Horsley Hills

About Horsley Hills

Horsley Hills — Yenugu Mallamma Konda locally — is a eucalyptus-and-gulmohar plateau at 1,265 m above Madanapalle, named after a British collector who built his summer house at the top. It is compact and unhurried: a viewpoint, a big old banyan called Kalyani, a small zoo and a lake at the base. The draw is the drive and the temperature drop rather than any single sight, which makes it a good first weekend trip for a group. **Getting there.** About 145 km from Bengaluru via Chikkaballapur and Madanapalle (3 hours), and roughly 520 km from Hyderabad. **Where to stay.** The APTDC Haritha resort at the top plus a few private cottages; groups often camp at the base.

Things to do

• • Gali Bandalu viewpoint
• • Kalyani, the 150-year-old banyan
• • Zip-line and rappelling at the adventure park
• • Environmental park and mini zoo
• • Mallamma temple
• • Boating at Gangotri lake

Best time to visit

September to March. It is a fair-weather destination — nothing much runs in heavy rain.

How to reach

About 145 km from Bengaluru via Chikkaballapur and Madanapalle (3 hours), and roughly 520 km from Hyderabad.

Where to stay

The APTDC Haritha resort at the top plus a few private cottages; groups often camp at the base.

Related destinations