Horsley hills top point

Horsley Hills is a hill summit in Chittoor at about 1,290 meters elevation, marked by old trees and wide open views. The landscape features dense forests of eucalyptus and banyan trees mixed with open grassland areas and distant horizons that stretch across the surrounding valleys when weather permits.

Horsley Hills was developed in the 1800s by W.D. Horsley, a British officer, and named after him. The hills are part of the Eastern Ghats, among the oldest mountain ranges in the region, and served as a cool retreat for colonial officials escaping the plains below.

The name Horsley Hills comes from a British officer W.D. Horsley who settled here in the 1800s. Local communities connect the place to legends of Saint Mallamma, who was said to have been fed by elephants, making it a spot with spiritual meaning for visitors seeking local stories.

The best time to visit is from November to March when the weather is cool and pleasant. Bring walking shoes, layers of clothing, and your own snacks since there are few restaurants on the hills, and book accommodation ahead of time, especially if you plan to stay at the hill resorts.

At the summit grows one of India's oldest eucalyptus trees, planted in 1859 and now over 160 years old. This tree stands 40 meters tall and serves as a quiet reminder of the site's colonial past that many visitors overlook while focusing on the views.