National park · India
Kolli HillsKolli Malai
Visit Kolli Hills for a day: drive to the Arapaleeswarar temple gate, hike the 70 hairpin bends to the summit (≈1.5 h), then see Agaya Gangai Falls; avoid peak summer heat (Apr–Jun) and plan for limited services.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
280 km² (108 sq mi)108 sq mi (280 km²)
approximate
Established
2020
Best months
Oct–Dec
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 280 km² (108 sq mi)108 sq mi (280 km²)
- Approximate area of the range (check).
- Established
- 2020
- Best months
- Oct–Dec
- Permits
- Not needed
Kolli Hills (Kolli Malai) is a small mountain range in central Tamil Nadu, rising to about 1,300 m with 70 hairpin bends, offering waterfalls, temples and modest viewpoints, but limited visitor facilities.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2020.
Size and age
280 km² (108 sq mi)108 sq mi (280 km²) · national park since 2020
Approximate area of the range (check).
Why go
- Reach 1,300 m altitude via 70 hairpin bends for panoramic valley views.
- Visit Agaya Gangai Falls – a steep 1,300‑step descent to a waterfall.
- Explore small temples and watch towers that showcase local culture.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry
- FebMild, low rain
- MarPleasant, early greenery
- AprRising heat
- MayHot, occasional showers
- JunPeak summer heat
- JulHot, monsoon onset
- AugMonsoon, trails muddy
- SepMonsoon continues
- OctPost‑monsoon, cooler
- NovCool, dry
- DecCool, clear skies
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native forest birdsMar–May, Oct–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Small mammals (e.g., squirrels)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Namakkal town
Local bus or taxi to the Arapaleeswarar temple gate (≈30 min).
0.5 h
From Salem
State bus to Namakkal, then local transport to the gate.
2 h
From Coimbatore
Train to Salem, then bus/taxi via Namakkal.
4 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Arapaleeswarar Temple gate | Main entry point, parking, information board. | Open daily; limited facilities. |
| Summit area | Viewpoints, watch tower, botanical garden. | Open; reachable by foot from gate. |
| Waterfall sector | Agaya Gangai Falls and nearby mini falls. | Trail from summit; steep steps. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata centre of Kolli Hills; points are approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (gate at Arapaleeswarar temple) | Free | person | No formal fee reported; check local signage. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Entry permit no permit
Park rules
- Camping
- Not allowed in forest areas; stay in nearby lodging.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking areas only.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are scarce.
- Guides
- Not required for day hikes, but recommended for waterfall descent.
- Pets
- Pets not permitted on trails.
Where to stay
Near the park
RVR Rejoice Villa Resorts Kolli Hills
Resort with rooms and basic amenities.
Near the park
Local guesthouses in Namakkal
Budget rooms; limited facilities.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Steep steps at waterfall medium
Limited mobile signal low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area reachable by car; short walks are level.
- Trail to watch tower is moderate but not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Support local guesthouses and eateries.
- Avoid litter; use refillable water bottles.
- Do not disturb wildlife or collect plants.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kolli Hills?
There is no official entry fee; visitors usually pay for parking or small donations at the temple gate (check locally).
What are the best hikes in Kolli Hills?
The waterfall descent to Agaya Gangai, the short walk to Pulian Cholai watch tower, and the botanical garden loop are the most visited routes.
When is the best time to visit Kolli Hills?
October to November offers cool, dry weather and clear views; avoid the monsoon months July–September.
Are there any accommodation options on the hills?
A small resort (RVR Rejoice Villa) and a few guesthouses near the gate provide basic rooms; bookings should be made in advance.
Is camping allowed in Kolli Hills?
Camping is not permitted in the forest; stay in nearby lodging instead.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Kolli Hills
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