Yercaud Trip (solo) in Jeep Compass Giant Escape

Day 1 pic's

Day 1

Lok Sabha Elections were on full Swing.., polling was held in majority of states in India including Karnataka. To exercise my fundamental duty as a citizen of this country, I went to cast my vote at Bangalore. I went at 7 am, the polling booth was pretty crowded with voter's standing in long line in the early morning under hot sun., after almost 2.5 hrs I got my chance to cast my vote.

At noon, I started to Yercaud, situated closer to Salem. Yercaud is a main town located in the Servarayan hill ranges of the Eastern Ghats. The Shevaroy hills covers area of approx 400 Sq kms, 1500 m above sea level. It represents highest peak in Southern part of Eastern Ghats. The hills has several old coffee plantations. Servarayan is a local deity name, the Servarayan Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is at the highest point in Yercaud., It's one of the oldest cave Temple, said to be 1000 yeras old.

The passages in my blog will uncover marvels of Yercaud both from a tourist as well as cyclist point of view.,will include few comments on the food explored as well.

Well, by far, it's one of my best Solo trip's done.

My earlier visit to Yercaud was a family trip almost 10 year's back in our car, then I had taken accommodation at Salem., we did spend little time at crowded Yercaud as it was a public holiday, and we had returned in the evening to Salem. Our baby boy was cranky, had fever, at night had to take him to a local hospital at Salem. Our trip was cut short.

This time, I had packed my Giant Escape City 2 Hybrid bike (Bicycle) into my Jeep Compass. I removed my front wheel to fit the cycle inside boots of my SUV. Along with normal clothes, I packed my cycling wears, accessories and maintenance stuff viz..head gear, Lights, cycle pump, lubricant, degreaser. It's peak summer season, I packed ORS to ensure there's no body dehydration while cycling in the hills..

On my way from Bangalore, I had stopped at the famous Murugan Idly for lunch.., the road construction work at Hosur, BLR border had delayed me by 30 to 45 mins. The result, the waiter mentioned..Sir meals got over, we have only Idly, Dosa, Uttapam. Well, I ate onion podi Uttapam.., the Uttapam was tasty, I guess they had used shallots instead of regular Onions., and this coupled with the podi on top was awesome. The 3 chutneys - Pudina ( Green Mint), White coconut, Red onion, mirchi one served on a green banana leaf was a great color palette combinations.

Post lunch, I headed to Yercaud., Via Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem. Driving across states, this is where you see how Radio signal FM / AM toggles from 93.5 Mirchi Hindi, Kannada stations to 102.5 Dharmapuri Tamil station and Suryan FM.., Born as Tamilan, brought up in TN, listening to a Tamil programs in a local place in Tamil Nadu, is altogether a different joy. There was one program broadcasted containg difficult tongue twisters and listeners who dialled in were asked to repeat them., it was fun.

It was evening, after Salem as I reached Adivaram (Base) of the Eastern Ghats Hills.., Stopped at Kaapi stop for Hot Banana Bajji and steaming Filter coffee. From Adivaram, Yercaud is 20 kms., The stretch is complete uphill, with 20 Hairpin bends. Driving 🚗 at hills requires intense concentration, skill to maneuver hairpin bends, dangerous curves in low gear. With all sort of vehicles - commuting on either side one has to be extremely cautious. As I checked into my hotel at Yercaud, It was Sunset. After refreshing, I headed out.., It was late, many points get closed, there's nothing much to see in dark..I was guided to visit Pagoda point.., to experience chill air.., It was some 6-7 kms from my hotel..I took out my cycle.., It was a different experience to pedal up till the peak point., the roads were good, some were steep, some were flat, some were completely uphill.. it was great riding at night, weather was good., From Pagoda point one can get good view of Salem. The night lights of the city and twinkling stars in the dark night sky, and the cool breeze were the marvelous attractions.

Day 1 was complete after dinner at a restaurant down the Pagoda point., then I headed back to hotel.

