Horsley also called the ‘Ooty of Andhra’ is one of the most visited hill stations of Andhra Pradesh. It is a perfect blend of the charming, rustic quality of AP and the luxurious setting of the hills. The place is covered with dense forests and varied flora and fauna including 150+ species of birds. Escape the heat with a mesmerizing road trip from Chennai, Hyderabad, or Bangalore with a convenient car rental in from Savaari. You can book an outstation round-trip journey from Bangalore or just one way to drop off Horsley Hills with Savaari.
Table of Contents
- Things to do in Horsley Hills
- How to Plan a trip to Horsley Hills
- About Horsley Hills
- Places to stay in Horsley Hills
Things to do in Horsley Hills
With abundant natural bounties and a scenic landscape, there are plenty of sightseeing options. Check out these popular visiting places on your trip –
Places to visit in Horsley Hills
- Gali Bandalu/Wind Rocks: Sitting only 300 meters from the main bus station, this is one of the most popular tourist places here. The rocky slope receives gusty wind all year round, which earned the site its name (Wind Rocks). Entry Fee– NA
- Gangotri Lake: A seasonal water body and a prominent attraction, Gangotri Lake attract a lot of tourists. Since it is only functional with rainwater, you can visit during the monsoon to see the lake in its full form, surrounded by fresh greenery. Entry Fee– NA
- Kalyani Eucalyptus Tree: The oldest eucalyptus tree of India, and one of the few ones to have a name, Kalyani was planted by W.D. Horsley in 1859. The tree is now over 160 years old, with a height of 40 meters and a width of 4.7meters. Entry Fee– NA
- Horsley Hills Zoo: This is a small zoo inside the Vana Vihara Park and a popular attraction for families and kids. You can spot peacocks, rabbits, pigeons, monkeys and crocodiles, among other animals here. Entry Fee– INR 20
- Whisper Wind ViewPoint: A hilltop viewing point, Whisper Wind offers the most awe-inspiring views of the mountains, valleys, and lakes. Entry Fee– NA
Places to visit near Horsley Hills
Besides the popular attractions, you can check out other scenic locales nearby
- Kaigal Falls: Also known as Dumukurallu Waterfalls, the Kaigal Falls make for a beautiful nature spot near this Hill. The waterfalls are distinguished by a 40-meter high rock from which the cascades take a plunge. Entry Fee– Free
- Chennakesava Temple: An ancient temple complex, this site portrays the cultural heritage of the region. The temple was built during the Chola Empire and displays classic Dravidian, rock-cut architecture. There is a mandapam inside enshrining an idol of Vishnu. Entry Fee– NA
- Talakona Waterfalls: Located inside the Sri Venkateswara National Park, on the Sheshachalam Hills, this perennial waterfall is 270 feet high and the highest in the state. The surrounding forests are rich in endangered species of plants, animals, and trees, and make for a richly biodiverse region. Entry Fee- NA
- Chittoor: The historical fort, built in the 11th century, is a testament to the cultural legacy of Andhra Pradesh. The premise consists of eight temples, two palaces, and other ruins. Entry Fee– NA
Places to Eat in Horsley Hills
Try out these eateries-
- Spicy Hut Restaurant
- Haritha Restaurant & Bar
- Pallavi Tiffin Center
- Hotel Vana Vihar
- Bismillah Hotel
- Hotel Dwarka
How to plan a trip to Horsley Hills
You can also plan a personalized trip by selecting the mode of transport, the route, and more.
How to reach Horsley Hills
By Train
The nearest railway station to Horsley Hills is in Madanapalle, about 26 km away. From there you can take the local bus or a cab to reach Horsley Hills. Madanapelle is well-connected to all major cities and towns in India like Delhi, Bangalore, Mysore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, etc.
By Road
Horsley Hills is well-connected to the rest of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana via NH 42 Nh340. There are regular state-run and private buses from all major cities and towns nearby, like Hyderabad, Anantapur, Bangalore, Tirupati, Chennai, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Tumakuru, etc. The best way to travel is to book an outstation cab from Bangalore to Horsley Hills using Savaari’s car rental app, or from Chennai and do a road trip.
By Flight
There is no flight service in Horsley Hills. The nearest airport is in Bangalore, at Kempegowda International Airport, 137 km away. You can fly to Bangalore from any major city or town in India, and from there book an airport taxi from Bangalore to drive to Horsley Hills.
Best time to Visit Horsley Hills
The best season to visit Horsley Hills is during the winter months when the temperatures remain conducive and comfortable enough to explore the outdoors. This is also the best time for spotting wildlife and birding tours. You can also visit right after the monsoon and before winter. November to March is the ideal time to visit.
[Also read: Places to visit near Hyderabad]
About Horsley Hills
If you are seeking some refuge in the lap of nature or some respite from the city’s humdrum, then head to the Hills. Also called Horsleykonda or Yenugulla Mallamma Konda this series of hills in Andhra Pradesh is one of the highlights of the state’s landscape. A fine blend of the lush greenery of the Nilgiris and the rugged, reddish terrain of the Deccan Plateau, this locale offers a beautiful colour play of nature. Abundant in flora and fauna, Horsley Hills makes for the best playground for nature and outdoor activities like mountain biking, rock climbing, trekking, or trail walking, and promises to leave you wanting more.
With this travel guide, you can plan a holistic trip to this popular hill station of Andhra Pradesh.
Location
The hills sit off the border of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, on the southern edge of the two states, in the Madanapalle region of Chittoor district. The exquisite hilly hamlet is easily accessible from Bengaluru at a distance of 143.8 KM.
Weather
Being a hill station, Horsley Hills experiences cool and pleasant weather all year around. But the spring-summer months are warmer than the rest of the year. Sometimes, the temperatures can rise beyond 30 degrees Celsius, making it difficult to move around. The winters, are chilly and cold with comfortable temperatures throughout the day. The monsoon period is also quite pleasing, with fresh foliage and rain showers dropping the temperatures. However, it is wise to observe caution when travelling around mountains in the rain.
History
The name of the hill station is derived from the legend of an old saint named Mallamma, who used to live atop the hills and was fed by elephants, also called yenugulu in Telegu. The name then was Yenugu Mallama Konda. Later, during the colonial days, a British collector, W.D. Horsley built a home on these hills in 1870. And thus, the name stuck around. Since then, the cooler locales of the hills, compared to the hot and dry plains, turned this place into a popular tourist destination.
Geography
The Horsely Hills are said to be one of the oldest concerning their geological existence. The hills rise to an elevation of 4232 feet and exhibit a mixed landscape, blending the rugged Deccan Plateau region and the greenery of Nilgiris. The hills’ vegetation is rich in biodiversity with thick forests of eucalyptus, sandalwood, amla (Indian gooseberry), blue gum and more. The forests are home to wildlife like Sambar deer, wild boar, and sloth bear, among others. You can also find 133 species of exotic and wild birds like the black eagle, yellow-neck bulbul, and other native and migratory species.
Interesting Facts about Horsley Hills
Horsley Hills is also popular for being home to the world’s largest Banyan Tree and the oldest Eucalyptus tree in the country.
Places to Stay in Horsley Hills
Check out these best-rated places to stay around Horsley Hills –
- Horsley Hills Haritha Hill Resort
- All Seasons Residency
- VSR Grand
- JnR Grand
- Shri Krishna Residency
Witness the beauty of the hills by booking a car rental to take you to all these places with a local driver. Install the Savaari cab booking app for offers and discounts on outstation rentals
Last Updated on August 19, 2024 by V Subhadra
