Top 10 Tourist Places to visit in Yercaud

About Yercaud

At an elevation of 1623 m, Yercaud is a small hill station in Tamil Nadu’s Salem district. It is also widely recognized as ‘Poor Man’s Ooty’. Yercaud is derived from the Tamil words ‘Yeri’ and ‘Kaadu’, which mean Lake and Forest, respectively. It is because of the nearby lake. Yercaud is a hilly region rich in flora and fauna. It has beautiful lakes, hills, gardens, valleys, and green forests. The hill station is also home to numerous fruit, coffee, silver oak, and spice plantations. The months of October to June are considered the best months to visit.

32-km loop road

One of Yercaud’s tourist attractions is a 32-km loop road with 20 hairpin bends. This is due to the beautiful scenery along the way that we can enjoy until we arrive in Yercaud. We can park our vehicles at various points to take in the scenery. The Yercaud circle, which can be considered the center point, will take nearly an hour to reach. During our visit, road construction to widen it was taking place.

Kiliyur Falls

The first thing you’ll notice after exiting the loop road is Yercaud Lake, with a path to Kiliyur Falls on the opposite side. The path to the falls is an unpaved road, which may give us the impression that we are on the wrong track. A parking lot near the steps charges a small fee based on the number of hours parked. There are nearly 400 steps to the bottom of the waterfalls, approximately 80-100 metallic. The remaining steps are high stone steps that are difficult to climb.

One upside is that the trees surrounding the area keep it cool even in the middle of summer. It also improves the views and reduces the fatigue of the climb. Because we went in March, there was no water at the waterfalls. The locals at the top informed us of this, but we still wanted to see it, so we went. I believe it will be lovely if visited after the monsoons. The climb might be moderately difficult for small children and the elderly. Also, the falls will be open from 8 am to 6 pm and there is no entrance fee.

Montfort school, Bear cave, and Norton’s bungalow

I read that this is one of the least visited areas in Yercaud and that it is worthwhile to visit these areas. Unfortunately, Montfort School and Bear Caves are no longer open to the public. Norton’s Bungalow is unknown to the locals, and we couldn’t find it on Google either. So we wandered around trying to find this place and gave up when we couldn’t.

Pagoda point

It got its name from the presence of four stone piles arranged in the shape of a pyramid, and it is said to have been built by local tribes. This is a great spot to take in the scenery of Yercaud and one of the best places to watch the sunrise or sunset if you’re nearby. It has an elevation of 1350 m and has a view of Salem. There are many shops set up for fun, such as shooting balloons or attaching rings to items. We went at noon the first day and returned around 6 am the next morning to watch the sunrise. There were only a few visitors at the time. So, we began our day in a calm atmosphere, connecting with nature and the sunrise, before returning to the lodge to freshen up and check out.

If you have time, stop by Peeku park on your way back to Yercaud circle from Pagoda point. One could easily spend the entire day here. It is a park with a variety of birds and a play area that is popular with children. It costs Rs. 200/- per person to enter and it is open from 8.30 am to 5 pm. Due to time constraints, we bypassed this location.

Yercaud Lake

We then went to Lake. This lake is known as Yercaud Lake or Emerald Lake. Among all the lakes in Tamil Nadu or South India, this is the only natural lake. On the lake’s shores, there are a few parks, including a children’s park and a leisure park. You can walk around Anna Park on the opposite side. This park is less crowded and has a more tranquil atmosphere.

It is open from 9 am to 5.30 pm with an entry fee of 10/- per person. The lake offers a variety of boating options. There are motor boats for large groups, as well as paddle boats and row boats with 2 and 4 seats. In the evenings, this place is usually crowded. There was a long line for boating, and we had to wait nearly an hour after purchasing tickets. We will be notified of the delay and the approximate time when we purchase the ticket. We enjoyed our half-hour boat ride, which was surrounded by towering hills on all sides.

