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Quick Summary
Situated in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu at an elevation of 1,100 metres, Yelagiri is a modest plateau hill station some 230km from Chennai. One might say it lacks the cachet of Ooty or Kodaikanal by way of marketing, and that is precisely the appeal.
For a motorcyclist the trip up is particularly fine: you get a fast run on the highway before 14km of ghat road. The economics are straightforward too. A cab back will set one down Rs.2,500 to 4,000, whereas an ONNBikes rental is in the region of Rs.300-500 a day with fuel on top. The figures speak for themselves.
Beyond the ride itself, this covers all the best places to visit in Yelagiri and enough things to do in Yelagiri to fill a full day or an overnight stay.
Best route from Chennai
You will be on the NH-48 (the Chennai-Bengaluru highway) for the bulk of the way until the Vaniyambadi turn-off. From there the state road is slower if in decent shape. There is often road work in the Ambur section at about 170km, so verify conditions prior to departure.
If starting from the city centre, expect to put in 4.5 to 5.5 hours on the ~230km journey; factor in 30 to 45 minutes just to make it out of Chennai. Those coming off the outer ring road in south Chennai can bypass the traffic and do it in 3.5 to 4.5 hours. The final 15km from Vaniyambadi to the base is a 20 to 30 minute affair on the state highway. Do not rush the 14 hairpin bends of the ghat to the plateau; allow 30 to 45 minutes and take the descents with care.
Timing the visit
A 5:30am start from Chennai is non-negotiable. Any later and an hour is given away to city traffic before the highway is even in sight. Plan to be on the plateau by 10am.
The months between November and February offer the right mix of cool, dry and clear weather. July and September will have the waterfalls flowing but the hairpins are best left to those with more experience. Avoid the heat and dust of April through June.
As for the checkpost at the base, it opens at 6am. Weekdays are free of charge but some weekends see a vehicle fee of Rs.30 to 50. It is wise to confirm this beforehand as the rules are subject to change.
What to do in Yelagiri
A pleasant enough place to reorient after the ride, though not exactly spectacular. Most make this their first port of call for the boating (Rs.50-100) and the food stalls along the edge.
Right next to the lake. If you are there from October to January when the roses are out, it is worth the Rs.10 to 20 entry. Set aside 45 minutes.
A 2 to 3 hour trek to the summit for views of the plateau and the plains beyond. It is steep in parts but nothing technically demanding. Make a go of it before 8am and bring your own water, there is none to be had on the trail.
A 7km side trip from town. You will only want to make the detour in the monsoon months of July through October, or right after, to see it at its best. Any other time and you are looking at a mere trickle.
This small observatory on the plateau is a fine excuse to put in an overnight stay. There is a public telescope for stargazing in the evenings, usually from 6pm to 8pm though the hours can be fluid.
Paragliding
If there is a highlight, this is it. The hilltop launch site puts on tandem flights for between Rs.1,500 and 2,500. We recommend booking ahead on weekends as the better operators get taken up quickly. For the ideal conditions, plan your visit between October and February.
Pit stops and provisions
Ambur is the place to be for food, 170km out of Chennai. It is home to some of the finest biryani in Tamil Nadu; you can rely on an old hand like Star Biryani to have been putting it on the table for decades. Have it for a late breakfast or early lunch before you move on. Vellore, 130km away, has the usual South Indian fare on the highway. As for fuel, NH-48 is well served but do not expect to find a station once you are over the ghat. Make sure to top up in Vaniyambadi, the last one you can trust before the climb.
Other things to see in the area
Vellore Fort is about 130km in from Chennai and lies more or less on the way. Allow yourself an hour and a half to take in the 16th century fort with its moat and temple complex, as well as the museum which is in decent order. Then there is the Sripuram Golden Temple, 8km from Vellore. A Lakshmi temple with gold-plated walls, it is a major pilgrimage destination so do not be surprised by the queues on a weekend. These are good add-ons if you are making it a two-day affair instead of just a day run.
The case for renting
You can take the bus, but that is as far as it will go for you. It will not let you set your own pace up the ghat, or stop in Ambur for biryani on your terms, nor will it get you to Athanavur village at 7am while the rest are still in bed. ONN Bikes is the way to go. Here is how the numbers stack up:
| Mode | Approx. Return Cost | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|
| ONN Bikes Rental | ₹300 to ₹500/day + fuel (say ₹400) | You call the shots |
| Outstation Cab (Ola/Uber) | ₹2,500 to ₹4,000 | At the driver's discretion |
| Private Cab | ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 | Some give and take |
| Bus (TNSTC) | ₹150 to ₹250 one way | Where they say so |
To book, head to the ONN Bikes app or website, pick your city and dates and confirm. No deposit is asked for. You will need to show up in person for the pickup with a valid permanent two-wheeler licence and some government ID, an Aadhaar card will do.
What you will pay for the bike
For a scooter such as an Activa or Jupiter, figure on Rs.300 to 400 a day; sensible for those new to the ghat. A geared bike like the Pulsar 150 is more to your liking at highway speeds and coming down, running Rs.500 to 650. A Royal Enfield makes for a fine experience at Rs.800 to 1,200, if a bit much for a single day. The 125cc gearless option sits in the middle at Rs.350 to 450. Fuel for the 460km round trip on a scooter comes to roughly Rs.350 to 450, putting the all-in day at between Rs.650 and 900. Insurance can be tacked on at booking for Rs.50 to 100.
Safety and riding tips for this route
Before starting a long-distance bike trip, make sure you understand the rental process, required documents, and important checks to complete before riding. This step-by-step guide to renting a bike can help you prepare your vehicle and plan your journey with confidence.
We have put together answers to the questions most people have before making this trip:
Q1: What is the distance from Chennai to Yelagiri?
A1: Roughly 230km over NH-48. Plan on 3.5 to 5 hours in the saddle, give or take, depending on where in Chennai you set off from.
Q2: Can I safely ride a bike on the Chennai to Yelagiri ghat?
A2: You can. The 14km stretch is in good order with its 14 hairpins and is fine even on a scooter, provided you are slow on the bends and mindful of oncoming traffic. Be more cautious if the weather is wet.
Q3: Is an overnight stay required or is a day trip sufficient?
A3: A day trip is workable if you are out of Chennai at 5:30am. That gives you five or six hours on the plateau to see the lake and nature park, do a bit of trekking and ride the village. Staying the night opens up paragliding and an evening with the telescope.
Q4: Do I have to pay to get into Yelagiri?
A4: Not for the hill station proper. But expect to pay Rs.10 to 20 for the Nature Park, Rs.50 to 100 for boating at Punganur Lake and between Rs.1,500 and 2,500 for a tandem paragliding session.
Q5: When should one go?
A5: Any time from November to February is ideal. The first two months of the year offer cool air and clear skies while the monsoon has left the landscape green. And you will find the weekdays much quieter than the weekends.
For those heading to Yelagiri from Chennai, ONNBikes has scooters and bikes available from Rs.300 a day with no deposit. Book online.
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