Tamil Nadu · India
Yercaud
A laid-back hill station in the Shevaroy Hills of eastern Tamil Nadu — a lake town of coffee and orange plantations, misty viewpoints and waterfalls, the 'Jewel of the South'.
Yercaud is a quieter hill retreat: boating on the lake, Pagoda Point and Lady's Seat viewpoints, coffee-and-orange estates, Kiliyur Falls, and cool Shevaroy air.
Plan your trip
Yercaud Tour Itineraries
Timed, walkable day plans — plus the best season to go.
Where to shoot
Yercaud Photo Spots
Medium crowdEntry Nominal
Kiliyur Falls
- Best timeMorning, when soft light reaches the gorge and the path is quiet.
- ColorsYellowWhiteForest green
Entry Nominal (telescope)
Lady's Seat
- Best timeLate afternoon to sunset, when warm light falls on the plains; dusk for the lights of Salem.
- ColorsRedWhiteCharcoal
Entry Free
Pagoda Point
- Best timeEarly morning for the sunrise over the eastern plains; late afternoon for warm light on the stone cairns.
- ColorsRustWhiteCoral
Entry Free
Shevaroyan Temple
- Best timeEarly morning, when the air is clearest for views across the ranges and the hilltop is quiet.
- ColorsSaffronWhiteForest green
Entry Free (boating extra)
Yercaud Lake (Emerald Lake)
- Best timeEarly morning, when mist lifts off the water and the boats are still tied up; late afternoon for warm light on the trees.
- ColorsWhiteRustForest green
For the feed
Trending Wear in Yercaud
Modern, Instagram-friendly looks
Rooted in the city
Yercaud Traditional Wear
Local, cultural, handcrafted outfits
Taste the city
Food to Eat in Yercaud
Trusted tables
Where to Eat in Yercaud
Altitude Global Cuisine
Killiyur Falls road
Shevaroys Signature Restaurant
Hospital Road
Representative photoSilver Oak
Yercaud
Sri Saravanabhavan Elite
Manjakuttai Rd
The Orange Multi Cuisine Restaurant
Killiyur Road
About Yercaud
Yercaud is a small hill station at about 1,515 m in the Shevaroy Hills, part of the Eastern Ghats, about 30 km from Salem. The name is usually explained as 'lake forest' in Tamil, and the lake is still the centre of town. Coffee came to these hills in the 1820s, when Salem's collector, M. D. Cockburn, planted coffee and orange trees, and the slopes around town are still covered in coffee estates, orange trees and pepper vines.
Most visitors drive up from Salem on the ghat road with its 20 numbered hairpin bends. The sights are spread out, so a car or taxi helps: an early start at Pagoda Point for sunrise over the plains, a boat on Yercaud Lake and a walk in Anna Park, the steep path down to Kiliyur Falls, and sunset at Lady's Seat with Salem spread out below. Yercaud stays mild all year and rarely gets hot, which is why it fills up in the summer holidays.
Questions
Yercaud — FAQ
What is Yercaud famous for?
Yercaud is known for its lake, its coffee and orange estates, and viewpoints such as Pagoda Point and Lady's Seat that look down over the plains. It is also known for Kiliyur Falls, the Shevaroyan cave temple on the highest peak and the Summer Festival held each May.
How many days are enough for Yercaud?
1–2 days covers the lake, Anna Park, Pagoda Point, Lady's Seat, Kiliyur Falls and the Shevaroyan Temple. Stay a third day if you want slow mornings and time among the coffee estates.
What is the best time to visit Yercaud?
December to June is the most comfortable time. December to February is cool and dry, and March to June is warm by day but far cooler than the plains. The heaviest rain usually falls between August and November, when the waterfalls run full but mist can hide the views. See the best time to visit Yercaud for a season-by-season guide.
How do I reach Yercaud?
Salem is the gateway. Salem Junction railway station, about 35 km away, has trains from Chennai, Bengaluru, Coimbatore and elsewhere, and buses and taxis run up the ghat road from Salem. Salem has a small airport with limited flights, so many travellers fly into Bengaluru, about 230 km away, and continue by road.
Is the drive up to Yercaud difficult?
The main road from Salem climbs about 20 km through 20 numbered hairpin bends. It is well kept and has crash barriers, but it is narrow in places, so drive slowly, use a low gear on the way down and avoid it in thick mist or after dark if you are new to hill roads. A second, quieter road climbs from the Kuppanur side through Kakkambadi.