15 of 15 hikes
- Easy
Thirukalukundram Hill
Chengalpattu
The nearest hill climb to Chennai, with a temple on top.
70 km · ~1.5 hTrail variesAltitude n/aAbout 1.5 hours with the temple visitNov–FebNo permitDo-it-yourself
₹500 /person
- Moderate
Gingee Fort
Villupuram
A three-hill fort complex that makes a long day trip from Chennai.
160 km · ~3 hTrail variesAltitude n/a3–4 hours for the Rajagiri climbNov–FebNo permitDo-it-yourself
₹1,000 /person
- Easy
Arunachala Hill
Tiruvannamalai
A sacred hill with cave ashrams and a famous 14 km circuit.
200 km · ~4 hTrail variesAltitude n/a2–3 hours to the cavesNov–FebNo permitDo-it-yourself
₹1,200 /person
- Easy–Moderate
Swamimalai (Yelagiri)
Tirupattur
The highest point of the Yelagiri hills, a weekend from Chennai or Bengaluru.
220 km · ~4.5 hTrail varies1,650 mAbout 3–4 hoursOct–FebNo permitFrom (Thrillophilia)
₹524 /person
1 vendor compared
- Easy
Yercaud: Servarayan Temple & viewpoints
Salem
A hill station with short, easy walks and viewpoints.
350 km · ~6.5 hTrail varies1,515 mHalf a day of short walksOct–FebNo permitDo-it-yourself
₹2,500 /person
- Easy–Moderate
Kolli Hills
Namakkal
Seventy hairpin bends up, then a long flight of steps to a waterfall.
395 km · ~7 hTrail varies1,300 mAbout 3 hours for the falls and stepsOct–FebNo permitDo-it-yourself
₹2,500 /person
- Hard
Velliangiri Hills
Coimbatore
A pilgrimage climb up seven hills to a cave temple.
500 km · ~9 hTrail varies1,778 mA full dayFeb–MayPermit neededDo-it-yourself
₹4,500 /person
- Easy
Marudhamalai
Coimbatore
An easy stepped climb to a hill temple in Coimbatore.
510 km · ~9 hTrail variesAltitude n/aAbout 1.5–2 hours with the temple visitOct–FebNo permitDo-it-yourself
₹600 /person
- Easy–Moderate
Dolphin's Nose
Dindigul
A cliff walk over a deep valley with a long drop.
520 km · ~9 hTrail variesAltitude n/a3–4 hours round tripSep–MarPermit neededFrom (Thrillophilia)
₹800 /person
1 vendor compared
- Moderate
Sathuragiri Hills
Virudhunagar
A long forest climb to a cave temple, open on set days.
540 km · ~9.5 h~14 km trailAltitude n/aA full dayNov–FebPermit neededDo-it-yourself
₹5,000 /person
- Moderate
Kolukkumalai
Theni
Sunrise above the clouds at one of the world's highest tea estates.
560 km · ~10 hTrail varies2,160 mSunrise trek and a night in campOct–MarPermit neededFrom (Logout)
₹4,900 /person
3 vendors compared
- Easy
Doddabetta
The Nilgiris
The highest peak in the Nilgiris, reachable by an easy path.
560 km · ~10 hTrail varies2,637 mAbout 1–2 hoursOct–FebNo permitDo-it-yourself
₹3,000 /person
- Moderate–Hard
Kurangani to Top Station
Theni
A multi-day trail from Tamil Nadu up to the Munnar plateau.
580 km · ~10 hTrail variesAltitude n/a2–3 daysOct–FebPermit neededFrom (Thrillophilia)
₹3,899 /person
1 vendor compared
- Hard
Mukurthi Peak
The Nilgiris
A remote grassland peak inside Mukurthi National Park.
590 km · ~10.5 hTrail varies2,554 mA full day with a guideOct–FebPermit neededDo-it-yourself
₹5,000 /person
- Moderate
Meghamalai
Theni
Misty tea and cardamom country between two wildlife sanctuaries.
600 km · ~10.5 hTrail variesAltitude n/a2 daysOct–MarPermit neededDo-it-yourself
₹6,000 /person
Permits
Forest trails are booked through the Forest Department, often via Trek Tamil Nadu. Temple hills and monuments have their own rules and tickets.
Season
October to February is prime. The Western Ghats are very wet from June, and Velliangiri is open only in a short season.
Pricing
Operator prices shown are listed starting prices seen on operator pages and change by batch. Many forest treks are priced by the Forest Department instead.
Tamil Nadu trekking: quick answers
Do I need a permit to trek in Tamil Nadu?+
Forest and national-park trails need permission or an online booking. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department runs the Trek Tamil Nadu portal (https://trektamilnadu.com) for 40 curated trails across 14 districts; its fee covers entry, guide and insurance. Temple hills and monuments like Gingee Fort have their own tickets instead.
What is the best time to trek in Tamil Nadu?+
October to February is the best window for most trails, with clear skies and cool mornings. Hills in the Western Ghats get heavy monsoon rain from June, which closes some trails. Velliangiri is open only for a limited season, so check dates first.
Which are the closest treks to Chennai?+
Thirukalukundram (about 70 km), Gingee Fort (about 160 km), Tiruvannamalai (about 200 km) and Yelagiri (about 220 km) can be done as day trips or an easy overnight. The big mountain treks are 500 km or more away in the Western Ghats.
Is there an age limit?+
The official portal says trekkers must be 18 or above, with children under 10 allowed on easy treks only when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Operators have their own rules, so confirm when you book.
Why are there fewer operator prices than for Karnataka?+
Tamil Nadu has fewer commercial trek operators and most forest treks are booked through the Forest Department or small local groups. Only the listings we could verify are shown; others say "check the portal".