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A DIY Guide to Chembra Peak Trek

DIY Treks

A DIY Guide to Chembra Peak Trek

Written by

Aparna Rastogi

30 May 2024

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At a height of 2100 M, Chembra Peak is one the highest in the Western Ghats. With sprawling views of the surrounding mountains, the trail to the top is nothing short of mesmerising. From tea plantations to forests and even grasslands, Chembra Peak has so much to offer! And that’s not all. A quaint heart-shaped lake rests just a little below the peak. The lake does not dry up even during summer and adds to the beauty of the landscape. It is located just 8 kms away from Kalpetta and the nearest town to Chembra is Meppady which is 17 kms away. It is a one day trek that takes 5-6 hours to complete but packs in natural beauty and adventure into that short duration!

This article lays down all the information pertaining to the Chembra Peak and is your go to guide when planning this trail!

The Chembra Peak Trail

The trail starts from the Chembra Peak VSS Forest Office in Meppadi. You will be required to take permission from the forest office before starting your trek. You can start trekking from the forest office itself or you can take your vehicle up to the watchtower (2 kms ahead of the forest office) and start your trek from there.

The walk from the forest office to the watchtower is a mud path and takes you through tea plantations and gardens with views of the valley below. It’s a pleasant and enjoyable walk to the watchtower. You can find a few vehicles parked near the watchtower which is the last accessible point for vehicles.

From the parking lot, you can see a path cutting through the tea plantations on your right. The trail is fairly easy for the first 15-20 minutes. A sign board indicating the start of the trail to Chembra Peak can be found here. The vegetation around you gradually transforms into a forest and the path also inclines as you move forward. The path is straightforward and chances of losing the trail are close to none.

Thirty minutes into this trail, you reach a patch of grassland with a pond and standalone tree next to it. This makes for a good spot to rest and recharge with some snacks and beverages. Take a moment to enjoy the scenery and soak it in before starting the next section of the trail.

This section has no tree cover and can be strenuous on hot sunny days. The trail is also steep and has a few rocky patches which can be difficult to navigate. As you trek through this section for close to an hour, you reach the heart shaped lake with Chembra Peak in front of you. The landscape here is truly remarkable with the lake nestled amidst towering mountains of the Western Ghats.

While there is a path from here that leads to the top of Chembra Peak, it is no longer allowed to trek there due to wildlife activity in the region.

You can take the same way back to the forest office. The trail can be slippery post monsoon so it is advisable to exercise caution while you descend. A good pair of trekking shoes and a trekking pole will make your trek a lot more comfortable and easy even!

Highlights: Things to Look Forward to on This Trek

1. Views of the Western Ghats and Wayanad

The trail gives you bird’s eye views of small villages and lush green tea plantations that will leave you wanting for me. Views of the valley below and the surrounding mountains make for excellent landscapes that keep you company throughout the trail.

2. Heart Shaped Lake

This lake is one of the main highlights on this trail. It retains its heart shape even during monsoon and post monsoon when there is significant overgrowth in the grass around. Interestingly it also never dries, not even during peak summer. The view of the lake with the Chembra Peak in the backdrop is stunning and you will almost never want to make your way back down from there.

3. Tea Plantations

The lush green tea plantations are a pleasure to walk through. What is even better is the view of them from above. They appear like a green carpet spread over the hills and make for a striking landscape.

Challenges: Things to be Prepared For on This Trek

1. The Final Climb to the Heart Shaped Lake

The climb from the pond to the heart shaped lake can be challenging given that there is no tree cover and the trail is also steep. The rocky patches can be slippery, particularly during monsoon, making it tricky to navigate them. A pair of trekking shoes and a trekking pole will make this section a little easier.

Difficulty Level and the Bikat Rating Scale

Chembra Peak is a level 1 trek on the Bikat Rating Scale.

About the BRS: The Bikat Rating Scale rates the difficulty level of all treks and expeditions in our portfolio after taking into account their geographical and climatic conditions.

According to this scale, if you are a beginner who is unsure of your fitness level and don’t know what to expect on a trek, a trek rated one will be a good place to start.

If you liked your very first trekking experience and are looking to test your limits next, the treks rated 2 or 3 will do the job for you.

A beginner who is sure of their fitness level on the other hand is welcome to skip the first two levels and directly start with one of the treks rated 3.

From 4 onwards, the rules change a little. It is mandatory to have trekking experience of the previous level to participate in the next level.

Best Time to do the Chembra Peak Trek

The post monsoon season between September to February is the best time to trek to Chembra Peak. The lake is full and the grasslands and tea plantations are in a shade of beautiful green that makes for a striking landscape. The trail is too slippery during the monsoon months and too hot during the summer months so it is best to avoid it if you are looking for a pleasant experience.

How to Reach the Base

You can reach Meppadi by your own vehicle or via public transport.

If you are travelling via public transport, there are a number of buses that you can take from Bangalore. Take a bus towards Calicut and get down at Kalpetta. Kalpetta is at a distance of 284 kms from Bangalore and takes 7-8 hours by bus. The bus ticket will cost you approximately INR 800-900. From here, you can get another bus or shared jeeps to Meppadi which is 11.5 kms away. The bus journey might take close to an hour. Ask them to drop you at Meppadi mosque and get an auto to the starting point of Chembra Peak which is another 8-9 kms away. This will take 30-45 mins to reach. A number of hotels are available near the forest office if you wish to stay in Meppadi.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chembra Peak

1. Is there cellular network connectivity on the trail?

Patchy network is available till the starting point of the trail. Once you start the trek, there is no network connectivity till you come back to the starting point.

2. Are there food stalls on the trail?

No, there are no stalls for food or water on the trail. Please carry sufficient food and water for the trek from the restaurants in Meppadi. Do not drink the water from the pond or the heart shaped lake.

3. Do I need a permit for this trek?

Yes, you need to take a permit from the forest office in Meppadi before starting your trek. The trail is open from 7 AM to 5 PM. No trekkers are allowed past the forest office after 2 PM.

4. How long does the trek take?

The trek takes 5-6 hours to complete and return back to the starting point. It is advisable to start early in the day and return before sunset.

5. Is this trek for beginners?

Chembra Peak is an easy trail and can be attempted by beginners. It is important to be careful on the steep and slippery sections which can be slightly challenging but not impossible!

That’s all about the Chembra Peak trek! Should you wish to know more or need help planning your weekend adventure to Chembra Peak, please feel free to reach out to our team.

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