Kudremuka Peak, It’s 2nd highest peak in Karnataka along the Sahyadri hills region of Karnataka.
This Kudremuka forest region a place for endangered birds, animals species with lush green enchanting beauty of valleys.
Kudremukha means in Kannada a horse-face as the mountain resembles like a horse face, discovered by a British person during British India reign with the help of locals.
The Kudremuka also called “Samse parvatha” by Locals since it was near to Samse Village. It was my long-cherished dream to trek this peak when I was at school and heard a lot of stories about this place.
Trekking details:
- Trekking distance: 9 Km’s (One side)
- Peak Height: 1892 Mtr (1.892 KM)
- Trekking duration: 5 hours (One side)
- Bets time to Visit: October to December
- Permission: Required from Forest dept of Karnataka (Pass will be an issue at Mullodi)
- Trekking fees: INR275* (In 2017)
- Camping Not allowed in peak but the caping allowed at base point-Mullodi
From Balegallu you’ve to hire a Jeep to reach the base point-Mullodi House usually, they will take Rs 500 on one side and i’ll later share you all the details.
As I trekked this peak more than 4 times, usually I’ll prefer to stay at Raje Gowda house. Mr. Rajegowda, as already said he is a local resident & providing Homestay service to the trekkers from past 10 years.
His house situated just beside the Somavathi falls and one interesting thing that the people of South Canara -Belthangady(Particularly Navooru village) they visit this place by trekking from South side of Kudremuka peak hills & they will take the Holy bath during Ellamavasya/Somavathi Amavasya.
In olden days, the Dakshina Kannada people coming here by this uphill trail route with a bunch of coconuts to exchange the pepper grown which is abundantly growing in this region.
Even Mr. Raje Gowda recollected his childhood days, he had a pilgrimage to Dharmasthala by foot to the downhill towards Dakshina Kannada district via Didupe-Navooru Village.
The altitude of this peak is 1892 Mtr from sea level, during winter season the grassland turns to a golden brownish color.
While trekking towards Peak you will encounter two houses of LOBO brothers.
From locals, I got information that –
“This land granted by Britishers to LOBO brothers for Agricultural activities along with to serve Christian missionary in this region”
Even today you can eyewitness that a wrecked Church near to peak, the barren agricultural activities are done but now the grassland covered it and also we traced the cemetery of one of Lobo’s -Mr. Simon Lobo.
Aftermath their descendants moved to South Canara (Mangalore) and this merged to Kudremuka Wildlife sanctuary.
As I trekked Monsoon and in springtime so I covered photos of both, in monsoon you will get a thick fog covering with green valleys with a lot of leeches.
In springtime the shola golden grass valleys in a blue sky, it’s beautiful in its charm.
The freshwater streams gushing in the valleys which is very chilled, sweetened with tonnes of minerals and with medicinal properties .
It will quench your thirst and boost your energy levels. I bet in my life i never had a tasty water like this!!
As already mentioned this region comes under Kudreumuka national park you will find animals, varieties of birds & insects.In my trekking trail, we encountered a Wild deer, Peacock, Guars & Wild boar.
Earlier you can trek this peak from the south side of the peak from Navooru Village(Dakshina Kannada) but now it’s stopped by the Forest department and only permitted to the Navooru village people to take a holy dip in Somavathi falls once in a year with permission.
This gigantic Kudremuka hill ranges acts as a border to the Coastal plain and Malenadu region (Coastal; Dakshina Kannada district; Malenadu: Chickmagalur)
In Malenadu uphill region-The language spoken is Kannada and the downhill The langue spoken is Tulu, how culturally we differed!! In clear sky days, you can able to see the view of Gadayikallu/Jamalabad of Belthangady.
In clear sky days, you can able to see the view of Gadayikallu/Jamalabad of Belthangady.
How to reach:
From Bangalore: Bangalore –Kalasa-Balegallu- Mullodi (Kudremuk base point) uphill
From Mangalore: Mangalore-Bajagoli-Balegallu-Mullodi (Kudremuka base point) Uphill.
Where to Stay?
Trek base point-Mullodi
Raje Gowda Guesthouse:
Amenities: Tents, Hygiene Food, Jeep service, Hot water, Night fire camp.
Contact No +91-9481179008
Best time to Visit: August to November
Tips:
- Consumption of Alcohol/Smoking strictly prohibited in this surrounding area, you are here to enjoy the nature not drinks.
- In Monsoons the leeches expose more in the grassland, please wear suitable trekking shoes and carry lime to apply on the leech bitten area.
- Carry Dry fruits, Dates, Glucose powder for quick energy booster.
Awesome locale to trek and explore the terrain.