Kodaikanal to Salem

1. Straight(<100m) on Lake Rd
   
2. Take Slight 1st Left, go 0.6 km
   
3. 2nd Right onto Lower Shola Rd, go 0.4 km
   
4. Continue down SH18 Hwy: 0.4 km
   
5. Slight 2nd Right onto SH18 Hwy, go 0.1 km
   
6. Slight 1st Left onto SH18 Hwy, go 0.5 km
   
7. Slight 2nd Right onto SH18 Hwy, go 0.2 km
   
8. Take 1st Right, go 2.3 km
   
9. Slight Right onto SH18 Hwy, go 1.1 km.
   Enter Dindigul District.
   
10. Take 1st Left, go 7.1 km
    
11. Take Left, go 9.8 km.
    Enter Theni District at 2.5 km.
    
12. Left onto NH45 Hwy, go 0.2 km.
    Enter Periyakulam.
    
13. 1st Left onto NH45 Hwy, go 0.3 km
    
14. Arrive at destination
    

Note 1:
Climbing Routes: Kodaikanal can be climbed by two different routes from the plains - one from Palani and the other from Batlagundu/Genguvarpatti. The Batlagundu route is wider, less gradient and easier to drive, it is called the "Ghat Road". The Palani route is useful only if you are driving from Coimbatore/Udumalpet/Pollachi/Palghat direction, it is narrower, steeper and tough to climb. Both these routes meet at Perumalmalai Junction from where Kodaikanal is 12 km.

Note 2:
Munnar Route: Kodaikanal to Munnar direct road has been closed due to some inter-state issues. Only dare-devil two-wheelers can use that route (via Berijam). If you have to travel west of Kodaikanal (Munnar/Thekkady/Cochin/Kollam/Trivandrum), it is best to take the Ghat Road towards Batlagundu, turn right at Ghats Road Junction towards Periyakulam and procced via Theni/Bodi.

Note 3:
Some map sites show a short, straight route from Periyakulam to Kodaikanal. This road was the only track to Kodaikanal during pre-independence days. It is surprising to see the map sites still showing that trail as a "road" now. It is a steep 18km hiking trail only for the seasoned mountain climbers. It is not a "Road", it's a trekking route via Kumbakarai/Vellagavi Village. Please do not confuse Periyakulam to Kodaikanal route as a Road.

Reverse Route
Salem to Kodaikanal


Detailed Route maps and travel directions:

Kodaikanal to Salem - Yahoo! Maps

Kodaikanal to Salem - Google Maps