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
Typetrek
Nearest baseKudremukh
Best timeOctober to February (post-monsoon greenery, clearer skies)
Time neededA full day for the trek
EntryForest permit (and guide) required
Nearest town/baseKudremukh
DistrictChikkamagaluru
Place typetrek
Time neededA full day for the trek.
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.
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.
Trek 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
A regulated national-park trek — carry the permit, stay on the trail, beware leeches after rain.
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.
Visitor notes
- A regulated national-park trek — carry your permit, stay on the trail, take all litter out, and beware of leeches after rain.
Safety
Good to know
On the map
Where Kudremukh Peak is
Photos
Kudremukh Peak in pictures
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What’s near Kudremukh Peak
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. Fees and timings are indicative — confirm on site before you travel.
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 (18.3 km), Hanuman Gundi Falls (19.8 km), Sirimane Falls (30.3 km), Vidyashankara Temple, Sringeri (31.9 km).
Read next
Stories, legends & history of Kudremukh Peak
Trek guideKudremukh Trek: Karnataka's Horse-Face Peak7 min readPillar guideThings to Do in Chikmagalur: Peaks, Coffee and Falls9 min readTrek guideMullayanagiri Trek: Karnataka's Highest Peak6 min read
More stories, legends & guides from Chikkamagaluru
Image credits
- Kudremukh Peak:solarisgirl, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0