Known for its biodiversity and mineral wealth, Kudremukh is located in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. In Kannada, Kudremukh means ‘horse’s face’ and the place gets its name from a peak that resembles the face of a horse. The beautiful landscapes of Kurdremukh are a big crowd puller.
There are dense forests around the town and wildlife spotting is popular, even though the forest cover makes it difficult to spot animals easily. You need to go deep in the jungle to catch a glimpse of the wildlife. Three vital rivers — Bhadra, Netravati and Tunga — originate from the region.
Trekking along the well-established trails lead to the point of origin of these rivers. The trekking trails through dense forests and tropical riverbeds with varying degrees of difficulty, attract those seeking an adrenaline rush. You can see rare orchids and enjoy the fresh mountain air as you explore the grassland. The Kudremukh range of mountains was declared a national park in 1987. You need to have prior permission and a licensed guide to trek the summit.
The Kudremukh National Park is the second largest protected region in the Western Ghats that is spread over an area spanning 600 sq km. The region is home to langurs, macaques, barking deer, malabar giant squirrels and chitals. Leopards, tigers, jackals and wild dogs have also been spotted here. The best time to visit Kudremukh is between October and February. The region in and around Kudremukh receives about 7,000 mm of rainfall per year.
With five sacred ponds located near the town — Amba Teertha, Naga Teertha, Vasishtha Teertha, Rudra Teertha and Varaha Teertha — Kudremukh is also a popular pilgrimage. Hanuman Gundi is a famous waterfall.
Best time to visit Kudremukh Hill Station
Although the town experiences a pleasant climate throughout the year, October to May is the best time to visit Kudremukh if you're planning to go trekking as the sun isn't so scorching.
Kudremukh in Summer- The March to May period sees some of the best weather conditions in Kudremukh. Temperature starts rising in March from 20°C to as much as 36°-37°C in late May. Summers are hot and humid in Kudremukh, but chances of spotting wild animals in the National Park is the highest. Trekking is also very popular during this time. Cotton clothes and sun-protection gears like hats, sunscreen lotions and sunglasses are a must during wildlife excursions.
Kudremukh in Monsoon- Till late October, Kudremukh receives heavy rainfall making the hill town perfect for capturing its off-beat beauty. Being located right in the windward side of the western ghats, the landscape is lush green throughout the year. Although this isn't the ideal season for trekking or outdoor activities, you can always stay indoors to enjoy the beauty of the wilderness. Monsoon season brings out the best.
Kudremukh in Winters- Winters in Kudremukh are pleasantly cold. The chill starts to creep in from November and stays till late February. Average temperature during this time stays around 17°C-20°C, but on certain occasions, it can get as low as 10°C. Basic winter essentials are mandatory. This is a great time to explore the town and its surroundings. Trekking can be done without breaking a sweat. Spotting animals can be difficult, but the beautiful misty weather and the crispness in the air make up for it.
What to watch out for In Kudremukh
The Horse’s face structure of the Peak- The Kudremukh peak has a unique structure that looks like a horse’s face from the side. This structure is visible after an hour of trekking from the forest office. This looks closer but there is another 3 hours of trekking to reach that point.
Trekking inside the Shola forest- Shola is a local name for grassland and shrublands that are visible in the western ghats. You have to trek through shola forest to reach the Kudremukh peak. This forest is home to many wildlife like deer, lion-tailed macaque, Malabar giant squirrel, leopard, common langur and many more. If you are lucky enough, you spot them while trekking. During monsoon season, you can find leeches for every step in this section.
One of the fascinating parts of this section is the waterfalls and small streams. You have to cross many streams on the way to the peak. Sometimes you may have to wet your shoes while crossing.
Spectacular view of the rolling hills- When you come out of the shola forest, you see a spectacular view of the rolling hills around you. Green hills and misty valleys are the rewards to the eyes. During the monsoon, this area might be covered with mist completely. But the hide and seek of the valley in between those clouds and mist is something you should not miss out on.
How To Reach Kudremukh
By Air- Mangalore Airport located at a distance 190 km is the nearest domestic airport and if the international visitors are worried how to reach Kudremukh then the Bangalore international Airport located at a distance of 295 km away is the nearest one.
By Rail- Tarekere railway station is the nearest railhead to Kudremukh. The railhead is well connected to Mangalore and Bangalore with frequent trains. One can easily reach the place by rail without thinking too much about how to reach Kudremukh.
By Road- Kudremukh is well linked by bus services. State as well as private buses both run from and to the region on a regular basis. These buses solve many of the problems of the tourists who are worried about how to reach Kudremukh. Bangalore (340km), Chennai (589km) and Hyderabad (627km) are accessible from Kudremukh through bus services.
