[mpksuhas]

05- Aug - 2018

It's often the easier and nearest places that you never get time to visit. Horsley hill visit, since it doesn't require any detailed planning was always pushed for a later convenient day.

Finally, after getting delayed for many years, it was somehow agreed that 7 of us will head to Horsley hills on 05- Aug.

We reach Hoskote toll at 06:53 AM, there was substantial crowd at toll booths, guess it should be due to weekend traffic heading towards Tirupati.






Soon after that we take deviation from NH to SH 82, roads remain good apart from the numerous speed breakers.







Past Chintamani, surroundings become bit more scenic






However, once we take turn towards Gownipalli from Marepalli, road condition deteriorates and there are multiple small sections where road work is ongoing.






However, we can keep a decent pace thanks to lack of traffic.








In between completed section of road gives a photo opportunity






Soon we reach Kothakota, a small town which was a mess thanks to road work. It takes around 15 minutes in crossing the town.

Thankfully past that, road condition improves drastically.

[mpksuhas]

At the turn from highway to Horsley hills road, you need to pay an entry ticket of Rs 25 per car.







Past that its beautiful twisty roads till the top

[mpksuhas]

Soon we reach APTDC's Harita resort -



This resort is heart of the tourist area and you have ample parking area around here.

We parked the car and headed to have quick breakfast. Time is 09:10 AM.





For breakfast they serve only buffet option. Food was descent, nothing to complain, however the place was bit crowded.




Food done we decided to see around the tourist locations



We decide to leave car at parking and walk around. There is a children's play area next to restaurant and also an activity center with trampoline, high ropes and all.

The route from restaurant to Whisper winds view point pass through cottages of APTC. Cottages looked good from outside.








Whisper Winds view point


Location



This is a short walk from restaurant




The view point has a watch tower which is covered in declaration of love





The place offers a panoramic view of surroundings

[mpksuhas]

Next we head to nearby Western view point


Western view point


Location

This again is walkable distance only






Walkway to the view point.





There are around 100 steps to be taken to reach this view point. Compared to this, whispering winds view point is easier to reach.


View from here is also identical to Whispering winds view point





Both the viewpoints are done soon and we head back towards restaurant. In front of the restaurant, on opposite side of the road is a small zoo. We decide to check that out too.



Horsley Hill Zoo

Location










There isn't much to see inside the zoo apart from few bird enclosures and a crocodile pond.


At other end of the zoo, there is a watchtower





View from watchtower




We reach back at resturant gate by 12:00 PM, next to restaurant gate is this grave -




We decide to drive back to Bangalore and have lunch on reaching Bangalore since none of us are hungry. By 12:15PM we start back.

We take the same winding roads back




Final glimpse of the hills from below





We reach Whitefield by 03:12 PM.

[mpksuhas]

Epilogue

• There isn't anything much to see at Horsley hills apart from couple of view points, hence apart from the drive experience, you may end up disappointed.
• Total KM's 288.
• Bad road sections can be done on any car, however be careful not to damage your tyres sidewalls.
• There are no decent looking fuel stations once you leave Bangalore, hence its best to tank up before trip.
• There were no proper restaurants entoure, hence plan your start time accordingly.
  

Few TBHP links which helped me in planning -

• https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/trave...ley-hills.html (Weekend Travelogue: Bangalore to Horsley Hills)
• https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route...e-queries.html (Hyderabad - Horsley Hills : Route Queries)
• https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/trave...17-2007-a.html (Horsley Hills – March 17, 2007)
• https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route...ely-hills.html (Chennai >> Horsely Hills)

Route details -

[Eddy]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing.

[Vysakh]

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

next to restaurant gate is this grave -

Attachment 1826485

OffTopic, but same DOB and DOD ?

[mpksuhas]

Originally Posted by Vysakh

OffTopic, but same DOB and DOD ?

Yes, the grave belongs to son of WD Horsley, on whose name the hills are named.

