Waterfalls are the most wonderful gifts given by nature during rainy seasons. A few Indian states offer some of the best and tallest waterfalls to the world. While there aren’t waterfalls in Chennai, there are several places nearby that are blessed with such delights. So, this monsoon, without wasting time head to any of the best waterfalls near Chennai to experience the majestic nature.
20 Best Waterfalls Near Chennai
Here’s a list of the best waterfalls near Chennai that would be delightful options for this monsoon season. Visit these beautiful and surreal places and have the best time!
- Bear Shola Falls
- Silver Cascade Falls
- Catherine Waterfalls
- Vaideki Waterfalls
- Law’s Falls
- Suruli Waterfalls
- Siruvani Waterfalls
- Monkey’s Falls
- Olakkay Aruvi Waterfalls
- Thiruparappu Waterfalls
- Shivanasamudra Falls
- Hogenakkal
- Talakona Waterfalls
- Kaigal Falls
- Tada Falls
- Mallela Theertham
- Agaya Gangai Falls
- Thalaiyar
- Puliyancholai Falls
- Kodiveri Waterfalls
1. Bear Shola Falls
Image Source
The legendary and amongst the most beautiful waterfalls near Chennai, Bear Shola falls are famous for the stories of bear drinking the pristine water here. The fall is one of the most ideal picnic spots in Kodaikanal town, during rainy season, the beauty of the falls is at its fullness.
Distance From Chennai: 512 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Kodaikanal Central Bus Station
Travelling Time From Kodaikanal Central Bus Station: 2-3 Hours
Best Time To Visit: July to October
South Weekend Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle
2. Silver Cascade Falls
Image Source
Silver Cascade Falls, one of the most famous waterfalls around Chennai, it is the first attraction that unfolds to tourists in Kodaikanal. An ideal location for nature lovers, this falls is 180 ft high. There are a few souvenir and fruit vendors and many monkeys here.
Distance From Chennai: 520 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Kodaikanal Central Bus Station
Travelling time from Kodaikanal Central Bus Station: 2 Hours
Location: On Laws Ghat Road
Best Time To Visit: October to May
3. Catherine Waterfalls
Image Source
Catherine Falls is one of the beautiful tourist locations in the region that features a stream of water falling. One can go to top of the Dolphin’s nose to see falls spectacular view and reach the falls via Moon Road. Many trekking lovers trek to this place from Kotagiri & Aravenu as well.
Distance From Chennai: 527 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Kotagiri
Travelling Time From Kotagiri: 2 Hours
Location: Near Aravenu On The Kotagiri-Mettupalayam Road
Best Time To Visit: All round the year
Must Read: 54 Best Places To Visit In India In Summer To Escape The Scorching Heat
4. Vaideki Waterfalls
Image Source
This stunning waterfall near Chennai is an excellent picnic spot for adventurous tourist, mainly for trekkers. Prior permission and escort from a forest guard is needed for visiting this place as it is located inside the forest full of animals, especially elephants.
Distance From Chennai: 533 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Coimbatore Junction
Travelling Time From Coimbatore Junction: 4 Hours/Half Day
Best Time To Visit: September to April
5. Law’s Falls
Image Source
The beautiful Law’s falls is set inside the Coonoor forest range with vast stretches of undisturbed nature around. A popular sight for tourists, Laws Falls is named after Col. Law, who traced the water path and also constructed the Coonoor Ghat.
Distance From Chennai: 534 kms
Commonly Visited From: Coonoor
Travelling Time From Coonoor: 1-2 Hours
Location: On the Way To Mettupalayam
Best Time To Visit: In summers Feb to May and in winters Sep to Dec
Suggested Read: 23 Picnic Spots In And Around Chennai For An Extravagant Holiday Experience
6. Suruli Waterfalls
Image Source
These waterfalls near Chennai originate from the Megamalai hills and are surrounded by the astounding beauty of the dense forest. The best feature is that they are round-the-year Falls. The Kailasanatha temple and Suruli Velappar temple are popular attractions near the falls.
