Yercaud
The "Jewel of the South," a hill station in the Shevaroy Hills of Salem district with coffee plantations, a serene lake, and cool climate.
365 km from Chennai (approx. 6 hours via NH44)
Best time: October to June (pleasant year-round except monsoon)
How to Get There
Drive via NH44 to Salem, then take the 20-hairpin-bend ghat road up to Yercaud. Trains from Chennai run to Salem Junction (5–6 hours), with taxis and buses connecting to Yercaud (30 km, 1 hour up the ghat). Private buses from Koyambedu to Salem are frequent.
Things to See & Do
- 1Yercaud Lake, with boating and lakeside walks
- 2Shevaroy Temple atop the highest peak (1,623m)
- 3Lady's Seat, a viewpoint overlooking the Salem plains
- 4Botanical Garden with an orchid house
- 5Coffee and spice plantation tours
- 6Kiliyur Falls (seasonal waterfall, 3 km trek)
Travel Tips
- The ghat road has 20 hairpin bends and is not for nervous drivers
- Yercaud is less crowded than Ooty or Kodaikanal, making it ideal for a quiet retreat
- Pack warm clothes, as temperatures can drop to 10°C in winter
- Buy locally grown coffee and pepper at roadside stalls
- The Summer Festival (May) features flower shows and boat races