[poised2drive]

Having grown up in Madanapalle, Horsley Hills always had a special place in my heart.

Though it is a hill station, it is at its best during Dec-Jan with foggy nights and sub 10 degree temperature, it would be a perfect place to chill out and it is advisable to stay a night over to feel the hills - the darkness and the fog offer a tantalizing experience .

Short and sweet travelogue. You got me back to my childhood for a moment.

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

Epilogue

[*] There are no decent looking fuel stations once you leave Bangalore, hence its best to tank up before trip.[*] There were no proper restaurants entoure, hence plan your start time accordingly.
[/list]
Few TBHP links which helped me in planning -



Route details -

Attachment 1826489

Why did you not choose the route via Madanapalle?
It is around 150 KM with a better paved surface .

I reckon the difference in the distance is not that great and better roads offer a better drive experience.

Further,there are couple of nice restaurants and petrol stations in the town for the travelers to stop by and relax.

[Thilak29]

I had visited this place few weeks ago, the 'kind' of crowd I saw there made me feel this is one unsafe places to visit. Some of my colleagues reiterated my feeling by referring to frequent mugging incidents on the curvy roads or isolated pockets in this small village. It's a good place but unfortunately very poorly maintained, should you choose to visit please be cautious.

[mpksuhas]

Originally Posted by poised2drive

Why did you not choose the route via Madanapalle?
It is around 150 KM with a better paved surface .

Thanks.

I had checked about the same during planning, however Madanapalle- Horsley road condition was unknown, hence decided to through the shortest route itself.

Originally Posted by Thilak29

I had visited this place few weeks ago, the 'kind' of crowd I saw there made me feel this is one unsafe places to visit.

Wasn't aware of the safety aspects that you mentioned. Thanks for the update.

[coolmind]

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

We reach back at resturant gate by 12:00 PM, next to restaurant gate is this grave -

[ATTACH=SUH_3969.jpg]

How come the birth and death date are same on the grave?
Did you notice that and is there any specific reason for it?

[poised2drive]

Originally Posted by Vysakh

OffTopic, but same DOB and DOD ?

Originally Posted by coolmind

How come the birth and death date are same on the grave?
Did you notice that and is there any specific reason for it?

The baby must have died at the birth itself , I reckon , though the parents could have already decided to name him before the birth itself.

Must have been heartbreaking :(

[mpksuhas]

Originally Posted by coolmind

How come the birth and death date are same on the grave?

Originally Posted by poised2drive

The baby must have died at the birth itself (

As poised2drive mentioned, it could be a death at birth. Even 150 years down, the place is bit remote from a health care point of view. So it would have been a challenge then.

That said, you can see the family tree of William D Horsley, it seems he had 10 kids.

Link

[vagabond128]

Went to Horsley Hills with family yesterday.

We were thinking of going out for a longish drive. Idea was to get my Marazzo to stretch her legs a bit. She has been standing in the parking for way too long. We had not finalized any place to drive to. First we thought of going to Hogenakkal. However, while having breakfast, we changed our plan and decided to visit Horsley Hills. No one in the family had been there.

We started from Koramangala at around 10 am. There was hardly any traffic. Could cross KR Puram without braking even once

It was a pleasant drive. Road widening work is going on. Road condition was not smooth but very much manageable. Not many places on the way to stop for a decent meal.

Horsley Hills climb was gentle. There were very few tourists on the hill. We could take our masks off. Luckily weather was also pleasant. Gentle breeze was refreshing. Kids enjoyed their time there. Hot mirchi bajjis and tea added to the experience.

On the way, we came via Madanapalle. Stopped at The MG Grand Premium for a meal at around 4:30 pm. They were kind enough to serve us biryani at such an odd hour.

There was relatively more traffic on the way back. Reached home at around 8:30 pm. It was a desperately needed break.

Distance travelled: 329.2 KM.

Made a video of our trip:

http://youtu.be/xMm-bTmTO8s