If you are looking for a cozy and quite hill station for a day or two, this place is perfect getaway.
Horsley Hills or Horsleykonda or Yenugulla Mallamma Konda is a series of hills in Andhra Pradesh in Madanapalle Taluk of Chittoor district.
Located near the southwestern border between Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Horsley Hills refers to a hill station that is the perfect amalgam of the charms of Andhra Pradesh and the beauty of the hills. It is thus often called, the Ooty of Andhra. This natural marvel is situated at an astonishing height of 4312 metres and is well-known for its breathtaking landscapes.
Also called as Yenugulla Mallamma Konda, this place is home to the largest Banyan tree and the oldest Eucalyptus Tree, it is lined with dense forest areas with 113 species of birds.
The picturesque landscape of Horsley Konda also doubles up as a destination for adventure sports and activities such as trampoline, shooting, bow and arrow, wall climbing, water walking, rappelling, swimming pool, fish spa and a mini zoo.
Named after WD Horsley, the collector of Kadapa District, Horsley Hills is all about its exciting places to visit. There are plenty of Horsley Hills tourist places to choose from. From the Horsley Hills state zoo to a number of waterfalls, from Mallamma temple to Kaundinya wildlife Sanctuary -- the majestic place has a lot to offer to its visitors.
The best way to enjoy a place is to have a top view of the place. One of the best ways to view the entire Horsley Hills is to trek to the Whisper Wind View Point and see the entire hills from the hill point.
Considered as one of the top places to visit in Horsley Hills, the place provides a breathtaking view of the lush green forest, the Hillocks, and the amazing valley. One can also take pictures of the beautiful birds from the place.
Location:
200 Meter from the Horsley Hill Bus station, Behind Governor’s bungalow.
From the Whisper Winds View point take the steps leading the opposite direction. This will lead you to another viewpoint. It is less visited by tourists and offers amazing views.
f
Futher walk down will take you through an old building and also some monkeys.
Gali Bandalu- literal translating to ‘Windy Rock’- derives its name from the gusty winds that blow all day. This is one of the best places to visit in Horsley hills.
You can take a walk down the hill rock enjoying the untainted, unobstructed views of the Horsley hills as well as the heavy winds blowing past you. The Eastern and Western viewpoints here are great places to witness breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.
This place lies dotted with tiny gardens that make it an ideal place to spend quality time with your family. A small natural lake lies 1 km down the hill. The Microwave station near Wind Rocks is one of the oldest Microwave stations.
The much-famed Eucalyptus Tree, fondly called Kalyani.
It is a 150-year-old Eucalyptus Tree that has wrapped within itself layers and layers of stories and history. It is situated inside Van Vihar park at the center of Horsley Hills, opposite to Haritha Resort Complex.
It is one of the prime places to visit in Horsley Hills. This is one of the few trees in India that have a name. The tree was planted in 1859 by Horsley, the then collector of the region.
An ancient temple situated at a distance of just 350m from the Horsley Hills bus stand. This temple is dedicated to the Goddess Malamma- the deity after whom this town was named initially.
The initial name of Horsley Hills was Yenugu Mallamma Konda.
According to the legend, a saintly lady called Mallamma lived on the hills and cured the tribal people. It is believed that the elephants used to bring food for her. One day she suddenly disappeared and the local people started believing her to be a Goddess and built this temple for her. Every year devotees who believe in the power of Goddess Mallamma visit this temple to seek the blessings of the deity.
The zoo is not particularly large, and the animals housed here are protected by the Forest Department. The wildlife in the zoo include peacocks, rabbits, pigeons, monkeys, and crocodiles.
The area around the zoo is covered with thick vegetation and is a nice place to spend some time. The park housed inside the zoo is covered with lush greenery comprising of tall eucalyptus trees that keep you cool even during the summer season.
There is a viewpoint in the park that offers mesmerizing views of the surrounding hills. This zoo is an ideal place for travelers who wish to enjoy wildlife and the wonders of nature
Another attraction of the Horsley Hills is the Gangotri Lake. The Seasonal Lake is filled with water during the monsoons and it attracts lots of tourists. Travelling to Gangotri Lake is one of the best things to do.
The well-paved road that leads to the Gangotri Lake is covered with beautiful trees and green vegetation. Taking a ride to the place amidst of nature will definitely calm your mind and soul and it can prove you a perfect getaway from the Chaos of the city.
We didn't spend anytime here and saw the place from the road.
Location: 2.5 KM from Horsley Bus Station
