Must Do Treks in the Western Ghats

Come weekend and you want to go spend time with nature. After a week of hard work and all the noise, you want one weekend of the month away from media, social life, and pollution and throw yourself into Nature's arms.

Kumara Parvata-1714m

Hard core trekker and want a hard place to conquer? Do Kumara Parvatha. It is one of the most beautiful and the most strenuous treks in the Western Ghats. There are two ways to complete the trek and reach the mountain peak; you can start either from the Somavarpet route or the Subramanya route. The latter is longer and tougher as this part of the mountain is too steep and needs a lot of strength to complete it. This is considered tough as the trail is covered with trees and shade on both sides and at a later point of time you will find broad daylight and most of all, it is filled with leeches and a few snakes until the month of October and has absolutely no source of water. Food is served at Bhatru Mane and this is 5kms en route the peak. It takes a maximum of4 hrs for amateur trekkers but once you reach the peak, the view from the mountain is breathtaking; it keeps changing every 5 minutes and addicts you to mother Nature.

• Distance: From Bangalore: 300+ kms
• Camping Sites: Forest check post, Bhatru Mane, 'Mantapa' from the Kukke Subramanya route and Pushpagiri, summit from the Somavarpet rout
• Trek Length: 2 days.
• Difficulty Level: Hard
• Best Time to Visit: Oct to Jan

Bandaje Waterfalls

Located at the Charmadi ghat section of the western ghats, Bandaje falls is said to be around 700 metres above sea level.

The ideal time to start the trek would be 7 in the morning if you want to witness the different shades of the sky. The thick dense trail scares you to a certain extent. You have be very careful crossing narrow path with deep valleys below you

After an exhausting walk Nature treats you with an amazing time with the waterfalls. The giggling of water is like music to ears. After a dip in the falls and the picturesque sunset, pitch your tent and sit with your co-trekkers and enjoy your dinner under the moonlight.

• Distance: Via Mangalore - Ujire, 25kms from Ujire.
• Trek Length: 2 days.
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Best Time To Visit: Oct to Jan

Green route valley/Sakleshpur

Commonly known as the Green Route for its amazing view, it is considered to be a "trekker's paradise". It is also called as the 'Railway track trek'.

The track connects Hassan to Mangalore and passes through the western ghats. It passes through Yedakumeri and Shiribagilu and then joins Subramnya wit NH48.

Starting from Donigal to Shiribagilu via Yedkumeri, the trail surprises you with slippery bridges, eerie tunnels full of Bats, dense green forests, numerous waterfalls, not to forget the best of streams. The stretch has about 52kms long, covering over 50 tunnels and bridges with length of up to 200metres

The best time to start the trek is early in the morning, around 6, in order to complete it before dawn, Initially it gets very difficult for those with fear of height, but that's what an adventure is all about?? You have to look down and watch when you would love to open your camera but you will get used to the walk and later find streams running beneath valley.

• Distance: 220 kms from Bangalore.
• Trek Length: 2 days.
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Best Time To Visit: Oct to Jan

Ombattu Gudda - 971m

The most mysterious of its type, Ombattu Gudda on a serious not is meant only for hard core trekkers. The place is rated dangerous as it has reported a few trekkers getting lost and even losing their lives.

The trek takes around 6 hours, starting along NH27 where you will come across some interesting wildlife if you get lucky. Those who want to refresh themselves and practice diving can jump into the stream. The forest is dense and a host to wild animals

• Distance: 350+ kms from Bangalore.
• Camping sites: Grasslands on hill top
• Trek Length: 2 days.
• Difficulty Level: Difficult
• Best Time To Visit: Oct to Jan