Kudremukh trek Best time to visit

Introduction

Hiking is enjoyable, especially if you are traveling through the untamed forests of the Western Ghats, going on a protracted hike with like-minded individuals, and forgetting about the monotony of city life. You will be persuaded to leave the comfort of your house and set out on a monsoon trek to Kudremukh, the Himalayas of the South, by rolling green hills spread out in a mosaic of expansive meadows, cloud-kissed slopes, forest pathways, bamboo shrubs, and a few cascades. Chikkamagaluru district's Kudremukh trek is tucked away in the middle of the western ghats. It is a part of the second-largest ecologically conserved area in the western ghats, Kudremukh National Park.

Location

At a height of 1894m above mean sea level and falling inside the Chikmagalur District of Karnataka, Kudremukh is the third-highest mountain after Mullayanagiri and Bababudangiri. Kudremukh Peak, whose name in Kannada means "horse-face," offers a few of the most breathtaking views in the Western Ghats. Among the longest treks in Karnataka is the one up Kudremukh Peak, which is about 10 kilometers long one way. Many plants and animals can be found at Kudremukh. During walking, you can even see deer and peacocks along the path in addition to other animals! It is a lovely hike through the misty valleys and rolling green hills.You pass through woodlands, fields, and a number of little waterways.

Best time to visit

Kudremukh is best performed between June and February. The weather in the Kalasa region, on the other hand, is nice all year. Many little streams, shady shola forests, bamboo bushes that reach the sky, and gently sloping green hills can all be seen during the monsoon and winter months. The trail has sections where you can walk outside beneath the stars.. Trekking is therefore not advised throughout the summer.

Things to Be Watchful of in Kudremukh

The peak's horse-face structure

When observed from the sides, the Kudremukh peak has a remarkable feature that mimics a horse's face. This peak is seen after an hour of trekking from the forest headquarters. The summit appears to be accessible and much closer from here, but you'll still have a lengthy hike ahead of you.

Picture of the Rolling Green hills in All Its Majesty

When you exit from the shola woods, you're met with stunning vistas of the neighboring hills. The verdant, foggy lowlands and hillsides are breathtaking. During the rains, this area may be encased in fog. Yet you shouldn't miss out on the valley's game of hide and seek in the mist and clouds.

A hike through the Shola forest

For grasslands and shrublands that may be seen in the western ghats, the term "shola" is used locally. To get to the Kudremukh summit, you must hike through the Shola jungle.You might glimpse them while trekking if you're lucky. During the monsoon season, each step in this segment can be found with leeches. The area's little creeks and cascades are one of its most appealing characteristics. On the route to the peak, you have to traverse a lot of streams. While crossing, you might occasionally have to soak your shoes.

About the Trek

On the fringes of Mullodi village, at the Forest department checkpoint, is where the action starts. A tasty local breakfast and freshly ground coffee would have already been provided by the devoted trekkers' accommodation. They would have provided you a lunch packet, preferably a waterproof one, which is concealed within your tiny backpack. Due to the homestay's close proximity to the checkpoint, you may easily avoid waiting in line with others. 

Almost 10 km separate the base from Kudremukh Peak. The walk begins in the lush Shola forest, which is typical of the western ghats. After the trees, there is typically a knee-high area of grassland. During the next three kilometers, until we reach a particular altitude, this pattern will repeatedly recur. On your journey, you will pass a few creeks. It is best to take off your shoes while crossing the rocks because they are slick. The amazing thing about the Kudremukh journey is that as you reach the top of a hill, you can reflect back and see the hill clearly. The serenity of the Kudremukh National Park will add to the allure of this breathtaking cascade of hills.

Conclusion

To make it back to base camp on time, it is best to depart the peak at least two hours before sunset. The same trail is used for the descent. One shouldn't put off the climb back down because it takes roughly 3–4 hours to reach base camp and it gets dark by 5.30 pm when it starts to rain in the afternoon. Any travel enthusiast and adrenaline junkie should go trekking in Kudremukh. You can choose to travel with a group or on your own, but you should at least attempt this walk once in your life to step outside of your comfort bubble and soak in the breathtaking scenery.