As the spell of the monsoon season has swung in, it’s raining in Bangalore almost everyday. Sitting here at the Bangalore office, looking at raindrops splashing on the road and witnessing the plants on our balcony happily dancing to the song of winds, I wonder what it must be like to be on a hillside now. The lush green grasslands beaming with tiny flowers, dreamy forest settings, moss covered tree trunks, gushing water streams - what a beautiful time to trek!

Thinking of a hillside, what better place to trek than western ghats during monsoon? In this article, we have curated seven best western ghats treks that you can do on your own this monsoon. Some of these trails are famous among trekkers and some are relatively less traversed. Nevertheless, all of these treks offer you the essence of monsoon season in their own way. And the best part is, these treks can be done in just a weekend!

Without further delay, let’s dive into the details of these treks.

Map showing the relative location of the best monsoon treks in Karnataka.

Total Trek Distance: 18 km
Trek Starting Point: Mullodi, Kalasa
Distance from Bangalore: 317 km

Rolling green hills of Kudremukh Range. Picture by Meghana Jambhe

Nestled in the heart of the western ghats in Chikmagalur district, Kudremukh is a perfect monsoon trek. It comes under the Kudremukh National Park which is the second-largest wildlife protected area in the western ghats. Situated at an altitude of 6,207 ft, Kudremukh is the 2nd highest peak of Karnataka after Mullayyangiri.

Trekking in the dense forests and lush green grasslands, adventurous stream crossings, rich variety of flora and fauna, and stunning view of rolling green hills from the peak are some of the things to expect from the Kudremukh trek.

Total Trek Distance: 9.2 km
Trek Starting Point: Bhagavathi Nature Camp, Kalasa Main Road
Distance from Bangalore: 336 km

Imposing Kurinjal summit. Picture by Bhajish

Kurinjal Peak Trek is one of the lesser known treks in western ghats. Though Kurinjal is also situated in the Kudremukh National Park, with Kudremukh taking the spotlight, it continues to remain as one of the offbeat treks to do in western ghats. 

With half the total trek distance compared to Kudremukh, it is at par in terms with Kudremukh, in terms of adventure and experience of the whole trek. The trail passes through the tropical forest of Kudremukh National Park, multiple small streams and lush green meadows. Along with these, a steep climb to the summit is the best highlight of this trek.

Total Trek Distance: 13.6 km
Trek Starting Point: Kalabhyraveshwara temple, Durgadahalli
Distance from Bangalore: 280 km

Trekking under the dense tree cover filled with scents of flora is a treat in the monsoon. Picture by Harikrishnan

Unknown to many, Ballalarayana Durga - Bandaje Falls trek is a combination of two treks -- Ballalarayana Durga and Bandaje Arbi. People often miss out on going to the snout of the Bandaje Arbi. Ballalarayana Durga trek lies in Chikmagalur, nestled in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. Chikmagalur is known for its coffee plantations and lush greenery. This trek adds a unique flavor to its landscape.

The Ballalarayana Durga trek holds an abandoned fort from the 17th century at its peak, and a gushing waterfall in the end. Watching the water falling from the snout to almost a 1,000 feet below is a sight that sets your hearts racing! And just for this view, the Ballarayana Durga - Bandaje Arbi trek is a must do.

View Ballalarayana Durga - Bandaje Falls Trek 

Total Trek Distance: 12 km
Trek Starting Point: Kopatty, Coorg
Distance from Bangalore: 289 km

View from the Kopatty Top - one of the finest treks in Coorg. Picture by Indiahikes Team.

The Kopatty Trek is an ideal day trek in Coorg. The trail climbs past landscaped coffee plantations, snakes through deep forests and bursts out to the grassland, to top the summit in a span of 3 hours.

If there is any western ghats trek that has the best surprises combined with an exciting variety of flora and fauna, it has to be the Kopatty trek. It’s a must do trek in the Coorg region.

