Kudremukh is a moderate day hike in Karnataka's Kudremukh National Park to a peak of about 6,200 ft over rolling shola grasslands. Entry is by forest department permit with limited daily slots, and the best season is October to February.
- Max altitude
- About 6,200 ft (1,894 m)
- Duration
- 1 long day, usually with a night nearby
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Best time
- October to February
- Base
- Mullodi or Balagal, near Kalasa
- Getting there
- Mangaluru (rail and air), about 3 to 4 hours by road
Kudremukh trek: Kudremukh Flickr dhruvaraj
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Why people pick Kudremukh
- Rolling green grasslands and shola forest
- Stream crossings on the lower trail
- Easy to pair with Chikmagalur or Coorg
Route, day by day
The usual shape of the trek. Exact camps and timings vary by operator and conditions.
Drive from Mangaluru or Bengaluru, overnight nearby.
Early start with a forest guide, summit and back the same day.
Fitness
Moderate. A long day of walking in humid weather.
What to carry
- Trekking shoes with ankle support, broken in
- Three warm layers and a waterproof jacket
- Headlamp, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Two water bottles
- Personal medicines and a small first aid kit
- Original photo ID
Safety and altitude
- Climbing too fast is the main cause of altitude sickness. Keep the acclimatisation day the route plan includes.
- A headache, nausea, dizziness or unusual breathlessness above about 2,500 m are warning signs. Stop going higher, and descend if they get worse.
- Summit timings depend on the weather. Turning back on a bad day is a normal mountain decision, not a failed trek.
- Mention asthma, blood pressure, heart conditions or recent illness in your brief, and check with a doctor before a high-altitude trek.
- Ask your written quote who leads the group, what first aid and oxygen is carried, and what happens if someone cannot continue.
Before you book
The Karnataka Forest Department controls entry with advance online booking and limited daily slots. The trail closes in the monsoon.
Kudremukh questions
No. Entry needs an advance forest department booking and slots fill up on weekends.
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