- Grade
- Tough
- Distance
- 14 km one way
- Walking time
- 12 hours
- Altitude
- 1997 m
- Best months
- Oct – May
- Start point
- Vattakanal
- District
- Dindigul
- Nearest station
- Dindigul, ~100 km
- Nearest airport
- Madurai, ~140 km
About this trail
This route drops off the edge of the Kodaikanal plateau at Vattakanal and heads down steep paths past Dolphin's Nose, through forest and coffee plantations, to the old hill village of Vellagavi. After a night in tents at the village, the trek continues downhill over rocky ground to Kumbakarai at the foot of the hills. It covers 14 km in about 12 hours of walking spread over two days.
Long descents are hard on the knees, and the path is rocky and uneven, so this is for fit trekkers only. Meals and camp stay are part of the package. Vellagavi has no road, which is a large part of its charm.
Highlights
- Steep descent from the Kodaikanal plateau
- Night in camp at Vellagavi village
- Views near Dolphin's Nose
- Coffee plantations and forest
- Ends at Kumbakarai at the foot of the hills
How the day goes
- Day 1 morningReport at Vattakanal, register and join the safety briefing.
- Day 1 descentWalk down past Dolphin's Nose and through coffee estates.
- Day 1 eveningReach Vellagavi, settle into camp and have dinner.
- Day 2 morningContinue downhill over rocky paths towards Kumbakarai.
- Day 2 finishEnd the trek at Kumbakarai.
Getting there and staying over
- By train: Dindigul, ~100 km
- By air: Madurai, ~140 km
- Stay: Tented camp at Vellagavi as part of the package.
What to carry
- Photo ID
- Trekking shoes with ankle support
- Warm layer for the night
- Rain jacket
- Head torch
- 3 litres of water
- Trekking poles
Good to know
These are guided trails run with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, and each has a daily limit on walkers. Book a few days ahead, carry the same photo ID you booked with, and expect a trail to close at short notice after heavy rain or when elephants are active nearby. We book the permit, arrange the car to and from the start point and, if you want, a hotel nearby for the night before.
More trails in Dindigul
Moderate10 km · 10 hrsDindigul · KodaikanalKodaikanal – VellagaviA descent from Vattakanal to the roadless hill village of Vellagavi and a climb back up, with an optional night in camp.
Best: Oct – MayView trail →
Easy4 km · 2 hrsDindigul · PalaniZero Point – Karunkajam FallsA short walk from Kuthiraiyar Dam near Palani through thorn forest to Karunkajam Falls, good for families and first-timers.
Best: Oct – FebView trail →Book this trek
Send us your date and group size. We will confirm the slot with the forest team and share the reporting time, car and total cost.
