• By: Riyanka
• Mar 17, 2018
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Everything You Need To Know About Kumara Parvatha Trek

Quite stereotypical, but people like us who live in the Northern part of India usually correlate the term ‘trekking’ to the Himalayas, and we actually can’t think beyond that. For us, it’s obvious that we’ll get to see the snowcapped peaks, feel the chills as the wind blows, and sip on a cup of steaming tea while we are out for a trek!

The idea of going for a trek in the Deccan never really occurred to us, until recently, when our friend Murli told us how he fell in love with the Western Ghats while exploring the trails of Kumara Parvatha.

Famously known as the Pushpagiri Peak, it is the highest peak within Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary (Madikeri District, Coorg) in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. The altitude of Kumara Parvatha is 1,712 meters (5,617 ft) – which might not seem much, but to tell the truth, it’s not an easy affair to climb up to the top!

We did the trek at the beginning of March when the weather was pretty humid and the long stretch of 28 km that you need to cover in 2 days might pose some serious challenges. (No, we don’t wanna scare the hell out of you!) But if you are up for some adventure in the woods during the weekends, and feel like ditching the crazy urban crowd – then perhaps this would be your perfect escapade!

By the time we finished the trek and came down, we were quite exhausted and literally panting to grasp our breath – but here’s why we loved Kumara Parvatha Trek and we believe you should try it too!

A chance to spend a couple of days amidst nature

The entire trail passes through dense forests, giving you a chance to get closer to nature. If you are one amongst those who are stuck in the urban jungle and dreaming of a retreat, then probably you should just plan to spend your weekend amidst the wilderness and rejuvenate your senses most pleasantly. We flew down from Delhi, and it was worth it.

(For Bangaloreans, there’s no scope for second thoughts!)

The lush green beauty of Kumara Parvatha Trek left us speechless

Well, this trek surely made us believe that it’s not just the snow-clad peaks that can take our breath away – but the different shades of green can do it too! We were mesmerized by the greenery that kept changing its aura throughout the trail.

While it was dark and dense in the beginning, it slowly started changing to a more dried version of green. When we reached Shesha Parvatha and looked down, it seemed that there were green waves behind us.

How To Go, Where To Stay & Other Details About Kumara Parvatha Trek

From Bangalore, you can either board the KSRTC to Kukke Subramaniam or hire a car if you are in a group of 4 or more. The journey will take about 6 hours.

At Kukke, you need to walk for about 2 km from the temple to the forest gate, and then start the trek walking through the dense jungles with quite a few ascends covering a stretch of 7 km, until you reach Bhattar Mane, which is the base for the trek.

It’ll take about 4 to 5 hours to reach Bhattar Mane, where you can have your meal (rice and sambar, tea) and set up your tent in the meadows, somewhere around the Forest Department Office. If you aren’t carrying a tent, you can opt to stay at the Bhatt’s cottage for a charge.

Spend the night at Bhattar Mane, relax your muscles, and gear up for the next day, which is surely gonna be a long & challenging one!

It’s better to start early for Kumara Parvatha, the next day. You can leave your luggage at the Forest Department Office, and it would be easier and comfortable to walk without carrying anything. Make sure to fill your water bottles – it’s a must!

The stretch from here comprises of some ascends and descends, patches of forests and vast meadows, and of course, picturesque views that you can’t miss out on!

After walking for about an hour and a half, you’ll reach Kallu Mandapa, where you can rest for a while before carrying on. Reaching Kallu Mandapa marks that you’ve covered one-third of the trail to Kumara Parvatha.

Hike up the steep ascend and keep walking through a portion of the forest with boulders on your sides and steep slopes till you reach Sesha Parvatha, which marks two-thirds of your journey.

The last part of the journey begins from here, and it is all uphill, crossing past huge boulders along the way. At one point, right after you cross the forest stretch, there’s a vertical rock face which might pose serious challenges! But once you cross that hurdle, you’ll make it to your destination!

There’s a small shrine at the top of Kumara Parvatha where we met a few religious people who have trekked up with devotion to please the Lord! However, reaching the top, you can treat yourself with the postcard-perfect views, soaking in the sun for a while before you start descending.

It’ll be a total of 14 km descent from Kumara Parvatha to Kukke Subramaniam through the same route, which would require approx 4 – 5 hours.

Pick up your luggage from the Forest Department Office, have lunch at Bhattar Mane, and make sure to keep up your pace so that you can reach the temple town before it gets dark.

Have a hearty meal at the Neo Mysore Restaurant (the lassi there is too good!) in Kukke, before you start your journey to Bangalore.

And as they say, your journey is best measured by the companions you had on the way – I would love to thank our bunch of crazy folks (Ilisha, Dixshant, Saikat, Snigdha & of course, Murli – the leader) who made this journey more funfilled and memorable for us. Exploring Kumara Parvatha wouldn’t have been the same without these people!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Kumara Parvatha Trek

1. How difficult is the Kumara Parvatha trek?

   The Kumara Parvatha trek is considered challenging due to its steep inclines, long trekking distance, and rugged terrain. It is recommended for trekkers with good physical fitness and prior trekking experience.

2. What is the best time to do the Kumara Parvatha trek?

   • October to February: Cool and pleasant weather, perfect for trekking.
   • June to September (monsoon): Not advisable due to heavy rainfall, slippery trails, and leeches.
   • March to May: Warmer weather but manageable with proper hydration.

3. Where does the trek start?

   The trek starts from Kukke Subramanya Temple, which is about 105 km from Mangalore.

4. How do I reach Kukke Subramanya?

   • By Road: Regular buses connect Kukke Subramanya with Bangalore, Mangalore, and Mysore.
   • By Train: The nearest railway station is Subramanya Road, about 12 km from the temple.
   • By Air: The nearest airport is Mangalore International Airport, 105 km away.

5. Do I need a permit for the trek?

   Yes, a permit from the forest department is required as the trek passes through the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary. Permits can be obtained at the Forest Checkpost near Bhattara Mane.

6. Are there food options on the trek?

   • Basic meals are available at Bhattara Mane (rice, sambar, curd).
   • It’s advisable to carry your own snacks and energy bars.

7. What are the views like from the summit?

   The summit offers stunning views of the Western Ghats, neighboring peaks, dense forests, and deep valleys. Sunrise and sunset from the top are particularly breathtaking.

8. Are guides mandatory for the trek?

   Guides are not mandatory but are recommended for first-timers or large groups to ensure safety and navigation.

Note: In case you aren’t sure about how to manage it all by yourself, our friends at Plan The Unplanned can help you in planning your weekend escapade to Kumara Parvatha.

Have you been there for the Kumara Parvatha Trek and want to share your amazing experiences with us? I’m all ears to hear about your adventures!