Chennai: This summer, an adventure spot moves closer home for Chennaiites. With Trek Tamil Nadu planning a new trekking route at Vallam reserve forest near Chengalpet, just a two-hour drive from the city, weekend getaways are set to boost.After a seasonal pause since Feb 15 to aid forest regeneration, trekking will resume on April 16, with bookings now open across routes from Gudiyam in Tiruvallur district to Kalikesam in Kanyakumari. The new trekking route is planned as a two-hour trek covering a 4km circuit. People can see porcupines, golden jackals, spotted deer, wild boars, butterflies and other flora and fauna. The trekkers can cover two peaks and stop at two view points. “There will be change in altitude twice. People can easily drive down from Chennai, finish the trek and return the same day,” said a source.Apart from this, Trek Tamil Nadu has sent a proposal to develop nine other routes across the state. But it will be open to public only once the govt gives the nod. Between April last year and Feb, more than 26,000 trekkers explored 40 routes offered by Trek Tamil Nadu. “More than a third of the trekkers were women. Among them, we are seeing many solo women travellers. Our eco-trails are steadily gaining traction among urban explorers. There are many from IT and other corporate sectors too who want to spend time in wilderness,” said an official.The most popular treks were Gudiyam caves and Kodaikanal trek starting from Kumbakarai falls with a camp stay at Vellagavi. “For April and May alone, we have received 150 bookings. We are also seeing good traction for Sethumadai camp. It comes as a package as trekkers can visit Aliyar, Top Slip, Pandavarai, Parambakilam among others places,” the official added.Students are also being taken there for nature camp. “This month we held a three- day camp for forest department’s tribal residential middle school in Top Slip. A total of 21 kids spent time at Sethumadai camp, enjoyed bird watching, star gazing, visited Parambikulam, saw a documentary in the mini theatre and created awareness about environmental issues. They will be made green ambassadors,” he added.
