Pachaimalai Hills Trails, Tiruchirappalli: History, highlights and visitor guide

History and context

The story behind Pachaimalai Hills Trails

The Pachaimalai, or 'green hills', are an arm of the Eastern Ghats home to the Pachaimalaiyali people. The forest department has developed Top Sengattupatti on the hilltop for eco-tourism, including a British-era rest house.

Useful facts

Pachaimalai Hills Trails facts at a glance

Location

Top Sengattupatti, Pachaimalai Hills, about 80 km from Tiruchirappalli

Altitude

About 845 to 900 m (2,770 to 2,950 ft) on the trails

Experience type

Guided forest trail

Known for

Tribal villages, millet terraces and birdlife

Time or schedule

Senbakam 2 hours from 7 am; Mamarathu Solai 4 hours from 8 am

Why it matters

Why Pachaimalai Hills Trails is worth your time

The Pachaimalai Hills rise from about 540 m to 1,410 m and separate the Kaveri and Palar river basins. Sal forest on the hilltops, scrub on the slopes and dozens of streams feed lakes in the plains below.

The hills are also home to the Pachaimalaiyali people, who grow millets, rice, sorghum and groundnut on small plots. Tourism here is low-key. A visit gives a very different view of the Tiruchirappalli region from its great temples, and booking officially helps keep it that way.

Highlights

What not to miss

1. 01

   Senbakam viewpoint

   The easy trail ends at a temple where the trees open onto farms, hills and valleys.

2. 02

   Mamarathu Solai forest

   A walk from dry scrub into shaded semi-evergreen forest, crossing streams.

3. 03

   Top Sengattupatti

   A small hilltop village with forest department rest houses for an overnight stay.

Plan your visit

How to experience it

Drive from Tiruchirappalli via Thuraiyur to Top Sengattupatti on the hilltop, about 80 km in all; Thuraiyur, the nearest bus stand, is about 35 km below the hilltop. Both Trek Tamil Nadu walks start from the reception point here.

The Senbakam trail is about 3 km return and takes around two hours from a 7 am start. It passes millet fields and plantations, enters a bamboo thicket and forest, goes through a tribal settlement and ends at a temple with open views over farms and valleys, at about 900 m (2,950 ft). The Mamarathu Solai trail is about 6 km return and takes around four hours from an 8 am start. It drops from scrub into semi-evergreen forest, crosses streams past terraced millet fields, and ends at a tribal settlement beside a large pond, before the climb back to about 845 m (2,770 ft).

Wild boar, spotted deer and many birds, including paradise flycatchers, drongos and owlets, live along the routes. Carry leech socks in the wet months. The hills also have seasonal waterfalls such as Koraiyar, Mangalam and Mayil Oothu, best seen after good rain.

Know before you go

Timing, access and comfort

Area

Top Sengattupatti, Pachaimalai Hills, near Thuraiyur

Time needed

2 to 4 hours on the trail; a full day from Tiruchirappalli

Best time

After the north-east monsoon, roughly October to February, when streams run and the air is cooler

Walking level

Moderate

Senior comfort

Senbakam is 3 km on a gentle path and suits older travellers who walk regularly. Mamarathu Solai drops downhill for 3 km, so the climb back is the hard part; it is better for fitter family members. Parents can rest at Top Sengattupatti, where the forest department has rest houses and a dormitory.

Tickets and access

Both trails are booked through Trek Tamil Nadu (Tamil Nadu Forest Department); the fee includes the permit, guide, insurance and a light snack. Transport to Top Sengattupatti is not included. Confirm current fees and stay bookings locally.

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