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Tamil Nadu

Kolli Hills

Namakkal's plateau of hairpin bends, waterfalls, betel farms

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Best time to visit Kolli Hills

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: November to January
  • Shoulder: February to March and September to October, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: April to August

Planning a specific month? JanuaryNovemberDecember

Kolli Hills season by season

Winter December to February Prime time

Cool, clear and quiet - good light for the Ghat's 70 hairpin bends and the Agaya Gangai waterfall trek

Summer March to May Shoulder

Warmer and drier, waterfalls thin out by Apr-May, still noticeably cooler than the Namakkal plains below

Monsoon June to September Shoulder

Heavy rain on the Ghat road with landslide risk, waterfalls run full but access can be cut after storms

Autumn October to November Prime time

Rains ease through Oct-Nov, the forest is lush and green, one of the quietest good-weather windows

What Kolli Hills is actually like

Undiscovered by backpackers - a few eco-stays, ideal for solo travellers wanting quiet

Things to do in Kolli Hills

The local places worth your time in and around Kolli Hills, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Agaya Gangai Falls

    Waterfall · 6 km out

    The 300 ft falls below Arapaleeswarar temple, down and back up 1200 steps; allow two hours and start before 10 am.

  • Arapaleeswarar Temple

    Temple · 6 km out

    Hilltop Shiva temple at the head of the falls steps, tied to the chieftain Valvil Ori; the steps ticket counter is here.

  • Seekuparai Viewpoint

    Viewpoint · 9 km out

    Ledge over the plains with a small garden and tea stalls; clear at sunrise, cloud fills the valley by mid morning.

  • Masila Falls

    Waterfall · 5 km out

    Smaller falls with an easy path, good when the Agaya Gangai steps are too much; dries to a trickle by March.

  • Selur Nadu Viewpoint

    Viewpoint · 12 km out

    Quiet lookout at the far end of the plateau; you need your own vehicle, no buses run out this side of the hills.

Getting to Kolli Hills

Nearest town Namakkal; the 70-hairpin Ghat road (1hr) from Semmedu

Practical ways in: road

Trip facts

How long to stay
2 days
Budget
Shoestring
How busy
Quiet at its peak
Solo travel
Doable solo with some planning
Altitude
1300 m
State
Tamil Nadu
Coordinates
11.2500, 78.3333

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Kolli Hills?

November to January is peak season in Kolli Hills. February to March and September to October is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid April to August. Rains ease through Oct-Nov, the forest is lush and green, one of the quietest good-weather windows.

How many days do you need in Kolli Hills?

2 days is the usual stay. Undiscovered by backpackers - a few eco-stays, ideal for solo travellers wanting quiet.

How do you get to Kolli Hills?

Nearest town Namakkal; the 70-hairpin Ghat road (1hr) from Semmedu. Practical ways in: road.

Is Kolli Hills expensive, and does it get crowded?

Shoestring by Indian travel standards, and it runs quiet at the busiest time of year. Doable solo with some planning.

What are the best things to do in Kolli Hills?

Agaya Gangai Falls, Arapaleeswarar Temple, Seekuparai Viewpoint, Masila Falls and Selur Nadu Viewpoint. The 300 ft falls below Arapaleeswarar temple, down and back up 1200 steps; allow two hours and start before 10 am.

Nearby, and where to go next

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