Kodachadri- A Gateway to Heaven

Kodachadri is in Shivamogga (Shimoga) district, 1343 meters above sea level. A beatific hill abode that overlooks the panoramic Western Ghats. It is clothed with splendid evergreen forests. The place is 115 kilometers from Shivamogga town, but very near to the  temple town of Kollur. 

The Kodachadri trek basically has three routes

Thanks to person who had put this image on internet

1) Route-1 : Via Santosh hotel : This route is marked using yellow and green color .  If you are coming from Shimoga, you will hit small village "Nittur", you required to proceed 5.5 Kms on same road. you will find small mud road towards your left. This point is marked as Trek route-1 1 : Trek starting in above map. If you are travelling by public vehicle then you can get down here and start your trek. If you are travelling by private vehicle then you can carry on till "Hotel Santosh", Route marked in yellow color is mud road. Distance between Main road and Hotel Santosh is around 5.5 KMS. You will find breakfast or basic food here. Actual trek starts from this point. Distance between "Hotel Santosh" and "PWD guest house" is about 4 KMS. This stretch is marked  using green color. Initial part of this stretch is much steep. You need to trek inside forest, You will find here "leeches world" in post monsoon. couple of times you will come out of the forest and again your trek trail enters to the forest. After trekking 4KMS you will find PWD guest house. PWD guest house offers you accommodation and food(basic food)

2) Route-2 : Via Hidlumane falls : This route is marked using blue, brown and purple color. If you are travelling from Shimoga side then you will find trek starting point before Nittur (1.5 KMS before Nittur ).

Initial trek route is marked in blue  line in above map, this is very easy roue as you will be walking on a  road, need to walk 2.5 Kms 

Next stretch is marked in brown line, This trek trail  also easy . There are many small roads which may make you little confuse(If you are taking this trek route then better to get guide along with you).For guide the contact number is:+919242892299/+919449145540, Name: Mr Rajendra.(He charged us Rs.600 per head including food and accommodation for 1 night) 

Purple line represents trek trail inside forest. This trek stretch  is most difficult part of your trek. You will find beautiful Hidlumane falls on the way. The best part is that  you trek beside the flowing water of Hidlumane falls but the stones are too slippery. This is a very beautiful stepped water falls. Don't come back thinking the first stream you get as the falls. Climb the rocks, if not possible take the alternative way through the forest. Go parallel to the stream, a huge, beautiful, ice cold water falls is waiting for you. ,

After the fall there is pretty steep climb inside forest. Length of this stretch is around 5 KMS. This trek rail reaches again jeep trail which is marked in blue line.

You need to trek on jeep road for another 2KMS to reach PWD guest house, This route is marked in blue line.  

3) Route -3 : Jeep route: This is longest trek route compared to other two . This trek trail is marked in Blue line. Total length of trek trail is around 15 KMS, This route will be  helpfull in heavy rain.

 All above routes 1, 2 and 3 takes you till PWD guest house. then there is a common path till peak. distance between kodachadri peak and PWD guest house is around 1.2KMS. 

Greenery all over except for the jeep tracks and a sheet of white clouds hovering above the head. For a minute , everything appears to be covered in white and then gradually as the clouds pass on , the greenery returns. Words aint enough to explain the experience  

Best time to visit Kodachadri is from October to February.