10 Highest Peaks in Karnataka You Must Trek

What better way to start this list of the high peaks than with the Karnataka highest peak! And that peak is Mullayanagiri, located in the Chikmagalur district. As you pass by gurgling waterfalls and trek your way through dense forests, the nature and adventure lover in you will get a new life! The starting point of the trek is Sarpadhari and from here, you will be trekking a distance of 3 km with an easy to moderate difficulty level till the Mullayanagiri peak! It can take around 6 to 8 hours to reach the highest point.

In the Chikmagalur district stands Kudremukh, one of the highest peaks of Karnataka! You can start your trek to Kudremukh either from Samse village or from Kaikamba, which is another beautiful village. Whichever of these two trails you take, know this, the views on your way will be mesmerising! And the trek can take 3 to 4 hours. Here is a little info on the difficulty level of this trek. Since the trail to the peak is covered with thick forests and the ground is slippery due to the waterfalls present in close vicinity, it is quite difficult. But it will be adventurous too!

‘Trekkers’ paradise’, this is the nickname this peak has been given. So, you know that this trek is going to be one of the best treks of your life. To attempt this trek, reach Kodagu district. There, the town of Subramanya is where the trek starts. If the name of the town sounds familiar, it is because it is a popular pilgrimage for Hindus. The duration of the trek can be 8 to 10 hours and the difficulty level ranges from moderate to difficult. But it will all be worth it, such beautiful is the trail and such soothing is the atmosphere!

You probably have heard of the Madhugiri town nestling in the Tumkur district. The next trekking destination is its namesake, Madhugiri hills! As you start trekking from the town, it will take you 2 to 3 hours to complete this trek with a moderate difficulty level. As you trek, make sure to stop at the Madhugiri Fort. Several honey bee colonies used to call this fort their home! You can rest at the fort for a while and explore the temple, now in ruins, located at the top of the fort!

Yes, this is where the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is located. You can visit the sanctuary if you want, but let’s focus on trekking first! The forest checkpoint at the base of the hills is the starting point of the trek. From there, you will be trekking for 3 to 5 hours through dense forests, rocky terrain and wet grasslands. The difficulty level is moderate to high. On your route, you can pay a visit to the Subramanya Temple. Also, after your trek, you can camp at Girigadde.

A famous name and an ideal trek for both expert trekkers and beginners. And we have the moderate difficulty level of the trek to thank for that. Here are more details on the trek! Kodachadri is located in the Shimoga district. There are multiple starting points of the treks, like the village of Nagodi and Kollur. Start from any of these points and a breathtaking trail awaits you. You will be passing by the Mookambika Temple, many beautiful waterfalls and also the Old Nagar Fort. This trek can take 8 to 10 hours and you will enjoy every moment of it!

One of the most challenging treks of the state, Tadiandamol, is located in the Kodagu district! Well, in the Kodava language, the name itself translates to the highest point. And reaching the highest points are often difficult but they are rewarding too! You will begin the journey at Virajpete. From there, you will see many mountain streams and waterfalls as you make your way to the top! It will take you 5 to 6 hours to complete the trek

This high altitude village is one of the most exciting places to visit in Karnataka and has its permanent address in the Shimoga district. This village receives heavy rainfall (read the heaviest rainfall in the state). So, what you can expect from this trek is a trail surrounded by lush green and a sensational ambience. Adding more beauty to the village are the many waterfalls located nearby. If you have a knack for photography, the village will become your favourite within seconds! You can complete the trek within 5 to 6 hours. And you can expect a moderately difficult trail.

Another popular name and it has all the rights to be on this list. The trail here is spectacular. Lush green forest and exciting wildlife make this one of the must-attempt treks in India. While you trek here, you will also get to explore Thirunelli Temple, Munikal cave and Iruppu Falls. Before we get lost in its beauty, let’s discuss some important details! The trek is not that difficult, making it perfect for even new trekkers. The duration of this trek can be more than 3 hours.

We will be concluding our journey to the highest peaks of Karnataka in the Chikkaballapura district. There awaits us Kalavaarahalli Betta! With the famous fort of Tipu Sultan, some interesting caves and a beautiful temple, the trail has a lot for you to explore in a duration of 3 hours. A tip here! Opt for a night trek. Because this is one of the most sought after night treks of India.

Whether you opt for the highest peak for trek in Karnataka or any of the 10 peaks, one thing is assured! You will be touching great heights accompanied by nature’s allure and awesome atmosphere!