Kolli Hills (Kolli Malai) is a small range of the Eastern Ghats in Namakkal district, rising to about 1,300 metres. The top is a rolling plateau of farms, forest and scattered villages, with the taluk headquarters at Semmedu. It has none of the crowds or big hotels of Ooty or Kodaikanal, and that is exactly why people come.
The hills appear in classical Tamil literature, including the epics Silappathigaram and Manimekalai, and are linked with Valvil Ori, a chieftain remembered as a great archer who ruled the area around 200 CE. Today they are known for the dramatic road up, the Agaya Gangai waterfall, medicinal plants and some of the best jackfruit in Tamil Nadu.
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Why visit Kolli Hills
Kolli Hills is for travellers who enjoy the journey as much as the destination. The main ghat road climbs through 70 numbered hairpin bends, and every turn opens a wider view of the plains. On top, the air is cooler, the roads are quiet and the landscape is a patchwork of pepper vines, fruit orchards, forest and small fields. It is a good weekend break for couples, families who like light walks and anyone keen on waterfalls.
Top things to see in Kolli Hills
The 70 hairpin bends
The best-known way up is the ghat road on the Namakkal side, with 70 numbered hairpin bends over roughly 20 km. It is narrow in places, and experienced hill drivers take it slowly, particularly in mist or rain. Other roads climb from the Rasipuram and Salem sides. Views are best in the morning, before haze builds up.
Agaya Gangai falls
The name means “Ganges of the sky”. The Aiyaru river drops about 90 metres (300 feet) into a forested gorge. To reach the pool at the bottom you walk down about 1,196 steps – and then climb back up, which takes real effort. Allow two to three hours, carry water and wear good shoes. The falls are at their most powerful from August to November; in the dry months the flow can be thin.
The forest around the falls is associated with caves of the Siddhar sages, including Bogar and Agastyar, and is home to a tiny gecko named after Agaya Gangai that is found nowhere else.
Arapaleeswarar Temple
This Shiva temple, close to the Agaya Gangai falls, is the main pilgrimage site on the hills. Local belief holds that a secret passage once linked it with the Shiva temple in Rasipuram, far below. Most visitors combine a visit with the waterfall walk.
Masila falls and other cascades
Smaller falls such as Masila are easier to reach than Agaya Gangai and popular for a splash in the monsoon season. Access and bathing rules are set by the forest department and can change, especially after heavy rain.
Viewpoints, farms and gardens
The official district listing mentions a boat house, a telescope house for viewing the plains, a horticulture farm, a herbal farm and pineapple farms. Driving between villages, you pass pepper gardens, jackfruit trees, banana, pineapple and tapioca. Kolli Hills is known for its medicinal herbs; one local speciality is a soup made from the herb attukal kizhangu.
Sample two-day plan from Pondicherry
This is the outline of our Kolli Hills getaway. If you prefer a gentler hill station with more hotels, compare Yercaud, which is also in this part of Tamil Nadu, or browse our hill stations page.
Day 1: Pondicherry – Kolli Hills
- Leave Pondicherry by 6 am and drive via Villupuram and Attur.
- Climb the 70 hairpin bends around midday, stopping at safe viewpoints.
- Check in, then visit a viewpoint or farm in the late afternoon.
Day 2: Agaya Gangai and back
- Arapaleeswarar Temple early, then the walk down to Agaya Gangai.
- Early lunch on the plateau and buy pepper, honey or jackfruit (in season).
- Descend and drive back to Pondicherry, arriving in the evening.
How to reach Kolli Hills from Pondicherry
By road, the usual route goes west through Villupuram and Kallakurichi district to Attur, then towards the Namakkal–Rasipuram side for the climb. Route estimates put the distance at 230–245 km depending on the ghat road you choose; allow five to five and a half hours. The official district site lists three approaches: from Namakkal via Sendamangalam, from Rasipuram via Kalappanaickenpatti, and from Salem via Mullukurichi and Nariyankadu.
There are no trains or flights to the hills. Salem and Namakkal have railway stations, and government buses run up the ghat roads, but a car with driver makes it far easier to reach the scattered sights on the plateau.
Best time and weather
October to March is the most pleasant time, with cool mornings and clear views. August to November brings the best waterfalls, but also more mist, rain and slippery steps. April and May are warm on the plains, yet the plateau remains noticeably cooler than Pondicherry.
Every August, in the Tamil month of Aadi, the district holds the Valvil Ori festival on the hills, with cultural programmes, exhibitions and a flower show. Hotels fill up at this time, so book early.
Where to stay and eat
Accommodation on Kolli Hills is modest: small resorts, homestays and simple lodges, mostly around Semmedu. Food is basic South Indian fare, with good fresh fruit. We can help you choose a place to stay that suits your group.
Practical tips
- Start the ghat climb in daylight; the hairpins are tiring in the dark or in fog.
- People prone to motion sickness should eat lightly and sit in the front.
- Carry cash – ATMs and card payments are limited on the plateau.
- The Agaya Gangai steps are steep and can be slippery; avoid them in heavy rain.
- Forest department rules on waterfalls change with the weather – check locally.
Official information: Namakkal District
Frequently asked questions
How far is Kolli Hills from Pondicherry?
About 235 km by road via Villupuram and Attur, a drive of five to five and a half hours including the ghat climb.
How many hairpin bends are there on the Kolli Hills road?
The main ghat road on the Namakkal side has 70 numbered hairpin bends.
How many steps are there to Agaya Gangai falls?
About 1,196 steps lead down to the base of the falls, so the return climb needs good fitness.
What is the best time to visit Kolli Hills?
October to March for pleasant weather; August to November if waterfalls are your priority.
Is Kolli Hills good for a weekend trip from Pondicherry?
Yes, with one night on the hills. A day trip is not practical because of the long drive and the ghat road.
