBODY KNOWS
A 1.5 sq km Pinus patula (Mexican weeping pine) forest planted by the Kerala Forest Department in 1972 — the only pine forest in Kerala. The trees are now 50+ feet tall with the distinctive needled canopy and pine-cone ground litter. Walking paths cross-cross the plateau; no entry fee. Best at 7-9am and 4-6pm when the light filters through the canopy. Bring grip footwear — the pine-needle floor is slippery after rain.
