The Kudremukh trek, which goes under the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka, is one of the most exciting treks of this area.
The Kudremukh Peak trek has it all. As you walk up the trail, absorb the beauty of the Western Ghats, rolling green hills, clouds kissing the mountains, forest trails, bamboo shrubs, and a dozen waterfalls. You get the picturesque view from the top. And the cold wind will blow you out of your mind and will make you numb for a few minutes, before you recover your consciousness and experience the enchanting magic of the place.
Here is a must to do things in Kudremukh that will make your trip a cherished memory.
Start hiking early to make the maximum of this trip.
Waking up early may not be easy. Since some of the aspects of the trek include hiking under the open sky, the best way to escape from the harsh afternoon sun is to start early.
It also gives you plenty of time to cover the trek peacefully while experiencing the abundance of beauty around you.
So, if you want to get the most out of this journey, you should better start early and discover all that the trail throws with peace on your way.
Prepare yourself for adventurous sections
Kudremukh trek holds mild difficulty. You must note down a few things to bear in mind while trekking.
- The forest area can be slippery while trekking. You must ensure that you are wearing a good pair of trekking shoes and a stick for trekking.
- A challenging part is crossing the small streams in the forest. The mossy rocks can be slippery in the water.
- There is a steep climb of 3 km on the trail from the second Ontimara to the final stretch.
Enjoy the magnificent view from the top
Some of the top attractions of this trek are coffee fields, tropical green forests, meadows, and water streams that one can pass through before reaching the highest point. The Kudremukh’s top has a strange structure that looks like a horse’s face from the foot. This structure, after an hour of hiking, is visible from the forest office. This looks closer, but there are 3 more hours of trekking to reach that point. Once at the top, you can see picturesque landscapes and breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea.
Trek within the Forest of Shola
In the western ghats, Shola is a local name for grassland and shrublands that are visible. To hit Kudremukh hill, you have to trek through the shola forest.
Wildlife such as deer, lion-tailed macaque, Malabar giant squirrel, leopard, common langur and many more are home to this woodland. If you’re lucky enough, while trekking, you’ll find them. For each phase in this segment, you will find leeches during the monsoon season.
The waterfalls and little streams are one of the interesting sections of this trek. On the way to the top, you have to cross several streams. Often, when crossing, you have to wet your shoes.
Rejuvenate amidst the spectacular view of the hills rolling
You see a beautiful view of the rolling hills around you as you come out of the shola forest. For the eyes, green hills and misty valleys are the rewards. During the monsoon, this region may be completely covered with mist. But there’s something you shouldn’t miss out on that is hiding and seeking the valley between those clouds and mist.
Must visit Kudremukh National Park
It’s situated in the Ghats of the West. This National Park occupies an area of 600 square meters. Since this national park is a natural habitat of many species such as Sambhar, Spotted Deer, Giant Flying Squirrel, Mongoose, Common Langur, it was declared as a wildlife protected area in 1987. You will also spot endangered species such as lions, leopards, and wild dogs here. More than 175 bird species, including the Malabar Whistling Thrush, the Imperial Pigeon, and the Malabar Trogon, are available.
Visit some splendid nearby places
Horanadu Temple
It is located in the corner of the district of Chikkamagaluru. It is famous for its temple on the banks of the Bhadra River.
Lakya Dam Lake:
This dam has been constructed across the Lakya River, a tributary of the Bhadra River. This dam is within the national park of Kudremukh. The distance from the entrance to Kudremukh is 13 km.
Kadambi Falls:
One of the key attractions for visitors who want to experience the greenery of the Western Ghats is this fall. It’s close to the highway and 22 km from the entrance to Kudremukh.
Falls at Hanuman Gundi
Fifteen kilometers away from Kudremukh is the waterfall. It is situated between Lakya Dam and Karkala’s hilly area. It is also known as Sutanabbe Falls as it falls on natural rocks from a height of 100 feet and thus provides you a magnificent view.
