Kodachadri! An amazing, exquisite scenic hill station standing out on western ghats of India. It is one of the great retreats for those looking for solitude. If you wish to trek on unspoilt mountain terrain, then it is one of the best choices on your table.About 1343m above sea level Kodachadri Hill is the home to many endangered species of both the animal and plant kingdom, it is every trekker's dream to trek along the mountain tracks, and me too!
Following a lengthy discussion on whether reaching this marvelous place by our bikes, we wrapped up quickly at the end, to go by Tavera with seven people strength.
We geared up having wasted 2 hours with unavoidable traffic to come out of noisy city life, in midnight. We never expected that we need to slip another 3 hours for vehicle breakdown as rear tyre had got punctured near Shimoga, in early morning!
With quick breakfast and light refreshments, we finally reached 'Sampekatte' village which is foot hill for Kodachadri, through Nagodi. We got very tasty home food there, to be enough for charging up another 5 hours trek.
Beginnig the trek in noon, is odd , but we could not delay anymore, so as to reach the top before sun sets.
For first few kms, we could walk in less time with less energy burnt, though weneeded few mins
halt in between, as it was noon!
It is quite easy to sort out the short routes to cut walking over all the way. Just following known foot prints would suffice, but it was thrilling us in second short cut, as we could not chase the muddy road or electric poll which used to guard us, missing all of sudden. Keeping deep breathe and walking hard much more, we had been able to spot our companion road, at the end of short cut (mysterious!).
After spending 2 hours trek with 20 min (overall!) pit stop in between, one another gang roaring with bike surprised us that we had just crossed 3 kms, on our confirmation!.
It stumbled us initially as we felt short cuts cheated us, but not so, when few of us split up still believing on shortcuts.Yes! they could reach the shelter on the way (just 2 kms before the kodachadri guest house) in a 30 min less time than us.
It was an amazing spot and we never thought that we will get tasty butter milk from a man whose main business is to serve foods for the trekkers and devotees. It is less turnover for this man, but he lives peacefully which is what every one wishesFirst hill behind the shelter as you see in photo, is where guest house is located. It is 2 kms from here.
We finally reached the guest house around 5 PM. This guest house is being maintained by PWD. So with out much luxury expectations to stay, we could finally got a Hall room to put down our luggages and sleep. It was around 50 Rs per person being charged for per day accommodation in Hall. Very tired we all were! After having a cup of tea, we refreshed to see sunset!
It was a scenic event, ever first time in my life I see sunset from top of hill. There is one view point which takes you to see sunset completely but we could not make it out as we were burst out completely on lengthy trek.At this place, we stand almost over the clouds. You can see clouds moving behind
the tree!
Waking up early in morning was not difficult one there, as it was moderately cold!From guest house, having walked a km up the hill, we could spot a zone to sit and
watch sunrise comfortably!. It was a magnificent scene, when sun light was mildly spreading across the whole terrain, we felt like sitting on top of islands!
We could spot a small falls (even in this summer) with few meters walk from guest house. It is dangerous to visit thisplace in late evening as animals do visit it for water, in
summer! It was an end of the trip that we had very good
time in the week ends!
As this terrain is leech kingdom, be prepared if you are
tripping in winter/monsoon time.
More informations:
Route: Bangalore-Shimoga-Hosanagar-Kodachadri-Kollur-Sampekatte
Total Distance Covered: 913 kms
For further information visit: Kodachadri
