Yercaud near Salem in Shevaroy Hill ranges is a cute little hill station. This trip from Bangalore to Yercaud is an easy drive to unwind over the weekend. Yercaud and Hogenakkal is a lovely combination of hills and waterfalls to rejuvenate one’s spirits. We have been there few times and is a favourite weekend getaway for Bangaloreans!
Weekend getaways from Bangalore are short and sweet. They provide much-needed break from the routine. Bangalore is blessed with numerous options for weekend trips to revitalise oneself.
These weekend getaways from Bangalore cover Saturday and Sunday. They can be comfortably done by car/bike. A detailed itinerary given here will help you plan the trip.
Sixth in the series of Weekend Getaways from Bangalore, we present the lovely hill station of Yercaud and magnificent waterfalls at Hogenakkal.
So why wait? Plan this trip on one of the weekends.
The Circuit
Bangalore – Hosur – Dharmapuri – Hogenakkal Falls – Salem – Yercuad – Salem – Bangalore
Distance
547 KMs (end to end). Excellent roads.
Map
The Plan
6.30 AM – Depart from Home and hit Hosur road.
8 AM – Breakfast time at Sree Saravana Bhavan in Krishnagiri on the highway. This place is opposite the lake/boat house and has excellent breakfast menu.
10.45 AM – Arrive at Hogenakkal Falls. Spend an hour enjoying the beautiful waterfalls. We don’t recommend coracle ride as it is risky without life jackets. If you love fish then you can try fresh fish fry in make shift restaurants.
12 PM – Depart Hogenakkal falls and drive straight to Yercaud. Enjoy the drive on the ghat road which has hairpin curves and nice view points. Stop your car/bike and enjoy the lovely vistas. Arrive in Yercaud for late lunch.
The lovely loop road on the ghat section (please click on the picture to see them in large size)
2.30 PM – Arrive at Yercaud. Have lunch and relax.
4 PM – Go for a hopping tour of view points. Yercaud is known for view points which provide some magnificent views of the valley.
Keeping Yercaud lake as the start point, here is a google map-link for hopping tour. – https://goo.gl/maps/Wpxu3gYQZq52
Pagoda Point (Picture Courtesy – Srivathsa Rao )
Lovely view from Pagoda Point
Lovely view from Karadiyur view point (Courtesy – Ahil’s Photography)
No dangerous selfies! The signage at Lady’s seat view point.
Return to hotel and enjoy the quiet evening at your hotel.
7 AM – Drive to the lake. This is the Jewel of Yercaud. Morning times are the best to experience the lake. Walk around in the mist filled surroundings of the lake. Cover yourself with a light woollen as there will be nip in the air. Go for a round of boating in the lake.
9 AM – Return to the hotel for breakfast.
10.30 AM – Drive to coffee estate to see the lovely Kiliyur falls. The falls will be worth a visit in monsoon. Even otherwise the walk to the falls through the estate is a good experience. One has to walk down 200 steps to reach the falls. Elderly may find it tough.
12.30 PM – Visit The Montfort School. A boarding school started by British has an ancient chapel. Check out if there is a requirement to take prior permission. Your hotel should be able to arrange.
2 PM – Lunch time in hotel
3.30 PM – Check out from the hotel. On the way back make a visit to the Botanical Garden and Orchidarium.
4.30 PM – Depart Yercaud to Bangalore.
9 PM – Arrive in Bangalore. Have dinner or evening snacks on the way. There are many restaurants on the highway.
Travel Tips
- The roads are excellent throughout.
- Look out for deviation to Yercaud from bye pass in Salem. You have to go through the town to go to Yercaud.
- The ghat section to yercaud from Salem is a comfortable drive through there are few hair pin bends.
- Yercaud is a small little town. It is a place where you would live to laze around in a hammock with a book in hand! Except for few view points and the lake, there is nothing much to do “sightseeing” as such. So go there to just relax and enjoy the lovely climate especially from October till March.
- Yercaud weather is best between September to March. Summers will be quite hot.
- There are very few eating places in the town. But nothing great as such.
- There are few British Bungalows which have been converted into Home Stays. You can find them out on Trip Advisor.
- There are many options to stay in Yercaud. Hotels/Home Stays conduct treks/rock climbing/rappelling and other adventure sports. You can check it out from your hotel directly if interested.
- Yercaud is a lovely place for cycling. Carry your bicycle or hire one and enjoy the rides.
- Sunrise at Manjakuvai view-point is lovely. If you are game to raise early, check out sun rise here. Sunset at Pagoda Point is lovely.
- The road from Bangalore to Salem is a six lane beautiful road. This means, people tend to drive reckless. Drive safe.
- On long weekends, there is a likelihood of long waiting time at Krishnagiri and Attibele toll booths as everyone going from Bangalore to Chennai or Kerala use this road. Ensure you leave early to beat the rush.
- Hogenakkal falls has been reopened to tourists from yesterday. However, the coracle ride is banned due to heavy flow in the river. Check the news report in Times Of India here – http://bit.ly/2gndN2j
- At Hogennakal falls, be very careful while walking on the rocks. They will be sharp and slippery. No dangerous selfies please. No swimming in river. Pictures of falls in this post is courtesy of Vinay Venkatesh . Check out his lovely album on Hogennakal falls here – http://bit.ly/2yuuof3
Are you looking for exciting weekend getaways from Bangalore with detailed itineraries? Please check out this post in this blog for 6 more lovely options
http://traveltwosome.com/weekend-getaways-from-bangalore/
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