The short answer
The 70 Hairpin Ghat Road Drive: what visitors should know first
The drive is the experience for many visitors, but it is hard on anyone prone to motion sickness. Take a sensible driver, break the journey at viewpoints and avoid driving it after dark or in heavy rain.
Useful facts
The 70 Hairpin Ghat Road Drive facts at a glance
- Location
- Karavalli to the Kolli Hills plateau
- Experience type
- Scenic mountain road drive
- Known for
- About 70 hairpin bends and viewpoints
- Vehicle note
- Narrow; buses, trucks and bikes share the road
- Time or schedule
- Daylight, ideally morning
Why it matters
Why The 70 Hairpin Ghat Road Drive is worth your time
The ghat road is why Kolli Hills stays quiet. The climb is long and winding enough that casual day-trippers think twice, which keeps visitor numbers low and the hills largely unspoilt.
Tamil Nadu Tourism describes the road as having the most hairpin bends in South India, a claim worth treating as promotional. Whether or not it is the most, it is a memorable approach and sets the tone for what follows.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The hairpins
Counting the bends is part of the game; stones mark them.
- 02
Viewpoints en route
Blue-grey hills spread out below as you climb.
- 03
The temperature drop
The air cools noticeably by the top.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Start from Karavalli on the plains side of the hills and let the driver set the pace. Stones mark the bends; a photographed stone shows the 34th of about 70 hairpins, and there is a watch tower with views along the way. Counts of the bends vary slightly between sources, so treat it as about 70.
Stop at the viewpoints rather than trying to photograph through the window. Air temperature drops noticeably on the way up, so keep a layer handy. Motorbike riders also use the route, so expect to share the road and hold left on blind bends.
The road is narrow in places, with buses and trucks. If anyone gets queasy, stop and let them out for a few minutes. Return before dark, and do not attempt it in heavy rain or fog if the driver is unfamiliar with it.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Take medication for motion sickness beforehand
- Travel in daylight
- Ask the driver to stop at viewpoints
- Avoid after heavy rain or in fog
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Karavalli to Semmedu plateau, Kolli Hills
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours each way with stops
- Best time
- Morning, in clear weather; avoid driving it after dark
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Passengers stay seated, but constant sharp turns can cause nausea. Ask for a slow pace, take medication in advance if needed and sit in the front seat.
- Tickets and access
- No ticket for the drive itself. Bus service runs up the hills; check current schedules locally rather than relying on published ones.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near The 70 Hairpin Ghat Road Drive
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Passengers stay seated, but constant sharp turns can cause nausea. Ask for a slow pace, take medication in advance if needed and sit in the front seat.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How many hairpin bends are there?
Sources say about 70, with slight variations. Treat it as approximate.
Can a normal car do the drive?
Reports describe cars, buses and bikes using the road, but pick a driver used to hill roads.
Is it dangerous?
It is narrow with sharp turns, so drive slowly and avoid night or heavy rain.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
