Kolli Hills (Kollimalai): Which District, Why It Is Famous, and What to See

What is Kolli Hills famous for?

Kolli Hills is famous for five things: the 70 hairpin bends on its ghat road, the Arapaleeswarar Temple, the Agaya Gangai waterfall, its medicinal-herb forests, and the legend of Kollipavai, the mountain goddess said to lure and destroy intruders with her smile. It is also known for pineapple, jackfruit, coffee and pepper grown on the slopes. Unlike Ooty or Kodaikanal, it has stayed quiet and largely uncommercial.

Kollimalai temple: Arapaleeswarar

The main temple on the hill is Arapaleeswarar Temple, a Shiva temple at Periyakoviloor, near Semmedu. It is traditionally linked to Valvil Ori, the Sangam-era chieftain who ruled Kolli Hills, and is counted among the Tevaram-sung Shiva shrines. The temple also serves as the starting point for the descent to Agaya Gangai falls.

Other shrines on the hill are the Ettukai Amman temple, an open-air temple of the guardian goddess, and the Siddhar caves associated with hermits who lived in the forest.

Kollimalai forest

Most of the hill is reserve forest managed by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, with dense sholas, evergreen patches and a long-standing reputation for medicinal plants; the local Malayali tribal community has traditionally gathered herbs here. Bison, wild boar, deer and a rich birdlife are recorded. The forest is a big part of why Kolli Hills ranks among the best forest tourist places in Tamil Nadu: the drive, the waterfall trek and the viewpoints all pass through it. Trekking beyond marked paths needs Forest Department permission, and night travel on the ghat road is not advised.

Kolli Hills viewpoints

• Seekuparai viewpoint: the best-known lookout, with a watchtower over the plains and the winding ghat road.

• Selur viewpoint: quieter, on the other flank of the hill, with a wide valley view and good sunsets.

• Hairpin bend 70 (top of the ghat): the road itself is the view; many stop at the upper bends for photographs.

• Vasalurpatti boat house: a small lake at Semmedu for pedal boating, useful if travelling with children.

• Agaya Gangai and Masila falls: Agaya Gangai drops about 300 feet and is reached by roughly 1,300 steps down from the temple; Masila is a smaller fall on the same stream, with an easier approach.

• Semmedu botanical garden: a short, easy stop.

Is Kolli Hills the coolest place in Tamil Nadu?

No. The coolest places in Tamil Nadu are Ooty and Kodaikanal, which sit above 2,000 m and can touch freezing in winter. Kolli Hills is lower, so it stays mild rather than cold: roughly 15 to 25 °C for most of the year, with cool mornings in December and January. What it offers instead is far fewer crowds, cheaper stays and a two-hour reach from Salem, Namakkal or Trichy.

For anyone in Salem, Namakkal, Karur, Erode or Trichy, Kolli Hills is the nearest hill station. Government and private buses run from Namakkal and Salem to Semmedu; hired cars and two-wheelers are common, but the 70 bends demand a confident driver.

Frequently asked questions

Kollimalai is in which district?
Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu.

How many hairpin bends does Kolli Hills have?
70, all on the ghat road from Karavalli to Semmedu.

Is Kolli Hills safe to visit?
Yes, with normal hill precautions: avoid the ghat road at night, carry water for the Agaya Gangai steps, and stay on marked forest paths.

How many days are enough for Kolli Hills?
One full day covers the temple, waterfall, boat house and a viewpoint. Two days if you want both viewpoints and a relaxed pace.

Is there an entry fee?
No fee to enter the hill. Small charges apply at the boat house and botanical garden.