- From Chennai
- 395 km · ~7 h
- Difficulty
- Easy–Moderate
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- Altitude
- 1,300 m
- Distance
- Varies
- Time on trail
- About 3 hours for the falls and steps
About Kolli Hills
The Kolli Hills reached by a road with many hairpin bends. The main walk is the descent of about a thousand steps to Agaya Gangai waterfall and back up. Longer treks through the hills are done by clubs over two days.
- Agaya Gangai waterfall
- Hairpin ghat road
- Herbal and spice markets in Semmedu
Permit & rules
- Permit needed?
- No trek permit reported
- Authority
- Tamil Nadu Forest Department
- How to book
- Steps to the falls are ticketed or supervised at the entry; confirm locally.
- Fee
- A small entry fee is reported; confirm at the gate.
- Guide
- Not required
- Night trek
- Not allowed
Best time to visit
Go
Oct–Feb
Avoid
Dry summer months when the falls shrink; peak monsoon on the steps
Wildlife, clothing and what to carry
Wildlife
- Langurs
- Hill birds and butterflies
What to wear
- Quick-dry clothes (the steps are wet near the falls)
- Shoes with grip
What to carry
- Water
- A change of clothes
- Rain cover
Itinerary
- 1Drive up the hairpin road and check in.
- 2Walk down to Agaya Gangai in the morning.
- 3Climb back and visit the temple and viewpoints.
Fuel for a car round trip from Chennai is roughly ₹4,521 at current prices, split across passengers.
Operators & costs compared
Listed starting prices per person. They change by batch, so confirm inclusions with the operator. Tamil Nadu has fewer commercial operators than Karnataka; where none is verified we show the official route and a do-it-yourself estimate.
Do it yourself
Rough estimate: fuel share for a long drive, a night stay and food.
~₹2,500
No operator listing found for this trek. It is usually done as a self-drive outing or through a local club.
Tips
- The climb back up is the hard part; rest on the way down.
- Drive carefully on the ghat road.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for Kolli Hills?
No formal trek permit is reported. Steps to the falls are ticketed or supervised at the entry; confirm locally. A small entry fee is reported; confirm at the gate.
How far is Kolli Hills from Chennai?
About 395 km by road (roughly 7 hours); sources quote slightly different distances.
What is the best time to visit Kolli Hills?
Oct–Feb. Avoid: Dry summer months when the falls shrink; peak monsoon on the steps.
How difficult is Kolli Hills?
Easy–Moderate. About 3 hours for the falls and steps.
More Tamil Nadu hikes
Reviewed 2026-11-05. Distances, trail lengths and rules differ between sources; confirm with the forest range or your operator before you go.