Trekking and Other Activities

This small and beautiful hill station offres the best opportunity for trekking and mountaineering. It is endowed With some trekking routes through reserved forest leading to beautiful Sports Like waterfalls, Peak points, Valley view points etc.,

Yelagiri comprises a number of villages, still drenched in their archaic atmosphere. You can see some tribal dwellings, quaint temples and even pick up some honey and jackfruit. Yelagiri is ideal for trekkers. Smaller peaks such as Palamathi Hills and Javadu Hills make for excellent trekking options. Enroute Yelagiri or on the way back, do not miss to see Jalagamparai Falls

Another favourite activity at Yelagiri is trekking. The various trekking paths are alike in terms of the sights and sounds they have to offer. One can see a variety of birds, plants, small animals, honeycombs. Do remember to obtain permission from the District Forest Officer or Forest Range Officer at Yelagiri before setting out on a satisfying trek.

A hilly terrain offers ample scope for this activity. Besides the deep, dark woods wait to be explored, the trails await a new pair of feet to walk past and Mother Nature looks forward to display her picture perfect self to new visitors day after day. One of the popular trekking routes is the one from the hills to the Jalagamparai waterfall. The trek to Swamimalai and back is also quite famous.

Yelagiri has pleasant climate all year round and you can visit it whenever you need a short break. Located in the Swamimalai hills, Yelagiri is about a 4-hour drive from Chennai. You could take a train and alight at Jollarpettai. The Punganur Lake is a huge manmade lake in Yelagiri. Boating facilities are available here. There is a floriculture garden alongside the lake. Kids would enjoy the 6 acre-park adjacent to the lake. It houses a small zoo and play area.

If you are seeking a short break from the humdrum and monotony of city life, head for Yelagiri. For tourists seeking plenty of spots to visit and activities, Yelagiri might come as a disappointment. Merely 230 kms from Chennai, Yelagiri is a quiet hill resort, offering a tranquil refuge from the city's hustle and bustle. With calm surroundings and hardly any mobile network, you are sure to have a relaxed holiday at Yelagiri. You can check out various shades of green amidst the pristine natural surroundings. Watch as time flies by amidst wild flowers and colorful butterflies.

The Yelagiri Adventure Sports Association (YASA) is promoting paragliding, trekking, rock-climbing and other adventure sports. A paragliding festival, held from September 11 to 13, attracted participants from across the country.

The Yelagiri Hills Nature Conservation and Cultural Society is actively trying to conserve nature. Another trek route to Jalagambarai, runs through villages, will take about 4 hours. This trekking trail recommended for normal trekking. A trek through the forests to reach the peak is little tedious.

There are seven trekking routes on Yelagiri Hills: Mangalam to Swami Malai, Tourist Information Centre to Koosi Kuttai, Puthur to Perumadu waterfalls, Kottaiyur to Pulicha Kuttai, Nilavur to Amma Kuttai, Nilavur to Jalagamparai waterfalls and YMCA to Karadi Parai.

S.G. Sudhagar, the Tourist Information Officer of the Vellore District Collectorate, took the Frontline team on the 5-km-long Puthur-Perumadu waterfalls trek. He said tourists preferred the Mangalam-Swami Malai trek beginning at 4-45 a.m. because they could enjoy the sunrise.

The real estate boom, the mushrooming of lodges and the accumulation of garbage is causing concern.

K.S. Ramamurthy, president of the Society for the Development of Economically Weaker Sections, said: "Unlike the Nilgiri Hills, Kodaikanal and the Shervaroyan Hills, which are wide in range and permit expansion in all directions, Yelagiri is a depression surrounded by hills. It has limited scope for expansion. Unplanned growth and overexploitation of groundwater will disturb the ecology."

Swamimalai Hills

Swamimalai Hill is the highest point in Yelagiri. Please do not confuse with its namesake located near Kumbakonam. Whether you are a chair bound executive or a regular trekker you can look forward to an excellent trekking experience.

Swamimalai is an ideal place to trek because of its height 4,338 feet from Mangalam, a hamlet at its base, takes the cake. Its an easy climb of about an hour with infrequent breaks (about a 1000 foot climb). Smaller peaks like Javadi Hills, Palamathi Hills and others are an easier climb. Start early though and be back before 9AM, for once the sun climbs up it can get rather uncomfortable. Trekkers can reach the top of the hill in about an hour with infrequent breaks. Other smaller peaks like Javadi Hills and Palamathi Hills are also open for trekking.

How to Reach
The base of the Swamimalai hill is nearly 3.5 kms from Athanvoor. You need to walk for 3 kilometers along the Ghat road to reach a village called ‘Mangalam’. From Mangalam you have to undertake a 4 kilometer trek to reach the Swamimalai peak.

The Trek
The trek actually starts from a village called Mangalam. If you have taken your car then there is a particular place here, where you can your vehicle. You need to ask any local for the route to the top. He will help you to get past rows of houses from the actual trekking point. The trek can seem a bit arduous for city dwellers lacking stamina. But listening to the chirruping Birds helps you forget the strenuous trek. If you trek during the winter months you can be sure of some stunning visual delight. It is amazing to pass through tall trees covered in fog. The trek downhill takes around 45 minutes.