Distance From Chennai: 543 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Madurai
Travelling Time From Madurai: 6 Hours
Location: Near Kambam & Gudalur towards Thekkady
Best Time To Visit: June to October
Must Read: 20 Hill Stations Near Chennai That Will Leave You Loving Summer Forever
7. Siruvani Waterfalls
Image Source
Siruvani Falls are a sight to behold and no wonder is a popular tourist attraction for nature lovers. The upper part of the falls is dangerous with deep cliffs and tourist usually enjoy the beauty and bathing at bottom of the falls.
Distance From Chennai: 545 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Siruvani Dam
Travelling Time From Siruvani Dam: 3-4 Hours
Best Time To Visit: June to October
Suggested Read: Dine At The Robot Restaurant Chennai Where The Men Cook, And The Machines Serve
8. Monkey’s Falls
Image Source
Monkey Falls is one of the famous attractions known for its perennial waterfall, surrounded by lush greenery. Bathing is possible at bottom of the falls, though it’s bit dangerous during monsoons when the water flow is high.
Distance From Chennai: 565 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Aliyar Dam
Trip Duration (From Aliyar Da, Including Travel): 1-2 Hours
Location: Near Aliyar Dam Between Pollachi And Valparai
Best Time To Visit: October to march
Suggestion: Monkey falls are about 2 hours ahead of Valparai and Alayar Dam
Suggested Read: 14 Best Beach Restaurants In Chennai For A Dinner Date With Views
9. Olakkay Aruvi Waterfalls
The falls lie amidst the hills and can only be accessed by foot, making them the perfect opportunity to go on a trek. The hour long trek is full of thrill and adventure. When in Kanyakumari the falls are a must visit!
Distance From Chennai: 691 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Kanyakumari
Trip Duration (From Kanyakumari, Including Travel): 4 Hours/Half Day
Best Time To Visit: June to October
Suggested Read: 60 Best Hill Stations In India That You Must Explore At Least Once In Your Life!
10. Thiruparappu Waterfalls
Image Source
Thiruparappu Waterfalls is another excellent tourist spot in Kanyakumari district. Thiruparappu water falls is also called as “Kumari Kuttalam” and make for a beautiful view. One can spend the day admiring the beauty of this waterfall and also the surreal surroundings.
Distance From Chennai: 829 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Kanyakumari
Travelling time from Kanyakumari: 3-4 Hours
Location: Diversion From Trivandrum-Kanyakumari Road
Best time to visit: February to October
Suggested Read: Nightlife In Chennai – What’s Hot And What’s Not
11. Shivanasamudra Falls
Shivanasamudra falls is one of the famous waterfalls near Chennai which is located at the Mandya district of Karnataka state. Also popularly called Siva Samudram which literally means Shiva’s Sea. The Shivanasamudra is a segmented waterfall which actually falls in different parallel streams and forms adjacent to each other. Resting on the Kaveri river, this waterfall is one of the popular attractions to visit in Karnataka and have a relaxing day. This waterfall segments the Kaveri river in two halves which are named Gaganachukki and Bharachukki.
Distance From Chennai: 446.7 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Mandya
Traveling Time From Mandya: 1 hour 23 minutes
Best Time To Visit: August To October
Suggested Read: 11 Weekend Getaways From Chennai That Offer A Refreshing Break From The Monotony!
12. Hogenakkal
The Hogenakkal waterfall is one of the gems of South India which is also known to be the best in the list of waterfalls near Chennai. This waterfall is formed by the Kaveri river which descends down the lofty landscape after passing through Tamil Nadu and Koddaikanal. Another highlight of the place are the Carbonatite rocks which are considered to be one of the oldest in the world. The name Hogenakkal is formed of two Kannada words ‘Hoge’ which means smoke and ‘Kal’ means ‘Rocks’. The Tamil people also call this waterfall Marikottayam. There are around 14 channels of the waterfall which drops from a height of 15 to 65 feet.
