The Most Beautiful Trek Of India: Kudremukh Trek

Overview

The Kudremukh Trek offers a thrilling trip amidst the lush foliage and clean scenery of the mesmerizing Western Ghats of Karnataka. Kudremukh, which means "horse face" in Kannada, soars to a lofty height of 1,894 meters. Its name derives from the fact that it resembles a horse's face so strikingly. 

With spectacular panoramic vistas at every turn, this hiking trip takes you through a varied landscape of thick forests, flowing streams, and rolling hills. A paradise for both nature lovers and animal lovers, as you travel over the rough trails, you'll come across a rich biodiversity, featuring a variety of flora and species. Join the Kudremukh Trek for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure into the beauty of nature.

Steps Towards The Trek

Step 1:

To obtain the permission, get to the forest office as soon as possible. The hike begins from here. Before you enter the forest route, you can hear the sound of the water flowing at the Somawathi Falls, and it follows you for a while. Observe how the flora becomes more dense as you enter the Shola forest. If you're lucky, you might be able to see some wildlife here. Earthworms and leeches abound in this forest. 

You finally get to cross a brook after a moderate elevation. There will be a lot of water if you go on a trek during the monsoon. Carry a trekking pole and wear appropriate footwear for hiking. You can cross the stream with the assistance of these two. Before hiking apply either Dettol or Savlon in order to prevent leeches. If you find any, just leave it alone and take it out after you get to the grassland or the summit. In a day, just 50 people will be granted permission. Be sure to get to the forest office as soon as you can.

Before you arrive at the first Ontimara, you pass by numerous minor streams and waterfalls. The Ontimara is waiting for you with space underneath as soon as you leave the wooded area. The Kudremukh valley is on your right and a mountain is on your left as you travel along the level trail from Ontimara. You will be walking over grassland with sporadic stands of tall trees. You get to the second Ontimara after an hour and a half of hiking. It will take two hours to travel from the forest office to the second Ontimara's distinguishing mark site.

Step 2:

As you reach the final portion of your walk, the trek from the second Ontimara alternates between trekking across a gradual incline and a difficult ascent. You can see the lovely, gently sloping green hills in this section, which is really attractive. The terrain gradually becomes steeper after 20 minutes from the first stop. 

The Kudremukh valley becomes more obvious as you begin to ascend. The trek's most picturesque section is here. The thrill builds as you approach the summit, Kudremukh Peak, which is directly in front of you. Here, the hiking pole is useful. It will provide you with the assistance needed to climb the mountain.

Step 3:

If you start your trip at 8 a.m., you should arrive at this location around 12 p.m. Drink some water and then take a break. Take in the view, you may see the Kudremukh view's back. Currently, you are trekking in the Kudremukh valley's interior. The path leading to the Peak is seen. To get to the peak, it will take another 35 minutes of climbing. You'll see a board and a lot of stones stacked up at the peak. 

Right now, you are standing atop the Kudremukh. You must descend a little to the ledge to get the greatest view. Make a place for sitting. It can be pretty windy here. If you're lucky, you can see the 270-degree vista of the crooked green carpets. You will typically be enveloped in clouds and mist at the peak. You hardly ever have a window to take in the scenery. Be patient and take in the cloud show. If you're lucky, the breathtaking vista will make the effort worthwhile. 

The calmness in the area fills you with satisfaction. Remember to eat lunch there as well. At all costs, your return time should be at 1 p.m. Regardless of where you are in your walk, start your descent precisely at 1 o'clock. To drop-down, you'll need a minimum of three hours. Additionally, limits apply to the Forest department after 6 p.m. The steep stretches of the descent might be challenging. If it is really raining, the forest part may potentially be treacherous. Make sure you know how to properly use the trekking pole. To learn how to use the trekking pole, view this video.