Gap Road Munnar: Complete Guide, Distance, Route & Things to Know 

There are a lot of scenic drives in Munnar, but only Gap Road has found a way to make a name for itself beyond expectations. What was once treated as a mere connection between Munnar and its viewpoints has become a full-fledged tourist stop over. If you are making plans for your trip and are running into Gap Road Munnar on reels and blogs, here is a complete guide to what it is all about and how you can plan your visit to it.

What Is Gap Road in Munnar?

Gap Road Munnar refers to a strip of the road which follows the top of the hills providing uninterrupted views of the valley below. Located at such an elevation level, Gap Road happens to be at the place where the clouds and open sky merge and that is precisely the reason for its fame. Gap Road is not a single point of interest but rather an extended route with various points of photo stops from where you can admire the view and move forward along the same road.

Unlike many attractions in Munnar, Gap Road is accessible at any time and does not require a special permission to get there and see it.

Why Is Gap Road Famous?

The reasons for Gap Road’s popularity today have a lot to do with its natural location and the accessibility. In particular, it is famous because:

• The frequent presence of clouds in the valley in the early morning gives the feeling of the road floating in the clouds.
• It provides one of the most picturesque backgrounds in Munnar without any lengthy journey and climbs.
• Various clips and photos taken during road trips have been actively discussed in social media.
• It fits into any itinerary without taking a whole day for it.

Best Things to Do on Gap Road Munnar

Apart from the actual ride, there are several other things you might want to try when you are here:

• Take photos at the photo stops provided along the road, especially during the movement of the clouds.
• Make short walks along the safest parts of the road enjoying nature.
• Bring a thermos of tea or coffee and simply sit by the road admiring the view.
• Interact with local vendors who may set up stands offering snacks and drinks at the photo stops.

Best Viewpoints on Gap Road

There are quite a few places along Munnar Road, which give a really good view, and tourists generally head towards these spots:

• The top part of the road, near the highest point of the road, where the valley view becomes open.
• The mid-route pulls out, which gives a slightly different view of the surrounding hills.
• The parts of the road near tea estate, where greenery forms yet another element of the scenic view.

Depending upon the time of the day and weather conditions, each of the above mentioned spots will have something special to offer you. Hence, a visit to multiple spots along Gap Road Munnar may be a good idea.

Best Time to Visit Gap Road Munnar

Time is a crucial factor for the scenic experience of Gap Road. For getting the best of both mist and the valley view, mornings between five thirty and seven are ideal. As the day proceeds and the sun becomes stronger, clouds generally tend to disperse, and hence, visitors can enjoy an unobstructed view of the valley.

October to March months are considered the best season for visiting Gap Road Munnar because of pleasant weather conditions.

Gap Road Munnar in Monsoon

If you visit Gap Road in monsoon, you will get to experience a totally different view of the road. Hills will be more greenish and waterfalls will be flowing along the entire route. Monsoon is also a great time to explore some of the best waterfalls in Munnar.

• Roads will be slippery at times, especially at the bends.
• Visibilities may suddenly reduce in case of sudden rains.
• Viewpoints may not be very safe due to wet surfaces, and hence, it is better to stick to marked areas only.

Gap Road Munnar in monsoon season will surely give you a different experience of the route, but for that, you will have to be ready for some unpredictabilities.

How to Reach Gap Road Munnar

Munnar Gap Road can be reached with relative ease. Most of the tourists prefer to visit this spot along with other attractions rather than as a separate tour. Munnar Gap Road can be reached via:

• Hiring a local taxi from Munnar town, which is the most common means of reaching Munnar Gap Road.
• Driving oneself to the location, if one is on a self-drive holiday. Conditions of the roads to Gap Road Munnar have improved considerably. 
• Booking it as a part of a guided Munnar sightseeing tour via PlanYourTour can be a convenient way of organizing your trip if you don’t want to make up the itinerary yourself.

Gap Road Munnar Distance from Popular Places

One of the most often searched queries is Munnar to Gap Road distance, along with the distance from this place to the nearby sights. Here is a short list:

• 15 to 25 minutes’ drive from Munnar town to Gap Road, depending on traffic.
• Around 20 minutes from Mattupetty Dam to Gap Road.
• Close to 25 minutes drive from Echo Point to Gap Road.
• Around 30 minutes from Top Station to Gap Road.

This short distance makes it easy to combine Gap Road with other two or three sights in a half day tour.

Places to Visit Near Gap Road Munnar

If you are going to visit this place, then it will be reasonable to combine it with other places to visit in Munnar.

• Mattupetty Dam – sight with picturesque reservoir and boat riding opportunity.
• Echo Point – quiet sight suitable for a short break.
• Top Station – sight with high elevation views.
• The local tea estates on the way, some of which allow visiting.

Pre-planning your route, or allowing a service such as PlanYourTour to organize it for you, can increase your efficiency.

Is Gap Road Munnar Safe?

In general, Gap Road is safe for tourists’ visits, though a couple of precautions will come in handy, especially with consideration of the elevation and the frequent traffic jams during the peak period. Observing the marked viewpoints, avoiding sudden stops on curves, and being careful during monsoon periods are just a couple of examples of sensible steps. There has been an increasing number of traffic during the last couple of years, so be careful especially during the weekends.

Tips for Visiting Gap Road

There are some simple tips that can facilitate your visit:

• Arrive early to see it when the best light is available and to avoid weekend crowds.
• Take with you a light jacket, since this is an elevated area, thus temperature is quite low compared to the town.
• Check the weather forecast before your visit, because visibility depends heavily on cloud movement.
• Have some money with you for roadside snacks or tea stalls.

However, if you are adding this attraction to the rest, then try to do the stops in a proper sequence so that there is no need for you to double back to reach any particular location.

FAQs

Q. How far is Gap Road from Munnar?

Gap Road is very close to Munnar town. The driving distance from wherever you are staying can be around fifteen to twenty five minutes.

Q. Is Gap Road suitable for a road trip?

Yes, Gap Road is regarded as one of the most enjoyable short drives in Munnar with beautiful scenery on the way, and thus can make for a good part of a road trip covering nearby attractions as well.

Q. Can I visit Gap Road by car?

Certainly, most of the tourists visit Gap Road either by their own car or by hiring a car/taxi, since the road conditions of this stretch have improved in recent times.

Q. How much time is required to explore Gap Road?

Gap Road will take you about half an hour to an hour, depending upon the number of viewpoints you want to cover and how much time you plan to spend here.

Q. What should I carry while visiting Gap Road Munnar?

Bring some snacks, some water, a camera/phone with full battery and, of course, a jacket for warmth. Rain jacket/umbrella in case of monsoon season.

Q. What are the best places to visit near Gap Road?

Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, Top Station are the popular places that you can visit near Gap Road Munnar.