Yercaud, situated at an altitude of 1515 m, in the Shevaroy Hills, is a quiet little hill station on the Eastern Ghats. While the rest of this region is generally dry, Yercaud presents a welcome contrast with its cool climate. This peaceful hill station nestles among coffee plantations and thickly forested slopes and is an ideal place for trekking and boating.

Before getting into this coffee-plantation hamlet, one has to drive through the textile town of Salem.

Just before the road begins to climb up, there are interesting groups of brightly coloured idols to the left of the road. These guardian deities, found only in Tamil Nadu, are worshipped as protectors of villages and are often known as Aiyanars.

halt at a thatched wayside stall selling 'Fresh Garden Produce': packets of cloves and pepper. Then come the coffee plantations before entering cottage-dotted Yercaud.

One can amble around leisurely, or do a tandem tour of the lake in a pedal boat, or hire a taxi to 'do' the sights. 3 km away is the rocky escarpment overlooking the plains. It is known as Lady's Seat Pyramid Point, 3 km away, has cairns of stones and was once a Stone Age fortress shrine. 7 km from the lake is the Servaroyan Temple with a modern, striped, facade leading to an old cave temple.

Yercaud experiences salubrious climate and is pleasant to be visited any time of the year.