When it comes to hill stations in Tamil Nadu, most of us get the image of Ooty and Kodaikanal. Indeed, these two are popular hill stations. However, they are visited in large numbers by tourists. If you plan to visit a less-crowded hill station in Tamil Nadu, the best thing you can do is to choose to visit Kolli Hills.
Kolli Hills in Tamil Nadu has an ominous name. Yes, the name of these hills is translated as Mountain of Death. Kolli Hills or Kolli Malai is a hilly terrain located in a district called Namakkal, which belongs to Tamil Nadu. The excellent thing about this hill station is that it remains relatively untouched by commercial tourism. So, it has retained most of its natural attractiveness. The blog post aims to let you know everything about this hill station.
Kolli Hills – An Introduction
Kolli Hills, a hill station in Tamil Nadu is not only known for its natural beauty. Yes, it is popular for its religious importance as well. The reason is that this hill station houses the Arappaleshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Many people from nearby districts of Tamil Nadu visit this hill station mainly for the driving experience it provides. You will have to drive through a hill with many hairpin bends.
How to Reach Kolli Hills?
You can reach this hill station by choosing one of the following modes of transportation. However, my detailed post on how to reach Kolli Hills will help you:
By Bus
If you travelling from nearby cities in Tamil Nadu, you can find Tamil Nadu State Road Transportation buses to take you to Kolli Hills. If you are travelling from far away cities in Tamil Nadu, you can reach Namakkal. This is the nearest city to the hill station. This city is connected to different cities in Tamil Nadu like Chennai, Coimbatore and Salem. Namakkal City is located around 45 km from Kolli Hills.
You can also find direct buses to Kolli Hills from major cities in Tamil Nadu. The bus ride from Namakkal to Kolli Hills will be a different experience. The reason is that the bus will take you through hill terrain with lots of hairpin bends.
By Train
Salem junction is the nearest railway station to Kolli Hills. Trains from major cities in Tamil Nadu reach Salem Junction. You can also find direct trains that can take you to this junction from Kerala. If you are travelling from North India, you can reach Chennai or Coimbatore. From these railway stations, you can find direct trains to Salem. Once you are at Salem Junction, you can hire a taxi to reach Kolli Hills. The distance is around 93 km via NH 44.
By Flight
If you are travelling by flight, you can reach either Trichy International Airport, Coimbatore International Airport or Salem Airport. The first two of these are international airports and the last is domestic airports. The distance is 150, 210 and 106 km respectively. From these airports, you can travel by bus, or train or hire a taxi to reach Kolli Hills.
By Car
If you are travelling from Coimbatore, Bangalore or Chennai, you can drive your car to reach Kolli Hills. The distance is 160, 280 and 350 km respectively. As mentioned earlier, the roads that lead to Kolli Hills from Namakkal are hill roads with a lot of hairpin bends. So, drive with the utmost care.
Key Attractions & Things to Do
My post on things to do in Kolli Hills will help you gather detailed information. Here are some key attractions and things to do when you explore this hill station:
Arapaleeswarar Temple
A visit to Arapaleeswarar Temple is one of the best things to do in Kolli Hills. The special thing about this temple is that it dates back to Sangam Period. Apart from being a spiritual hub, it is an architectural marvel as well. The serene landscapes around this temple add allure to it.
Agaya Ganga Waterfalls
One of the key attractions in Kolli Hill is the majestic waterfall called Agaya Ganga or Agaya Gangai. In this waterfall, water flows majestically from a height of 300 feet. You can reach the base of the fall by trekking down for around 1300 steps. However, reaching this place will be a rewarding experience.
Visit the Seeku Parai View Point
From this vantage point, you can get a breathtaking view of the dense forests and lush valleys of Kolli Hills. It is an ideal spot to visit if you love photography.
Children’s Park and Botanical Garden
If you are planning to take your kids along to Kolli Hills, the best thing you can do is to visit the Botanical Garden in the hill station. The botanical garden has a park dedicated to children. They will love playing at the park. When your kids play, you can relax in the green atmosphere in the Botanical Garden.
Hiking and Trekking
You can find a lot of trekking trails in Kolli Hills. From easy to moderate-level difficult treks, the trails take you to caves, waterfalls and viewpoints. You will love exploring these verdant paths if you are a nature enthusiast.
Visit Vasulurpatty Lake
One of the important places to visit in Kolli Hills is Vasulurpatty Lake. One of the interesting things about this lake is that you can take boat rides here. The scenic surroundings and calm ambience will bring a delightful experience to you and your family.
Visit Selur Viewpoint
You can get breathtaking panoramic views of Kolli Hills by visiting Selur Viewpoint. You can get excellent views of the valley below from this viewpoint. You can get great views of the misty mountains as well.
Meditate at Siddhar Caves
Would you love to meditate? If so, the best thing you can do when you are at Kolli Hills is to visit the Siddhar Caves. These caves are believed to have been the point of meditation for yogis and siddhars.
Adventure Activities at Kolli Pavazhakundru
If you seek adventure, you can visit this place that offers opportunities for rappelling and rock climbing. You can find instructors to safely engage in these activities. If you are a thrill-seeker, you will love this place for sure.
Best Time & Season to Visit
The winter season between November and March is the best time to visit Kolli Hills. The weather during this season will be pleasant for sightseeing, enjoying outdoor activities and trekking.
If you want to explore the waterfalls in full swing, you can plan your visit to the hill station during the monsoon season. The season is between June and September. However, with frequent rains, the roads can become slippery.
It is better not to visit the hill station during the summer season between April and May. The climate during this season can be warm during the daytime. So, it will be tough to explore places.
Duration To See
My post on the 5-day Kolli Hills itinerary can help you plan your visit to this hill station for 5 days. However, when you have 5 days, you will have a lot of time. Two to three days is enough for exploring the hill station. Within three days, you can explore even the nearby attractions in the hill station.
Best Restaurants and Cafes Around
Most accommodations in Kolli Hills have a restaurant attached to them. However, if you are looking for cafes and restaurants away from your accommodation, here are some choices:
- Hotel Vasantha Maligai
- Hotel Varunan
- Hotel Amudham
Apart from these restaurants, you can find many street food vendors at Solakkadu Market in Kolli Malai.
Where To Stay? Best Resorts
My post on Hotels in Kolli Hills will provide you with detailed information about the resorts in this hill station. Here are the names of a few resorts:
- Nallathambi Resort
- NPS Lake View Resort
- RJ Grand Resort
- Silverline Retreat Hotel
- Arrow Mansion
- Black Pepper Resorts
- Valvil Home
- RVR Hotels
- Akshaya Residency
- Seattle Garden
Entry Fee & Ticket Prices
There is no entry fee to visit Kolli Hills. However, some attractions like the botanical garden and Agaya Ganga Waterfalls can collect a meagre entry fee. Also, if you are travelling to Kolli Hills by car, you will have to bear parking charges at some attractions.
FAQ
How Many Hairpin Bends in Kolli Hills?
You will have to pass by around 70 hairpin bends to reach Kolli Hills. These hairpin bends might challenge you when driving. However, handling this challenge will be very worthwhile for the fresh forest air.
Can I Cover Kolli Hills in a Single Day?
Yes, you can explore the hill station on a single day. However, this applies if you are travelling from nearby cities like Salem and Namakkal. However, an overnight stay will help you enjoy the attractiveness of the hill station to the fullest.
Can I Find ATMs in Kolli Hills?
Yes, you can find ATMs in the hill station. However, ATM facilities are limited in this hill station. So, to handle the expenses, it is better to carry some cash along.
Do not overlook my other posts related to Tamil Nadu:
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