What to expect
Highlights
- The horse-face peak and grassland ridge trek.
- Shola forest, streams and sweeping Ghats views.
- The wider Kudremukh National Park setting.
Kudremukh Peak
Kudremukh, at about 1,894 m, is the second-highest peak in Karnataka and the centrepiece of the Kudremukh National Park. Its name — "horse-face" — comes from a distinctive profile of the mountain.
Practical guide
Plan Kudremukh Peak
Who's going?Tailor Kudremukh Peak to your trip
Typetrek
Nearest baseKudremukh
DistrictChikkamagaluru
Best timeOctober to February (post-monsoon…
Time neededA full day for the trek
EntryForest permit (and guide) required
Places to visit3→The peak is reached by a permit-controlled day trek from Mullodi/Balagal that crosses rolling shola grassland, streams and forest patches, one of the classic Western Ghats treks.
Getting there
How to visit
- The trek base is near Kalasa/Kudremukh, ~95–100 km from Chikkamagaluru; the trek needs a forest-department permit and usually a guide.
- Numbers and timings are regulated — arrange the permit and guide in advance, start early, and carry water, food and rain cover; the full trek is long and strenuous.
Distance by road
- Hassan55 km
- Shivamogga90 km
- Mangaluru150 km
- Mysuru165 km
- Bengaluru245 km
Road km to Chikkamagaluru; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.
Timing
Best time
October to February (post-monsoon greenery, clearer skies); the park may restrict access in the monsoon.
Weather in Kudremukh PeakSeasonal guide
Live forecast loads in your browser.
Today at Kudremukh Peak
Sunrise6:19 am
Sunset6:09 pm
Golden hour best light5:09 pm–6:09 pm
Blue hour after sunset6:09 pm–6:34 pm
Sun sets toward compass bearingW · 260°
Moon tonight🌓 First quarter · 44%
Retreating monsoon. October and November still see spells of rain from the retreating monsoon, though it is usually lighter than mid-year. Conditions are generally good but worth checking.
Sun and moon are calculated for this location and shown in IST. Photography windows are the hour around sunrise and sunset; the sunset bearing is degrees clockwise from true north. Moon phase is accurate to about half a day.
Visitor notes
- A regulated national-park trek — carry your permit, stay on the trail, take all litter out, and beware of leeches after rain.
Photos
Kudremukh Peak in pictures
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Top experiences around Kudremukh
2 more places around Kudremukh. Open a guide to plan the visit and onward journey.
waterfallHanuman Gundi Falls
42.2 km · 68 min drive
A waterfall inside the Kudremukh National Park, reached down a long flight of steps, dropping around 30 m into a rocky pool amid rainforest; also known as Soojipara.
templeAnnapoorneshwari Temple, Horanadu
31.4 km · 58 min drive
A riverside temple to Adi Shakthyathmaka Annapoorneshwari, goddess of food and nourishment, at Horanadu on the Bhadra, where every pilgrim is offered a free meal; a key stop on the Sringeri–Kalasa temple circuit.
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Add a nearby businessTrek facts
Kudremukh Peak — at a glance
TimingsFull-day trek; start early
Best timeOctober to February; park may restrict monsoon access
Entry: Forest permit (and guide) required
Getting here
How to reach Kudremukh Peak
Trek base near Kalasa/Kudremukh, ~95–100 km from Chikkamagaluru
Getting back
If you are travelling by bus or ferry, check the return service with the operator before setting out. Leave time to reach the stop or jetty after your visit.
- KSRTC— the Karnataka state bus operator; route and schedule enquiries.Online booking.
- Indian Railways— live running and seat availability for the nearest railhead, named under “Getting here” above.
Ask at the bus stand for the time of the last service back, not the next one. If you miss it, an auto or app cab is the fallback — agree the fare before you get in.
Getting around Kudremukh Peak
If you need step-free access, contact the site before travelling. Ask about a level entrance, steps along the route, the nearest drop-off point, seating and accessible toilets.
If you need help at Kudremukh Peak
112All emergencies (police · fire · medical)The single number to call in any emergency (ERSS).100Police101Fire108Ambulance (emergency / EMS)1091Women’s helpline (distress)1098Child helpline1363Tourist helpline (India, 24×7, multilingual)
Emergency numbers are verified against official government and state tourism sources. 112 works anywhere in India.
