Early Morning Walks
Chennai, like many other citiies, doesn’t have much of walking space. Here I will list a few spots that are walker’s paradise (yes, it is an exaggeration).
1. The Parks – Dr. Natesan Park in Venkatnarayana Road, Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore, Independence Day Park in Nungambakkam (next to Valluvar Kottam), Panagal Park (yes, there is a park, and some intrepid souls do walk in the early hours of the morning)
2. The Colleges –
Loyola College is an amazing place to go for a walk. Situated in the hear of the city, still far away from the hooting horns.
Anna University too has a nice campus and lot of Guindy and Adyar folks come here for early morning walks.
IIT Madras – the most envied campus in the city. I am not sure whether there are morning walkers here though.
3. Boat Club Road – This is my favorite place for a walk. It is THE posh address in the city. It is that kind of place where there are about 4 houses in each stretch of the road. You can read the names of the leading industrialists in the name boards. Real Estate is astronomically priced here, because there is hardly any body willing to sell. The Boat Club and The Madras Club are situated in this block. Frequented by celebrities and retired beaurocrats :-)
4. Of course the most popular of them all – The Marina Beach. Nothing needs to be said about this here.
Please add on to any other prominent walkers areas in the comments section.
Chenthil,
There is yet another park opposite the RKM grounds / Dee Cee Manor in GN Chetty road.
I guess Anna Nagar Tower vicinity might also have some place for walking.
Because of the heavy influx of walkers / visitors, Loyola College had put some rules for people interested in walking / jogging. I think they asked people to register beforehand and also charged a nominal fee for this. This was the case few years ago, need to check on the current status.
TS and Elliots beach,
TS u need permission from the guys, but once u got tht its a nice place for early morning walks. if u make it early in the morn to the broken bridge its even better.
Second Kaps on Anna Nagar Tower park – the infamous park that arrested 100 odd couples on count of being there without the knowledge of their parents.
hey,
u probably left out a lot of places senthil. but u must add valimiki nagar beach in tiruvanmiyur. it’s a very good place to walk, and u might catch some serial actors too.
IIT issues walker’s pass for 1 year terms. Senior citizens/people with health issues are given preference. Walking is allowed between 5:30 AM-7:30 AM and 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
These passes are issued in the Security office.
Kaps – Yes, I haven’t been to Anna Nagar Tower Park. My inlaws live in Mogappair, Anna Nagar. Loyola has a registration process, but being a LIBA student I didn’t have to go through that.
Vatsan – have been to Theosophical society as part of Scout Camping program. Awesome place it is.
Krithiga – the park is infamous for that incident, but walkers won’t face a problem I guess. Also the number you suggest is exaggerated :-)
Nandhu – there are a lot more places. I invited the readers to add on to it in the comment section.
Murali – thanks for the info.
someone shld do something about the Theosophical Society.
University Union Grounds in Mayor Ramanathan Road A.K.A Spurtank road, Chetpet is a very popular place for early morning walkers in that locality. Infact many people enjoy walking through the tree covered Harrington Road, Chetpet.
That incident happened sometime back – I don’t remember the exact number of people. So I guess I was mistaken. I do exaggerate, but I didn’t when I wrote that comment.