A comprehensive guide to Kumara Parvatha Trekking: All You Need To Know

by Avathi Outdoors | Trekking

A comprehensive guide to Kumara Parvatha Trekking: All You Need To Know

Want to witness a unique blend of rocky trails with verdant greenery, ancient caves, puffy clouds, and crisp air? Kumara Parvatha Trek is sure to give you the best views while boosting your adrenaline rush. Browse our detailed guide to know all about the picturesque Kumara Parvatha. We have also shared things to do, where to stay, and answered FAQs about the same.

Kumara Parvatha Trek: An Adventurous Escapade

Popular for its gigantic mountains, luscious waterfalls, serene lakes, and endless sightseeing locations, Karnataka is a hub of adventure activities in India. If you are seeking a thrilling vacation amidst nature, there is no dearth of adrenaline-pumping options in Karnataka. Kumara Parvatha is one such jewel in its treasure.

Located in the Somwarpet Taluk of Coorg, Kumara Parvatha is also known as “Pushpagiri”. Boasting a height of 1,502 meters above the sea level, this peak is the second highest and the most challenging trek route in Coorg. If you are an experienced trekker, Kumara Parvatha or Pushpagiri is one of the best trekking places for you.

 So, if you are ready to confront your fears and release yourself from your mundane life, it is time to pack your bags and head out for the Kumara Parvatha trek. In this guide, we have listed complete information about everything you need to know before leaving for this thrilling trek. 

Kumara Parvatha Trek Guide: All You Need to Know About It

Here are some quick navigation links in case you are interested in some particular details.

Best Time to Visit

Trek Distance

Height

How to Reach

Food

Places to Stay

Kumara Parvatha Trek Route

Expenses

Things to Do

Frequently Asked Questions

 

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Kumara Parvatha Trekking: What to Know Before You Go

If you want to trek to Kumara Parvatha, here is some basic but useful information you must collect.

1. Kumara Parvatha Trek Best Time

 

Kumara Parvatha is always surrounded by dense forests, large volcanic boulders, thick blankets of clouds, and a cascading waterfall. However, it is best to visit this gigantic mountain peak between October to March and witness the picturesque views at their best.

The pleasant weather and the soft sun rays make these months the best time to visit. The trekkers can have a smooth trekking adventure between October to March. If you travel in summers or monsoons, the scorching temperatures and slippery trails are going to hinder your trekking experience.

2. Kumara Parvatha Trek Distance

 

The trekking distance at Kumara Parvatha stretches for approximately 22 kilometers. Located about 258 km away from Bangalore, this trek is meant for intermediate and expert trekkers. This demanding trek is usually completed in two days. This peak starts from Kukke Subrahmanya Temple in the Subrahmanya village. This is why the natives also call it Kukke Subramanya trekking.

The initial stretch is on dense trails, for about 7 km. As you gain height, you start spotting volcanic rocks and the last 1.5 kilometers of the trek are densely covered with huge boulders. The trails, however, get less dense from the middle.

3. Kumara Parvatha Height

 

Standing at a height of 4,930 feet above the sea level, Kumara Parvatha is a gigantic mountain peak that is jaw dropping. The majestic height of this mountain makes this peak very thrilling. Ranked as the sixth highest mountain peak in Karnataka, this trek isn’t recommended for novice trekkers.

4. How to Reach Kumara Parvatha

 

Before you plan to reach Pushpagiri Hills for trekking, please ensure that you are physically fit to take this exigent trek. Work on your fitness level, walk regularly, and increasing your core strength by indulging in active sports and regular workouts will definitely help. You can easily reach the trek base point of Kumara Parvatha through rail, public transport, or your own vehicle.

Nearest Railway Station


· Mysore Junction Railway Station, located 423.3 km from the trek base point.

· Hassan Railway Station, located 535.1 km from the trek base point.

You can take the Hubli Express, Karwar Express, or the Bangalore Mysore Express to reach Pushpagiri.

Nearest Airport

 

· Kannur International Airport, located 148.6 km from the trek base point.

· Mangalore International Airport, located 159 km from the trek base point.

Four Wheelers

 

· Many public, as well as private buses, ply to Pushpagiri from Bangalore and the nearest cities every day. So, if you want to take public transport, you can easily reach the base point of Kumara Parvatha. You can take a bus from Platform 2A at Majestic Bus Station, Bangalore. It is best to take a base at 10:00 p.m. to reach the trek spot within 4-5 hours and start the trek early morning.

· If you are taking a train, you can easily find taxis to help you cover the distance between the railway station and the trek point.

· If you are driving yourself, you can navigate through Google Maps to reach the trek point. You have to pay a nominal fee to park your vehicle after reaching the trek point.

5. Food

 

There are many food stalls at Bhattara Mane where traditional Kannada dishes are served. Besides this forest area, no cafes or eateries are available. Hence, it is best to eat here and collect some food too. You can find many great restaurants in Kukke Subramanya - the Neo Mysore Café and the Vijay Vihar being the most popular ones.

6. Places to Stay

 

Since this trek is two days long, there are plenty of campsites and homestays near Kumara Parvatha. You can pitch your camp in the Bhattara Mane Forest and lie down under the gorgeous blanket of stars. If not camping, you can also find a rest house there. For homestays, Shesha Kutir and Gahanashree Cottage are the most popular and the best options. Apart from these, you may find many other affordable hotels around.