Atop Swamimali Hill
Swamimalai Hill offers a stupendous view of the surrounding Ghats from the top. There is a rectangular view point from where you can get a vantage view of the surrounding areas. The forest is not exactly "dense" thanks to mining activities. There is no sign of wildlife either. The Villagers testify that snakes, bears and spotted deers inhabit this place. You can also visit a small temple at the top that has idols of Lord Shiva, Ganapathy, and Nandi the bull. You can also climb to the rock with a metallic step attached to it.

Karadi Malai
This is another trekking option after Swamimalai and Jalagamparai waterfalls. Karadi Malai means "Bear mountain" in Tamil. Karadimalai is near the YMCA hostel past Mangalam village. Though the pathway is not ideal for trekkers but the climb is quite steep. There is a temple at the top. There is not much of a forest here so trek here if you are an ardent trekker.

Points to Remember while trekking

If you are a novice in trekking it is always better to hire villagers who double up as guides. This is to help you stay on course and not to give up in between. The rates are negotiable.

If in case you are carrying backpacks make sure to keep them as light weight as possible.

Be careful with your footsteps as you lead your way through extremely constricted rocky mud ways.

Do not forget to pack water bottles.

Start early, and make it a point to be back by 9 am. As the sun starts hovering over your head the trek can get rather uncomfortable.

Take frequent breaks after 15 to 30 minutes.

Do not expect mobile phones to work here.

If you are on the wrong side of forty and is a city dweller with lesser physical activities think twice before you undertake trekking.

Pulichakuttai

Tiger Cave,Frog Rock, Tiger Pong

Jalagamparai Water Falls

Jalagamparai water falls is a 5 Km trek from Yelagiri downhill. Its a tough trek, but the view from the sides of the mountain, of the valley, is truly rewarding. April probably is not a good time to visit the falls, as there is no water this time of the year. Recently (May 2007) there was no water in the falls. A tea shop owner said that there has been no water in this falls for the past 5 years. The tourist taxi operator may give you false information that recently there were some rain in this area and there may be water in the falls. His objective is to get money for the number of kilometer he runs the vehicle and not tourists' interest and pleasure. Just check this with somebody before you make a trip to this place. Otherwise it is a wasted trip. Especially if you go in the hot sun between 1000 a.m. to 1230 a.m. you will get headache. At the same time if one is interested in seeing the villages and the green pastures it may be fine. Next to the falls there is a temple at the top.

In the interior of the dense forest of Yelagiri, to have trekking, there is path starting from the Eastern side of the lake upto its western side. When we have an trekking through, we can see varieties of birds, plants, Honeycombs, small animals and etc. enjoy the water falls, peaks of the mountain and Valleys. The following are the points of trekking. It is open to all. Permission to be obtained from District Forest Officer, Tirupattur/Forest Range Officer (Yelagiri).

Uphill

Uphill for 4km can be fun when in groups. Don’t forget to carry water, you will not find a drop of water to drink once you reach the hilltop. You can see the clouds touching the lush green hills in early morning- an amazing sight. Make sure you wear sneakers as the trek can be a treacherous climb. You can hire locals from the village to help you as guide on your trek for around Rs 300. It takes 2-3 hrs to climb the top of the hill, depending on your speed and agility. It is suggested to take frequent pit stops and enjoy the greenery. You can follow a radio tower beyond the Samaritan School on the hill top as you ascend- you can also follow the pathway laid by locals to guide your way up. Once you reach the top, you will see a small temple near the radio tower. Legend claims that the god in the temple saves people from being attacked by bears and evil spirits. You can climb a huge rock near the tower with the help of an iron ladder to take a breathtaking view of the valley beneath, nestled between the lush green forest and mountains- a true nature lover's paradise. You can find a few shortcuts routes downhill-- true trekkers can try out these.

Boating on Punganur Lake

This is an artificial lake, excavated in an area of 57 sq meters. The Elagiri Hills Development and Tourism Promotion Society runs the Boat Club, with pedaling and rowing boats. There is a newly laid flori cultural garden with a pathway along the bund with a panoramic view of the lake on one side and the garden on the other. A connecting bridge leads the pathway around the lake. The pathway around the lake is particularly good for birding. There is also a small watch tower constructed next to a tree which can be climbed. As of May 2007, this lake is very stinky with many dead fish.

Other Activities

This region is a base for floriculture and there are many rose gardens on the way, where you could stop and explore. The honey sold at the markets is natural and pure, and is a must buy.

There are avenues for organising adventure tourism activities like trekking, mountaineering, rock climbing and hang gilding on the hill slopes. There is a trek route to Jalagamparai water falls from the top of the hills. Trek routes are Yelagiri (Athanavur) VillageMangalam Village Jalagambarai; Athanavur Y.M.C.A. Campu'sSamimalai and back. Forest department at Tirupattur may be approached for assistance and guides to trek through Yelagiri hill.

