Located amid 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 real elegance, high rising mountains studded with a surplus of flora and fauna to striking trekking routes managing verdant grasslands, there is much to experience here! The wildlife preserved area is the second-largest belonging to a tropic wet evergreen forest in the place 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.
The domain holds a great diversity of flora and fauna. Animals that reside in the dense forests include the ferocious leaping leopard, tiger, the endangered lion-tailed macaque, langur, spotted deer, barking deer, sloth bear, gaur, sambar, giant flying squirrels and many more are found in this wilderness. The IUCN red list shortlists the region with three endemic and seven vulnerable species of amphibians. The area is also a hotspot for reptiles.
The bountifulness of about 7000mm of rainfall each year has supplied birth to a solid forest cover, largely populated by semi-evergreen and evergreen trees. Grasslands also beautifully spread themselves on the rolling hills, with the national park holding one of the largest areas of high altitude grasslands in the Western Ghats. Kudremukh is the house to several endemic, threatened, medically and economically plentiful species of flora. Unique plants such as Nilambur Cobra Lily and the South Indian Jewel Orchid on the verge of drowning are located here. Trees such as eucalyptus, acacia, silk oaks, casuarinas etc. are found in abundance.
The expanse is an ornithologist's paradise. Around 200 species of birds are found here. Bird watchers throng here to witness mass migrations and rare species of birds such as the imperial pigeon, great pied hornbill, Malabar whistling thrush and Malabar Trogon. Get out early in the morning if bird watching is your thing.
For hikers and trekkers, the Kudremukh top is a pleasure. Rising to almost 1,900 meters, it provides fantastic sceneries overlooking clear skies, rolling hills, thick forests and rich grasslands. A combination of unforgettable landscapes that take your breath away! There are alternative trekking ways that you can hold depending upon your opening point, so plan accordingly. It can be completed easily in a day, also camping is not allowed on the premises of the park. The activity is permitted by the office of the forest ranger (mandatory permit to be obtained) from sunrise to sunset. The license can be taken from the Kudremukh town. This trek is easily one of the best you can undertake.
One of the highest peaks in the state of Karnataka is a sight to see. The Kudremukhmountain rises to a maximum of 1,894 meters, i.e. 6,214 feet. It is one of the fascinating locations for you to soak in the true beauty of Mother Nature. Vast fields of pitch green pastures and waving tranquil atmosphere tend to give you breathtaking expertise at every level. Three major rivers – Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravati flow through the land. They originate here in the Gangamoola hill (a.k.a. VarahaParvata) of the Kudremukh National Park. Since its design as a national park, the area has observed a large number of incoming travellers, wildlife fans, photographers, nature enthusiasts and trekkers. There are also various tea and coffee farms in the region where you can relieve your thirst for a tasty hot beverage. Few places of interest are:
Falls): This waterfall drops from a height of 72 feet and is an amazing sight when the water is at its zenith. It is placed on the Kalasa road (State Highway 66).
The pretty Kadambi falls can be observed en course the State Highway 66. It is located on the same road as the Hanumanagundi waterfall.
The previous monsoon season bestows a great deal of life to the wilderness resulting in bustling wildlife and exteThe rainy season from June to September is a bit harsh and may spoil your trekking or hiking plans. The area receives annual precipitation of around 7000mm!nsive carpets of grasslands which are indeed a remarkable sight.
The most akin major city is Mangalore at a range of 100 kilometres. Bangalore is around 350 kilometres away from Kudremukh. Daily buses work from these places but do sure to compare the schedules ahead of your travel day. There are no trains that operate in this area.
