You are welcomed by the wholesome beauty and enigmatic appeal of the Kolli Hills in the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu. Escape the busy city life in Chennai, where you will find peace and tranquillity, as well as natural scenic beauty that makes it perfect for nature lovers, adventure enthusiasts and spirituality seekers who want to experience a genuine mountain getaway.
Exploring the best places to visit in Kolli Hills, your drive will take you through stunning waterfalls, ancient temples with mysterious legends and scenic viewpoints overlooking lush green valleys. There’s also something for every traveller, from heart-pounding trekking locations to peaceful cultural sites that share tales of bygone centuries. You’ll get to visit natural wonders, including the gorgeous waterfalls of Agaya Gangai and the mysterious Ettukai Amman Temple, which comes with its own local folklore. For the adventure buffs, trekking spots in Kolli Hills involve difficult trails cutting through thick forests and rocky terrain, giving you great views all around. All these give your visit a bit of the thrill of the search as well as the calmness of the mountain range.
Natural Wonders and Scenic Viewpoints
Agaya Gangai Waterfalls
As you head to Agaya Gangai, the best of Kolli Hills waterfalls, you will be left awestruck. This spectacular fall drops like thunder through rocky cliffs to a height of 300 feet and can be heard roaring in the valleys around. The hike to these falls is an adventure in itself. You will wind your way through overgrown jungle and scramble across boulders for 3 km from the highway.
The spray unleashed by the raging waterfall takes on a rainbow-like view when glistening under golden afternoon sunshine, with surrounding emerald green vegetation making a perfect setting for photography. You’ll have to go during the monsoon when the waterfall is at its most powerful, though post-monsoon offers better trekking conditions.
Best time to visit: June to September
Arapaleeswarar Temple
Your spiritual quest in Kolli Hills culminates with the historic and beautiful Arapaleeswarar Temple that weaves devotion into the lap of nature. Naag Devta Temple Situated on a hill at a height of 1,300 mts, this temple of Lord Shiva blesses you with both devotional vibes and an exceptional range of mountains. The temple is an architectural wonder, both inside and out, with its Dravidian-sculptured walls and ornate carvings, which are hundreds of years old.
What truly sets this unique heritage site in the Kolli Hills is the way it has been built into the natural setting. You’ll traverse misty pathways dotted with native fauna, putting you at ease as you approach the main sanctum. Thousands visit the temple during its annual festival, when it is decked out in twinkling lights and thundering with devotion, but as with most sacred spaces, a trip here can be unforgettable on quieter days. If you are travelling and staying at a hotel in Chennai, Kolli Hills is one of the best short trips from Chennai that you can take.
Best time to visit: July to August, during the month-long Aadi Festival
Siddhar Caves
Your journey to finding mystical meditation spots takes you to mysterious Siddhar Caves, where ascetic sages of the bygone days meditated in search of truth amidst the overwhelming beauty of nature. These ancient rock formations and man-made caves have been the home of meditation for spiritual seekers for over a millennium. They give you an insight into the meditation tradition in Tamil Nadu and are easily one of the important places to visit in the Kolli Hills.
You’ll find about 18 caves dotted around the hillside, all with their own identity and backstory. The largest caves can be reached by well-signposted paths, and some need moderate caving ability. On the inside are smooth rock faces where thousands of years of meditation have worn down the stone, natural ventilation systems and holes in walls that frame stunning valley views. The caves are a favourite place for contemplation and meditation for many visitors. You will love the acoustics of the caves, even whispers sound magical. The region has many medicinal and herbal plants that the ancient siddars (medical practitioners) used to cure people of their ailments.
Best time to visit: Early mornings when the sun has just risen
Seekuparai Viewpoint
The adventure of the morning starts from Seekuparai Viewpoint, one of the best places to visit near Chennai. A viewpoint at the peak of accessible hills, this place offers a stunning view beyond imagination and is located across three districts: Namakkal, Salem, and Trichy. And to get there, you’ll need to begin a hike well before dawn. The 30-minute route, along forest paths, requires sufficient time. The trek takes you up and down through groves of eucalyptus trees and native shola forests, while the chilly mountain air refreshes your soul. All that hard work pays off gloriously as the sun peaks out from behind far mountains, lighting up the sky in oranges, pinks and gold.
On clear days, you can see for more than 100km, looking out to the plains below, onto which are sprinkled landmarks and cities. The viewpoint is also great for observing sunsets, but since it’s clearer in the morning, more people prefer to see the sunrise. There are some rock ‘tables’ to sit on comfortably, a great place for taking in the outstanding views presented before you. Stay at well-known hotel chains like Treebo Hotels that offer early check-in options, so you can drop off your bags and set off early for the hike.
Best time to visit: Early mornings before the sun rises
Adventure Activities and Trekking Trails
Kolli Hills trek routes
You will get lost in some of the most undiscovered natural areas of Tamil Nadu when you take up these adventure activities at Kolli Hills. The area also offers several trekking routes suitable for all abilities, whether you’re after an easy nature walk or a several-day adventure. If you are looking for trekking in Chennai, then Agaya Gangai in Kolli Hills will be an adventurous trip. This popular trek is the one that takes you to Agaya Gangai waterfalls, which means Swim and Roar, as here the water cascades down a thick rain forest for almost 3 kms. Your route meanders through rocky outcrops and groves of medicinal plants, which native tribes have used for centuries.
