- Grade
- Easy
- Distance
- 5 km there and back
- Walking time
- 3 hours
- Altitude
- 988 m
- Best months
- Oct – Mar
- Start point
- Kurangani Trek Reception Point
- District
- Theni
- Nearest station
- Bodinayakanur, ~18 km
- Nearest airport
- Madurai, ~122 km
About this trail
Kurangani sits at the foot of the tea-covered slopes that rise towards Kolukkumalai on the Kerala border. This short route leaves the reception point through open pasture, dips into small shola pockets and crosses a few streams before reaching the Sambalaru area, where several waterfalls tumble off the hillside. Throughout the walk, Kolukkumalai and the neighbouring peaks stay in view above you.
The round trip is about 5 km and takes around three hours, with no hard climbing. It suits beginners and weekend visitors from Madurai or Theni. If you have time afterwards, the Kottakudi river, its check dam and a couple of small hidden falls are all close by.
Highlights
- Views of Kolukkumalai and nearby peaks
- Wild pastures and shola patches
- Streams and small falls
- Kottakudi river nearby
- Easy and short
How the day goes
- ReportingArrive at the Kurangani reception point and register.
- PasturesWalk out through the open grassland with the guide.
- Shola and streamsCross small shola patches and stream beds.
- SambalaruRest near the falls and have a snack.
- ReturnWalk back to Kurangani.
Getting there and staying over
- By train: Bodinayakanur, ~18 km
- By air: Madurai, ~122 km
- Stay: Lodges in Bodinayakanur and Theni.
What to carry
- Photo ID
- 2 litres of water
- Walking shoes
- Cap
- Light jacket
- Light snacks
Good to know
These are guided trails run with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, and each has a daily limit on walkers. Book a few days ahead, carry the same photo ID you booked with, and expect a trail to close at short notice after heavy rain or when elephants are active nearby. We book the permit, arrange the car to and from the start point and, if you want, a hotel nearby for the night before.
More trails in Theni
Book this trek
Send us your date and group size. We will confirm the slot with the forest team and share the reporting time, car and total cost.
