Karnataka Hiking & Trekking Guide 2026

Top trails

Routes worth lacing up your boots for.

1. 1

   Mullayanagiri Peak Trek

   4-5 km round trip from the Sarpadhari parking area2-3 hours round tripeasy-moderateSummit 1,930 m (6,330 ft), the highest point in Karnataka; about 300 m of climbing on rock steps and a marked path

   Karnataka's highest summit, reached by a short but steep climb up rock steps and a worn path from Sarpadhari (the "snake-hood" bend) to the small Sri Mullappa Swami shrine at the top. The Baba Budan Giri range spreads out below, with cloud often filling the valleys at sunrise.

   Trailhead: Sarpadhari, about 20 km from Chikmagalur town by road; the last stretch is a narrow hill road

2. 2

   Kudremukh Peak Trek

   About 20-22 km round trip8-10 hours round tripmoderateSummit 1,894 m (6,214 ft); about 900 m gain over open shola grassland ridges

   The most popular Western Ghats grassland trek: a long climb over rolling shola-grass ridges, past streams and a viewing point known as the "horse face" profile that gives the range its name (Kudremukh means horse face). The top overlooks the Arabian Sea on clear days.

   Trailhead: Mullodi, about 25 km from Kalasa; Kalasa and Kudremukh town are the usual bases with homestays

3. 3

   Kumara Parvatha (Pushpagiri) Trek

   About 25-28 km round trip in two days from Kukke Subrahmanya via Girigadde2 days (8-10 hours walking on day one, 4-6 hours on day two); some batches do it in one long daydifficultSummit 1,712 m (5,617 ft); about 1,300 m total gain including the steep rocky final section

   One of the toughest and best-loved treks in South India: a long forest climb from Kukke Subrahmanya through Girigadde, over open grass ridges to a rocky top with a plateau for camping, then the steeper summit scramble. Views on a clear day run to the Arabian Sea.

   Trailhead: Kukke Subrahmanya (Subramanya Road station on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru line is about 12 km away); trekkers register at the Forest Department office in Subrahmanya village and start at the Girigadde entrance

4. 4

   Tadiandamol Peak Trek

   About 6-8 km round trip from the Kakkabe / Nalknad Palace road head3-4 hours round tripmoderateSummit 1,748 m (5,735 ft), the highest peak in Kodagu; about 700-800 m gain

   Kodagu's highest peak, reached by a steady walk through coffee estates and shola forest onto open rolling grasslands. Nearby Nalknad Palace (Nalknad Aramane) and Padi Igguthappa Temple sit close to the trailhead.

   Trailhead: Kakkabe village, about 35-40 km from Madikeri via Kakkabe road; the trail leaves from the forest gate near Nalknad

5. 5

   Brahmagiri Peak Trek

   About 12-15 km round trip6-8 hours round tripmoderate-difficultSummit around 1,600 m (5,250 ft); about 800 m gain through evergreen forest and grassland

   A forest-and-grassland peak on the Karnataka-Kerala border in the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, rising above the Iruppu (Irpu) Falls area with views over Nagarhole, Wayanad and Kodagu. Elephant and gaur habitat.

   Trailhead: Iruppu Falls road near Kutta, south Kodagu, about 100 km from Madikeri

6. 6

   Kodachadri Trek (Hidlumane Falls route)

   About 8-12 km depending on the route (Hidlumane Falls or Nagodi/Valur side)5-7 hours round tripmoderateSummit 1,343 m (4,406 ft); up to about 900 m gain on the falls-route climb

   A forested Western Ghats peak crowned by the Sarvajna Peetha, a stone shrine linked to Adi Shankaracharya, and a sunset-view plateau. Trekkers usually climb through forest via Hidlumane Falls; jeeps run on the rougher road from Kollur.

   Trailhead: Hidlumane Falls / Nittur (route one) or Nagodi (Valur route); base town is Kollur, home of the Mookambika Temple

7. 7

   Skandagiri (Kalavara Durga) Sunrise Trek

   About 8 km round trip3-5 hours round trip; usually a pre-dawn startmoderateSummit about 1,350 m (4,430 ft); about 400-500 m gain over rock and steps

   A ruined hill-fort peak above a sea of cloud, the classic sunrise trek from Bengaluru. The path passes the Papagni Mutt, then climbs stone steps and ridges to the summit and the old fort walls.

   Trailhead: Kalavara village, about 60-70 km north of Bengaluru via Hebbal, Devanahalli and Chikkaballapur

8. 8

   Nandi Hills Hill Walk (Nandi Betta)

   About 3-5 km walking loops; the base-to-top climb from Nandi village is about 3 km2-3 hours for the main walk and viewpointseasy-moderateSummit 1,478 m (4,850 ft); the climb from the village base gains about 500 m

   A hill fortress near Bengaluru with Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace, Tipu's Drop, and the Yoga Nandeeshwara temple, and long sunrise views. The popular hike climbs the stepped path from the base village.

   Trailhead: Nandi Hills entry gate on the Bengaluru-Bellary road, about 60-65 km from Bengaluru near Chikkaballapur

9. 9

   Savandurga Monolith Climb

   About 4-6 km round trip3-4 hours round tripmoderate-difficultSummit about 1,226 m (4,024 ft); a steep granite slab climb of about 400 m

   One of Asia's largest monolith hills, a huge granite dome (Karigudda and Biligudda) with a steep sloping rock face climbed with strong grip and a local guide. The hill sits close to the Arkavathy river and Manchanabele reservoir.

   Trailhead: Savandurga base village near Magadi, about 60 km west of Bengaluru

10. 10

    Matanga Hill Sunrise Climb, Hampi

    About 1 km each way30-45 minutes up; 1.5-2 hours with time at the topeasy-moderateAbout 100-150 m of rock steps above the boulder plain

    A short, steep rock-step climb to a small Hanuman-style shrine and ruined pavilions, with the best 360-degree view over the ruins of Vijayanagara, the Tungabhadra and the boulder landscape. Sunrise is the classic time.

    Trailhead: Path near Achyutaraya Temple and the Hampi Bazaar, on the ancient street east of Virupaksha Temple

Trail difficulty levels

Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.

When to hike

Seasonal conditions in Karnataka.

Best Season

October to February

June September

Southwest monsoon: extremely wet, leeches, slippery paths and low visibility. Many Western Ghats routes in Kodagu, Chikmagalur and the coast close or restrict permits; hikes near Bengaluru (Skandagiri, Nandi Hills) are misty and popular with sunrise crowds. Permit quotas are often paused for weeks; check Aranya Vihaara.

October November

Post-monsoon: green hills, waterfalls still flowing, clear morning skies. Routes reopen; this is the best window for Kudremukh, Tadiandamol and Kodachadri.

December February

Cool and dry, 8-25 degrees C on the ridges (near-freezing nights at Mullayanagiri and Kudremukh). Best visibility; grasslands turn golden. Highest demand for Kumara Parvatha and Skandagiri; book early.

March May

Hot and dry; Karnataka Forest Department imposes a fire-season closure on most Western Ghats treks (roughly March to May). Low-elevation forts and Hampi are very hot (35-42 degrees C) and best avoided outside sunrise hours.

Notes

Book permits on aranyavihaara.karnataka.gov.in between about 1 and 15-30 days ahead (the window has changed; verify), carry a printed and digital copy plus government ID, and expect one certified guide to be assigned per group of about ten. Cancellations get a full or partial refund only if made a week or more ahead; permits are non-transferable.

Local hazards

What to watch out for on the trail.