In the earlier days, there were four major routes to Srisailam through thick forests. Two of these routes were from the right side of Krishna River and the other two from its left side. These routes were known as Sikhareswaram Route, Bheemunikolanu Route, Neeliganga Route, and Jatararevu Route.
Sikhareswaram Route: This route was preferred by the pilgrims coming from costal Andhra. By travelling through this route, the first temple they visit is the temple of Tripuranthakam, which is regarded as the Eastern Gate way to Srisailam. Presently, Tripuranthakam lies in Prakasam district at about 92 KM from Srisailam along the Guntur – Srisailam road. After Tripuranthakam, the pilgrims cover the places of Yerragondapalem, Venkatadripalem, Ganjivaripalli, Duddanala nagaru and Telagarayanicheruvu by travelling on bullock carts. Then they walk to Chintala, which is a small tribal village and then to Sikhareswaram and finally move to Srisailam through a slabbed path way.
Sikhareswaram, which is at a height of about 898 meters (2830 ft.) above the mean sea level, is the highest peak of Srisailam Hills. From the peak of Sikhareswaram one can enjoy the magnificent view of Srisailam temple on one side and the River Krishna on other side.
By using another way, pilgrims can first reach Markapuram and from there they can travel via Tokapalli to reach Dornala, which is a small town at the foot of the Srisailam Hills. From Dornala the pilgrims have to travel though the tribal habitations of Chinthala, Peddarutla, and Chinnarutla to reach Sikhareswaram and then to Srisailam.
Presently, the road from Guntur, Nandyal and Kurnool meet at Dornala and continue up the hill through the ghat road of about 49 KM.
Bheemunikolanu Route: The journey through Bheemunikolanu Route can be started from two places; one from Siddhavatam and the other from Alampuram. Both these locations are regarded as the Gate ways of Srisailam. Siddhavatam in Kadapa District is the southern Gateway and Alampuram in Mahaboobnagar district is the western Gate way. Atmakur is the common junction where the pilgrims reach when they come from Siddhavatam through Nandyal or from Alampuram by crossing the River Tungabhadra. From Atmakur they travel through the plains of small villages of Krishnapuram, Venkatapuram, and Siddhpura, to reach Nagalooty. Nagalooty has a temple complex that dates back to Vijayanagara period. From Nagalooty begins a stepped way, the steps of which were constructed by the Reddy King Anavemareddy during 1326 – 1335 AD.
From Nagalooty the pilgrims travel through Peddacheruvu, a plateau filled with forest, which involves climbing the hill and going down to a deep valley called Bheemuni Kolanu. After this valley, again they climb a hill to reach Kailasadwaram, the Gate way to Srisailam. From Kailasadwaram the pilgrims travel to Srisailam via Hatakeswaram, which is a place of traditional importance, and this final route is comparatively easy to travel.
Neeliganga Route: Neeliganga is a ferry point located at the left side of River Krishna and it is nearer to Srisailam. This route is usually followed by the pilgrims coming from Telangana region. This route starts at Nagarkurnool and passing through Amrabad and Telakapalli reaches Umamaheswaram, which is the northern Gateway of Srisailam, presently located in Mahaboobnagar District. From there the pilgrims travel through the tribal habitations of Appapuram, Bhramaramba Cheruvu, Medimrakula, Sangadigundala and then cross River Krishna on Aregas (Big size baskets) at Neliganga Revu. After crossing the river, they climb up the Chukkalaparvatham hill and walk about 5 km further to reach Srisailam.
Jatararevu Route: Jatara Revu is another ferry point of the Krishna River and the main route of this side. Here again, one has to diverge from Umamaheswaram, the northern gate way of Srisailam. After Umamaheswaram the pilgrims travel through a hill route to reach Mannanuru on the plateau. From there, a path leads to Jatararevu which covers Appapuram, Bhramaramba Cheruvu, Meedimrakula and Akkagavi. Then the pilgrims cross the Jatara Revu and climb up the Chukkalaparvatham hill and reach Srisailam.
One inscription says that Madanayaka, the Velama King, constructed a flight of steps along this route in the 14th century AD.
Presently bus service is available, which passes through Mannanuru and after a 60 km ghat road journey, it crosses the Krishna Rive overbridge at Srisailam Dam and reaches Srisailam.