Kudremukh Trek
Kudremukh was one of the treks which my team & I were planning since quite some time. It’s a must do trek in a trekkers list because of its challenging trail & scenic beauty. After numerous discussions & plans, we decided to get to Kudremukh on 3rd week of May, 2012. This time it was Alok, Mohan, Marshall, Subish & Myself who could make it to this trek. Kudremukh is one of the trekker’s paradises in the Western Ghats with its fabulous scenic beauty & Challenging trail.
Kudremukh is a mountain range in Chikkamagaluru district, in Karnataka, India. It is also the name of a small hill station town situated near the mountain, about 48 kilometers from Karkala and about 20 kilometers from Kalasa. The name Kuduremukha (as it is known by the natives) literally means 'horse-face' (in the local language Kannada) and refers to a particular picturesque view of a side of the mountain that resembles the same.
Kudremukh is a mountain range in Chikkamagaluru district, in Karnataka, India. It is also the name of a small hill station town situated near the mountain, about 48 kilometers from Karkala and about 20 kilometers from Kalasa. The name Kuduremukha (as it is known by the natives) literally means 'horse-face' (in the local language Kannada) and refers to a particular picturesque view of a side of the mountain that resembles the same.
·Distance from Bangalore: Bangalore --- 320 Kms ---> Kalasa ----10Kms ----> Samse
·How to get: KSRTC Buses from Majestic and we can either hire a Jeep or take the local bus from Kalasa to Samse.
·Difficulty Level: 3/5
·Distance: 11 Kms (One Way)
·Permission: Needed & the cost is Rs. 275/Head (Satish would take care of it)
·Water Source: There are numerous streams, water is not a problem in Kudremukh
·Best Time: Except Monsoon
·Contact Info: Satish Mullodi: 09481074530/08263249595/08722847688 OR Aruna: 09481578065.
·How to get: KSRTC Buses from Majestic and we can either hire a Jeep or take the local bus from Kalasa to Samse.
·Difficulty Level: 3/5
·Distance: 11 Kms (One Way)
·Permission: Needed & the cost is Rs. 275/Head (Satish would take care of it)
·Water Source: There are numerous streams, water is not a problem in Kudremukh
·Best Time: Except Monsoon
·Contact Info: Satish Mullodi: 09481074530/08263249595/08722847688 OR Aruna: 09481578065.
From Samse to Satish Mullodi’s house we can either choose to hire a Jeep or if you’re crazy enough, you can start the trek right away. We reached Samse ~2pm and chose not to take the jeep and started walking towards Satish’s house, its 7 Kms and this part of trial is quite scenic and it also serves as a warm up for the next day’s trek. We reached Satish’s house at 7pm, with a couple of pegs of Vodka & Wine, we closed our day with Spicy & Homely Country Chicken meal at Satish’s home.
We started our trek with packed Breakfast & Lunch from Satish’s home at 7 am. The Guide assisting us, the initial trial was a slightly steep walk for an hour or so. Around 8 am we stopped for breakfast, Idly (Rice Cakes) with Coconut Chutney (Coconut Sauce). The location where we stopped for breakfast was sort of a swamp with a stream flowing through it. After 10 mins of relaxation & some snaps, we moved forward. The next hour or so is steep climbing in the shola forest. The best part of Kudremukh is, it’s a mixture of ups and downs unlike other treks its only climb and trek down, which means that you got to climb some bit of the trekking while descending as well.
While stopped for others to join us, there was bird which was singing. We’re not sure about which bird it was, but it sings and signals its other gender for making love I guess, not sure. , but the sound was soothing & addictive. We found some wild fruits which pretty much tastes like dates, munching some of those we wild fruits we continued our trek. The Scenic beauty throughout the trek is fabulous. After a couple of hours, we reached the first Lobo Mane which means we’ve covered 1/3rd of the trek. I would consider Kudremukh as not one of the challenging treks because, after every good climb, there is terrain which helps you relax as you go. There are a couple of locations where we get water, this water in Kudremukh is one of the best tasting water that we’ve ever drank. The water is so cold and refreshing, it really helps us to keep ourselves moving. After about 45 mins, we reached the 2nd Lobo mane.
We figured that we’ve left Mohan & Marshall way behind us, so while we waited for them, Alok, Subish & I explored the Abandoned Church. While we were near the church, we were discussing if Lobo Family was the only craziest family to get 1500 feet to offer their prayers! Subish & I got inside the church, I got in because I’ve read in many books that abandoned Churches are haunted, thought let me face the haunting and see how it goes. Despite the stupidity, I would recommend other trekkers not to do this because the Church is filled with Bushes which is ~ 3 Ft and you know who stays there, so it’s to be safer than sorry. The last 20 mins of the trek which takes us to the summit is the steepest part of the trek, we made it and there we see Kudremukh Summit – 1892 FT, but Mohan is missing….after about 30-40 mins our 120kg giant mate also made it to the summit. Settled down for some time in the cliff and had our packed lunch, continued with some snaps, we were all set to descend. Be aware of the giant mosquitoes which might get really irritative while trekking, it starts from the second lobo mane & continues with you till the summit.
Remember I mentioned earlier, there is quite a bit of climbing while descending as well, so don’t get into a mindset that descending is a piece of cake, it really isn’t. Trekkers always stay together, we learnt a lesson in this trek and it is very important. Alok & Subish were left behind; they were confused with the route and took another route which apparently takes you into the jungle. Luckily, they found their way back with the help of villagers whom they found after a lot of searching. Without the Phone Network and Animals in the jungle, it was quite a horrifying situation if they didn’t make it.
We got back to Satish’s Homestay; got a quick relaxation dip in the Somavathy Falls and we were all geared up to get back to Bangalore. We hired a jeep till Kalasa and boarded the bus at 10.30pm from Kalasa to Bangalore.
Overall, this Trek was one of the best treks that I would like to visit again. Some more pics below:
We got back to Satish’s Homestay; got a quick relaxation dip in the Somavathy Falls and we were all geared up to get back to Bangalore. We hired a jeep till Kalasa and boarded the bus at 10.30pm from Kalasa to Bangalore.
Overall, this Trek was one of the best treks that I would like to visit again. Some more pics below: