Time to Visit
The months of October through February are ideal for this Kodachadri trek. The best times to go on this trek are after the monsoon or in the winter. You will see the region’s lush foliage in all its splendour after the rain. Compared to the monsoon season, you will have significantly clearer vistas throughout the winter. The walk can be undertaken in the summer.
When you transition from the woodland portion to the grasslands, the colours will be noticeably browner in the shadow. Be prepared for the difficulty of trekking during the rains if you decide to pursue the option of going in the monsoon. Trekking at the height of the monsoon raises the difficulty of the journey.
The Trek
Step 1:
Early in the morning, begin your walk. You will arrive at the Sigandoor or Marakutuka bus stand the following morning at around 7.15 a.m. if you take an overnight bus from Bangalore. Even better, get out at the stop before Nittur and proceed to begin your trek. If after Nittur you get off at Sigandoor, another official stop, walk back to the Marakutuka bus station. This would also be the recommended choice.
Look to your right as you leave the Marakutuka bus stop to find a mud road. This leads you to the side of the woodland. To reach a tiny brook, you must hike another 2 kilometres, which takes around 30 minutes. When you cross this icy brook, watch out for the force of this stream if you are walking during the rainy season. Knee-deep water will be present. Continue on the mud trail after crossing the stream. You will travel through several charming, small towns with wooden fences and a compact community with houses scattered across paddy fields.
Step 2:
The trail leads behind Hidlumane’s final lodge. Before you approach the dense forest, paddy fields with two hillocks and this wooden cabin, you may see a tiny creek feeding the crops as soon as you reach the woodland. However, you can hear a larger stream moving to your right. The water coming from the Hidlumane Falls is the same as this. From this location, leeches spread outward in the next segment.
The Shola woodland is now accessible to you. The main waterfall of Hidlumane Falls, which consists of seven separate waterfalls, cascades down from a height of about 50 to 60 feet. If you are trekking during or right after the monsoon season, it will take you no more than 30 minutes. When climbing up, be very careful and watch your step. It’s simpler to scale the first two waterfalls. As you ascend, the trail becomes obscured, slippery, and covered in moss.
You need to turn right here after you get to Hidlumane’s last or primary waterfall. The trail winds through some dense vegetation. You’ll encounter a boulder. You will reach the jeep track after continuing on this trail for another 30 minutes. Take the trail to the west, which will take you to the PWD guest house, if you are exhausted or it is getting late.
Step 3:
The trail to the top is clearly signposted and planned out, and it may be accessed from the PWD guest house. The track will be visible while heading South. You must pass a small fence or checkpoint guarded by wooden logs before moving on. Beyond this point, camping is prohibited. From this point on, the path is a true mud trail that leads to the temple. You will reach a fork in the road after about 15 minutes of climbing, with one path leading to the left and the other to the right.
You can reach the primary dawn location via the route on the left. You can reach the trek’s summit and temple by taking the trail to the right. The route to the summit is more of a ridge walk with a descent while hiking to the left. This area is well known for being fogged in and coated in mist. If the area is shrouded in mist, exercise caution when moving to the left.
You will arrive at the temple in about 15 to 20 minutes if you continue on the trail. You will arrive at the summit of the ascent. A little deviation leads to a cave and temple on the right. While climbing to the peak or returning from the temple point, you can explore. The temple’s calm atmosphere makes it seem like the ideal spot to relax and take in the view. Return back to spend the night.
Step 4:
This section discusses the descent through Vallur as a way to round out this trek. Just below the PWD guest house, there is a tiny route on the left, facing North. You’ll reach a little wooded clearing around 150 metres. Then, you’ll reach a woodland area after another 250 metres of travel and a grassland after 20 minutes of walking. As you approach a ridge’s shoulder descend through it. You’ll enter the densest portions of the forest further down and enjoy hiking through the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary.
To get to the finish of the forest area, follow this path, which takes roughly an hour and a half. At the hotel, you can stop for something to eat. It will take about 1.5 hours to walk to the Kollur – Sampekatte main road head. If you want to take a bus overnight back to Bangalore, go in the direction of Kollur. To catch a bus travelling to Kollur, you might have to wait for 30 to 40 minutes or take a local bus, which takes about 2.5 hours to go to Shimoga/Shivamogga.
