Chennai: Just an hour’s drive from Chennai’s concrete sprawl, the Guddiyam caves in Tiruvallur district have emerged as Tamil Nadu’s most sought-after trekking destination, according to forest officials. A total of 4,040 trekkers have visited in just eighteen months.The caves are among the top five destinations on the Trek TN website. The appeal lies in a combination of accessibility and its genuine archaeological intrigue — a mix that attracts both young and old. Since its launch in Nov 2024 under the TN Wilderness Experiences Corporation, the trek has been graded ‘easy’, making it an inviting introduction for first-time hikers, says managing director Vismiju Viswanathan.Eight trained guides walk visitors through the caves’ historical significance, transforming what could be a simple hike into a journey through time.One notable feature of the site is the beehives hanging from the upper reaches of the caves. Guides ensure tourists do not disturb these hives, Viswanathan cautions.To keep pace with growing demand, the forest department has set up resting sheds, toilets, and a watchtower at the site, according to district forest authorities. As a safety precaution, tourists are barred from the caves annually between Feb 15 and April 15, coinciding with fire season, a restriction that hasn’t dampened enthusiasm in the slightest.Beyond their appeal as a trekking spot, the caves are a window into the lives of Stone Age people who once inhabited these very structures. The limestone caves are naturally formed and are known to have been sites of bustling human activity in prehistoric times. Archaeologists point to the numerous stone tools and cultural artefacts unearthed from the caves as evidence of sustained human presence there.Yet visitors say the experience isn’t without its gaps. Many feel the lack of a nearby hotel is a drawback, forcing travellers to head to Oothukkottai, some 10km away, for a meal or snack. The forest department, some suggest, could identify the right hotelier to open an outlet close to the caves. “Such a move will surely increase the number of footfalls to this trekking destination,” says Rajasekar, a recent visitor to Guddiyam.
