Five lovely Treks in Karnataka!

The rains have stopped and mountains are green. The waterfalls are still lovely. This is the time to walk up the mountains. To Walk in the woods. To breathe fresh air and be on top of the world!

The state of Karnataka is blessed with spectacular mountain ranges. Western Ghats - a UNESCO Heritage site and Biodiversity hotspot - with its rolling mountains and virgin forests provide ample trekking opportunities to adventure freaks.The following is the list of our favourites in the state. Go there now when the landscape is still green and leeches have gone home!

These are the five lovely treks you should do before the next monsoon. Why not also hear first hand account form some trekking freaks as well. Read on.

Kumara Parvatha

KP as its is popularly known, it has been ages since we did this trek. The big daddy of all treks in the state. It is a sheer climb. You will be greeted by outstanding views of Pushpagiri ranges from the summit. 

Beautiful view from KP (Photo courtesy - Mars Adventurers)

Bare Facts

• Distance from Bangalore - 280 Kms
• Difficulty - Moderate to Difficult
• Distance - 13 Kms (One side)
• Height - 1712 Mts
• Time to trek - 8 - 10 hours (One side)
• Camping site - Near Kallu Mantapa, The forest after Shesha Parvatha, Kumara Parvatha peak
• Best time to trek - Oct to Feb
• Permission - Required, should be taken at forest office
• Trekking fees - Trekking fee - Rs 75, Camera fee - Rs 100, Guide fee - Rs 100
• Beware of - Snakes and Leeches in post monsoon
• Contact Number - Battaramane - 9448647947 (For food and Accommodation)

A detailed first hand account of the trek by Shuva in his blog here.

How to Trek Kumara Parvatha

Kodachadri

Known for its lovely sunrise and sun sets, this trek is a sheer joy. Not as tough as KP, Kodachadri nevertheless is a trek you will come back with fond memories. If you want to see the sun rise and sun sets - which you should - then you need to camp for the night. You will not regret getting up early to watch the beautiful skies.

Sunrise @ Kodachadri (Photo Courtesy - Madhav Jois)

Bare facts 

• Distance from Bengaluru (Bangalore) - 394KMS 
• Difficulty - Moderate
• Height - 1343 mts
• Distance - 4 KMS(Approx)
• Time to trek - 4-5 hours(1 day trek)
• Camping site - PWD Guest House
• Best time to trek - Oct to Feb
• Permission - Not required
• Beware of  - Leeches in post monsoon

Let us know more as Sandeep treks Kodachadri......

Trek to Kodachadri

Mullayanagiri

You would have possibly driven up to the highest point in Karnataka. How about walking up now? It is a day trek. Ideally, it should be good to camp on the summit overnight if you want to see spectacular sunrise and sunsets from this place. 

On cloud 9 @ Mullayanagiri! (Photo courtesy - Mahabala Sitalabhavi)

Bare facts

• Distance from Bangalore - 267 Kms
• Trek starting point - Sarpadaari. Sarpadhari is kannada word which means path like a snake, 'sarpa' stands for snake and 'daari' for way. rom Chikmagalur proceed towards Bababudangiri, near Kaimara you have to take left turn (8 kms from Chikmagalur). You will hit Y intersection, Your left side road goes to mullayanagiri peak(direct road till peak ). If you want to trek then just move straight further 500 mts. You will find small arch towards your left. That is called Sarpadhari. This will be your starting point. 
• Difficulty - Easy
• Distance - 9 Kms (One side)
• Peak Height - 1,930 meters (6,330 ft) from sea level.
• Time to trek - 4-5hours (one side)
• Camping site - Not allowed
• Best time to trek - Oct to Feb
• Permission - Required, should be taken forest office
• Trekking fees - Nil

Read on trekking to Mullayanagiri from Kotresh, a passionate trekker.

Kotresh treks to Mullayanagiri

Tadiandamol

The small district of Coorg is known as "Scotland of the east" for its rolling hills. The enchanting valleys and waterfall are all there to see when one treks to Tadiandamol, the tallest peak in Coorg.

Lovely vistas @ Tadiandamol (Photo Courtesy - Vineeth YS)

Bare Facts

• Distance from Bengaluru (Bangalore) - 260 KMs 
• Difficulty - Moderate
• Peak height - 1740 mts
• Trek distance - 4 KMS (one side)
• Time to trek - 6 - 8 hours(1 day trek)
• Camping site - At the foothills of the peak ( a huge rock )
• Best time to trek - Oct to Feb
• Beware of - High Wind at peak

Trekking tale from Santosh.....

Santosh treks Tadiandamol!

Kudremukh

Ever Since mining was banned in Kudremukh ranges, it has become a trekkers paradise. The lush green forests and lovely meadows beackon you. Once you reach the summit it is a sheer joy to savour the vistas of sahyadris.

Awesome Kudremukh (Photo Courtesy - Premnath Thirumalaisamy)

Bare facts

• Distance from Bangalore - 332 Kms
• Trek starting point - Mullodi 6 kms uphill from Balegal(Balegallu), on Kalasa to Kuduremukh Road
• Difficulty - Moderate
• Distance - 9 Kms (One side)
• Peak height - 1892 mts
• Time to trek - 4-5hours (one side)
• Camping site - Not allowed
• Best time to trek - Oct to Feb
• Permission - Required, should be taken forest office
• Trekking fees - Rs 275 per person

Let us hear trekking experience to Kudremukh in the words of Manjunath.....

Trek to Kudremukh

Five peaks to climb this winter. 

Put on your hiking shoes and walk up. 

You will come back refreshed!

You may also be interested in reading the other trekking stories in this blog.

Triund Trek - A heavenly hike in Himalayas!

Dudhsagar Falls - A monsoon trek on Railway track!