Scenic drive · Yercaud (Shevaroy Hills)
Shevaroyan (Servarayan) Temple drive — Shevaroy peak
A short sealed climb across the plateau to the highest reachable point in the Shevaroys, ending at a small ancient cave temple. Big open views over the hills on the way up; the final lane is narrow and can be busy on festival days. Around the annual May summer festival the temple area draws crowds.
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At a glance
Shevaroyan (Servarayan) Temple drive — Shevaroy peak
A drive across the plateau toward the Servarayan (Shevaroyan) temple near the highest point of the range (~1,628 m per Wikipedia) — an ancient cave shrine to the hills' presiding deity, about 5 km from the lake, with sweeping views on the way up. Reached on public plateau roads then a short walk; it is an active place
- Type
- Scenic drive
- Access
- Open
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Terrain
- sealed plateau road + short walk
- Duration
- About 1–2 hours from Yercaud town including the drive and a short walk.
- Region
- Yercaud (Shevaroy Hills)
What to expect
A short sealed climb across the plateau to the highest reachable point in the Shevaroys, ending at a small ancient cave temple. Big open views over the hills on the way up; the final lane is narrow and can be busy on festival days. Around the annual May summer festival the temple area draws crowds.
Highlights
- Drive to the highest point of the Shevaroy (Servarayan) range
- Ancient cave shrine to the presiding hill deity
- Sweeping plateau and valley views on the ascent
Best time & conditions
Clear-weather mornings; October–February for the views. Extra busy during the May summer festival.
How to reach
From Yercaud town follow the plateau road toward Servarayan temple / Shevaroy peak (~5 km), then a short walk to the shrine.
Frequently asked questions
A short sealed climb across the plateau to the highest reachable point in the Shevaroys, ending at a small ancient cave temple. Big open views over the hills on the way up; the final lane is narrow and can be busy on festival days. Around the annual May summer festival the temple area draws crowds.
Access & permits
Access: Open.
Wikipedia — Yercaud (highest point is Servarayan temple, 1,628 m; ancient shrine ~5 km from lake) + Tamil Nadu Tourism (opens in a new tab)More routes in Yercaud (Shevaroy Hills)
Publicly sourcedSalem–Yercaud ghat road (20 hairpin bends)
The classic approach — the roughly 28–32 km climb from Salem up the Shevaroys with 20 hairpin bends (the historic Arthur Havelock ghat), whose bends are named after Tamil scholars, kings and freedom fighters. It is a fully sealed mountain road: climb and descend slowly, use engine braking on the way down, and sound the horn on blind curves. The surface can be slick and foggy during and just after the monsoon — a seasonal hazard, not a closure.
sealed ghat road
in Yercaud (Shevaroy Hills)
Publicly sourced32 km plateau loop road
A loop road on the plateau (commonly cited as ~32 km) strings the main viewpoints together for a half-day drive through the coffee, orange and spice plantations that quilt the Shevaroys. Sealed plateau roads; some lanes narrow near the viewpoints.
sealed plateau road
in Yercaud (Shevaroy Hills)
Publicly sourcedLady's Seat & Pagoda Point viewpoints
Cliff-edge viewpoints reached on sealed plateau roads — Lady's Seat over the Salem plains and the ghat switchbacks (best at sunset), and Pagoda Point about 5 km from town with a small Rama temple. The drops are largely unfenced and the rock gets slippery near water, so keep well back from edges, especially after rain and with children.
sealed plateau road
in Yercaud (Shevaroy Hills)