Kudremukh Trek Guide

The **Kudremukh trek** is one of South India's most beautiful ridge walks - a long, undulating crest in the Kudremukh National Park of the Western Ghats, named after the mountain that looks like a horse's face ('Kudure Mukha'). This guide covers the route, difficulty, best season, how to reach Kudremukh from Bangalore, Mumbai and Pune, permits, and what to pack.

Pair this read with our Kudremukh Trek trip page for live departures, pricing and booking.

Where is Kudremukh?

Kudremukh is in the Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka, inside the Kudremukh National Park - a protected biosphere in the Western Ghats. The trek starts near the base village of Kalbhavi, about 100 km from Mangalore and reachable via Hubli or Bengaluru.

Kudremukh trek difficulty

Grade: **Moderate**. It is roughly 22 km out-and-back with rolling ascents, shola-forest sections and several stream crossings. A reasonable fitness level is needed, but there is no technical climbing.

Best time for Kudremukh

**October to March** offers clear grasslands and pleasant weather. The monsoon (June-September) turns the hills vivid green - the most photogenic time - but the trail is slippery and leeches are common.

How to reach Kudremukh from Bangalore, Mumbai and Pune

**From Bangalore:** Drive ~330 km to Kalbhavi (about 7-8 hours). **From Mumbai/Pune:** Take a train or flight to Mangalore or Hubli, then a road transfer (~100-160 km). Many weekend batches run from Bangalore given the shorter drive.

Kudremukh trek itinerary (2 days)

1. **Day 1 - Arrive base:** Reach Kalbhavi near Kudremukh National Park, check in to the homestay and a short orientation walk. \n2. **Day 2 - Summit & return:** Early start for the forest permit check, then the ~11 km ascent through shola forest and grasslands with stream crossings to the Kudremukh viewpoint (6,207 ft), descend the same trail, freshen up and depart.

Permits for Kudremukh

Kudremukh lies inside a national park and limited daily permits are issued by the forest department. Book ahead - the package includes the permit and a guide. Only a fixed number of trekkers are allowed each day to protect the biosphere.

What to carry for Kudremukh

2-3 litres of water and electrolytes, grip trekking shoes (you'll cross streams), a rain jacket, extra clothes and sandals, cap, sunscreen, a torch and a valid ID.

Kudremukh trek FAQ

**Is Kudremukh difficult?** Moderate - ~22 km out-and-back with stream crossings; no technical climbing. \n**Is a permit required?** Yes - limited daily forest permits; the package includes it. \n**Best time?** October to March for clear views; monsoon for greenery.