With the promise of a picturesque view of a mountain in the shape of a horse face, Kudremukh is famous for its biodiversity and scenic beauty.
A popular hill station among the Bengaluru crowd, Kudremukh is actually a hill range in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. With its rolling meadows, grasslands and dense forests, this place is a bio-diversity hotspot. Kudremukh is an enchanting place to visit, still retaining much of its natural beauty despite persistent threats from various sources to its ecology. At an altitude of 1,894 m above sea level, the Kudremukh Peak is a paradise for trekkers and naturists alike, with its mountainous paths and floral and faunal diversity.
PLACES TO VISIT
Kudremukh Peak trek
At an altitude of 1,894 m above sea level, the Kudremukh Peak is a paradise for trekkers and naturists alike, with its mountainous paths and floral and faunal diversity.
The scene from the peak is breathtaking with the view of the skies and clouds over the Arabian Sea. One of the unique characteristics of this trek is the myriad landscapes that it offers en route, ranging from tall bamboo shrubs and shola forests to gushing streams and rolling hills. The peak is located in the Kudremukh National Park which is rich in flora and fauna.
Kudremukh National Park
Located in the midst of mountains, Kudremukh National Park is popular for its scenic beauty. Designated the status of a national park in the year 1987, the 600 sq km area is one of the most well preserved national parks in the state. The Kudremukh National Park is jewelled with natural beauty, high rising peaks studded with a plethora of flora and fauna to picturesque trekking routes overseeing verdant grasslands, there is much to experience here! The wildlife protected area is the second largest belonging to a tropical wet evergreen forest in the zone of the Western Ghats.
Hanuman Gundi Falls
Gushing down from a height of more than 100 feet onto natural rocks, this calm and serene site is an attraction for those looking for a laidback day amongst nature’s beauty.
Trekking in Kudremukh
Kudremukh, with its diverse landscapes, provides a wide variety of trekking trails. You have to obtain permission from the forest department for trekking here, but it is well worth the trouble.
Kalasa
Kalasa, also known as the temple town, is located in Chikmagalur district in Karnataka. The beautiful city lies on the banks of the river Bhadra. The reasons behind the birth of the place are both mythological and etymological. It is surrounded by rainforest and is a perfect place for a nature getaway. Being largely an agricultural economy, this place depends on the river Bhadra to fulfil its water needs. It plays fair with its name as Kalasa’s soil is blessed with great fertility which produces the best coffee and other herbs. Also, Kalasa is renowned for a shrine of Goddess Bhagavathi and a Varaha within a cave.
Gangamoola
Also known as the Varaha Parvatha, this mountain is at a height of 1,458m above sea level. The source of the rivers Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravati lies here.
The main attractions here are the temple of Goddess Bhagavathi and a cave with a six feet tall image of Varaha. This area is mineral rich with magnetite-quartzite deposits. It is also a hotspot with more than 107 species of birds.
Janta Market
The Janta Market of Kudremukh is the prime shopping center of the small albeit picturesque town, and one can find items of basic utility and small souvenirs there. It was earlier known as Bhadra Market
Lakya Dam
Built across Lakya, a tributary of river Bhadra, it has a height of 100 m. It was built as a dam of silt by the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company to collect wastes from their mining operations.
The scenic beauty of this area with the hilly terrains and undulating rivers makes it a good place for sightseeing for the tourists.
Kadambi Falls
Kadambi waterfalls is a picturesque natural attraction located in Kudremukh National Park, Karnataka. The height of the waterfall is about 30 feet. This majestic waterfall draws tourists in big numbers with its sheer beauty. It is truly a stunning sight to behold, nestled among abounding greenery. Tourists get to experience a calm closeness to nature in the Western Ghats, especially in the Kudremukh range. Since the Kadambi waterfalls are located close to the main road, they can also be spotted from a nearby bridge.
BEST TIME TO VISIT KUDREMUKH
The best thing about the town is that it enjoys a delightful climate all around the year. However, October to May is an ideal time to visit Kudremukh.
HOW TO REACH
By air: The nearest airport to Kudremukh is Mangalore airport, which is situated 93 km away. Mangalore airport is connected with the major cities of the country. From Mangalore, you can take a private taxi or bus to Kudremukh
By road: Kudremukh is well-connected by road with the nearby cities like Mangalore, Bengaluru, Chennai and Chikmagalur. You can take KSRTC buses from various cities to Kudremukh.
By train: Kudremukh does not have its own railway station. The nearest railway station is Mangalore station, which is situated at a distance of 113 km. From Mangalore railway station, a number of taxis and buses are available for Kudremukh.
