Kudremukh is a grassy broad hill station in the Chikmagalur district that has many rivers, green forest, and alluring cascades, making it a calm and secluded hill station. The valley is a chain of mountains connected with each other by steep slopes. There is abundance of flora and fauna as well as the iron ore deposits in the region; the virgin valley of the quite hill station is a trekker’s paradise.
An Overview of the Destination
The hill station got its name from the Kannada phrase ‘Kudareya Mukha’ as the hill resembles a horse’s face. All over the area, you can view the thick shoal forest and grassland; this tropical evergreen mountain is the largest one in Karnataka. The mountain range overlooks the Arabian Sea.
The Kudremukh Iron ore company has constructed a model township similar to the American townships. The dense forest cover is very intriguing because of its rich variety of wildlife and exhilarating pristine green views. Situated in the Chikmagalur district, it is now a Tiger Reserve under the Bhadra Sanctuary. This area is the origin of significant rivers such as Tunga, Bhadra, and Netravati; the Kadambi Waterfalls is a major tourist attraction.
Activities and Things to Do
The Bhadra Wildlife sanctuary and the Kudremukh National Park fall under the Global Tiger Conservation Priority center, where population of tigers is rapidly increasing. A visit to the National Park gives insight on the life and challenges encountered in protecting tigers. Kudremukh is a trekker’s delight; this area is interspersed by rivers Tunga, Bhadra, and Netravati.
The lush green grasslands and cascading waterfalls such as Hebbe and Kalahatti are must see locations. Trekking to the Kudremukh Peak is a splendid experience as the grassy valley of Western Ghats is connected like a chain, and also, as it is home to a rare species of macaque, it has been declared as the natural habitat of the lion tailed macaques.
The Hanuman Gundi Falls near Kudremukh are worth visiting as one can view the waters falling from a 100-ft high hill into the natural rocks amidst the forest. The Forest Department takes a nominal fee of INR 30 per head from those who want to get down into the falls and enjoy a refreshing bath.
Some Local Information
Kudremukh is located at a distance of 350 km from Bangalore and 130 km from Mangalore; you can get ample luxury bus service, which costs a modest INR 4 per km. If you wish to travel by train, then you need to get down at Mangalore railway station and board a bus to Kudremukh. Domestic flights are available until Mangalore, and one can take a Taxi to reach Kudremukh.
The rates of taxi Service vary from INR 2500 to 3000 for Mangalore and INR 6000 and above for Bangalore. The climate in Kudremukh is cool and soothing throughout the year; the temperatures in summer range from 30°C to 35°C. Winters are pleasant with temperatures hovering in between 15°C and 20°C. This part of the Western Ghats experiences heavy rains during the monsoon, and spotting animals in the National Park is very difficult. Trekking through the various routes of Kudremukh can be a heavenly experience during the monsoon.
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