Yelagiri is a hill station located in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu. Yelagiri is yet to be mass discovered by tourism and is much less popular. It is at a height of nearly 1,150 metres above sea level, with very pleasant climate.
Enjoy a picnic by the Yelagiri lake, strolls across the fruit-laden orchards and the picturesque rose garden, and hiking trails through wooded glades.
It’s extremely popular in travellers from Bangalore, Chennai, and Vellore regions for weekend getaways. Here’s guide for travelling to Yelagiri, local attractions and how to booking a taxi.
Book Chennai/Bengaluru/Vellore → Yelagiri taxiHow to Reach Yelagiri: Route, Distance and Taxi Booking.
About 30kms from Vaniyam badi, it’s approx. 220 km from Chennai. Hence, if you get a weekend off, it’s a pleasant drive. Jolarpettai Railway station 22kms away from Yelagiri is nearest, if you’re travelling by train. For travellers who are flying, Bengaluru (BLR) is closest airport, approx. 165kms away. Majority prefer driving by self or travelling via taxi from either Bangalore or Chennai or Vellore.
The road has a series of 14 hairpin curves all of which are best navigated by a driver who is familiar with the route to avoid any troubles. If travelling via train, hiring a taxi from the Jolarpettai station would be advisable. Booking it in advance will help you save more money and your precious holiday time, especiallly on arrival.
Top Places to Visit in Yelagiri Hills
- Punganur Lake is right where you enter Yelagiri. It's got paddle boats and a nice place for an evening walk.
- There's also a Nature Park and a Deer Park, a calm green place with a small deer pen. It's good for families and an easy stop between other places.
- Swamimalai Hills offers one of the main hiking routes if you like to trek. It goes through the woods to a viewpoint looking over the valley.
- Jalagamparai Waterfalls are about 8 km from town. They look best right after the rain. You really need a car to get around, public transport doesn't go there much.
Best Time to Visit Yelagiri for Trekking and Sightseeing
The best time to visit is from October to March. Daytime temps are usually 15°C to 27°C and Even in summer, it's still cooler than down in the plains, which is why people from Chennai use Yelagiri as a quick escape from the heat between April and June. The monsoon in July and August gets all the waterfalls going, but roads get slick and a bit risky. Avoid Driving those months? A hired car and driver is likely safer than going solo.
Getting Around Yelagiri: Taxis and Cabs
Yelagiri isn't huge, you can walk parts of it or rent a scooter. But the places you actually want to see - the trek spots, waterfalls, view points are pretty spread out. So most people just grab a local taxi for a half or full day to cover everything. Booking a taxi ahead of time from the bottom of the hills makes sense. Book ahead as weekends fill up fast.
Going to Yelagiri? Forget hassling with drivers on the street. CabBazar lets you book local or distant taxis in advance. If you're coming from Chennai, Bengaluru, or Vellore, or just want to get around the hills, CabBazar shows you clear prices first. They have drivers you can rely on and round-the-clock support, so booking is simple. Sharing a taxi is a smart move to kick off your Yelagiri visit.
Where to Stay: Hotels by the Lake
You can find places to stay in Yelagiri from cheap rooms by the bus stand to resorts out near the fruit orchards. The hotels right by Punganur Lake fill up quickest on weekends. So, if you're going between October and February, booking a room about a week or two before you arrive, along with your taxi, makes good sense.
Food and Shopping in Yelagiri
Yelagiri is famous for its fruit orchards. Roadside stands have fresh guavas, custard apples, and honey when in season. You can get simple South Indian food at small spots in the town center. A couple of cafes near the lake are also worth a stop for filter coffee while you look out at the water.
Plan Your Yelagiri TripFAQs
How far is Yelagiri from Chennai and Bengaluru?
Yelagiri is at a distance of 220km and 195km from Chennai and Bengaluru respectively; both are a good 4 to 5 hrs drive and the traveling time depends on the local traffic at the nearest few towns to the foothill.
Is one day trip sufficient for visiting Yelagiri?
A one day trip covers the lake, nature park and the rose garden, two days journey, allows to coverSwami malai, trek and the waterfalls.
Do I need to book a taxi for sightseeing trip to Yelagiri?
Not a must, however, it is advisable to book a taxi beforehand, via services like cabbazar to find good deals and readily availability of taxi, especially on weekened and season.
What does the ghat road up to Yelagiri look like?
The ghat road to Yelagiri consists of about 14 hair pin bends in a stretch of approximately 10kms. The condition of the road is fairly good but it is always better to drive during the day, especially during the monsoon season.
