Off-Road & 4x4 Trails near Namakkal

Kolli Hills, in the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, is legendary for the road of 70 hairpin bends that climbs to the plateau. Beyond the main ghat road, a network of forest and plantation tracks offers genuine off-road interest amid waterfalls, coffee and pepper estates — but many pass through reserved forest (Ariyur Solai, Kundur Nadu, Pulianjolai) under the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. Driving a private vehicle in reserved forest without a written pass from the Kolli Hills Range Forest Officer is illegal under the Indian Forest Act; stick to the main ghat road unless you hold one. The hairpins themselves are tarmac but demand confident hill-driving technique — tight radii, blind corners and steep gradients. The unsealed branches off the plateau bring loose rock, leaf litter and slick mud after rain, where all-terrain tyres and steady throttle control come into their own. Fuel and amenities are limited on the plateau, so top up before you climb. Drive the hairpins early to avoid bus traffic, and be cautious in the mist that often settles over the higher sections. **Best season:** October - March **Recommended tyre pressure:** 26-30 PSI **Preparation:** - Refuel before climbing — fuel is limited on the plateau - Drive the hairpins early to avoid bus traffic - Slow right down in mist on the higher sections - Carry warm layers; the plateau is cooler than the plains

moderate · Rock, Mud terrain

Namakkal, Tamil Nadu