Salem to Kodaikanal

1. Straight(0.3 km) on NH45 Hwy
   
2. 1st Right onto NH45 Hwy, go 0.2 km
   
3. Take 1st Right, go 9.8 km.
   Leave Periyakulam.
   Enter Dindigul District at 7.3 km.
   
4. Take Right, go 7.1 km
   
5. Right onto SH18 Hwy, go 1.1 km.
   Enter Kodaikanal.
   
6. Take Slight 2nd Left, go 2.3 km
   
7. Left onto SH18 Hwy, go 0.2 km
   
8. Slight 1st Left onto SH18 Hwy, go 0.5 km
   
9. Slight 1st Right onto SH18 Hwy, go 0.1 km
   
10. Slight 1st Left onto SH18 Hwy, go 0.4 km
    
11. Slight 2nd Left onto Lower Shola Rd, go 0.4 km
    
12. Take 1st Left, go 0.6 km
    
13. Slight 3rd Right onto Lake Rd, go <100m
    
14. Arrive at destination
    

Note 1:
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:
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 Ghat Road, 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 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. Please do not confuse Periyakulam to Kodaikanal route as a Road.

Reverse Route
Kodaikanal to Salem


Detailed Route maps and travel directions:

Salem to Kodaikanal - Yahoo! Maps

Salem to Kodaikanal - Google Maps