The short answer
Ananthagiri Hills Walks: what visitors should know first
Go for gentle hill walking rather than a formal trek. There is no booked forest route here; most visitors walk through coffee estates, to viewpoints and down to falls such as Ananthagiri (Tadimada) and Katiki. Take a local guide and avoid heavy rain.
History and context
The story behind Ananthagiri Hills Walks
After independence the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department developed coffee plantations in the Araku hills, and from 1956 the tribal cooperative GCC helped tribal farmers grow it; the crop is now known as Araku coffee.
Useful facts
Ananthagiri Hills Walks facts at a glance
- Location
- Ananthagiri, between Visakhapatnam and Araku Valley
- Altitude
- Hill country; Borra Caves sit at about 705 m (2,313 ft), the valley higher
- Experience type
- Hill and estate walks
- Known for
- Coffee plantations and waterfalls
- Time or schedule
- Half to full day; best September to February
Why it matters
Why Ananthagiri Hills Walks is worth your time
The Ananthagiri hills are part of the Eastern Ghats and hold some of the reserved forest of the Araku region. Organic coffee grown here by tribal farmers is a large part of the Araku coffee story.
For travellers, the hills offer the cool air and green slopes of Araku without needing a long trek, and a chance to see how coffee is grown in a tribal landscape. The same reserved forests are rich in plants and birds, so keep to paths and leave nothing behind.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Coffee estates
Shaded plantations on the hill slopes, part of the Araku coffee region.
- 02
Ananthagiri (Tadimada) falls
A forest waterfall that the district lists for hiking.
- 03
Katiki falls
A falls on the Gosthani river reached by a short forest hike.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Ananthagiri lies between Visakhapatnam and the Araku Valley, in the same hill range as the Borra Caves. Most people come by car from Araku or as part of the drive up from the coast, stopping for estates, viewpoints and waterfalls.
The district's eco-tourism page lists the Ananthagiri (Tadimada) waterfalls as a place for hiking, and Katiki falls, formed by the Gosthani river, needs a 20 to 30 minute hike through forest from the road end. Walks among the coffee estates are short and mostly gentle, though slopes can be steep.
Hire a local guide in Araku who knows the paths, since trails are not marked. Carry water and rain gear, and wear shoes with good grip. Leave the falls if it starts to rain heavily, and be back on the road before dark.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Hire a car and local guide from Araku
- Ask before walking into private coffee estates
- Wear shoes with good grip; paths get slippery
- Carry water and a rain jacket
- Avoid waterfalls during heavy rain
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Ananthagiri hills, Alluri Sitharama Raju district, between Visakhapatnam and Araku
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
- Best time
- After the monsoon and through winter, roughly September to February; Katiki falls is fullest July to October
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- Older travellers can enjoy most of Ananthagiri from the road: coffee estates, viewpoints and the cool air, with short level strolls in an estate. The paths down to the waterfalls are steep and slippery after rain, so those with weak knees or balance should stay near the vehicle while fitter family members walk.
- Tickets and access
- No forest trek permit system is listed for Ananthagiri; the Trek Andhra portal shows no routes at present. Estates are private land, so walk in them only with permission or a guide. Small local fees may apply at waterfalls; confirm locally.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Ananthagiri Hills Walks
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Older travellers can enjoy most of Ananthagiri from the road: coffee estates, viewpoints and the cool air, with short level strolls in an estate. The paths down to the waterfalls are steep and slippery after rain, so those with weak knees or balance should stay near the vehicle while fitter family members walk.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is there an official Ananthagiri trek?
No booked forest route is listed at present. Walks are informal, so go with a local guide.
Is this the same as Ananthagiri Hills near Hyderabad?
No. This is the Andhra Pradesh range near Araku; the other is in Vikarabad district, Telangana.
Can older parents enjoy it?
Yes, from the road and in level parts of the estates; the waterfall paths are better left to fitter walkers.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
