Tirupati Stair Climbing

Hi, I am planning to visit Tirumala next week. I came to know that there are 2 ways to get to the top, one being sreevari metlu and the other one being a route via the road. I plan to start my climb around 4pm. Can someone please let me know the safest route as I and my sister will be travelling. Also, can you recommend us any shoes so that our legs don’t hurt once we get to the top. Thank you