For those who love adventure trekking, Seekuparai is tougher. Your journey here is all about steep climbs up granite formations and narrow ridges to try your endurance. The reward is the summit viewpoints, where you stand before rolling hills that seem to stretch on forever. Precaution is key on these trails. It remains strongly advisable always to let locals know your trekking plans, bring enough water and consider hiring local guides with wide knowledge of the terrain. Weather can play a part in keeping temperatures in check, but be prepared for sudden drops and possible rain by bringing suitable gear.
Rock Climbing Locations
Your rock climbing journey to Kolli Hills will take you through some stunning granite boulder formations, which have been carved by millions of years of erosion. You’re rewarded with plenty of climbing options from novice-friendly bouldering to difficult multi-pitch routes that will put experienced climbers to the test, thanks to the area’s geological diversity. Cliffs close to Arappaleeswarar Temple give you good practice walls with multiple grade levels. This region enjoys mostly consistent weather conditions and excellent solid rock for good practice. There are plenty of natural holds and cracks in the granite surfaces, providing interesting technical climbs.
You either bring your gear or get in touch with adventure tour operators who operate in the surrounding localities for the ropes and accessories. Safety becomes of particular importance to these areas, many of which are remote and hard to reach. You should never be climbing alone, and always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back. A local guide who knows the geology can lead you to some of the more stable formations and help you steer well clear of rockfall hotspots. Weather caution is still needed because storms can come unexpectedly, posing hazards for those climbing.
Cultural and Spiritual Destinations
Ettukai Amman Temple
One of the most sacred places of worship in the Kolli Hills, the Ettukai Amman Temple can be found standing majestically on a hilltop at 1,300 metres. Your pilgrimage to this ancient shrine commences after an hour or so’s walk across woodland and rugged hill slopes, the very act of making the journey adding to its spiritual significance. The deity of the temple is Goddess Ettukai Amman, who tribal communities say has protected them for hundreds of years here.
As you get near the temple, you can see the architecture that complements the mountains very naturally. The shrine itself has some incredible panoramic views across valleys and mountains in the distance, which, in addition to being a holy site, also makes for some great photography. Local devotees think that prayers here are especially potent. During the annual festival celebrations, the hilltop erupts with traditional music, dance and rituals. The cultural appeal makes this one of the most spiritual places to visit in Kolli Hills.
Botanical Gardens
A visit to the Kolli Hills Botanical Gardens reveals how diverse these mountains are. Scattered over an area of acres, the gardens exhibit a variety of indigenous plants, which include medicinal herbs and some exotic species that flourish in the cool hill station. You’ll see more than 300 types of plants, some of which are found nowhere else in the world.
The gardens are a research facility and conservation site in one, and the local botanists here work hard to protect what remains of this region’s fragile ecosystem. Walk around the well-kept paths meeting different kinds of exotic orchids, smell the spices as cinnamon, pepper and other aromatic plants that the island is known for. The gardens also have a specialised section of medicinal plants, where you can learn about traditional Siddha medicine that local tribes have used for centuries.
Masania Amman Temple
Masani Amman Temple is the indigenous people’s worship place of god, along with a historic and cultural significance. This ancient temple of Masani Amman, on the top of a hill overlooking a forest, has lovely views over the rolling hills. With its mixed architectural structure, the temple is an excellent example of the region’s building styles, which utilised local stone and traditional methods.
Your trip here gives an idea of the complicated religious practices of the hill tribes, a fusion of Hindu and their ancestral beliefs. The temple has been highly revered since the full-moon night, when oil lamps are set alight in its courtyard and the whole area glows with their warm light. According to local folklore, the goddess takes care of travellers and grants health and prosperity to her followers. It is a significant site for the devotees and locals who come here to seek spiritual comfort.
Unique Attractions and Hidden Gems
Boat House at Kolli Hills
Escape into a world of serenity as you sail on the serene waters of Kolli Hills Boathouse, with echoing streams being the only sound from the surrounding mountains. You’ll find this oasis hidden in the hills, where you can rent paddleboats and rowboats to cruise around the peaceful lake. Perfect flat shores offer a serene atmosphere for couples looking to spend some quality time or for families looking for a well-needed escape. You can spend the hours floating on the lake and looking up at the valley sides that envelop this scenic spot.
Coffee and Spice Estates
Meandering through the fragrant coffee and spice estates will lead your senses into the huge farm legacy of the Kolli Hills. You’ll see for yourself how local farmers grow high-quality coffee beans alongside cardamom, pepper and other exotic spices which flourish in this mountainous terrain. On your guided tours, you will see the methods that people used in the past, how they work the land alongside generations of expertise, and how they take it from planting to harvesting. Aromas from fresh coffee flowers and ripe spices intoxicate you, offering an utterly unique experience that takes you straight to the heart of our regional agro-food system. This place easily tops the list of places to visit in Kolli Hills.
Kolli Malai or Kolli Hills serves you an ideal mix of natural beauty, thrill & cultural aid that would rejuvenate your mind and is perfect for a getaway from the routine of life. You’ll find stunning waterfalls, temples that are thousands of years old and vantage points from which you can get some of the best photography in Tamil Nadu. The hill station has something for every kind of traveller. Your trip to Kolli Hills will provide you with lasting memories of stunning, unexplored spectacles in the hill ranges and warm interactions with local communities. So pack your bags and prepare to embark on this incredible adventure; the Kolli Hills await.
