Horsley Hills

Horsley Hills or Horsleykonda or Yenugulla Mallamma Konda are a series of hills in Andhra Pradesh in Madanapalle taluk of Chittoor district about 9 miles from Madanapalle town. The original name of the hill was Yenugu Mallama Konda. The place was initially named after a legend of a saintly old woman named Mallamma who lived on the top of the hill and was believed to have been fed by the elephants (yenugula). Later the place came to be known as Horsley hills when W.D. Horsley- a British collector- built his home there around 1870. Compared to the hot and dry regions around, this place was calm, cool, and refreshing, hence prompting Horsley to it into his abode.

Horsley Hills is an idyllic hill station situated between the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. It is a perfect amalgamation of the charming, rustic quality of Andhra Pradesh and the luxurious setting of the hills. It is also fondly known as the Ooty of Andhra. This natural marvel is situated at an astonishing height of 4312 meters and is well-known for its breathtaking landscapes. Horsley Hills houses the largest Banyan Tree and the oldest Eucalyptus Tree. The place is lined with dense forests and varied flora and fauna including 113 species of birds. Besides being a haven for nature lovers and bird-watchers, the picturesque landscape of Horsley Hills also doubles as a destination for adventure sports with activities such as trampoline, shooting, bow and arrow, wall climbing, water walking, rappelling, swimming pools, fish spa, and a mini zoo.

The major tourist places around Horsley hills are Lake Gangotri, various viewpoints, Gali Banda, Environmental Park, and the Horsley Hills Museum. Horsley Hills is also one of the few places to offer Zorbing in India. But it requires a prior reservation and is normally offered an a group package for a minimum of 20 participants. Other adventure sports conducted are rappelling and trekking. The weather of Horsley Hills is pleasant throughout the year and it can be visited any time of the year. The peak season is from February to May.

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Sightseeing Around Horsley Hills

There is no dearth of interesting sights in Horsley hills. Besides offering picturesque landscapes and an impeccably tranquil environment, it is also the home to Kalyani- the oldest eucalyptus tree believed to be around 148 years old. While you’re at it, visit Thimmamma Marrimanu banyan tree which is said to be the world’s largest banyan tree with a spread covering an area of 8 acres. The highest point of the Horsley Hills offers a stunning view of the surrounding foliage. The lush green forests contrasts with the sapphire blue sky making it an enchanting sight. The Horsley Hill Environment Centre situated here houses several animals such as deer and crocodiles. Other interesting sights to visit here are the Gurramkonda Fort and Governor’s House.

Best Places to Visit in Horsley Hills

Horsley Hills is a traveler’s delight. From stunning surroundings to exciting adventure activities to myriad flora and fauna – it has everything for the perfect travel experience. Some of the best places to visit here are-

1. Gali Bandalu/ Wind Rocks

Situated just 300m from Horsley Hills, Gali Bandalu- literal translating to ‘Windy Rock’- derives its name from the gusty winds that blow all day. This is one of the best places to visit in Horsley hills. You can take a walk down the hill rock enjoying the untainted, unobstructed views of the Horsley hills as well as the heavy winds blowing past you. The Eastern and Western viewpoints here are great places to witness breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. This place lies dotted with tiny gardens that make it an ideal place to spend quality time with your family. A small natural lake lies 1 km down the hill. The Microwave station near Wind Rocks is one of the oldest Microwave stations.

2. ViewPoint

At a distance of 200 m from Horsley Hills Bus Stand, the View Point is situated behind the Governor’s Bungalow. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Horsley Hills. It is located at the highest summit of Horsley hills and offers a spectacular view of valleys, hillocks, and dense forests. The view of the endless expanse, dotted by hills and forests, is in itself worth the trip to the hill station. Don’t miss the sunset from this point; watching the dipping sun is magical from this area as it seems to be going down in the valley.

