Kodachadri Hill Station

Kodachadri is located in Shimoga district and one of the most spoken-about trekking trails in Karnataka. Situated in the heart of the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, the Kodachadri trek offers trekkers an adventure, a charm, and an experience that will remain throughout your lifetime. Kodachadri Trek takes you through a quaint village setting with paddy fields, thick forests, marvelous grasslands, and a waterfall that will make you go weak on your knees. The rolling lush grasslands and hills surrounding the peak is a sight to behold. To add on to these experiences, you get to visit a temple believed to be built thousands of years ago which is filled with a rich history. Apart from the mythology, imagine trekking to a place that has stories from the 7th AD! This is the place where the famous philosopher, theologian, Adi Shankara visited and meditated at the peak. You don’t get treks that are filled with many stories and history on the western ghats trek of Karnataka. With multiple approaches to the trek, anybody can go and do this trek on their own. It is a paradise for first-timers, intermediate and experienced trekking enthusiasts. 

Shimoga is a beautiful city located across the Tunga River in the state of Karnataka. The well-known Jog Falls is located just a 2-hour drive from Shimoga city. Among the attractions in the city are Shiva Temple, Gandhi Park, Shivappa Nayaka Palace, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Mattur Lake, Dabbe Falls and more. This place is abundant with nature and wildlife. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary houses endangered and native animals like panthers and elephants, Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary attracts bird watchers from all over India, and Sakrebyle Elephant Camp provides elephant rides. Among other places to visit nearby are Agumbe, Gudavi Bird Sanctuary and Gajanur Dam. The weather here is good after the monsoon season, in the winter months of October to February. Do not forget to visit Tyavarekoppa, a zoo and a picnic hot-spot, famous for Tiger and Lion Safari. The city is stuffed with unlimited shopping stuff such as hand-crafts, jewellery, sarees, sandalwood and many more. For food fix, travellers can find several Indian and multi-cuisine restaurants in the city.

 A hill called Kodachadri in the district of Shimoga is a lesser known trekking destination. This peak in the Western Ghats winds through thick forests and is the natural habitat of a variety of wildlife.

 

Description Of Kodachadri Hill Station

Kodachadri Hills serve as a stunning backdrop of evergreen forests to the town of Maravanthe. Located in the Western Ghats at a height of 4411 feet above the sea level amidst Karnataka’s Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, they also prove to be one of the good trekking trails, beginning at the South Kanara Forest.

Beginners or trekking newbies can easily undertake this trek. Since most of the expedition covers a forest landscape amidst low altitudes, chances of altitude sickness are low as well. The total distance is 14 kilometres to and fro.

Nestled deep in the Western Ghats in the district of Shimoga and holding its place as the tenth highest peak in the State, Kodachadri is home to lush green jungle trails through dense tropical forests, picturesque waterfalls and mesmerizing landscapes. Located in the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, it also forms the perfect backdrop to the Moola Mookambika Temple, believed to be the place of origin of Goddess Mookambika. Catching a glimpse of the evening sunset into the Arabian Sea from its peak offers an enchanting experience; a combination of mountain and ocean, that very few peaks in the country can boast of.

 

Trekking In Kodachadri Hills

There are mainly three trails to the peak apart from several other less explored ones. The most popular, as well as the most challenging, is the one via Hidlumane Falls starting from either Sampekatte or Marakuttaka. This trail is relatively steep and rugged and requires you to make your way through thick forests, gentle streams and quite literally climb a waterfall which becomes a whole other ballgame during peak monsoons. Despite the efforts, the journey to the top is one you’ll remember and be proud of as you’re transported to another world, with magical sights, untouched forests and challenging climbs at every corner.

The other relatively easier trail is the one from Karakatte via Santhosh Hotel, Valur (Trek Route 2 in the image above). Private vehicles can easily come up till the tiny settlement housing the hotel and one can begin their trek from here which takes around 4-5 hours to reach the peak. 

The third trail is actually a jeep route and is the longest of the three and is one which you’ll be taking on your descent from Kodachadri if you happen to opt for a jeep.

All three trails eventually culminate at the Moola Mookambika temple which also houses a PWD guest house and a couple of homestays that serve as an important landmark on your way to the peak. From here the peak is around 2 kms.

 

How To Reach Shimoga

By Air- Shimoga has its own Domestic Airport named as Shimoga Airport, roughly 10 min. drive from the city. It is well connected to New Delhi and Mumbai via Jet Airways, Air India and SpiceJet. The nearest International Airport is Mangalore Airport, Mangalore, roughly 195 Kms from Shimoga city. Frequent Flights to various national and international destinations such as Hyderabad, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kozhikode, Bangalore, and Chennai take off from here.

By Rail- Shimoga has its own Railway Station named as Shimoga Nagar Railway Station which is connected to the major cities of Karnataka and other states like Mangalore, Hampi, Bangalore, Pune and Mumbai.

By Road- Shimoga is 21 Kms from Bhadravathi, 70 Kms from Kadur, 93 Kms from Banavara, 108 Kms from Arsikere, 151 Kms from Hassan, 195 Kms from Mangalore, 207 Kms from Tumkur, 270 Kms from Bangalore and 334 Kms from Goa and is well connected through Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and some private travel services.