Netravathi Peak Trek, Chikmagalur

A lesser known yet beautiful trek is what makes the Nethravthi peak stand out! Located in the Kudremukh forest range, in the Chikkmagalur district, this no trail trek calls for more excitement and adventure. The seeking one has to follow and find a path through the lush green forests of the Western Ghats. There is no man movement and one might be lucky to find a few Sambar Deers, Bisons and Bears too!

We start the journey from Bangalore at around 9:00 in the night, directly reaching our home stay in the Kudremukh district at 5:00 am. We freshen up, have our breakfast and carry our packed lunches and start for the trek.

A small jeep ride of 7 kms awaits us from the home stay to the base of the trek. With lush vibrant green paddy fields and tea plantations on either side, this is an experience in itself. :)

As we start trekking, the first 500 mts is a small patch of forest, with beautiful huge trees giving a lovely canopy! We hike the next two kms through a valley with a drop on one side and forest on the other. The drop gives us scenic and extensive view of the Kudremukh forest range.

To refresh ourselves a little through the trek, we find a two tire waterfall, in which we play, get wet and unleash the child within us.

The next 3 kms is again through the valleys and some grass lands. The view is breathtaking, and in the rainy season it’s all green everywhere. :) At the end of the 3 kms we find a hunting spot of the animals that has a gentle stream flowing by. This is a no man area zone. Animal bones are something that one can find by serendipity!

The last 4 kms of the hike are through vast grasslands with a steady incline. And the sight on the top is worth the sweat.

Once we reach the peak, a feeling of immense gratitude and love for the forest satiates us. A spectacular 360 degree view with cloud laden mountains greets us. We can behold the Nethravathi River and even catch a glimpse of Ujire. Clear skies bring to us the view of the very famous Kudremukh peak!

We spend some relaxed time on the peak, soaking the beauty around. We then, have our packed lunches and start heading back to the base, taking the same route back, through the grasslands, valleys and the forest but with a longing to stay for more time on the peak. :)

We reach the home stay, tired yet contented. We freshen up, have a nice warm dinner, spend some time bonding with our fellow members and hit the bed.

Early next morning we wake up, freshen up, have breakfast and hit the road to get back to Bengaluru, stopping on the way back for a self sponsored lunch and reaching by 9:00 pm.

We cherish the memories for a good long time and long to get back on another tete a tete with nature soon! :)