Birthday Hike in the Wild: Exploring Longwood Shola Forest!

I had to work on my birthday this year. But did that stop me from celebrating later? Absolutely not! Since I couldn’t cut cake with confetti flying around, I decided to do something that makes our little family the happiest—go wild. Literally.

And by wild, I mean… a jungle trail with leeches, mossy roots, giant trees, and birds that have better vocals than most reality show contestants. Welcome to Longwood Shola Forest, a lush green patch of ancient wilderness in Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu.

Getting There: Ooty to Longwood Shola

We left Ooty around 9 am, fresh and motivated. The drive to Kotagiri was like flipping through a glossy coffee table book—rolling hills, tea gardens and misty bends. We reached the Forest Department reception where the staff handed us waiver forms to sign—because apparently, nature is beautiful and potentially bitey.

This swamp is apparently 20 ft deep

Into the Shola: The Trail Begins

The trek begins subtly—none of that dramatic “You’re entering the jungle!” vibe. One minute you're on a small mud path, the next you’re deep inside a dense, almost enchanted forest. The temperature drops, the light gets filtered through canopy layers, and the air smells like wet wood, mushrooms, and mystery. Fun fact: Longwood Shola is one of the last patches of pristine Shola forests in the Nilgiris. These forests are incredibly rare and are home to endemic species—plants and animals you literally won't find anywhere else in the world. To read more, click here.

A Mushroom

Scratch marks of a leopard

Deep in the Woods

A dead log

Tiger poo! Ewww!

Perennial Stream

While the forest is home to a variety of animals, the only celebrity who showed up for us was the Malabar Giant Squirrel—fluffy, graceful, and hopping around like it owned the place. No langurs, no exotic birds, and thankfully no leeches either. It seems the rest of the forest crew was on a day off. But honestly, with all that serene silence and fresh air, we didn’t miss the chatter. This forest is not just green—it’s fifty shades of green. There were tree ferns, wild orchids, and trees that looked like they’ve seen centuries of weather, whispers, and wanderers.

Trek Time

We wrapped up the trek around 11:40 am, hearts lighter and minds clearer than when we began. The trail had just the right mix of uphill stretches to get our hearts pumping and quiet forest paths that invited us to slow down, look around, and listen. With every step, we felt more immersed—like we had been gently pulled into a world untouched by chaos. The sunlight filtered softly through trees, the cold breeze whispered secrets only the forest knew, and the crunch of leaves beneath our feet reminded us that we were just visitors in something timeless. As we made our way back to the forest office, a gentle sense of calm lingered—a quiet reminder of how powerful nature’s simplicity can be.

Quick Trek Tips:

• Wear covered shoes and long socks (preferably tucked in).

• Carry salt or Dettol if you're paranoid about leeches.

• Don’t expect mobile signal—expect peace.

• Book the trail via Trek Tamilnadu (online reservations available).

• The forest department only allows guided tours, which is a good thing—it’s easy to get lost in here.

Next Stop: Lunch!

But more on that in the next post. Spoiler: it involves a resort in the hills, a multicuisine restaurant, and a happy little boy burning calories at a park. Stay tuned for Part 2: Birthday Lunch at Berrypeckers, Green Nest Resort 🍽️Trust me, if the forest made our hearts full, the food made our tummies happier.