The second highest peak in Karnataka is Kudremukh, standing tall at a height of 1894 mts in the Chikkamagalur district. Kudremukh is also one of the biggest national parks in the Malanadu region in the Western Ghats. As the name says in Kannada, Kudremukh means ‘horse face’. This is because one side of the peak resembles the face of a horse.
Kudremukh is a trekker’s paradise and a photographer’s delight. Kudremukh is popular for its diverse and fascinating wildlife, fauna, flora, and trekking trails. Engulfed with thick lush green forest, trails overlooking the misty deep gorges, and cascading waterfalls make Kudremukh trek the most sought with seasoned trekkers.
With a total distance of 22 km, the trek to Kudremukh can fairly be qualified as moderate to difficult for beginners and takes about 5 hours one way. An adventurous trek falls under Kudremukh National Park, hence needs permission and a fee of Rs 600 per person. There are no camping permissions or facilities available at the Kudremukh peak, however, there are several homestays available in the region.
How to reach
Nestled in the picturesque location of Chikkamagalur, Kudremukh is 100 km from the Mangalore international airport. Kudremukh can be reached by train and by road easily.
Best time to visit
Kudremukh being a dense forest area is cooler than the rest of the areas in the state and makes it the best time to visit throughout the year. However, October to March is the best time to visit. One has to be careful during the monsoon as it tends to get slippery.