Kudremukh takes its name from Kannada for 'horse face', after the profile of its main summit, which rises to about 1,892 m in the Western Ghats. The small town sits at roughly 815 m, in Kalasa taluk of Chikmagalur district, and was built as a company township for the iron ore mine that worked here for decades. The mine is gone, the township has shrunk, and what remains is the hills: a national park of about 600 sq km, declared in 1987, covering wet evergreen forest and open shola grassland where the Tunga, Bhadra and Netravathi rivers are said to rise.
This is a destination for walking and looking rather than ticking off monuments. The headline experience is the Kudremukh Peak trek, a long day on open grass ridges that needs advance booking through the Karnataka Forest Department's online portal and is not for everyone. For the rest of the family there are waterfalls such as Hanumana Gundi and Kadambi, which are at their best after the monsoon, plus the Bhagavathi shrine at Ganga Moola where the three rivers begin.
The gentler half of a trip lies a short drive away at Kalasa and Horanadu. Kalasa has the Kalaseshwara Shiva temple on the Bhadra river and a Jain basadi, and Horanadu has the Annapoorneshwari temple, well known for its free meals. Together they make an easy day for parents who will not be trekking.
Plan around the weather. The Ghats here get several metres of rain between June and September, trails can be closed, and roads and leeches make the monsoon hard going. Winter is cooler and clearer. Services are basic, towns are small, and Mangaluru is the practical gateway for flights and trains.
Before you plan
Kudremukh at a glance
- Best months
- October to March after the monsoonOctober to March after the monsoon, when forests are green and falls still run. June to September is very wet and treks can be suspended.
- Ideal trip length
- 2 days for the peak trek plus Kalasa…2 days for the peak trek plus Kalasa and Horanadu; 3 days if you add the falls and a slower pace
- Airport
- Mangaluru International AirportMangaluru International Airport (IXE), roughly 95-100 km by road; allow about three hours
- Railway station
- Mangaluru CentralMangaluru Central (MAQ) and Mangaluru Junction (MAJN) are the practical railheads; onward by road
- Getting around
- A hired car with driver is the only…A hired car with driver is the only practical option; public transport to the park and falls is thin, so confirm road and trail status before setting out
- Daily budget
- ModestModest; the main costs are the car, a homestay or guesthouse and forest-department fees. Check current rates on the official portal
- Senior comfort
- Limited for the park and treksLimited for the park and treks; good for Kalasa and Horanadu, where temple approaches are short, though facilities are basic
- Language
- Kannada locallyKannada locally, with Tulu and Konkani nearby on the coast; Hindi and English are understood at tourist stops
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Kudremukh: January, February, November, December. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Kudremukh itinerary
One good day
1 day in Kudremukh
Start early from your base and drive to the Kudremukh National Park area. If you have a booked slot, walk the peak trail only as far as your fitness and the daylight allow; otherwise spend the morning at Kadambi Falls and, if road and water level are safe, Hanumana Gundi. Have an early lunch and rest. In the afternoon, drive to Kalasa for the Kalaseshwara temple, then continue to Horanadu if you still have energy. Return before dark, since the ghat roads are poorly lit and mist can settle quickly.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days in Kudremukh
Book a slot in advance on the Karnataka Forest Department's Aranya Vihaara portal and carry the original photo ID used for the booking. Reach the start point early, walk the long grassland route to the horse-face summit and be back down before sunset, as camping is not allowed. Eat a proper breakfast, carry water in a refillable container and expect a long, tiring day. Rest in the evening.
Day-by-day plan →Three unhurried days
3 days in Kudremukh
Spend the morning at Kadambi Falls and the Bhagavathi shrine at Ganga Moola, where the Tunga, Bhadra and Netravathi are said to rise. Check access at the forest office first. Keep the afternoon free.
Day-by-day plan →
