Gangamoola trek could mean only one thing – good views and gorgeous landscapes. As the name suggests, it is found in the Gangamoola Aroli Gangrikal range at almost 1,460 metres above sea level.
The district of Chikmagalur in Karnataka has no dearth of trekking options. This is one such ‘must do’ trek while visiting the region of coffee plantations. Did you know that this region is also called Varaha Parvata and has been declared a UNESCO heritage site?
About the Gangamoola Trek
The Gangamoola trek is a rather picturesque one – since Gangamoola lies within the Kudremukh National Park, there is no doubting that. River Nethravathi, Tunga and Bhadra originate from here. You can expect to see waterfalls, streams, ruins and a few cave temples as well. The natural reserve is home to enchanting forests and over a 100 species of birds.
River Tunga originating at Gangamoola. Image courtesy Ashwatham
The best way to go about the trek would be to gain permission from the Forest Department in advance. Begin the Gangamoola trek around Kudremukh or Sringeri and tread upwards.
Things to Do Enroute to Gangamoola Trek
The area around Gangamoola has a lot of natural beauty and comprises of dense vegetation and lush plantations.
Chikmagalur Estates
Visit the various coffee estates of the Chikmagalur district and book a 1-2 day stay at one of the resorts. Take up a coffee tour, sip on some fresh brews and buy the beans of your choice.
Places of Worship
You could visit some of the temples in and around Chikmagalur that are pure architectural marvels – the Vidyashankara Temple, Torana Ganapati Temple, Sarada Temple, Adi Shankara Temple and Sri Annapoorneshwari Temple to name a few.
Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple Complex
Udupi
Head to the nearby town of Udupi and indulge in some delicious local delights. Enjoy a tranquil evening and go sunset gazing by the Kaup Beach or the island nearby.
Kaupi beach. Image courtesy Dagnytaggart000
How to Reach Gangamoola Trek
By Air
The closest airport to Gangamoola would be Mangalore Airport at about 160 kilometres. The next closest would be Kempegowda International Airport at Bangalore, situated at around 260 kilometres.
By Train
The closest railway stations would be those of Mangalore or Udupi. Upon reaching there, take a public bus or book a cab ride to the Sringeri region.
By Road
Frequent buses ply to Sringeri from different parts of the state. Hop on to the one that takes you closest to Gangamoola trek, near the Kudremukh junction.
