Kudremukh Trek :Difficulty, Safety, Permissions and Tips

There are trips you plan because you want a break, and then there are trips that end up becoming memories you didn’t expect. The Kudremukh Trek is one of those. It doesn’t try to impress you with flashy viewpoints or adventure stunts. Instead, it gently pulls you in with quiet forests, rolling green hills, moving clouds and a long trail that slowly clears your mind without you even realising it.

I still remember my first glimpse of the hills from Mullodi village — soft morning light, tiny houses scattered below, mist sliding down the slopes. It felt like the kind of place where life moves at its own calm speed. And maybe that’s the real beauty of this trek.

A Slow, Green Beginning

The trek starts inside Kudremukh National Park, but the real journey begins much earlier — when you sit in a rattling jeep climbing toward Mullodi. That short ride itself tells you everything: narrow paths, sudden drops, streams cutting through the road and small homes hidden among trees. You feel far away from noise in just minutes.

Once you begin the Kudremukh Trek, the first section takes you through thick shola forest. The trail feels cool even when the sun is out. You hear birds you don’t recognize, sticks snapping under your feet, and the low rush of water somewhere nearby. Every few metres, a small stream appears — fresh, icy water running over smooth stones. Many trekkers take a moment to splash their faces, and honestly, it feels like the trek officially starts right there.

When the Forest Opens Up

There’s a moment, after an hour or two, when the forest suddenly ends and the world becomes wide. This shift is one of my favourite parts of the Kudremukh Trek.

One step you’re under thick shade, the next step you’re standing in bright open grasslands with hills stretching out in front of you like green waves.

The grasslands here are not like the usual hilltop meadows. Kudremukh’s slopes are gentle and endless. The trail twists, climbs, dips and sometimes just walks straight up a ridge that looks like it came out of a painting. The wind becomes stronger, your footsteps become lighter, and without thinking, your rhythm matches the rhythm of the hills.

This part of the trek makes you understand why people keep returning. It’s not just scenery — it’s a feeling of being tiny and free at the same time.

The Push Towards the Peak

The last stretch towards the peak is steeper, but by then your body is warmed up and your mind is fully in the moment. The famous “horse-face” shape of Kudremukh starts becoming clear, especially if the clouds lift for a bit.

The trail narrows, curves around hill edges and opens into viewpoints that feel almost unreal. On clear days, you see layers of hills fading into blue distance. On cloudy days, everything disappears into white mist and reappears suddenly like magic.

Most people sit quietly at the top — not because they’re tired, but because the silence feels good. There’s a soft sense of achievement, but more than that, there’s the joy of having walked through places that still feel pure.

How Difficult Is It, Really?

The Kudremukh Trek is usually labelled as “moderate,” but it depends on how you approach it.

• It’s long, so you need stamina.
• It has steep sections, so you need patience.
• It has water crossings, so you need balance.
• And it has unpredictable weather, so you need acceptance.

But you don’t need to be an athlete or a frequent trekker. If you walk regularly, carry light and take breaks when needed, the trail feels manageable.

Most people I’ve seen on the trail — beginners, casual travellers, even older hikers — complete it with smiles and sore legs that they don’t regret.

Safety and Permissions, Kept Simple

Kudremukh is inside a protected national park, so a few things are compulsory:

• Entry permission
• A registered guide
• No camping on the peak

These rules protect the forest, and once you walk inside it, you understand why they matter. The ecosystem here is delicate — streams clean enough to drink, grasslands untouched, forests full of quiet life. Respecting park rules is part of the experience.

Weather can also shift suddenly. A sunny day can become foggy in minutes. That’s part of the charm, but also a reminder to stay close to your group and guide.

What You Should Carry

Keep it light. Kudremukh is long — you’ll thank yourself for packing less.

Here’s what actually helps:

• Comfortable trekking shoes
• Two litres of water
• A rain jacket or poncho
• Simple snacks (dry fruits, fruit, bread, anything light)
• Extra pair of socks
• Cap and sunscreen
• Basic first-aid
• Quick-dry clothes
• Small towel

• ID for entry

Most of the trail is exposed after the forest section, so the sun and wind can both be strong. Being prepared makes the journey smoother.

Reaching the Starting Point

Most travellers reach Kalasa, the nearest town with regular buses from Bengaluru, Mangalore or Chikkamagaluru.

From Kalasa, jeeps take you to Mullodi — the small village where most trekkers rest before or after the trek.

The jeep ride is a mini adventure of its own — bumpy, noisy, but fun.

Moments You Will Remember

The Kudremukh Trek is full of small moments that stay with you:

• The first cold shock of stepping into a forest stream

• Mist rolling across grasslands like slow waves
• Standing on a ridge with wind pushing your hair back
• Hearing nothing but your breath and the sound of distant water
• Watching clouds race across the peak
• That quiet exhaustion you feel when you finish — the good kind

These moments build the story of the trek more than the peak itself.

A Simple Ending to a Beautiful Trail

The Kudremukh Trek is not about big achievements. It’s not about speed, not about showing off, not about collecting trophies.

It is a trek for people who enjoy slow steps, changing skies, green silence and the feeling of being somewhere untouched.

If you like nature that feels real, if you enjoy walking without hurry, or if you simply want a break that heals more than it tires — Kudremukh will stay with you for a long time.

It’s a trail that doesn’t promise adventure…

yet quietly gives you one of the most peaceful ones.