3. Kalyani- Eucalyptus Tree

The much-famed Eucalyptus Tree, fondly called Kalyani, is situated at a distance of less than a km from the Horsley Hill bus station. It is a 150-year-old Eucalyptus Tree that has wrapped within itself layers and layers of stories and history. It is situated inside Van Vihar park at the center of Horsley Hills, opposite to Haritha Resort Complex. It is one of the prime places to visit in Horsley Hills. This is one of the few trees in India that have a name. The tree was planted in 1859 by Horsley, the then collector of the region. This is a very large tree with a height of 40 meters and a circumference of about 4.7 meters. The tree is hidden behind an old forest bungalow and is well protected with several tall Eucalyptus and other trees all around.

4. Horsley Hills Zoo

At a distance of less than a km from the Horsley Hill bus station, lies the Horsley Hill Zoo. This zoo is nestled within the Van Vihar Park located at the center of Horsley Hills opposite the Haritha Hotel. If you have come to visit the Horsley Hills with your family and kids, then you should take them to the zoo. It would be a thoroughly enjoyable experience for them.

The zoo is not particularly large, and the animals housed here are protected by the Forest Department. The wildlife in the zoo include peacocks, rabbits, pigeons, monkeys, and crocodiles. The area around the zoo is covered with thick vegetation and is a nice place to spend some time. The park housed inside the zoo is covered with lush greenery comprising of tall eucalyptus trees that keep you cool even during the summer season. There is a viewpoint in the park that offers mesmerizing views of the surrounding hills. This zoo is an ideal place for travelers who wish to enjoy wildlife and the wonders of nature.

5. Kaigal Falls/ Dumukurallu Waterfalls

Situated at a distance of 92km from Horsley Hills lies the Kaigal Waterfalls, also known as Dumukurallu Waterfalls. It is a perennial waterfall that falls from a height of forty feet and makes a fabulous sight. It becomes even more beautiful during the monsoon season when the water gushes down with more force. The name Dumukurallu waterfalls came into prominence because of its sound resembling the fall of stones from above. The falls are created by the Kaigal stream which is one of the two streams flowing through the Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary. There is a big pond below the waterfalls and this is a nice place to visit for nature lovers. It is situated amidst a dense forest with plenty of birds, shrubs, trees, and wildlife. It is a beautiful picnic destination if you want to spend some memorable moments with your family and friends. The picturesque surroundings, frothy waters, and tranquil ambiance make this place one of the best places to visit with friends, family, or even alone. There is a shiva linga installed near the falls which attract pilgrims from nearby villages during the Shivaratri festival.

To reach the waterfall, you can take the Palamaner – Kuppam bus and get down at the Kaigal waterfalls bus stop. From the Kaigal Waterfalls bus stop, the falls can be reached by taking a 10-minute walk down a mud road. The road from the highway becomes inaccessible for vehicles during peak monsoons and walking is the best mode to reach the falls from the main road.

6. Mallamma Temple

It is an ancient temple situated at a distance of just 350m from the Horsley Hills bus stand. This temple is dedicated to the Goddess Malamma- the deity after whom this town was named initially.

The initial name of Horsley Hills was Yenugu Mallamma Konda. According to the legend, a saintly lady called Mallamma lived on the hills and cured the tribal people. It is believed that the elephants used to bring food for her. One day she suddenly disappeared and the local people started believing her to be a Goddess and built this temple for her. Every year devotees who believe in the power of Goddess Mallamma visit this temple to seek the blessings of the deity.

How to Reach Horsley Hills

It is 121 km away from Chittoor, 227 km from Chennai, 185 km from Bangalore and 521 km from Hyderabad.

Air: The nearest airport is the Bangalore International Airport which is well connected to the major cities of the country. It is barely a 3-hour journey from there to Horsely.

Rail: Madanapalle railway station is just 26kms away from Horsely and happens to be the nearest railway station to the hill station. It is connected to all the major parts of Andhra Pradesh. Being on the Delhi – Chittoor railway line, it links the station with the major states of the country.

Road: Buses are run by the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation. Other than that, private taxis, cabs, and buses are also available to travel to Horsley hills.

Horsley Hills is a quaint, relatively unexplored hill-station that encapsulates within itself the pristine beauty of nature. This is an ideal place to spend some stolen moments away from mundane city life.