Kumara Parvatha Trek Route: Go Which Way You Like

 

Depending on your fitness level and venturesome spirit, you can choose between the two trek routes of Kumara Parvatha.

1. Kumara Parvatha Trek from Kukke Subramanya Route

 

· The first route is from the Kukke Subramanya Temple and this is a fairly long route. After walking for around an hour from the temple, you can reach Kallu Mandapa and then climb up to the Shesha Parvatha. This trail is rugged and dense with thick patches of shrubs and boulders. Reaching Kallu Mandapa marks around 1/3rd of the trek whereas Shesha Parvatha marks about 2/3rd of the trek.

· Since this trek is long, you need to stay overnight at the Bhatt's House near the Forest Department Office. If you are interested in camping overnight, it is important to take permission from the Forest Department first.

2. Kumara Parvatha Trek from Somwarpet Side

 

· Another route is from Beedhalli in Somwarpet and this is a more challenging but common route. You will trek along the Shola forest in this route. Although slightly more exhausting, this route will help you witness rare and exotic wildlife all around you.

· The Somwarpet route is usually taken to reach the hilltop whereas the Kukke Subramanya route is mostly taken by trekkers to reach the foothill. This way, the trekkers get to experience the rich flora and fauna of both the routes.

· A small shrine at the summit marks the end of the Kumara Parvatha trek. The shrine gives spiritual relaxation to the trekkers. You can witness a panoramic view of the beautiful surroundings of Madikeri from the summit and take a dip in the soft sunrays. 

 

Expenses

 

The total costs for the Kumara Parvatha trek are as follows:

· Registration fees for trekking: Rs. 200 onwards per person

· Trekking fees: Rs. 350 onwards per person

· Round Trip via Cab: Rs. 3,500 onwards

· Coorg to Kukke Subramanya Bus Fare: Rs. 100 onwards

· Bangalore to Kukke Subramanya Bus Fare: Rs. 600 onwards

· Camping (to be paid to the Forest Department): Rs. 200 onwards

· Hotels: Rs. 1500 onwards per night

· Food: Rs. 150 onwards per person

· Guide: Rs. 500 onwards

*Please note that these prices are for Indian nationals may vary and change from time to time. The charges for foreign nationals are different from these.

Things to Do around Kumara Parvatha

 

The Pushpagiri Hills offer a lot more than just trekking. Here are a few more interesting things that you can do around these hills after the Kukke Subramanya trekking.

1. Photography

 

 

Visiting a surreal location like Kumara Parvatha and not clicking pictures is almost impossible. While you need permission from the Forest Department for wildlife photography, you can capture images of the luscious water streams, flourishing grasslands, ancient caves, holy shrines, and mesmerizing views without any permit.

2. Camping

 

 

The Kumara Parvatha trek route is quite rocky and covered with dense forest. So, camping is not possible on any trail. However, you can lay your camp at Bhattara Mane as it is a famous trekking site en route to Kumara Parvatha. Make sure to carry your camping tent and all other essentials with you.

3. Cave Exploration

 

 

On your way to the summit, you will find many ancient caves at Kumara Parvatha. One of the must-visit caves here is the Biladwara Cave which has a mythological significance to it. According to the natives, Vasuki – the serpent king of snakes hid in this cave to escape the anger of Garuda. This cave is flooded with jostling crowds of devotees during Nag Panchami who come to worship Lord Vasuki here.

4. Sightseeing

 

 

Witnessing the panoramic view of the blue sky and multiple shades of greenery from Shesha Parvatha is worth every second.

5. Bathe in

 

 

You can also visit the famous Mallalli Falls to witness the white, foamy waters and find inner peace by taking a dip inside.

6. Explore the Wildlife

 

 

Framed by the rocky hills, lush greenery, tea and coffee estates, Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is another must-visit spot here if you love nature. Home to a variety of exotic animals and birds, this sanctuary will enhance your love for flora and fauna even more.

7. Get Spiritual Relaxation

 

 

Marking the start of the Kumara Parvatha trek, Kukke Subramanya Temple is not just visited by the trekkers but is thronged by Hindu devotees throughout the year. You can visit this temple to learn more about the history of the Lord.

8. Admire Natural Beauty

 

 

You can also visit the cascading Abbey Falls and breathe the crisp air around. A perfect place to admire nature and click a lot of pictures to capture the beauty, Abbey Falls is sure to provide relaxation to your soul.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kumara Parvatha Trekking

Here are our answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the Kumara Parvatha trek.

Is Kumara Parvatha trek worth doing?

The trek to Kumara Parvatha is certainly worthwhile because the rich biodiversity, natural bounties, and fresh breeze everywhere around refreshes one’s soul and helps them face their challenges. It is also a very challenging trek so if you are trying to push yourself, it is a must do.

Why is Kumara Parvatha considered a difficult trek?

The distance, majestic height, rocky trails, and vast grasslands of thick bushes make Kumara Parvatha a challenging and difficult trek.

Which route is better for Kumara Parvatha trekking?

There is no better route because both are beautiful in their own way. It is better to take one route to ascend to the summit and the other one to descend to the trek base point to witness the beauty of both.

Ready to Unveil the Mysteries of Mountains?

 

We hope you found this Kumara Parvatha Trek guide useful. We tried putting in as much information as possible to make it your ultimate lead while planning your itinerary. If you are a beginner and still want to take this trek, it is best to first take easier treks to train your body for the challenges. Pack efficiently and do not forget to make bookings to avoid last-minute hassles. 

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