Kodachadri Trek In Karnataka
The pilgrim centre of Kollur is dominated by the Kodachadri hills. Kodachadri is the highest hill (1,343m) which gives name to the range. It drops almost perpendicular to Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary. This Sanctuary is the home of the endangered lion-tailed macaque. The valley beyond the hills is fed by the Sowparnika River. The River loses its identity in the Arabian Sea near the Maravanthe Beach. Mangrove forests rich in delicacies like tiger prawns and crabs are stretched in the area of the River. Kodachadri trek in Karnataka provides you with trekking pleasure at an easy level.
Season to trek Kodachadri in Karnataka
It is from October to March.
Location of Kodachadri in Karnataka
It is located on the border of Shimoga and Udupi districts in the Western Ghats.
Trekking Kodachadri in Karnataka
- Day 1
- Kollur-Kodachadri Hills
Ride in a bus from Kollur to Kodachadri and get off 12 km later at Karakatta Gate. If you set on via Shimoga, then you will find hills 12 km west, down the Theertalli-Mastikatte Road. Pass the Karakatta Gate and tread on till Kodachadri foothills. On the way you will come across a tea shop and a stream carrying fresh water from the hills. You can take a short break here. Take enough water and eatables with you. A ten minute walk from the tea shop will bring you to a place where you will see three paths leading upwards. Catch the middle path. It is the toughest portion of the hike because it is very steep. There are many bushes and leaves on the way which can cruelly leave cuts on your body parts. There are some trees also which are inhabited with red ants, so be careful.
Another walk for 1.5 hours will bring you to the levelled ground. Her you will see a small temple. You can stop here to relax and pay homage in the temple if you want and get refreshed to move on.
The hill holds a bounty of beauty and the breeze blowing refreshes you, so your fatigue is set apart. You are tempted to walk slowly here so that you can catch every trace of beauty spread here along with Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary. At times, you are lucky enough to see a sparkling silver from the river which roars through the valley. Sometimes, if fortune favors, you can also see the blue color of the Arabian Sea in the distant horizon. If it is monsoon or post monsoon period, catch the matchless grace of the Agastya Teerth Waterfall.
A moving on of 2-3 hours will bring you to Kodachadri which has a PWD bungalow, a Shankaracharya Temple and some houses giving rooms on rent. From here, a leisurely walk will take you to the peak. Her you'll see Sarvajana Peeth-place where Shankaracharya meditated. Sunrise and Sunset are spectacular from here.
- Day 2
- Kodachadri-Kollur
Four hours are consumed in walking down the same way. The slope to Kundapur has certain steep areas. If you are not a trained rock climber, then it is wise not to take this route. When you reach the bottom, you can take a bus or truck going to Kundapur or Shimoga. From here, try and get a transport in order to get home.
Kodachadri trek in Karnataka makes you trek on the highest hill of the region. It is believed that on this hill, Shankaracharya meditated. Kodachadri is a table mountain which invites you for an effortless trek rewarded with sight seeing of unparalleled beauty of nature.