Kiliyur Falls

Kiliyur Falls in Yercaud (celebrated across Tamil Nadu and the Eastern Ghats as the most dramatic natural waterfall, mountain torrent, and adventure trekking destination of the Shevaroy Hills, plunging over 300 feet or 91 meters into a deep, boulder strewn forested canyon formed by the surplus overflow waters of Yercaud Big Lake), situated just 3.5 km from Yercaud town center in Salem district in Tamil Nadu, is one of South India's most exhilarating, scenic, and untouched wilderness cascades.

Crashing over sheer granite escarpments into the deep Killiyur Valley canyon, this seasonal torrent is fed by high altitude hill streams and lake channels, surrounded by dense tropical wet evergreen forests, giant bamboo thickets, wild orchid colonies, and steep jungle ravines that require an active descent down 250 to 300 steep concrete and natural stone steps.

It's the home of a thunderous 300 foot curtain of milky white foaming water crashing against dark granite boulders, a natural crystalline plunge pool at the canyon base where adventurous hikers refresh their feet in cool mineral rich mountain spray, a scenic 2 km forest approach road flanked by Arabica coffee bushes and tall silver oak trees, diverse highland avian species including Malabar whistling thrushes and paradise flycatchers flitting through misty tree canopies, rugged rock hopping trails along the downstream riverbed, and an energizing wilderness atmosphere where the roar of cascading water harmonizes with the rustle of highland foliage.

It represents a rich Eastern Ghats riparian hydrology, Shevaroy mountain gorge ecology, and monsoon waterfall trekking sanctuary where 300 foot cascade energy, forest step challenges, crystal plunge pools, and misty coffee plantation air unite in Yercaud.

Located in Killiyur Valley near the Yercaud Lake overflow point, it sits just 3.5 km from Yercaud town center, 35 km from Salem Junction Railway Station (SA) via the 20 hairpin mountain road, 180 km from Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ), and 225 km from Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) in Bengaluru, accessible by road followed by a 15 minute downhill step trek.

The 300 Foot Plunge & Yercaud Lake Overflow

During and immediately after the southwest and northeast monsoons, excess water from the central Yercaud Big Lake feeds the river, swelling Kiliyur Falls into a roaring white torrent.

The water drops vertically 91 meters into the tranquil Killiyur Valley, generating misty spray plumes that cool the surrounding jungle gorge.

Truth is, feeling the cold mountain water mist spray across your face after descending the steep forest steps is wonderfully refreshing.

The 250 Step Jungle Trek & Natural Plunge Pool

The Step Descent: Visitors walk down around 250 to 300 paved and unpaved steps flanked by safety iron handrails through dense shade.

Natural Rock Pool: At the base, hikers can sit on polished river boulders and dip their feet into the clear mountain stream while enjoying the dramatic view looking up.

Monsoon Spectacle & Coffee Plantation Surroundings

Monsoon Peak: The waterfall reaches its fullest, most dramatic flow between September and January when mountain streams run high.

Coffee & Spice Trails: The trail to the falls passes through private coffee estates where ripe red coffee berries and pepper vines grow along the hillside.

After trekking to Kiliyur Falls, relax by Yercaud Big Lake, enjoy canopy ziplining at Grange Adventure Park, or explore the viewpoint at Karadiyur in Yercaud.