r/tamilnadutrekkers

Last weekend,we planned to trek Bodhamalai, a lesser-known hill near Salem that's about 1,100 meters above sea level.

We left Coimbatore on Saturday evening and reached the foothills near panamarathupatti around 10 or 11 at night.We planned to camp at the base before starting the trek the next morning.Finding a campsite wasn't easy, and we spent nearly an hour searching before finally finding a suitable spot.

By 5:30 in the morning, the rest of our group had arrived. Some of them had actually attempted this trek a few months earlier but got lost after taking the wrong trail.This time, we had a local guide with us who knew the route well.

We started trekking around 6:30 AM.The first part of the climb was surprisingly difficult because the trail kept diverging to different parts of the hill we had to make sure that we were on the right path.As we gained altitude, the weather became cooler and the trek became much more pleasant.

A couple of hours into the hike, we came across a small natural pond(sunai).The water looked clear, but because there were mosquitoes and tadpoles in it, we decided not to drink from it.A little further ahead, we found a well with cold, refreshing water and refilled our bottles there.

As we continued climbing, the landscape changed from forest to agricultural land.We saw cardamon plantations, jackfruit trees, turmeric fields, and silver oak trees.Our guide told us that Bodhamalai is one of the lowest-altitude places where cardamon is cultivated successfully.

Soon we reached a small hilltop village.Near a temple stood a huge jackfruit tree loaded with fruits.We asked if we could eat one, but the locals told us they weren't ripe yet.The village itself was beautiful, with clouds drifting close to the hills and farms spread across the slopes.

After crossing the village and walking for another thirty minutes, we reached the final hill where the Perumal temple is located.We left our footwear at the base and climbed the rock-cut steps leading to the summit.

The view from the top was incredible.We had a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding hills and plains, including views toward Rasipuram and nearby regions.We spent over an hour there, taking photos, relaxing,having brunch and enjoying the cool breeze.We found some coconuts that had been offered at the temple the previous day and shared them among ourselves.

Eventually, we started our descent.From the top, we took another route back, one that bypassed the whole village and led us straight to the well from where we had fetched water on the way up.A couple of my trek mates even took a quick bath there to freshen up.Around the same spot, there were jamun trees, and a lot of ripe jamuns had fallen on the ground.My trek mates picked them one by one, and we had a little treat there before continuing our way down.

The return journey took about three hours, and the afternoon heat made it much tougher than the climb up.Once we reached the base,people there ensured that all of us returned safely.

One important thing to know is that this is not an officially designated trekking route.The trail is confusing near the base, with several paths branching in different directions.If you're planning to visit Bodhamalai, it's best to obtain permission with the TN forest department and go with an experienced local guide.

Overall, it was an amazing trek.The combination of forests, hilltop villages, cardamon plantations, the Perumal temple, and the panoramic summit views made it one of the most memorable hikes I've done in Tamil Nadu.

While everyone else was busy making Valentine’s Day plans, I was doing something completely different. Me, my alter ego, and two trekking buddies were warming up at the trailhead of Mount Apo—the highest mountain in the Philippines, standing at nearly 3,000 metres.

Day 1 :
Fresh off the flight and still battling jet lag, we headed straight from the airport to the trailhead. Before reaching the actual rainforest, we spent about an hour walking through quiet mountain villages and endless fields of carrots and radishes.
Soon, the landscape changed completely. We entered a dense tropical forest, and after another hour we were surrounded by giant tree ferns—an ancient-looking species that’s incredibly rare. After a quick packed lunch, we continued deeper into the cool evergreen forest, with mist drifting between the trees. By around 3–4 pm, we reached Tinakaran Base Camp, had an early dinner, and called it a night.

