Mountain Hike, Chikmagalur

Chikamagalur is a scenic town nestled in the hills of the magnificent Western Ghats. The mesmerizing scenery surrounding this quaint, little town and it's easy-to-traverse topography come together to provide several opportunities for hikes and treks to the visitors. You can choose to pack your bags and head out for a day-long trek or a weekend-long camping experience, Chikamagaluru offers both. 

The network of hiking trails around Chikmagalur is an impressive one! You will have scores of treks, going through forests, forts, waterfalls and streams to choose from. You can go on the Mallayanagiri trek and soak in the incomparable natural beauty of pristine forests filled with animal sounds and scenes of the jungle!

Alternatively, you can hike up to gushing waterfalls and take some amazing pictures when on the Kudremukh Trek. Chikamagluru has a diverse landscape and a rich culture and therefore offers treks where you can experience everything from ancient places of worship, wildlife sanctuaries, and cultivated grasslands, like the Agumbe Ghat trek.

Perched at a height of approx. 1,500 metres above sea level, the Z point is the most popular viewpoint in the Kemmangundi region. Situated at a distance of 60 kilometres from the town of Chikmagalur, it is easy to reach and the trek offers some of the best vistas in the region.

The trek itself is considered a little hard and requires some level of physical fitness. During your hike, you can stopover at the waterfalls, like the Hebbe falls, pitch a tent and spend time exploring the tea plantations. The lush greenery also offers great opportunities for photography. 

Location: Z Point, Karnataka 577129

Timings: Open all-day

Price: Free entrance

A two-hour drive away from the town of Chikmagalur, covering 60 kilometers in total, will take you to the starting point of the Kemmangundi trek. The trek weaves through the biologically rich landscape of the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, offering you several opportunities to stop for bird watching and animal sighting.

The path is also dotted with several small streams and waterfalls which make for a pleasant break. You can choose a trail that covers Hebbe falls or Shanthi Falls and/or the KR hills to reach the Kemmangundi viewpoint. The lush green landscape, pleasant weather, and unspoiled scenery make for a memorable trek through the wilderness. 

Location: Kemmangundi, Karnataka 577129

Timings: Open all-day

Price: Free 

You can choose to trek to the highest peak of Karnataka, the Mullayanagiri Peak, when in Chikamagalur. A trail, known by the name of 'Sapadhari Trail’, can be taken to reach the Manikyadhara waterfalls from the Baba Budangiri Hills. The 12-kilometer long trek will take you through some of the most magnificent scenery that the region has to offer.

You can reach the starting point on your own vehicle or take public transport to begin the trek early in the morning. The rolling, green hills set against the blue sky make it a photographer's heaven. You can end the trek in the evening and choose to camp at Baba Budangiri. 

Location: Mullayanagiri Peak, Karnataka 577130

Timings: Open all-day

Price: Rs.350 per person (forest department fees)

If you are an experienced hiker and are looking for a bit of a challenge, then Kumara Parvatha Trek will offer both adrenaline-pumping topography and spell-binding views. It is considered one of the toughest and most beautiful hikes in entire south India and stretches for a total hiking distance of 16 kilometers.

You can begin the trek at Subramanya and end it at the summit of Kumara Parvatha. If you plan to break your trek and pitch a camp, you can do so at two different points in the trek; at or around the Mantapa or around the Forest Department Checkpoint. Camping in the wild will offer you many opportunities to observe the wild animals in their natural habitat. 

Location: Pushpagiri, Karnataka 571236

Timings: Open all-day

Price: Rs.350 per person (forest department fees)

The Kudremukh Trek takes you 100 kilometres away from the town of Chikmagalur in Karnataka. It is a well-known trek which weaves its way through the Kudremukh National Park. The stunning scenery of the towering western ghats as you make your way up to the summit of Karnataka's third-highest peak, make it a must-do trail.

Since the trek has a daily cap of only 50 persons per day, it is advisable to reach the base camp and get yourself registered on time. The trek stretches over a 9-kilometre stretch which takes you through forests, grasslands and several waterfalls. The trek takes around 4 to 5 hours, depending on your speed and camping is not allowed anywhere on the trail.

Location: Kudurekuha Jamly, Karnataka

Timings: Daily; 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Price: Rs. 475 per person

Agumbe Ghat or Narasimha Parvatha Trek is one of the most popular treks in South India and starts at a point known as Kigga, situated 90 kilometers away from the Chikamagalur town center. The trail passes through some of the densest patches of jungles where wild animals roam around without inhibitions, making it a favourite amongst thrill-seekers.

The trail passes through 2 kilometers of dense forest which takes about two and a half hours to cover. After the forest, the trail opens up to three kilometers of grassy plains which take another three kilometers to cover. Another trail that starts from Malandur and passes through Agumbe takes around 9 hours and covers about 13 kilometers. 

Location: Narasimha Parvatha, Karnataka 576112

Timings: Open all-day

Price: Free