Horsley Hills
Overview
Horsley Hills, in Annamayya (formerly Chittoor) district, is Rayalaseema's main hill retreat — a compact, forested plateau at around 1,265m that's easily reached as a weekend or even day trip from Tirupati or Bengaluru. A ropeway connecting the hill viewpoints was added in recent years, which has made it noticeably more of a family draw than it was when it was purely a quiet viewpoint-and-forest stop — expect queues for the ropeway on weekends now. The hills are named after a British collector, W.D. Horsley, who used the area as a retreat in the 1870s.
Best time to visit
October through February is coolest and clearest. Because Horsley Hills sits at a modest altitude compared to the Ghats hill stations, it also stays viable through summer (March–May) as a relatively cool escape from Rayalaseema's plains heat, which is when it draws its biggest day-trip crowds.
Things to do
- Ride the ropeway between the main viewpoints, the newest and now most popular attraction on the hill.
- Visit Kaduvakonda Hill and the Gali Bandalu rock formations, wind-carved boulders that are a short walk from the main road.
- See Mallamma Temple, a local pilgrimage site tied to a folk legend about the hills' namesake.
- Walk to Kaigal Waterfalls, a short drive and moderate walk away, fullest just after monsoon.
- Visit Horsley Hills Zoo Park, a small zoo with deer and peacock enclosures, an easy stop for families.
Sample itinerary
Day Trip (from Tirupati)
- Morning — Drive up from Tirupati, Gali Bandalu rock formations and Kaduvakonda Hill.
- Afternoon — Ropeway ride, Zoo Park, drive back by evening.
Weekend (2 Days)
- Day 1 — Arrive, Gali Bandalu and Kaduvakonda Hill, overnight on the hill.
- Day 2 — Ropeway ride and Mallamma Temple in the morning, Kaigal Waterfalls before heading back.