Day 2

The curiosity to cover the 1st important segment of Yercaud - The Loop Road, made me rise by 4 am. The Loop Road, Yercaud is cyclist Paradise, The beauty is it starts at 1 point, brings you back to the same point - Yercaud Circle, closer to the lake. After morning coffee and a vada at the Circle., I started to cover the Loop ( approx 35 kms) .., The stretch is completely scenic, covered with dense forest, 🌳 of many varieties., It covers sun rise points, lakes, coffee estates, Temples, Church, small Villages, I came across a Govt Post office .,

I was lucky to spot 2 small peacocks on the road..,The stretch was so calm, without the hustle, bustle of the main Yercaud town..

The 1st spot was, Manchakuttai lake, means Yellow color lake., here the color of the water in the lake is Yellow in color, Manjal means Yellow in Tamil, hence it got it's name Manchakuttai.

The next spot is Manchakuttai view point.

Further, I rode another few kms..then completed my Breakfast at a small joint, enroute Cauvery Peak. The Cauvery peak is a private Coffee estate - have package that allows tourists to visit Coffee plantation, understand how Coffee is made etc..It's a 1.5 hrs tour, I skipped it., They got a small Coffee shop..I had hot Cappuccino and left the place..

The stretch after Cauvery peak was so serene with sparse movement of any vehicles.., the feeling of being closer to the nature was pretty amazing..I skipped the Sengaluthu padi view point as its better to cover them by 2 wheeler, as approach roads aren't suited for my Hybrid bike tyres, yes with Mountain Terrain Bike it can be covered.

Next spot - Maha Meru Temple, It's a well known Temple that had complete explanations on Chakra's.., special poojas performed to God by devotees here.., worth the visit..

After completing the visit to Temple, I was on the final few kms of completing the Loop.. Did stop to have Jack fruit in between.., Stopped few points to take pics..

Finally, I was back to the starting point of the Loop.., near the lake., It was one wonderful ride..no wonder Yercaud Loop Road is known as cyclist Paradise.

After completing my cycle ride, I headed back to hotel, ordered lunch from Manjal restaurants., The meals was sumptuous and tasty..The full meals at Yercaud is accompanied by Kerala Parrotta with egg layer on top, other places it's with generally its eaten with Roti n Rice.

After little rest, late in the afternoon after 4.30 pm,I took my Jeep, headed to Karadiyur View point - Karadi means Bear in Tamil. Decades back, there were lot of bears from nearby mountains n forest occupied this place so this place got it's name Karadiyur., On return went to Sevarayan Temple. Later covered, The Gents seat and watched the sun set..., all points are worth visiting., wish the sun's intensity was low., as I was touring in the peak of summer.

2 more Yercaud segments yet to be covered, I wasn't sure of really making it.., Thought of taking them on the flow., as My body required more rest.,

Day 3

I kept Alarm at 6.15 am or so, but still woke up by 4.30 couldn't get sleep., got ready..left by 5.45.

Yercaud Descent for 20kms is well known among the Cyclist community.., I had morning coffee with Good day biscuits T Yercaud and cycled down hill.., it's continous 20kms of down hill n hairpin bends..awesome ride.., cool..However, after 10 kms, sense of fear creeped in.., wondering would I be able to climb up the same distance under hot weather.., In 45 minutes Quickly reached the Adivaram from Yercaud, I went to a veg restaurant had to wait for breakfast as they start only after 7.30 am. Had good heavy breakfast.., Pongal, Idly, Vada. Then it was time to purchase extra water bottles, supplements etc.., getting ready for the Great Ascent.

The toughest segment was left to last., This 20 kms of Ascent in a Hybrid bike., under hot weather in April, requires strong will power, to climb. The Eastern Ghats, the steep curves and bends doesn't show any mercy to any riders, I was on the lowest Gear for almost entire stretch uphill.., I stopped at all Hairpin bends to take pics... Tamil Nadu Government has named every Hairpin bend with names of Poet's, old kings who ruled parts of TN etc.., Once I started, there was no looking back.., I pedalled, pedalled, pedalled up n up the curves.., Near Salaparai munniappan Temple, vendors were selling fruits..I stopped to have Water melon. I had already, finished some 2 water bottle, ORS pack..,I was chewing glucon D tabs through out..

Finally reached Yercaud..,I had completed my biggest climb ( 1045 metre), around 20 kms., and to see last few metres flat, down road was an amazing feeling..

Mission Yercaud Complete.., Wish visiting this place every few year's.