Lady’s seat

We arrived at Lady’s Seat at 6.30 pm to watch the sunset. Locals believe that an English lady used to spend her evenings admiring the panoramic view of this location. As a result, the location got its name. From this elevation of 1380 m, we can see Salem town and the Ghat Road. It’s one of the best places to watch the sunset. During sunset, the location usually has a small crowd. It is not, however, overcrowded.

Within a 1 km radius, there are Gent’s Seat and Children’s Seat. These are all excellent sunset locations. From here, we can see the beautiful mountains as well as the loop road. If you prefer, there is a park where you can walk around and get some fresh air. Even though we went in early summer, the place was pleasant. From there, we can see the city lights against the starry sky. It is open daily from 6 am to 7 pm and there is no entrance fee.

Rose garden of Yercaud

The next day, we went to the Rose Garden first. We couldn’t see a variety of roses because some of the areas were newly planted. As a result, we could only see roses on the left and right sides for the first few sections. So, if you’re hoping to see a wide range of roses, you’ll be disappointed. This place felt more like a park, with a diverse range of trees. On the premises, there is also a small children’s park.

Manjakuttai Viewpoint

After breakfast at Saravana Bhavan, we went to the Manjakuttai viewpoint, which is along the same path. We drove through a coffee plantation, pepper plantation, and silver oak tree-lined path until we arrived at our destination. It is a small village with a few residents. The viewpoint stands at an elevation of 1457 m. Although it was sunny on top around 11 am, the breeze kept us cool. This is a popular sunrise location in the area, and we believe the elevated elevation will make the sunrise more scenic. It is open 24 hours and there is no entry fee.

Sevarayan Temple

We then went to Shevaroy Hill’s Sevarayan temple, also known as Shevaroy temple. We passed through the village road and the plantations on the way. This cave temple is over 1000 years old and dedicated to Vishnu and Lakshmi. Lord Sevarayan is revered as the protector of the hills, and an annual fair is held every year in May. The temple is open from 7 am to 7 pm.

A large area surrounds the temple. Several amusement arenas have been set up on the temple grounds. The temple’s plateau area also has breathtaking views. One thing we noticed in Yercaud is that, despite the fact that all of the viewpoints are close together, they all have diverse approaches.

Sri Chakra Maha Meru Temple

Then we went to the Sri Chakra Maha Meru Temple, which is located on the way back to Bangalore. At the entrance, there is a small fountain with a Buddha idol on top of a lotus and a pathway leading to Guru Dakshinamoorthy. This temple honors Goddess Lalitha Tripurasundari. Devotees believe that worshipping the Devi with Chakra is the same as worshipping the ultimate force. It also has beautifully carved wooden Saraswati, Urtuva Thandava Murthy, Vishwaroopa Murthy, and Yagashala. We prayed there for a while after the priest performed aarthi. We spent some time in the temple’s peaceful atmosphere. It is open from 6 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 7 pm and there is no entry fee.

This temple is well-built and spread out over a large area. On the temple grounds, there are numerous fruit and flower-bearing plants and trees. This location is less crowded, so we can relax in the midst of the vegetation. Outside the temple, there is a shop selling handmade goods.

Karadiyur Viewpoint

On our way back to Bangalore, we made one last stop at the Karadiyur viewpoint. In Tamil, Karadiyur means “the place of bears”. Long ago, sloth bears called this place home. Today, there are no bears in the area, but it serves as a viewpoint due to the breathtaking views. It is located at an elevation of 1190 m. There is no entrance fee and it is open from sunset to sunrise.

Take a narrow unpaved road for about 2 km to get there. The road is too narrow for two vehicles to pass each other. Fortunately, there were none on the other side during our visit. At the entrance, there are two pillars with bear images. The location is pleasant at this point. The 2 km path to the viewpoint will be the only issue. There is also another trek route to this location. From this vantage point, we can see hills on all sides.

How To Reach Yercaud

Route (From Bangalore):

• Yercaud is approximately 230 km from Bangalore.