Total Trek Distance: 19.4 km
Trek Starting Point:  Nittur
Distance from Bangalore: 403 km

Beautiful Hidlumane Falls on the way to Koadchadri peak. Picture by Sumukha Gargesh

Kodachadri is one of the most spoken-about trekking trails in Karnataka. Located in the Shimoga District, Kodachadri lies in the heart of the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Kodachadri Trek takes you through a quaint village setting with paddy fields, thick forests, marvelous grasslands, and a waterfall that will make you go weak on your knees. The rolling lush grasslands and hills surrounding the peak is a sight to behold.

Not just this, Kodachadri has a rich history that dates back to 7th AD. It’s a rare western ghats trek that is not just about the views and adventure but also filled with many interesting tales of history and mythology. 

Trek Distance: 4.2 km
Trek Starting Point: Sri Nanya Bhairaveshwara temple, Byrapura
Distance from Bangalore: 275 km

Ettina Bhuja summit seen as soon as you exit the forest section. Picture by Manasa N L

Ettina Bhuja is part of the Charmadi range at an altitude of 4,265 ft. It is situated in the Mudigere range of Chikmagalur district. Panoramic views of the Charmadi range and Shishila valley can be seen from the peak.

Ettina Bhuja is a right mixture of forest and grassland. Half of the trek is in the dense forest and the other half is in the open grassland that offers breathtaking views of the surroundings. The summit climb here is the most thrilling part of the whole trek.

Total Trek Distance: 10.4 km
Trek Starting Point: Bhagamandala
Distance from Bangalore: 284 km

Breathtaking views as seen from one of the clearings on Nishani Motte trek. Picture by Indiahikes Team

Nishani Motte is one of the lesser known trails in Coorg. Starting out in rich shola forests and meadows, the trail follows an impressive ridge walk to the summit. The peak offers a spectacular view of the layers of the Brahmagiri range. 

This is a must do if you are looking for a less crowded, not frequented, pristine trail to trek in.

View from the Netravati Summit. Picture by Amoga Vigram P

Netravati Trek is located in Chikmagalur district and is sandwiched between Samse and Belthangady. This is one of the few treks in Karnataka with excellent views throughout the trek. With rolling shola grasslands on all sides of the trek. From the summit, you get a birds-eye view of the smaller towns in Belthangady town.  

On this trek, you can see the clouds playing hide and seek with the views of the beautiful rolling hills. These rolling hills are nothing but some of the most prominent peaks of the western ghats. If the clouds are clear, you will get to see Kudremukh Peak on your right and Rani Jhari on your left.

Clouds striking the Tadiandamol Summit. Picture by Amoga Vigram P

A very popular trek amongst the trekking community of southern India. The Tadiandamol Trek is one of the most talked-about treks among trekkers starting on their trekking journey in the Western Ghats.

Standing at a height of 5,735 feet, it is the highest peak in Coorg. 

During the monsoons, you can see the green hills spread out as far as the eyes can see. This extends in all directions from the peak.

Another interesting thing about the peak is, that since it's located very close to Kerala, you get the Kerala internet network at the top.

One can spot coffee estates and pepper plantations throughout this entire stretch of the trek. Along with these, you have the areca nut (Betel nut) trees, nutmeg trees, fishtail palms, and various other trees growing here.

View from the Gangadikal Summit. Picture by Amoga Vigram P

Gangadikal Peak sits high up at 4806 feet, and the view from the top is amazing. 

Picture this: you look out and see these beautiful valleys covered in endless green shola forests on both sides. From the peak, you can see the expanse of Kudremuka forests on both sides. The never-ending shola grasslands, as far as the eyes can see, are a sight to behold.

Right below you, you get to see the crystal-clear backwaters of the Lakhya Dam, also known as the Kudremukh Dam. The backwaters resting on the Shola grassland feel unworldly and magical.

On clear days, you can also see the abandoned mining town of Kudremukh next to the Lakhya dam

 The trek is a thriving habitat for diverse flora and fauna. Lucky trekkers may have the chance to glimpse a herd of gaurs or deer, while various bird species such as the Grey Hornbill, Malabar Trogon, and Orange Headed Thrush, and various snake species such as shieldtails and Malabar Pit vipers can be found here.

