Tamil Nadu's Quietest Hill Range
Kolli Hills, in Namakkal district, is reached by a ghat road famous across Tamil Nadu for its roughly 70 hairpin bends — a distinctive, much-talked-about feature of the drive up, and genuinely part of the appeal for anyone who enjoys a road trip as much as the destination.
Compared to Ooty, Kodaikanal, or even the smaller Yercaud, Kolli Hills remains considerably quieter and less developed. That's exactly its draw for travelers looking for an offbeat, lower-key hill experience rather than a polished hill-station one.
Beyond the drive itself, the hills offer Agaya Gangai, a scenic multi-tiered waterfall reached via a flight of steps, the Arapaleeswarar Temple, and a countryside still shaped by traditional millet farming among local communities.
🏞️ Kolli Hills at a Glance
Love the outdoors? See our guide to offbeat nature destinations.
Comparing hill stations? See our guide to hill stations in Tamil Nadu.
Best Time to Visit Kolli Hills
Weather affects both comfort and, importantly, safety on the ghat road itself.
Clear skies and cool temperatures make both the hairpin-bend drive and sightseeing comfortable and safe.
Warmer at lower elevations, though the hills themselves stay noticeably cooler than the plains below.
The hills turn lush and green, but wet roads on the hairpin-bend climb add real risk — drive with extra caution or avoid heavy-rain days.
Kolli Hills is already lightly touristed, but weekdays offer an even quieter, more solitary experience.
Our pick: October to February — clear, dry conditions for both the drive up and a relaxed day of sightseeing.
How to Reach Kolli Hills
- By road via Namakkal: Roughly 50-60 km from Namakkal town to the base of the ghat road, then a slow, winding climb through the hairpin bends.
- By road via Rasipuram: An alternative approach, similarly involving the winding ghat section near the top.
- From Salem: Roughly 90 km, a comfortable half-day drive including the climb.
The Ghat Road, Waterfall & Temple
The 70-Hairpin-Bend Drive
The climb itself is a genuine highlight — a slow, deliberate ascent through forested switchbacks with expanding views over the plains below at each turn.
Agaya Gangai Waterfall
A multi-tiered waterfall reached via a flight of steps down into a forested gorge — one of the hills' main sightseeing draws and a good spot for a quiet break.
Arapaleeswarar Temple
A notable local Shiva shrine, worth a stop for its setting within the hills as much as its religious significance.
Millet Country
The surrounding countryside is still shaped by traditional millet cultivation by local communities, giving Kolli Hills a distinct agricultural character quite different from the state's more manicured hill stations.
Where to Stay in Kolli Hills
Accommodation is genuinely limited — a handful of small hotels and resorts serve most visitors, and many treat Kolli Hills as a day trip rather than an overnight stay.
- → Basic lodges near Semmedu
- → Simple guesthouses
- → Government tourist rest houses
- → Small hill resorts
- → Cottage-style stays
- → Family-run hotels
- → The few premium resort cottages available
- → Private forest-view stays
- → Full-board weekend packages
Suggested Visit Plan (1-2 Days)
The Climb & Waterfall
- ✓Drive up the 70-hairpin-bend ghat road
- ✓Visit Agaya Gangai waterfall
- ✓Check in and relax for the evening
Temple & Villages
- ✓Visit Arapaleeswarar Temple
- ✓Walk through millet-farming countryside
- ✓Drive back down before evening
* A single day works if starting early; an overnight stay lets you slow down and enjoy the quiet without rushing the drive back down before dark.
Where to Eat in Kolli Hills
- Local millet-based dishes: Worth seeking out where available — a distinctive taste of the hills' traditional agriculture.
- Small local eateries: Simple South Indian meals near Semmedu, the small town at the top of the ghat road.
- Resort/lodge kitchens: Most overnight stays serve meals to guests, often the most convenient option given limited standalone restaurants.
Budget Breakdown
| Expense | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation/night | ₹800 | ₹2,200 | ₹4,500 |
| Food/day | ₹350 | ₹700 | ₹1,500 |
| Local transport/day | ₹300 | ₹700 | ₹1,500 |
| Entry fees (waterfall/temple) | ₹30 | ₹30 | ₹30 |
* Figures are per person, per day, excluding transport to the base of the ghat road.
Essential Tips for Visiting Kolli Hills
- Drive the ghat road in daylight: The hairpin bends are manageable but not something to tackle after dark or in heavy fog.
- Keep expectations realistic: This is a genuinely offbeat destination — infrastructure is modest compared to Ooty or Kodaikanal.
- Book accommodation ahead: The limited number of rooms can fill up on weekends.
- Carry cash: ATM access is limited once you're up in the hills.
- Fill up on fuel before the climb: Petrol stations are sparse once you start up the ghat road.
✅ Do
- →Drive the hairpin bends carefully and in daylight
- →Fill up on fuel before starting the climb
- →Try local millet-based food if available
- →Book accommodation ahead on weekends
- →Carry enough cash for the whole stay
- →Visit Agaya Gangai early for fewer crowds
❌ Don't
- →Drive the ghat road after dark or in heavy rain
- →Expect Ooty- or Kodaikanal-level infrastructure
- →Rely on finding fuel once you're in the hills
- →Rely on cards — carry cash instead
- →Rush the climb — it's meant to be slow
- →Arrive without confirming accommodation on weekends
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hairpin bends are there and is the drive difficult?
The ghat road up to Kolli Hills is famous for roughly 70 hairpin bends. It's manageable in daylight at a careful pace, but budget extra time compared to a typical hill-station drive — this isn't a road to rush.
How far is Kolli Hills from Namakkal or Salem?
Kolli Hills is roughly 50-60 km from Namakkal town and around 90 km from Salem, though the winding ghat section means the last stretch takes longer than the distance alone suggests.
What is there to see and do in Kolli Hills?
The main draws are the ghat-road drive itself, Agaya Gangai waterfall, the Arapaleeswarar Temple, and the surrounding countryside where local communities practice traditional millet farming.
What is the best time to visit Kolli Hills?
October to February offers the clearest weather and safest driving conditions on the ghat road. Monsoon makes the hills lush and scenic but adds real risk to the hairpin-bend drive.
Is Kolli Hills worth visiting if I've already done Ooty or Kodaikanal?
Yes, for a different reason — Kolli Hills is quieter, far less developed, and appeals specifically to travelers who want a genuinely offbeat hill experience rather than a polished hill-station one.
Published by the Kudozz Club editorial team · Last updated · How we research our guides
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