Trekking in Tamil Nadu

A level 8 km walk beside the Aliyar canal near Pollachi, with dry forest on both banks and a good chance of spotting birds and animal tracks.

A short walk from Kuthiraiyar Dam near Palani through thorn forest to Karunkajam Falls, good for families and first-timers.

A short, easy stream-side walk off the Mettupalayam–Coonoor ghat road, good for families and anyone trying a forest trail for the first time.

A calm 3 km forest walk just outside Ooty, under tall cypress and mossy shola trees, ending at a watchtower with views over the woods.

An 8 km loop through the grasslands and shola of Mukurthi National Park, dipping into the Genepool valley before returning to base.

A short guided walk through Longwood Shola near Kotagiri, a protected wet forest with marshes, streams and many bird species.

A short, easy hill walk on the edge of Salem city, crossing rocky ground and green patches to a viewpoint on the Gundur side.

An easy forest walk from Kurumbapatti zoo to the Gundur viewpoint and back, close to Salem city and ideal for families and students.

An easy climb from Nagalur village in Yercaud through eucalyptus and shola to Sanniyasimalai Peak, the source of the Sarabanga river.

An easy 4 km there-and-back from the forest guest house in Courtallam up to Shenbaga Devi Falls, through shaded woods and rocky steps.

A short, easy walk to Theerthaparai Falls in Tenkasi, a tall waterfall on the Western Ghats slopes, away from the crowds.

A short walk in the Kurangani hills through wild pastures and shola patches to the Sambalaru area, with views of Kolukkumalai.

A 9 km there-and-back to the Gudiyam rock shelters near Chennai, where Stone Age tools have been found in the dry evergreen scrub.

A short, easy forest walk in the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, from Karaiyar to Moolakasam, with views towards Agasthya Peak.

An easy hill walk from Mangalam village in Yelagiri to Swamimalai summit, through village paths and dry forest to wide views.

A short riverside loop from the Chinnar checkpost on the Kerala border, known for the rare grizzled giant squirrel and a lively riverbank.

A 16 km trek in the Valparai part of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, through semi-evergreen forest where lion-tailed macaques live.

A long forest trek in the Siruvani foothills west of Coimbatore, with deciduous woods, cool streams and a fair chance of wildlife.

A climb from the tribal village of Sembukarai near Coimbatore through forest to the rocky Perumalmudi summit and its views.

A descent from Vattakanal to the roadless hill village of Vellagavi and a climb back up, with an optional night in camp.

A long day walk inside the Kanniyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary, from Kalikesam through mixed forest and grassland to Injikadavu and back.

A 14 km forest-and-plantation walk from Kalikesam, crossing a river and tall forest to the clove and coffee estates of Balamore.

A 12 km walk from Kalikesam through plantations and shaded forest to an old clove estate at Maramalai, then back to the eco camp.

A point-to-point ridge walk in the Eastern Ghats on the Karnataka border, from Biligundulu to Rasimanal above the Cauvery valley.

A full morning's climb in Krishnagiri's Eastern Ghats, from the foothills to Guthirayan Peak and back, with ridge views across the hills.

A morning trek near Madurai from Kutladampatti over rocky hills and forest to the Thadagai viewpoint, back at base by early afternoon.

An 11 km out-and-back from Avalanche through Cauliflower Shola and wattle groves to Kolaribetta, looking over Mukurthi and Upper Bhavani.

A short forest walk from Karikaiyur to Porivarai, one of South India's largest rock-art sites, with hundreds of ancient paintings.

A half-day climb from Karikaiyur through shola and grassland to the Rangasamy Peak viewpoint, about 20 km from Kotagiri.

A one-way walk across high grassland and shola patches in the Mukurthi area, from Pandiyar Rest House to the Mukurthi Dam.

A one-way forest walk in Theni's Meghamalai foothills, starting at the Chinna Suruli falls and ending in the quiet Thenpalani valley.

A walk down from the Yelagiri hills along a stream to Jalagamparai Falls, then a steady climb back up, all in about five hours.

A heritage trek in the Jawadhu hills from Renugambal Kovil to the Kullar caves and old dolmens, past tribal settlements and streams.

A forest trek in the Srivilliputhur–Meghamalai Tiger Reserve, home of the grizzled giant squirrel, through riverine and dry forest.

A tough climb from Top Slip through Karian Shola and grassland to Pandaravarai Peak in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, with wide views.

A two-day descent from Vattakanal via the remote village of Vellagavi down to Kumbakarai, with a night in camp on the way.

A hard one-way day in the upper Nilgiris, crossing Cauliflower Shola and open grass ridges on the way to the high ground at Devarbetta.

A short but steep climb near Gudalur to Needle Rock, also called Oosi Malai, with 360-degree views over valleys and forests.

A tough full-day trek from Parsons Valley through shola, plantations and meadows to the old Mukurthi hut, deep in wild country.