This brings us to the end of must-do monsoon treks in Karnataka. Having said that, trekking in the monsoon comes with its own challenges. So preparing yourself mentally and physically for a trek is vital, to be able to enjoy the whole experience. 

With the pretty views, you will also have to deal with heavy rains and slippery sections. In order to better equip yourself for the trek, go through the packing checklist mentioned in the documentations of these treks. 

Leeches are an inevitable part of monsoon treks in western ghats. Go through this video on how to deal with leeches - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhvfHraIdKM

With these tips, I hope you will be better prepared and get to experience some of these treks, this monsoon. Do let us know about your experience in the comments below.

If you are looking for treks near your city, you can check our Trek Library - https://indiahikes.com/do-it-yourself-treks

Finally, if you can help us document these treks further, or new treks that trekkers can do on their own, do apply to be a Remote Trek Documenter. 

It will greatly help us take DIY trekking forward in our country!

10 Best Monsoon Treks in Karnataka That You Must Do - Find out all the details about monsoon treks that you can do on your own

10 Best Monsoon Treks in Karnataka That You Must Do

Monsoon treks, Western ghats treks, Treks in Karnataka

Please note that this is a special trek designed for stargazing enthusiasts. The trek fee is slightly more than the regular fee. Know more about the trek here. 

This is a trek specially designed for trekkers above 58 years. The trek fee is Rs 3000 more than the regular fee (Please note this is only for Himalayan treks) Know more about the trek here. 

Please note that this is a special trek. The trek fee is Rs 3000 more than the regular fee. Know more about the trek here. 

Please note that the family treks are meant for families with a child/children under 14 years of age. If you do not fit this criteria, you can register for any of our regular groups. Read more about family treks here.

You are joining our waitlist. Your chances of getting a confirmation are high, but not certain. We will notify you as soon as a trekker cancels their trek.

When we brought out new trails in Indian trekking, safety came with us. Back in 2012, we were the first to introduce microspikes, and two years later, pulse oximeters became standard thanks to us. Nobody does safe treks like Indiahikes. In the mountains, emergencies don't care who you're with – everyone knows that when trouble hits, you look for the yellow tents of Indiahikes.

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More than 25,000 people trek with us every year. We are the largest trekking organisation in India. 24% of our trekkers come back to trek with us every year. Over 4,000 students from the top educational institutions trek with us every year. Aside from this, families with children choose to trek with Indiahikes knowing that our treks are the safest. We have taken over 8000 children trekking so far, and the number continues to grow. 

We are India’s largest trekking organisation

We focus on designing transformative experiences. Our trek leaders conduct thought-provoking exercises that help you reflect and contemplate. This impact stays with you for a long time. Trekkers return feeling energised, more confident, or developing abilities to deal with difficulties. Many have changed careers, rethought their core values, become more humble, shown gratitude to others, or started a new fitness journey. 

Our treks are transformative

Since 2012, we have pioneered sustainable practices that have become standard in trekking. Using eco-bags, our trekkers have cleared over 120 tonnes of litter from the mountains. We do not carry packaged foods; instead, we serve freshly made food. We do not light campfires; we carry coal to light angethis to keep you warm. Our bio-toilets not only keep our toilets odour-free but also enrich the soil. When you trek with us, you leave mountains better.

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Our thrice-a-day oxi-metre checks keep altitude sickness at bay, never allowing you to reach a point where you need evacuation.

Daily 3-time health checks keep you safe at any altitude

With around 30% of our trekkers being women, all women, including those travelling solo are comfortable to join any of our groups.

Join any group, they are all women-friendly groups 

Our kitchen teams understand your needs as a vegan (or a Jain). We will take special care of your food, even in the remote Himalayas. 

We have specially designed bio toilets to ensure you have no sight or smell in toilets, at the same time making sure the toilets cause no harm to the fragile ecosystem we trek in.

Be comfortable and sustainable with bio toilets

We’ll admit it. Our love for food surpasses our love for minimalism. Expect freshly cooked, multi-cuisine food at all camps, designed to meet your nutritional requirements and keep your taste buds happy!

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