All Tamil Nadu hikes

South Tamil Nadu · Virudhunagar

Sathuragiri Hills · Sundara Mahalingam hill

A long forest climb to a cave temple, open on set days.

Moderate~14 km round tripA full day

Do it yourself ~₹5,000

Permit needed

Compare operators
From Chennai
540 km · ~9.5 h
Difficulty
Moderate
Best months
Nov–Feb
Altitude
Not published
Distance
~14 km round trip
Time on trail
A full day

About Sathuragiri Hills

A forest trail to the Sundara Mahalingam temple in the Western Ghats near Srivilliputhur. Access is allowed only on certain days around the new and full moons, and the climb is long. Sources rate it moderate at about 14 km.

  • Forest trail and streams
  • Cave temple
  • Views over the plains

Permit & rules

Permit needed?
Yes: permission or booking
Authority
Tamil Nadu Forest Department
How to book
Access is controlled by the forest range, usually on permitted days; check the range office.
Fee
Fees and days are set by the forest department; confirm locally.
Guide
Not required
Night trek
Not allowed
Note
Permitted days change each season.
Official Trek Tamil Nadu portal

Best time to visit

Go

Nov–Feb

Avoid

Rain: streams on the trail swell

Wildlife, clothing and what to carry

Wildlife

  • Elephants in the forest
  • Macaques
  • Forest birds

What to wear

  • Light, breathable clothes
  • Trekking shoes

What to carry

  • Water
  • Torch
  • Food

Itinerary

  1. 1Check the permitted days first.
  2. 2Start at the gate at the opening time.
  3. 3Walk up with the pilgrim group and return the same day.

Fuel for a car round trip from Chennai is roughly ₹6,180 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: long travel and a night nearby.

~₹5,000

No operator listing found for this trek. It is usually done as a self-drive outing or through a local club.

Tips

  • Do not go outside the permitted days.
  • Carry enough water: the climb is long.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for Sathuragiri Hills?

Yes. Access is controlled by the forest range, usually on permitted days; check the range office. Fees and days are set by the forest department; confirm locally.

How far is Sathuragiri Hills from Chennai?

About 540 km by road (roughly 9.5 hours); sources quote slightly different distances.

What is the best time to visit Sathuragiri Hills?

Nov–Feb. Avoid: Rain: streams on the trail swell.

How difficult is Sathuragiri Hills?

Moderate, about 14 km round trip. A full day.

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.