We Wanted to do a long drive during the Christmas long weekend to a place which is close to Bangalore and doesnt need much planning. Googled and finalized on Yercaud and Hogenekkal.
Next step was to search Team-BHP for route information and travel tips. Asusual Team-BHP is one-stop shop for such information. Got every info I wanted.
Day1 - Bangalore - Yercaud
We started from Bangalore on 25th Dec at 5.30PM. Traffic was less except for a few places where Lorries block the way, and you have to honk to make them give way. This slows up the fast pace, but well that is expected. We reached Yercaud by 9AM. The 30kms ghat road from Salem to Yercaud is scenic and refreshing. Had breakfast at hotel Tamil Nadu (Breakfast Platter for Rs. 50 is very good. You get Idli+Vada+Pongal+Upma+Dosa+Coffee/Tea), and checked in to Hotel Shevroys. Hotel Shevroys has a big property with plantations and greenary around with cottagaes, and hotel buildings scattered in between. We liked the place. We booked Orchid Suite which is good. the place has plenty of parking space also available. Relaxed, freshed up by 11AM and started exploring Yercaud. We could cover all the places (Pagoda Point, Ladies,Gents,Children Seats, Rose Garden, Shavorayan Temple, Rajeshwari Temple) by 3.30PM. Directions to all these points are clearly given at the yercaud circle which is the hub of Yercaud. While returning from Shavorayan temple, we got on to the loop road and reached Yercaud Lake by 4.30PM. Drive through Loop road is an amazing experience. We loved every bit of the drive. Did some boating in Yercaud lake and reached hotel room 6PM. Had a short nap, and took a nice walk within the hotel vicinity as well as around the place. We expected the weather to be very cold as it is winter. But the weather is very much similar to Bangalore. Made up our mind to trek the next day, had dinner and slept off.
Places covered in Yercuad and distances from Yercaud Circle - Pagoda point - 4kms
- Ladies seat, gents Seat, Childrens Seat, Rose garden - 2 kms
- Yercaud Lake, Anna park, Boating in lake - Just near yercaud circle.
- Shavorayan temple - 7kms. Rajeshwari Temple on the way to Shavorayan temple. On the way back from Shavorayan temple, take the loop road. It is 32 kms long loop road, begins and ends at Yercaud lake.
Excerpt from one of the Team-BHP threads regarding loop road:
Quote:
It is a 32 km road which starts and ends at the lake passing through the country side of Yercaud with nice Coffee plantations and forests. It was traced by an Englishman Mr. Surgeon in 1824. To go to the loop road, take the road to Shevaroyan Temple. At Y junction, the road to the right goes to Shevaroyan Temple while the left road is the loop road and passes through the villages of Nagalur, Semmanatham, Kaveri Peak and Majakuttai. Now this is one single road well tarred till you reach a T-point junction with one road going straight and one to the right and small shops around, take the right and then again its a single road to follow till you are back at the Circle
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Best part of Yercaud is - it is still un-touched and non-polluted unlike Ooty/Kodai which are crowded and dirty, where you dont find the sanctity of these palces anymore. One has to go to Yercaud to just enjoy nature at its best.
Day2 - Yercaud - Hogenekkal - Bangalore
Woke up at 8AM, and drove towards Killiyur Water falls. Parked our car, and did a 2kms trek towards the falls. Breathed fresh, non-polluted air (which is hard to find in Bangalore), had some good exercise too. Reached hotel, freshed up, checked out of Hotel by 11AM, resumed our journey towards Hogenekkal.
Reached Salem in around 45 min, filled petrol, got the tire pressure checked and got on to NH7 towards Dharmapuri. It took us more than 1/2 hr to traverse through Salem traffic and reach NH7 (not sure if there is any bypass from 5 road junction to NH7 so that the traffic can be avoided). Its a cake walk after reaching NH7 and we could resume our speed. Just before reaching Dharmapuri (around 3 kms before Dharmapuri), take a left towards Hogenekkal. There is a big sign board with direction to Hogenekkal. From this point, Hogenekkal is 43 kms. Its a straight road. The route is scenic and good.