Adventure Sports
Yelagiri now figures prominently as one of the few destinations in India to offer paragliding opportunities. Infact Yelegiri Paragliding club is all set to form a paragliding training school by 2009. Apart from Para-gliding you can expect full fledged adventure tourism, rock climbing and mountain biking in the hills of Yelagiri.
Read More adventuresportsparagliding

Walking
Be it early morning walks or evening walks, walks are something that has the potential to make your stay at Yelagiri memorable. In the early morning as you get out of the hotel you can be greeted with some amazing sceneries. The clouds touching the lush green hills are sure to leave you asking for more. A walk in the evenings in the Yelagiri hills is sure to invigorate you. The long walks on the wandering roads makes you feel as if you are strolling in a valley. After dinner walks in the near empty roads is nothing less than an adventure. Pitch darkness greets you as you venture in roads. No ugly blaring of horns, no streetlights and no lights from houses you need to just enjoy the darkness. Do not forget to carry the torch though. Amidst silence the only sound you could hear are the croaking of frogs and the chirring of the insects.

Buy Pure Honey
Yelagiri is famous for 100 % pure Honeys in whole of Tamil Nadu. Home grown as well as natural honey is available. It is priced much lesser than the cities. With a little bargain you can easily get a 750 ml bottled honey for less than Rs 100. This is about 4 times lesser than the price at cities for the same quantity. We suggest that you take natural honey that is extracted from bee hives. These natural Honeys extracted from Bee hives on rocks or trees have a strong smell as well as a deep colour.

Biker’s Paradise
Yelagiri is truly a biker’s paradise. You can ride the bike from Chennai and Bangalore. The ride is an amazing experience. With Bikes you have the liberty to stop at any location on the way uphill to capture some great moments with camera or simply view the plains through a Binocular. Your riding skills would be tested for sure here on this route.

Watching the city at night
This is one activity that you are going to cherish for a long long time. You can drive down or simply walk to the view point that is around 3/4th of the hill and watch the city below. Words cannot describe the feeling as you see the whole city lit up just like stars. Position yourself comfortably around the railing and enjoy the vast expanse. You would sure be transported to an out of the world feeling.

Trekking
Trekking is considered one of the prime activity in this picturesque Eastern Ghat Hill station. You have the option to trek uphill or downhill. For uphill treks there is Swamimalai hills. It is the highest peak in Yelagiri. A trek downhill takes you to Jalagamparai waterfalls. If you do not mind a tough climb there is the trek to Karadimalai. For professional trekkers there is another great route. This takes you through the southern part of the Javvadi Hills to reach a place called Polur. From Polur the temple town of Thiruvannamalai is just 30 kilometers. The hotels where you put up can brief you about the various trekking options as well as provide you with the guides.

Campfires and Party games
Most of the hotels where you put in organize camp fire in chilly wintery nights. You can dance, sing, indulge in mimicry, crack jokes or just cozy up yourself and do nothing around the campfire in full blaze. Party games generally follow the bonfire nights.

Indulge in Gastronomic Adventures
Treat yourself with some great food both Vegetarian and Non-veg food is available. As your sojourn would involve a lot of physical activity there is nothing like indulging in some great eating exercise. There are a number of eateries at Yelagiri where you can find south/north Indian food at affordable rates.Jackfruit is available in plenty here and if you are in the right season you can have lots and lots of this fruit. You need to bargain with the locals for the right price though.

Bird Watching
If you are a keen Bird watcher, Yelagiri is the place for you. Without being an expert you can spot different bird species on your way to treks or leisurely walks. Baya weaver, red-vented bulbul, spotted muniya, paradise flycatcher etc can easily be spotted.

Boating
There are two lakes at Yelagiri where you can take boat rides. They are Pungannoor Lake Park and the Nilavoor Lake. Both paddle and riding boats are available. Be it rowing or paddle boating, the lake at Yelagiri offers ample scope for setting off into the tranquil waters and having the time of your life.

Jungle Safaris
Hotels and resorts where you stay can arrange for you Jungle safaris in the night. As you go out in the quietude of night except for the sounds of insects and your own footsteps the feeling is something that cannot be described in words. However do not attempt this without the professional guidance as chances are there that you can loose your way in the wilderness.

Trekking in Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation(TTDC)

Top Slip range in the Valparai Hills has caught the fancy of youngsters, wild life enthusiasts and supporters of natural resources alike.

The eco-tourism wing of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has planned at least six trekking tours to this spot during December and January
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The TTDC will conduct five trips to Top Slip, three trips to Amirthi Forest, two trips each to Yelagiri Hills and Kolli Hills in the month of January. As per the itinerary, the three days trek to Top Slip will be held on January 15, 16, 22, 24 and 25 and the cost per person is Rs.2,000 inclusive of stay, transportation and food.

The charge per person for two-day trek to Yelagiri Hills is Rs.1,500 and for Kolli Hills Rs.1,800. The trek will commence on January 15 and 22.

One day trek to Amirthi Forest will be on January 16, 23 and 26 and the charge is Rs.850.

Those interested in taking part in the above trekking programmes have to contact the TTDC office in Wallajah Road through Phone: 2538 3333, 2538 4444 and 2538 4356.