Kudremukh trek begins at the Forest Department checkpoint near Mullodi village. The unusual shape of the mountain inspired this name. This was once called Samseparvath because it was accessible from Samse village.
Kudremukh is situated in the Chikkamagaluru district, in the center of the Western Ghats. It is included in the second largest wildlife-protected region in the western Ghats, Kudremukh National Park.
Situated at an elevation of 6,207 feet, it ranks third in height among the peaks of Karnataka, following Baba Budangiri and Mullayyangiri.
Kudremukh is home to a wide variety of animals and plants. While trekking, you may even see deer and peacocks, among other species!
It’s a lovely walk over rolling green hills and misty valleys. You pass through grasslands, woodlands, and countless little streams.
Things to expect on the trek
- Kudremukh is a natural phenomenon. It’s difficult to find such a beautiful landscape anywhere else in the country.
- It is a difficult walk because trekkers must hike up 10 kilometers on an uphill terrain and then return the same distance before it gets dark.
- To reach Kudremukh, hikers must cross at least three streams. Prepare to take off your trekking shoes when you cross them.
- There are numerous waterfalls in the vicinity. After a long hike, one can cool off in one of these the next day.
- It is heavily regulated by the forest department in order to conserve its pure natural habitat because it is part of a protected wildlife sanctuary. So much so that it only allows 50 trekkers per day. More demand and fewer supplies make it even more valuable.
- The hiker’s homestays at Kudremukh base provide very modest facilities. In terms of facilities, unlike other areas (Coorg Tadiandamol, Kodachadri), you cannot get what you desire here. It is possible that you will not be granted permission to trek on your first attempt. So it’s best to set aside a day to give it another shot.
- Those who are unable to obtain a number for Kudremukha can opt for the Kurinjal peak trip, which is organized by the forest department. Kurinjal is also part of the Kudremukh National Park.
The Trek experience
The action begins on the outskirts of Mullodi village at the Forest Department checkpoint. You must arrive at work early in the morning. A hearty local breakfast and freshly ground coffee would have already been given at the trekkers’ accommodation. They would have handed you a lunch packet, preferably a waterproof one, to place inside your tiny backpack. The homestay’s proximity to the checkpoint will undoubtedly help you beat the crowds to the front of the line.
There will be no stopping us once we have our approval. The height of Kudremukh is more than 10 kilometers from the base. The walk begins with the lush foliage of the Shola forest, which is common in the western ghats. The forest is followed by an area of knee-height meadows. This pattern will be repeated several times over the next 3 kilometers until we reach a particular altitude. Along the way, we’ll cross three river streams. The rocks are slick, so we should take off our shoes before attempting to cross them. Because leeches flourish in moist environments, expect an army of them on either side of the stream. If you embark on a Kudremukh monsoon trek, expect it to be wild and rainy. We’ll arrive at Ontimara, which translates to “lonely tree” after crisscrossing numerous iterations of forest and grassland. Close to here, we can see the “horse face” of Kudremukh Peak. The trail flattens out and leads us to the ruins of “Lobo house.” One could wonder how a family used to survive here when there was no power.
From here, we must continue a gently ascending road that climbs uphill after the hill, which appears to be huge steps constructed by nature. The intriguing thing about the Kudremukh walk is that once we reach the top of a hill, we can look back and have a clear picture of the peak we just climbed. It is made possible via a linear and sloped trail. This pattern is carried out multiple times. After a time, we come upon a beautiful setting of stacks of hills carpeted in rich green grass that has been put together.
With such a crisp image, there is a decent chance of spotting some wildlife if you are vigilant enough to notice it. A succession of zig-zag trails will lead us to the penultimate hill, where we will have one more look at Kudremukh Mountain. From here, a 20-minute tough climb will take us directly to the top of the horse face. On a clear day, we will have a nearly 360-degree panorama because Kudremukh is the tallest peak in the Himalayan range.
Conclusion
Overall, Kudremukh is without a doubt the most well-known trek in South India. Its distinctive landscape draws trekkers from all around the country. It boasts some of the most gorgeous rolling meadows you’ll ever see on any walk. Due to its position, which attracts torrential rainfall, the Kudremukh sanctuary has a lush evergreen forest area.