Nearby
What’s near Kudremukh Peak
templeAnnapoorneshwari Temple, Horanadu
A riverside temple to Adi Shakthyathmaka Annapoorneshwari, goddess of food and nourishment, at Horanadu on the Bhadra, where every pilgrim is offered a free meal; a key stop on the Sringeri–Kalasa temple circuit.
31.4 km · 58 min drivewaterfallHanuman Gundi Falls
A waterfall inside the Kudremukh National Park, reached down a long flight of steps, dropping around 30 m into a rocky pool amid rainforest; also known as Soojipara.
42.2 km · 68 min drive
wildlifeBhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
A tiger reserve on the Bhadra river around Muthodi, its dry and moist deciduous forest sheltering tigers, elephants, gaur, sambar and rich birdlife; jeep safaris run from the Muthodi range.
62.2 km · ~104 min by cab · straight line
templeSharadamba Temple, Sringeri
The temple of goddess Sharadamba at Sringeri, seat of the Sharada Peetham — the first of the four mathas founded by Adi Shankaracharya — on the bank of the Tunga river; a major centre of learning and pilgrimage.
75.1 km · 93 min drive
templeVidyashankara Temple, Sringeri
A 14th-century temple in the Sringeri math complex blending Hoysala and Vijayanagara styles, famous for its twelve zodiac pillars set so that sunlight falls on the pillar of the solar month, and for its finely carved outer walls.
75.1 km · 93 min drive
waterfallSirimane Falls
A broad tiered waterfall of about 40 feet in forest above Kigga, 15.6 km by road from Sringeri, reached by around fifty laid steps from a car park. People bathe at the base in moderate flow, but it is loose boulders and slick rock — not a paddling pool.
80.2 km · 102 min drive
heritageHirekolale Lake
A calm irrigation lake ringed by coffee hills a few kilometres from Chikkamagaluru town, a popular spot for sunset views over the water with the Baba Budan range behind.
100.7 km · 132 min drive
trekMullayanagiri
At about 1,930 m the highest peak in Karnataka, a grassy summit of the Baba Budan range near Chikkamagaluru topped by a small Shiva shrine (Mullappa Swamy); a motorable road climbs to a saddle, from where a short stepped path leads to the top and sweeping Western Ghats views.
132.6 km · 153 min drive
hill stationBaba Budangiri
A sacred mountain range north of Chikkamagaluru named after the Sufi saint Baba Budan, credited with first bringing coffee to India; its cave shrine (the Dattatreya Peetha) is revered by Hindus and Muslims alike, and the ridge has grassy trails and viewpoints.
202.7 km · 231 min drive
waterfallManikyadhara Falls
A thin, sacred cascade on the Baba Budangiri slopes where pilgrims stand in the spray, believed to have healing powers; reached by a short walk down steps from the road near the Dattatreya shrine.
203.1 km · 231 min driveWalking and driving times are real routed distances, except the few marked “straight line”, which are direct-line estimates and will read short.Routing: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
On the map
Where Kudremukh Peak is
Good to know
Kudremukh Peak — frequently asked
When is the best time to visit Kudremukh Peak?
October to February (post-monsoon greenery, clearer skies); the park may restrict access in the monsoon.
What are the entry fee and timings at Kudremukh Peak?
Entry: Forest permit (and guide) required. Timings: Full-day trek; start early.
How do I reach Kudremukh Peak?
The trek base is near Kalasa/Kudremukh, ~95–100 km from Chikkamagaluru; the trek needs a forest-department permit and usually a guide. Numbers and timings are regulated — arrange the permit and guide in advance, start early, and carry water, food and rain cover; the full trek is long and strenuous.
How much time do I need for Kudremukh Peak?
A full day for the trek.
What else is near Kudremukh Peak?
Nearby you can pair Annapoorneshwari Temple, Horanadu (31.4 km), Hanuman Gundi Falls (42.2 km), Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (62.2 km), Sharadamba Temple, Sringeri (75.1 km).
Read before you go
Kudremukh Peak guides, stories & itineraries
We have not published a story about Kudremukh Peak itself yet. These cover Kudremukh and the wider district, with separate journeys between stops.
Around Kudremukh
These guides explore Kudremukh and the surrounding area. Choose a visit that fits your interests, allowing separately for travel between stops.
Karnataka-wide guides & itineraries
Route-level itineraries and practical guides for the rest of Karnataka.
Image credits
Photographs: solarisgirl, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0), Ramesh Desai (CC BY-SA 4.0), Prashanthmuthyalanaidu (CC BY-SA 4.0), iMahesh (CC BY-SA 4.0). Wikimedia Commons.