Distance From Chennai: 342.3 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Dharmapuri
Traveling Time From Dharmapuri: 1 Hour 13 Minutes
Best Time To Visit: August To October
Suggested Read: 20 Hill Stations Near Chennai That Will Leave You Loving Summer Forever
13. Talakona Waterfalls
The Talakona waterfalls is located close to the Nerabailu village in Yerravari Mandal of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. This beautiful waterfall falls from a height of 270 feet which makes it one of the best places in Andhra Pradesh. Surrounded by the lush greenery, it is believed that the water of Talakona falls has herbs and healing powers. This place is also declared the Biosphere Reserve in the year 1990 for being a home to a wide array of plant species. Alongside that there are many endangered species residing which includes Sambar, Porcupine, Cheetal, Indian Giant Squirrel, Loris, Panther and the Mouse Deer. The literal meaning of Talakona in Telugu means ‘head hill’.
Distance From Chennai: 192 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Nerabailu Village
Traveling Time From: 18 Minutes
Best Time To Visit: October To January
Suggested Read: 53 Tourist Places Near Chennai: Reasons To Look Forward To Your Weekends In Chennai
14. Kaigal Falls
Located at a distance of 2.5 kms from the Kaigal village, this beautiful waterfall is considered to be one of the famous waterfalls near Chennai. Locally called the Dumukurallu, this surreal waterfall is located at the Palamaner-Kuppam highway. This is a perennial waterfall which flows from a giant rock falling from a height of 40 feet. But the waterfall turns into a surreal site to gaze at during the monsoon season. The waterfall is formed by the Kaigal stream which is also one of the two streams which flows from the Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary. Also there is a pond located just below the waterfalls which is an ideal place for the nature lovers to sit and relax.
Distance From Chennai: 223 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Kaigal Village
Traveling Time From: 2 Minutes
Best Time To Visit: September – December
Suggested Read: 16 Road Trips From Chennai For The Roadie In You
15. Tada Falls
Resting at the Varadaiahpalem mandal of Chittoor, this waterfall is considered to be one of the best waterfalls near Chennai within 100 kms. This waterfall is situated in the dense forest named the Siddulaiah Kona. Located amidst the Kambakam hills, this is quite a popular place among the adventure junkies. People often come here to enjoy activities like trekking, climbing and to enjoy a day trip and picnic with friends and family. To reach the waterfall one has to walk at least 7kms rugged path and then trek the rest of the distance.
Distance From Chennai: 94 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Varadaiahpalem Village
Traveling Time From: 55 Minutes
Best Time To Visit: October – January
Suggested Read: Top 5 Wildlife Sanctuaries Near Chennai That Are Perfect To Witness The Wild Side Of South India
16. Mallela Theertham
Located amidst the Nallamala forest, this is a beautiful waterfall which every nature lover must visit atleast once. Quite an ideal location for a quick weekend getaway from Chennai, this waterfall falls from a height of 150 feet directly from a high cliff. Surrounded by a thick forest, this place also has a stream which further meets at the Krishna River. To reach the waterfall, one has to walk down atleast 380 well laid steps from the road point. There is a pool located just below the waterfall which is fenced from all the sides.
Distance From Chennai: 523 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Srisailam
Traveling Time From: 1 Hour 37 Minutes
Best Time To Visit: October – February
Suggested Read: 32 Places To Visit In Chennai For An Intriguing Vacation In the City
17. Agaya Gangai Falls
This is a mesmerizing waterfall which falls from a height of 300 meters above the sea level and also forms the Aiyaru river. Surrounded by the dense forest, this waterfall is the charm to witness amidst the greenery. Located in a beautiful valley, this waterfall is situated amidst the mountains from all the sides. It is believed that the water falling down holds medicinal properties which can heal many diseases when taken a bath. Walking down to around 1300 steps, the waterfall comes in the sights after almost 45 minutes of down trek.
Distance From Chennai: 367 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Namakkal
Traveling Time From: 1 Hour 54 Minutes
Best Time To Visit: June-August
Suggested Read: Scuba Diving In Chennai Will Allow You To Shed Your Inhibitions Amidst The Shallow Waters!
