Located in the scenic western ghats, Kodachadri (1343m) in Shimoga is one of the better known trekking destinations in Karnataka.
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| Halli mane at Kattihole |
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| Name says it all ! |
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| Hallimane |
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| Hallimane home interior |
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| Our morning breakfast |
We started from Bangalore on Friday night(20th Feb) and reached Kattinahole, at the base of Kodachadri at 5.30 AM on saturday morning. At about 8 AM after freshening up, and a quick breakfast at our Hallimane homestay, we proceeded to the trailhead, a quarter kilometer drive away. Then we enter the Jeep trail that ferries pilgrims to the temple up on the mountain. About a kilometer and a half later we deviate off the jeep trail and cross a stream to enter into the jungle The trails from here on are not very clear and it is easy to lose our way if we don't remain in one group. This stretch is about 2 kilometers long and passes through thick jungle. The trail eventually opens out to an open field with a couple of huts and agricultural land (the last signs of civilization until we hit the peak).There we had butter milk.
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| Trek Starting Point |
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| Trek Starting Point |
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| Thick forest |
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| Open field |
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| Paddy field |
We went past this village dwelling and re-entered the jungle to hear the sounds of the Hidlumane falls. This trail is extremely slippery with sharp rock and winds upwards towards the waterfall. Twenty minutes of scrambling and stumbling up the path and we were at the falls.
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| Just before we reach falls |
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| Just before we each falls |
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| Hidlumane Falls |
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| Hidlumane Falls |
After a refreshing dip in the falls, we rejoined the jungle trail to the right. The trail here on is extremely steep (60 degrees at certain points) and passes through thick rainforest. We climbed up rocks and branches at certain parts until half an hour later the trail leads out to the hilly grasslands of Kodachadri. Here on, the trail overlooks panoramic views and winds up and over a couple of hills. We had our packed lunch (Chitranna ) here under the shelter of the tree with natural water source .About 45 minutes later, the trail merged with the jeep trail. We regrouped here and proceeded to Kodachadri peak which is a 5 minute walk away from there.
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| Regrouping |
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| Regrouping |
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| Landscape |
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| Landscape |
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| Landscape |
We reached the peak by 3.30 PM and had the darshana of sri Sankaracharya .Kodachadri is visited by locals and Keralites in large numbers since long time.Sage Adi Shankara is said to have visited this place, meditated here and he also established a temple at Kollur.A small temple called Sarvajnapeetha, built with stone is dedicated to Adi Shankara at the top of Kodachadri.Some of the pilgrims from South Indian states who visit Kollur take a trek to Kodachadri also.
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| Shakara Peetha |
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| On the peak |
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| On the peak |
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| Some flowers in the forest |
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| The point where we halted for rest before reaching peak |
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| Adi Shankaracharya idol |
We started heading back to the base at 4.30 PM. Being easier on the knees and easy to navigate when we begin losing light in the evening, the Jeep trail was ideal for reaching back to the base. A 3 hour hike along the trail and we were back to the base camp for a well deserved dinner and sleep.
The next day morning we headed towards Bangalore by 5 AM only stopping for lunch (self-sponsored) at Shimoga.
With its beautiful views and evergreen jungle trails, Shimoga makes for a great introductory western-ghat trek.
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