Legend has it that a saintly old woman named Mallamma lived atop the hill (hillock) and was fed by elephants (yenugulu) – hence the name Yenugu Mallama Konda.

However the it’s the colonial part of the history that brought the name Horsley Hills. During the colonial period, it’s the practice among the British administrators to establish a summer hideout for escaping from the scorching heat of the planes. Horsley, a British collector, built his home around 1870, so the name Horsley Hills.

Today Horsley Hills is one of the tiniest hill stations in India’s Hill Stations tourism map.

For your itinerary consider,Horsley Hills is can be better called a picnic spot than a hill station. The wooded area around Horsley Hills are ideal for nature walks and the zigzag route to the hill makes a pleasant drive.

Other attractions are Gali Bandalu (Windy Rock) a rocky slope.Gusty winds blow here whole year. The three Viewpoints ( one is behind the Governor’s Bungalow) are great places to watch sunrise/sunset. It offers the great view of the entire valley, nearby hillocks and dense forests.

Kalyani, a giant Eucalyptus Tree is another popular attraction. There’s a tiny zoo & park.

The Yenugu Mallamma Temple is an ancient shrine associated with the legacy of this place.

A small natural lake – about 1 km down the hill – is good for angling.

How to Reach: Horsley Hills makes a great detour from the Bangalore-Tirupati circuit. Take diversion from Madanapalle. Horsley Hills is about 25km off Madanapalle town.

Horsley Hills

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