Popular and named after a mountainside that resembles a horse’s face, Kudremukh is famous for its biodiversity and scenic beauty. A popular hill-station among the Bangalore crowd, Kudremukh is actually a hill range in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. Kudremukh Peak is a paradise for trekkers and naturists alike, with its mountainous paths and floral and faunal diversity.
With its rolling meadows, grasslands and dense forests, this place is a biodiversity hotspot. Kudremukh is an enchanting place to visit, still retaining much of its natural beauty despite persistent threats from various sources to its ecology. Varaha Parvatha, another mountain range nearby at a height of 1458m above sea level is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kudremukh Peak Trek
At an altitude of 1894 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 along with its beauty of the Western Ghats and the surreal landscapes also offers various treks on the lush green hills of Western Ghats. The most famous and scenic trek of Kudremukh is the trek to Kudremukh peak. The trek takes you through the wildlife sanctuary of Kudremukh which is a habitat for tigers, leopards, wild dogs, deer among other species of fauna.
The trek begins from the small hamlet of Mullodi. The short distance of 9 km (one way) takes you at an altitude of 1,894 km above the sea level offering some of the most breathtaking views of the Western Ghats. From the beauty of the Western Ghats, various streams, and waterfalls and the aromatic coffee plantations you get to see all at one place. The most important attraction along with the Kudremukh peak is the Hanuman Gundi Falls, which falls on your way uphill to the highest peak. Located amidst the hilly terrain of Western Ghats, Hanuman Gundi falls is a beautiful water cascade of Kudremukh.
Kudremukh National Park
Located amidst mountains, Kudremukh National Park is popular for its scenic beauty. Designated the status of a national park in the year 1987, the 600-kilometre square 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.
The area gains its name from the native language. Kudremukha translates to horse-face, referring to the highest mountain peak in the park which resembles the face of a horse from a particular side. It rises to a height of 1,894 meters (6,214 feet) and is the second highest peak in Karnataka. The area is the habitat of many endangered and endemic species of plants and animals, with mammals such as tigers, leopards and wild dogs as the primary predators of the region.
Primarily developed as an important iron-ore mining town, conservationists successfully campaigned against the adverse mining effects on the environment. Kudremukh and its lush green surroundings are a nature and wildlife lover’s paradise, serving you the best of Western Ghats in great detail.
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.
Kalasa
Kalasa, also known as the temple town is located in Chikkamagaluru district in Karnataka. The beautiful city lies on the banks of the Bhadra River. 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 for water. 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.
Kalasa is home to Sri Kalaseshwara Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is also known as a temple town in Karnataka showcasing the architectural heritage of Southern India comprising of a variety of styles as well as design philosophies representing the rich culture of the land. Pilgrims from all over the region come down to the temple town to offer their prayers. Though it is considered as a pilgrimage spot, today it is also recognised as a tourist place. As it lies in the heart of Western Ghats, it enjoys a relatively pleasant climate throughout the year except for summers.
Gangamoola
Also known as the Varaha Parvatha, this mountain at a height of 1458m above sea level is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The source of the Rivers Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravati lie here.
The main attractions here are the temple of Goddess Bhagavathi and a cave with a 6 feet tall image of Varaha. This are is mineral rich with magnetite-quartzite deposits. It is also a hotspot with more than 107 species of birds.
Source: Holidify