Overview
Karnataka is a ravishing haven when it comes to lush green mountains, wildlife, waterfalls, temples, and beaches. The state is home to some of the most enchanting trek trails nestled in the Western Ghats. If the north has the snow-capped Himalayas, the south is blessed with tropical, lush green forests and mountain ranges. India has genres for mountains that every trekker wishes for. Following are must-visit trek trails in Karnataka for an epic adventure and experience of South India.
Kudremukh Trek
Situated in the divine Kurinjaala Betta(ranges), the Kudremukh trek is a gift of nature to Karnataka. The ranges are located in Chikkamagaluru district which is 243 km away from Bengaluru. Starting your journey from Bengaluru, you will need to get off at Kalasa which is the base for this trek. There are local buses which travel till Kalasa. You may need to inform the transport to drop you at the Kudremukh entrance which is not more than 10 km away from Kalasa. The actual trek starts from Mullodi village for which, you can hire a jeep. Since this is a forest-protected area, you may need to take permission to trek to the summit. The trek can be divided into smaller sections which help you enjoy the view and take necessary breaks. After reaching the summit, your eyes will be blessed by a spectacular view of the velvet green valley shawled by white clouds. The trek trails lead you through forests, waterfalls, or even witness wild animals if you are lucky. The best time to visit Kudremukh is post-monsoon Oct-Feb.
💡 Tip – The number of permissions granted per day for trekking in Kudremukh is limited. Kindly reach the forest office early.
Makalidurga Trek
This weekend getaway is located towards the north of Bengaluru city. Makalidurga is a rocky granite hilltop overlooking Gundamagere lake in the valley. Most of the weekend treks near Bengaluru are situated towards the south of the city. Makalidurga is slightly away from the limelight but equally worthwhile to climb. It is 60 kms from Bengaluru and a quaint place with Makalidurga fort ruins and Maruthi temple at its summit. What makes Makalidurga stand out from most of the treks near Bengaluru is that it has a railway station at its base. Hence, accessing this trekking trail is quite easy and convenient. The little railway station is free from commerciality and has a perfect backdrop of Makalidurga hill. The trek difficulty is fairly moderate, not too demanding. This is a perfect spot for a one-day picnic with your friends.
Tadiandamol Trek
Tadiandamol trek is obvious to mention Coorg when it comes to beautiful pristine hills and valleys. Coorg is a hill station in Karnataka already famous for its cool weather and top-quality coffee plantations. With an elevation of more than 5700 ft, this is the tallest mountain peak in the Kodagu district. Kakkabe is the closest village to this trek. The farthest motorized point would be Nalknad palace which is just 4 km away from Kakkabe bridge. The actual trek commences from Nalknad Palace. You will come across forests, waterfalls, streams as soon as you begin trekking. The area falls under Brahmagiri wildlife sanctuary and hence it is a protected forest area. Naturally, you will require permission from the forest officials before starting your trek. As this is a tropical forest area, the area is home to many flora, fauna, insects, and leeches. Kindly carry precautionary sprays, insect repellents, and lotions. Once you reach the summit, you will be wrapped by white mists from all directions. Depending on the weather, you might be lucky enough to behold the stunning valley and enjoy your meal. The trek difficulty is moderate as some of the sections contain steep and slippery trails due to the rainfall. It is recommended to travel with a group if you are a newbie. The best time to visit Tadiandamol is late monsoons and post monsoons.
💡 Tip – Most of the forest-protected areas do not allow trekkers past 2 pm. Kindly start your return journey accordingly to avoid trekking in the dark.
Mullayanagiri Trek
This is the highest peak among all peaks in Karnataka. Located in the Chikmagalur district, Mullayanagiri is conveniently accessible by road. There are stairs installed till the summit and vehicles are parked at a certain distance. Unlike any trek, this is an open trek trail on which stairs are installed on a ridge. The stairs can be tiresome to climb for nontrekkers whereas it is spoon-feeding for experienced trekkers. The best time to visit this highest peak is during the monsoon. Also, keep in mind the crowd gathered here often leads to tricky situations to park your vehicle. There are maggie, coffee, and chai stalls for the visitors in the region.
Kodachadri Trek
Kodachadri is one of a kind as it offers a unique view of the sea at the horizon from a mountain summit. It is located on the premises of Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary in Shimoga district. The trek starts from multiple alternatives, the common one is through Hidlumane Falls. This is an all-season trek which makes it more amiable for trekkers. If you want a glimpse of thick green forests, meadows, streams, mighty waterfalls, post-monsoon is the best time to visit, Also, Read delta airlines reservation phone number.
Some other famous treks in Karnataka are:
- Gokarna Trek: This is a beach trek which is seldom in our country
- Kumara Parvartha: They are also called Pushpagiri mountains which is the most difficult trek in Karnataka
- Kunti Betta
- Uttar Betta
- Anthargange
- Skandagiri
