Situated in the Tiruvallur district, around 60 km from Chennai, the Gudiyam Caves beckons you to the relics of Stone Age. These heritage caves manifest more than a trek destination to an archaeological marvel, providing insights into the lives of our Stone Age ancestors. Formed by natural processes, these limestone caves were once bustling sites of human activity, evident from the prehistoric stone tools and cultural artefacts.
Maximum Elevation: 141 MSL(Approx.) Meters
Forest Type: Tropical dry evergreen Forest
Nearby Medical Facility: Katchur primary health center - 12 km
Nearby Bus Stand: Thiruvallur - 22 km
Nearby Airport: Chennai - 70 km
Nearby Railway Station: Thiruvallur - 24 km
Parking Facilities: Yes
The trek was far more than a nature walk—it felt like stepping back in time. Gudiyam Cave, believed to have been inhabited nearly 200,000 years ago by Stone Age humans, stands as one of India’s most remarkable prehistoric sites. Standing inside the cave and picturing how early humans once lived there was truly an awe‑inspiring experience. It’s amazing to discover such a historically rich and significant location just outside Chennai. The trail itself was scenic, refreshing, and well‑suited for both beginners and seasoned trekkers. The team from Trek Tamil Nadu ensured seamless coordination, prioritizing safety while sharing fascinating insights about the cave’s archaeological importance, the local flora and fauna, and even the reptiles found in the region. Their dedication made the entire journey enjoyable and peaceful Overall, it was a beautiful blend of history, nature, and adventure. I would highly recommend this trek to anyone seeking a unique and enriching experience near Chennai. A big thank you to Trek Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, and the TN Government for showcasing such hidden treasures to the public!
A very nice and calm trek with not a lot of steep climbing required. Definitely a trek for all the ages if you have the heart for it. The guides knew the trail in and out and educated us along the way. It was my first solo trek and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It was really a fantastic trek where the park has been very well maintained with a friendly staff. The overall experience was really good, especially our guide Mr Kanniappan, who was so cordial and explained details well, especially the various plants that he spoke about. Enjoyed every bit, especially the stretch with shrubs covering the entire path.
This is my First Trek with Trek Tamilnadu and it was handled wonderfully, The Reception was Good, after the formalities, we were informed about the Trek, there are two guides came with us and explained the nature of the forest and the trees. The weather was good, drizzled half the time, Since it was rained few days back there was a small waterfalls near Cave-1. totally around 10-11 km and its easy trek, we can call it as trail walk. there are kids came with us and they handled easily very suitable for one day outing from Chennai
The guide here was very informative he showed us baby snakes and scorpions too and identified all the important trees in the forest he was very well behaved and humble the Trail is also very nice and not very tiring as its short one the path is mostly flat with little to no inclination.