By Road

• Car/Bike: You can take NH44 via Bangalore-Hosur-Krishnagiri-Salem-Yercaud. One of the best ways to get to Yercaud is by a self-driving vehicle, which allows you to take in the landscapes along the way. Also, you can stop in between to enjoy the scenery if you have your own vehicle. It will take between 4 and 5 hours to reach Yercaud.

• Bus: There are no direct buses connecting Bangalore and Salem. By bus, the closest you can get is to Salem. You can take a bus or cab from Salem, which will take about 30 minutes.

By Rail

• Trains run frequently from Bangalore to Salem Junction. You can take a cab from Salem to Yercaud, which is 31.5 km away.

By Air

• There are no airports in Yercaud because it is a small hill station. The nearest airport is Salem Airport(domestic), which is 45 km away.

Travel Tips

• If you visit during the winter, carry warm clothing because the weather can be chilly. Also, carry sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen lotion.
• Accommodation in Yeracud is hassle-free as it has a wide range of accommodation options, including budget hotels, cottages, and resorts. Almost everywhere we looked, we saw resorts or cottages rather than residential areas. We stayed at Sahana Cottages and had a pleasant stay.
• You can buy a variety of natural and organic products at the hill station. Purchase coffee beans or powder, pepper, cardamom, and other spices, as well as some homemade chocolates.
• Perfumes and aromatic essential oils are also available that you can purchase.
• Avoid visiting Yercaud lake in the evening because the crowds will be massive and it will be nearer to the closing time.
• There are two routes from Yercaud to Salem. One route is via a 32-km loop road. After passing through villages, there is another route that leads to the Karadiyur viewpoint. This path is too narrow, and the roads are also in poor condition. So, if you’re taking this route, it’s best to start before 3 pm so you can descend the hill during the day.
• Check out Belgaum and Gokak for a two-day weekend getaway from Bangalore.
• Another mesmerizing hill viewpoint can be found in our post on Chikkamagalur.

Vegetarian Food Options at Yercaud and En route

• There aren’t many pure vegetarian hotels in the vicinity of Yercaud Circle. Saravana Bhavan, Malar, Sri Venkateshwara, and Annalakshmi all serve veg. food. Among them, Saravana Bhavan prepares delicious dishes.
• If you are driving from Bangalore, it is best to eat near Hosur or Krishnagiri because there aren’t many hotels on the highway as we progress. On either side, we found Adyar Anand Bhavan and Hotel Mangalam to be good options. It also has restrooms where you can freshen up.

Suggested Itinerary for Two Days in Yercaud

Consider the itinerary below for a two-day visit to Yercaud. Because all of the locations are close together, you can plan your trip however you see fit. You’ll have no trouble getting around if you have your own transit.

Day 1

• Begin around 6 am from Bangalore.
• Have breakfast at Krishnagiri between 8 to 8.30 am.
• You’ll arrive at Yercaud Circle by 11.30 am on the loop road, enjoying the scenery along the way.
• By 1 pm, you should have visited Kiliyur Falls and had lunch. If you visit after January, you can skip the falls because there will be no water. Then proceed to your lodging to check in.
• Freshen up and make your way to Pagoda Point by 3 pm.
• Then, by 3.30 pm, go to Yercaud Lake and enjoy the boat ride.
• Leave for the Rose garden at 4.30 pm and walk around until sunset.
• By sunset, make your way to Lady’s Seat, which is about 500 m away from the Rose Garden. If you prefer, you can take a stroll through the nearby garden.
• After dinner, return to the lodge.

Day 2

• If you want to see the sunrise, go to any of the nearby viewpoints or the Manjakottai viewpoint.
• Return to the lodge and check out. Then, by 9 am, eat breakfast.
• Go shopping in the city.
• Then go to the Sevarayan temple.
• Then, by 11.30 am, proceed to Sri Chakra Maha Meru Temple, which will be on your way back to Bangalore via the village route.
• After that, go to Karadiyur viewpoint and descend the hill by 1 pm.
• As there will be no hotels available until then, have lunch near Krishnagiri or pack some lunch before from the homemade shop at Sri Chakra Maha Meru temple.
• Arrive in Bangalore by 5 pm.