Reached Hogenekkal around 1.30PM, parked our car and had lunch in Hotel Tamilnadu (taste is ok but quantity is less. We are vegetarians so no other choice). Went to the boating site where we are surrounded by boat men. Got on to a Coracle, paid 800 bucks for a Coracle exclusively for us. He took us to the top of the falls, bottom of the falls, and then to the island. Island is the place for bathing and eating fresh fried Fish. We did neither. Just relaxed, walked in water, took some photos/videos. Coracled back to the same place we started by 5PM. Total Coracle trip + time spent at island is 3 hrs. the falls are good, but the place is crowded, and dirty. After enjoying quite and serene Yercaud, we found the noisy Hogenekkal a contrast. Coracle ride is very good and a unique experience. the water in the river is neither too less nor too more ,and was ideal for boating. the Boatman said that December is an ideal time to visit Hogenekkal and do coracle ride.
Started back from Hogenekkal towards Bangalore at 5.30PM after having Coffee and reached Bangalore by 8PM. There are various routes to reach Bangalore from Hogenekkal. We returned through Palacode/Rayakottai route. I would say reaching Dharmarpuri and taking the NH7 is the best route althoguh it is more on the distance, if one wants to save time and petrol. But if one wants to try alternate routes and traverse through rural Tamilnadu, try the Palacode/Rayakottai or Denkanikottai/Anchetti (we did not try this) routes. We enjoyed every bit of the drive till it got dark. You cant do high speeds on these routes as they are 2-way roads, and you will see villagers comming on to the roads suddenly or some tractor/auto wala/2 wheelers blocking your way often. Also you will have to pass through many small villages and its traffic.
While driving from Hogenekkal, just before reaching Pennaguram, you will find a Y junction. Going straight will take you in to Pennaguram village. Avoid that and take the Pennaguram Bypass. You will reach another Y junction. Take the left fork and it is a straight single lane road (very beautiful rural side with fields). The road is narrow but good. This road will hit the State highway much before Palacode. Take left on this state highway and it is a straight road till Hosur. At Hosur, take a left on to NH7, pass Hosur flyover and head straight to reach Bangalore.
Alternate routes from Hogenekkal to Bangalore one can take
- Hogenekkal - Pennaguram - Dharmapuri (Take left on to NH7) - Krishnagiri - Hosur - Bangalore - 180 kms
- Hogenekkal - Pennaguram - Anchatti - Denkanikottai - Hosur - Bangalore - 135 kms approx (we did not try this)
- Hogenekkal Pennaguram bypass Palacode Rayakottai Uddanapally Hosur Bangalore - 139 kms
Route and Distance Information
Bangalore - Yercaud - 220 kms
Breakup:
Bangalore - Hosur: 30
Hosur - Krishnagiri: 55
Krishnagiri - Dharmapuri: 45
Dharmapuri - Salem: 60
Salem - Yercaud: 30
Yercaud Hogenekkal - 132 kms
Breakup:
Yercaud - Salem: 30
Salem - Dharmapuri(just before Dharmapuri): 59
Salem - Hogenekkal: 43
Bangalore Hogenekkal - 139 kms
Hogenekkal Pennaguram bypass Palacode Rayakottai Uddanapally Hosur Bangalore
Travel Tips:
1. Start early from Bangalore. This helps beat the traffic
2. Dont miss Trekking in Yercaud. Morning Trek is good
3. In Hogenekal, the boatman will suggest you to remove your foot wear once you reach the island which makes sense as the island is full of sand. The boatman was supposed to gaurd your footwear. However when we returned to our coracle, I found my footwear missing. He gave some lame excuse for not gaurding the footwear. You can leave your foot wear in your car if you park your car near Hotel Tamilnadu (TTDC). Distance from TTDC to the boating start point is not much. If you are that one who cannot walk with out foot wear, take some old sandals which you dont mind loosing.