18. Thalaiyar
Falling from a height of 975 feet, this waterfall can be seen from a far off distance by the visitors passing from the ghat road towards the Dindigul. Considered to be one of the mesmerizing waterfalls near Chennai, this waterfall is not accessible by a mapped route. The only way to reach this waterfall is to cover a distance of 35 kms to Ghat road from Kodaikanal and then trek for further 6 kms. The trek takes around 2-3 hours and is considered to be moderately difficult.
Distance From Chennai: 485 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Kodaikanal
Traveling Time From: 1 Hour 15 Minutes
Best Time To Visit: October To March
Suggested Read: 16 Super Fun Places In Chennai To Hang Out With Friends & Family
19. Puliyancholai Falls
Located at a distance of 50 kms from Namakkal, the Puliyancholai falls is a scenic spot which is located at the foothills of the Kolli Hills. This is a dense forest which is splashed with a small stream while the lush-greenery surrounds the place. The best thing to experience here is taking a bath in the natural springs. Amidst this lies the Puliyancholai falls which is a terrace waterfall looking like a stream of water which emerges from the rocky terrains. This waterfall is an ideal escape from the chaos of city life. Alongside that it is also an ideal place for trekking and other adventurous activities.
Distance From Chennai: 336 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Namakkal
Traveling Time From: 1 Hour 22 Minutes
Best Time To Visit: June And July
Suggested Read: 14 Beaches Near Chennai For All The Water Babies To Visit
20. Kodiveri Waterfalls
Kodiveri waterfalls is situated at a distance of 75 kms from Coimbatore and considered to be one of the ideal one day trip locations from Chennai. Made on the Bhavani river, this dam delivers irrigation water for around 25000 hectares of land. Alongside that there is also a beautiful park which is built at the bottom of the dam for the visitors to enjoy. Formed by the downstream of the Kodiveri dam, this is one of the most beautiful places to relax and enjoy the cool ambiance.
Distance From Chennai: 451 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Erode
Traveling Time From: 1 Hour 15 Minutes
Best Time To Visit: July To September
Further Read: 16 Reasons Why You Should Never Visit Chennai
These are some of the best waterfalls near Chennai which one must definitely explore. Amidst the nature and the gushing water flowing, these places are ideal for relaxation and having a fun day. So while you’re planning your vacation in Chennai make sure to not miss out these surreal waterfalls in the vicinity.
Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.
Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Chennai
How can I reach Silver Cascade falls from Chennai?
Silver Cascade Falls is a 15-minute drive from the main town of Kodaikanal. Situated close to the main road, you can easily reach the fall via taxis, auto-rickshaws, and local buses.
How to reach Tada falls from Chennai by train?
If you are looking for trains to visit Tada Falls from Chennai, board trains that goes towards Sullurpeta from Chennai Central pass through Tada railway station. You can find local train almost every two hours.
Is Tada falls good for trekking?
Tada falls is one of the top trekking places around Chennai after Nagalapuram waterfalls. Head here for the best trekking experience on your trip.
Which are the best waterfalls around Chennai?
Bear Shola Falls, Tada Falls, Catherine Waterfalls, Law’s falls, Siruvani Waterfalls are some of the best waterfalls around Chennai which should not be missed.
Is Monkey Falls safe?
Monkey falls is a nice place to visit and is absolutely safe. Children can also enjoy a lot here but just have to be careful on the slippery rocks. There is no fear of drowning.
When is the best time to visit Vaideki waterfalls?
September to April is the best time to visit the stunning Vaideki waterfall. You can enjoy picnic time with your family.
What are the popular attractions near Suruli waterfalls?
Surrounded by the beauty of the dense forest, Suruli waterfalls has many popular attractions located nearby. The Kailasanatha temple and Suruli Velappar temple are the most popular ones.
What is the travelling time of Bear Shola Falls from Kodaikanal?
It takes approximately 3 hours to travel to Bear Shola Falls from Kodaikanal Central bus station. This popular tourist spot attracts people from all across India.
Looking To Book A Holiday Package?
People Also Read:
Waterfalls Near Ernakulam Waterfalls Near Warangal Waterfalls Near Wayanad
