The Nilgiri Hills are famous for their sublime hill stations. Notable among them is Coonoor, located at the head of the Hulikal ravine at an altitude of 1,800 m above sea level. It is 19 km from Ooty (also, Udhagamandalam or Ootacamund), another famous hill station of the Nilgiris.

Coonoor is famous for its verdant environs and for a variety of wildflowers and birds. Coonoor provides a perfect setting for activities like trekking and hiking. It is also famous for its tea plantations and festivals. During summer, this hill town is over-spilled with holidaymakers. Coonoor is also an ideal locale for filmmakers, both from India and abroad. It formed the backdrop for David Lean's movie A Passage to India (1984) based on E. M. Foster's novel. Coonoor comes under the Coimbatore-Mettupalayam-Coonoor-Ooty circuit.

There are several places to see and visit near Coonoor. The Dolphin's Nose Viewpoint, which is 10 kms from Coonoor, is an important place to visit. It not only provides a panoramic view of the vast expanse of the Nilgiri hills but also of the famous Catherine Falls.