Trekking near Bangalore: Places you should not Miss

Trekking enthusiasts, looking for something different and shorter than Himalayan treks there’s really no better place than the South Indian state of Karnataka. There’s an abundance of stunning highlands and trekking places near Bangalore, the capital of the state. We have picked out some of the best places to visit near Bangalore for trekking enthusiasts. 

1. Kumta Gokarna Beach Trek

Kumta Gokarna is one of the cleanest regions of North Karnataka with amazing beaches. An abundance of yearly rainfall has helped in sustaining the lush green flora in this area. Kumta’s beaches may not have too many tourist attractions but it offers visitors something extremely unique - Beach Trekking.

Trek along the stunning coastlines of Karnataka. The trek will take you from Kumta beach to the famous Gokarna Beach, covering all the pristine coastlines of Karnataka on the way.

Some quick facts about the Kumta Gokarna Trek 

Beach trekking comes with additional bonuses such as the prospect of watching the beautiful sunrise as you dine and sing with locals, watching gallant waves of the Indian Ocean crash into the rocks from the local ferries, and a lot more!

An extremely easy and comfortable trek suited for beginners. 

Trekkers can also spot stunning birds and even dolphins swimming if you’re lucky! 

The Kumta Gokarna Trek is certainly one of the best tourist places near Bangalore.

2. Kumara Parvatha Trek

A reputed spot in the Western Ghats, the Kumara Parvatha is the second-highest mountain in Coorg, Karnataka. It is a popular trek especially for youngsters, student groups and families, essentially making it the ideal place for beginners to practice going pro.

The Kumara Parvatha Trek will take trekkers through dense woodlands, big volcanic stones and a diverse range of flora and fauna. Also called the ‘Pushpagiri Trek’, this is one of the most visited tourist places near Bangalore. Although some parts of the trail can be too stressful a climb for amateurs, the accompanying views certainly make this trek worth the effort.

Quick facts about the Kumara Parvatha Trek

The trail is located in the famous Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, making it one of the best places to visit near Bangalore for wildlife adventure enthusiasts.

The trail reaches up to 1712 meters in terms of altitude.

It takes about 8-10 hours to complete this trek. The trail is roundabout 13 kilometers long. 

This trek is ideal for beginners but being accompanied by an experienced trekker is recommended.

Since summers come with sweltering amounts of harsh heat in this southern state, trekking in the summer is virtually impossible. Like with most tourist places near Bangalore, this region comes to life during the monsoon and the winter seasons. The Kumara Parvatha is covered with mist and dense fog making the trek extremely pleasant. 

3. Kodachadri Trek

Although there are several trekking places near Bangalore, none come close to Kodachadri Trek when it comes to thrilling escapes into thick jungles. 

This trek is 10-hours away from Bangalore if you travel in a car. The trek starts from the base camp Karekatte in the Shimoga district and is possibly one of the most visited trails in the state. The Sri Mookambika temple in Kollur is a major attraction for tourists so there are hordes of people visiting throughout the year. Temples in these areas are almost all situated in hazy dense woodlands, making them some of the coolest places to relax in these warm surroundings.

Some quick facts about the Kodachadri Trek

This is a moderately difficult trek for first-timers.

The Trek lasts for about 4-5 hours.

The trail is covered with dense forests, green fields, waterfalls and hills making it one of the best places to visit near Bangalore.

The Base Camp is Karekatte. Although the trail takes less than 6 hours to finish, if you’re planning your trip from Bangalore, set apart at least one day to complete the trip.  

The best time to visit the Kodachadri trail is in the monsoon/winter months of September and February when the surroundings cool down, making the walk extremely comfortable for trekkers.

4. Kudremukh Trek

Kudremukh is a small township located in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. Home to some of the most efficient coffee plantations in the world this trail reaches up to 1,894 meters in max altitude. Kudremukh National Park serves as the base camp. The trek begins on taking a jeep from Balegal to Mullodi. As you tread forward on foot, you begin to move towards the forest area where you are greeted by many streams.

The fine soil in this region provides an excellent platform for coffee plantation. Other forms of flora also flourish in this region. There are everchanging sceneries and fascinating views. Watercourses, bamboo bushes, waterfalls, and opulent vegetation are some of the important features of the trek.

Quick facts about the Kudremukh Trek

Kudremukh is the 3rd highest mountain in Karnataka. Therefore, the trek is somewhat challenging. The trail opens out to lush green pastures in its path. 

There’s an abundance of beautiful streams in this region. 

The Kudremukh National Park makes this trail all the more attractive for tourists. The park is also the base camp for the trek.

The monsoons are the best time to visit Kudremukh. At this time of the year, the rainforests and waterfalls of this region are at their best. 

5. Tadiandamol Trek

Coorg, a place that has a global reputation for being one of the regions of the world is blessed with amazing trekking spots. 

Tadiandamol Peak. The Tadiandamol Trek in Coorg definitely qualifies in the list of best trekking places near Bangalore sheerly because of the exciting altitude gain it offers. Trekkers can visit the highest place in the state – the Tadiandamol peak which boasts an altitude of 5737 feet. This spectacular peak is encircled by the flora of the neighboring Shola jungles. Tadiandamol translates to ‘Big Mountain’ in Kannada and the trail up to the peak certainly lives up to its name.

Quick facts about the Tadiandamol Trek

• This is an extremely easy and comfortable trek suited for beginners. Trekkers are expected to travel 14 kilometers overall.
• Setting apart just 2 days will be enough to reach the summit. 

Make sure you spend your weekends away from the traffic and the hum-drum of the city soaking up some sun on these trails.