Day 2:
The alarm rang at 2 am. With only our headlamps lighting the way, we began the toughest part of the trek. For the next four hours, it was a relentless climb, with some sections reaching gradients of over 60 degrees.
Just before sunrise, we stopped at Boulder’s Point. Watching the sun rise over the Pacific Ocean while the Davao City slowly emerged from the darkness was one of those moments that made every step worth it.
As we climbed higher, the landscape became more volcanic. Sulphur vents released steam along the trail, reminding us that Mount Apo is still a dormant volcano. After another couple of hours, we reached the crater—a surprisingly flat, dry, green basin. By around 8 am, we stood on the summit and enjoyed a well-earned breakfast with panoramic views all around.
The hard work wasn’t over yet. We spent the next three hours descending to Bansalan Base Camp, arriving around noon. The rest of the day was slow and relaxed, filled with food, laughter, and swapping trekking stories with fellow hikers.

Day 3 :
The final day was much easier, with only gentle ups and downs. The trail took us through changing landscapes—from open grasslands to woody forests and scrublands—making it feel like several different hikes in one.
After about four hours, we reached the exit point, ending an unforgettable three-day journey to the roof of the Philippines. Looking back, spending Valentine’s Day on a mountain instead of in a restaurant was a decision I wouldn’t change for anything.

My hiking partner and I had been planning to hike Kondarangi for almost a year. On 21/06/2026, we finally got the chance. My friend’s brother-in-law joined us, and we decided to start early since we didn’t want to get roasted by the morning sun.

Kondarangi Hill is about 7 km from Kallimandayam near oddanchattram and is known for its incredibly steep climb, with sections said to have an incline of nearly 70 degrees.

We reached the foothills around 6:45 AM, geared up, and got ready to start.

A small side story about my trekking shoes. My old pair had finally given up during the Vaasimalai hike, so after quite a bit of searching, I bought a new pair of Quechua MH500s. Apparently, they’re not that easy to find these days. I was excited to finally try them on a proper trail. I couldn’t use them at Vellingiri because footwear isn’t allowed there, and unfortunately, the same rule applies at Kondarangi since there’s a temple at the top. My friend kept teasing me, saying, “Indha shoes laye unna adichiko.😹” So, once again, we ended up hiking barefoot.
We started climbing at 7:00 AM.

The first 20 minutes were intense. The trail consists of steps carved directly into the rock, with railings installed along almost the entire climb. We took a couple of short breaks, around two minutes each, just to catch our breath.

A few stray dogs were climbing alongside us, almost as if they were regulars on the hill.

By the time we reached the middle section, a strong breeze picked up. It was such a relief because we were drenched in sweat by then. Around the same time, a local schoolboy joined us and continued the hike with us.

By 7:50 AM, we reached the temple. It was closed, so we rested there for a minute before continuing to the actual summit, which took another ten minutes.
The view from the top was absolutely worth it. There were only around 10 to 15 people on the hill, so it felt peaceful. We spent about half an hour there, had the bread, jam, and biscuits we had packed, and simply enjoyed the panoramic view.

The descent was a different story. Looking down the steep path was honestly more intimidating than climbing up. The railings made a huge difference, and I kept thinking about whoever had taken the effort to install them.

Luckily, we met him on the way down. He was repairing one of the railings, so we stopped for a chat. His name is Boya Naicker, and he told us he had originally installed the railings nearly 30 years ago. I thanked him and took his blessings before continuing down. Without those railings, the climb would have been much more challenging.

Since the trail runs along the western side of the hill, we were fortunate to stay in the shade for most of the climb and escaped the harsh morning sun.

We reached the foothills by 9:00 AM. It took us almost exactly 2 hours to complete the hike.

To be honest, despite its reputation for being steep, this turned out to be one of the easier hikes we’ve done. The climb is short, the trail is straightforward, and the railings make it feel much safer than it looks.

Total Distance: 3.9 km
Total Elevation Gain: ~1,500 ft

One last interesting thing we witnessed. We met a man who was climbing Kondarangi four times a day, finishing all four rounds in around three hours. The day we met him was his 974th consecutive day of doing this. He was attempting a Guinness World Record, and by the time we completed our single hike, he had already finished nearly three rounds. He’s also one of the main reasons Kondarangi became popular on YouTube and Instagram Reels. Kudos to him.

Hired a guide. Payment accepted in biscuits.😹