Vathalmalai is a hill station in Dharmapuri. It is situated at an altitude of 1,418 m (4,652 ft) height above sea level. It is located 25 km (16 miles) from Dharmapuri city and 65km from Salem. The road has 26 hairpin bends to reach hilltop. It covers an area measuring nearly 225 km2 (87 sq miles).
The climate of the Vathalmalai Hills has a moderate humid subtropical climate. Winters are fairly mild, beginning in December and ending in February. During winter, the hills are covered in mist. Winters range from 7–18 °C (45–64 °F), and summers from 15–28 °C (59–82 °F). Rainfall is 1,500–2,000 mm (59–79 in).
Time to visit Vathalmalai: March to June. (After Winter)
Coffee bushes blossom in April. The climate is also particularly pleasant. Most of the native flora and fauna of Vathalmalai have disappeared due to severe habitat fragmentation resulting from the creation of the plantations.
It is a protected area known for several threatened and endemic species. It includes Nilgiri tahr (Ibex), the Grizzled Giant Squirrel, the Nilgiri Wood-pigeon, the Gaur, wild pig, the Nilgiri langur, the Sambar deer and the Neelakurinji (that blossoms only once every seven years).
You can reach Vathalmalai only through road. It is 25km from away from Dharmapuri approximate 30mins from the main city. Cab facility available from Dharmapuri bus stand.
Its nice place for a bike ride. It’s also a nice place for tracking. If you want to enjoy the climate its nice but and you don’t find many places expect small falls.