If you have never trekked before, begin with a short stepped climb or a viewpoint walk. These need good shoes and water, not experience. Check the permit column: a few are inside forest areas with their own rules.
8 hikes · reviewed 2026-11-05
The nearest hill climb to Chennai, with a temple on top.
70 kmEasyNo permitBest: Nov–FebDIY ~Rs 500
A sacred hill with cave ashrams and a famous 14 km circuit.
200 kmEasyNo permitBest: Nov–FebDIY ~Rs 1,200
The highest point of the Yelagiri hills, a weekend from Chennai or Bengaluru.
220 kmEasy–ModerateNo permitBest: Oct–FebFrom Rs 524 (Thrillophilia)
A hill station with short, easy walks and viewpoints.
350 kmEasyNo permitBest: Oct–FebDIY ~Rs 2,500
Seventy hairpin bends up, then a long flight of steps to a waterfall.
395 kmEasy–ModerateNo permitBest: Oct–FebDIY ~Rs 2,500
An easy stepped climb to a hill temple in Coimbatore.
510 kmEasyNo permitBest: Oct–FebDIY ~Rs 600
A cliff walk over a deep valley with a long drop.
520 kmEasy–ModeratePermit neededBest: Sep–MarFrom Rs 800 (Thrillophilia)
The highest peak in the Nilgiris, reachable by an easy path.
560 kmEasyNo permitBest: Oct–FebDIY ~Rs 3,000
Thirukalukundram, Marudhamalai, Yercaud and Doddabetta are the gentlest. Yelagiri's Swamimalai and Dolphin's Nose are good step-ups.
Not on temple hills and viewpoints. Forest trails, like Dolphin's Nose, are better done with a local guide.