Welcome to the jungle.
The Kumara Parvatha trek, also known as the Pushpagiri trek, is located in Coorg and is counted among the best and the most difficult treks of this region. The Kumara Parvatha peak is the second highest peak in the state.
The trek takes 2 days to complete, and a distance of around 28km is covered in these days.
Talking about the beauty of this trek, I must mention that this trek has more unique identifiers than any other trek in this region. This is one of the many reasons why trekkers speak so highly of this trail.
So, let's count down the noteworthy milestones of the Kumara Parvatha trek that you cannot afford to miss, shall we?
Tourist Attractions And Places To Visit Near Kumara Parvatha Trek
The trek starts from the Kukke Subrahmanya temple, which is the first milestone of this trek. The Kukke Subramanya temple is a 5000-year-old temple and is an architectural marvel. In this temple, Kartikeya is worshipped as Subramanya, lord of all serpents. The epics relate that the divine serpent Vasuki and other serpents found refuge under Subramanya when threatened by the Garuda. You must reach this point early enough so that you have time to explore this holy shrine.
From here you start your journey towards the Kumara Parvatha peak. After walking for a few minutes, you will notice that you are entering a dense forest cover. You have reached the second milestone. The canopy of trees over your head, with little rays of sunshine falling through the leaves, makes a heavenly combination. This trail lasts between 6 and 7km. Do not forget to take many pictures here. They are going to be Instagram worthy.
After you cross this densely forested trail, you enter a grassland. This area looks like a canvas that has been painted by a master painter. Welcome to the third milestone. The perfect blue sky with a dash of white and the prolific green grass are your companions here. You come across Bhattara Mane(Bhat's house) here. You must not miss the sunset from here. It's truly magical and adds to the beauty of this place. Here you can use restrooms, have some sumptuous meals and rest for the day. Spending the night here is extra special because unlike any other trek, you have more than one option to choose from. You can either camp here or sleep inside the house. The front yard is also an option.
D-day arrives the next morning. After having some breakfast and preparing yourself, you start your journey ahead. This is the day when most of the trekking happens. You have to reach the top and return to the base camp as camping is not allowed beyond the forest office. You start your trek with determination and zest and trust me, the surprises are yet to come.
As you keep walking for a few kilometers you reach Kallu Mandapa, which is a stone structure. This structure looks ancient and is situated right in the middle of the vast expanse of green around you. This is the fourth milestone of this trek. The panoramic view from here is quite peaceful to look at. After a short rest, you proceed further.
This is the stage where you feel bluffed by the mountains. The Kumara Parvatha trek has two peaks. The smaller peak is called Shesh Parvatha and the higher one is called Kumara Parvatha. As you see the Shesh Parvatha peak, you feel that your destination is near, but alas! It is not your destination. You will cross it and move ahead towards your goal. The legend says that the Shesh parvatha protects the Kukke Subrahmanya temple from all kinds of evil. This can be called the fifth milestone of this trek.
Moving along, you reach a wall of some sorts. It looks like God has decided to protect the mountain and made a barrier that must be crossed in order to reach the top. This Counts as the sixth milestone of the trek. You cross this wall and the mighty Kumara Parvatha peak stands in front of you- welcoming you. This is the final ascent. After a few kilometers, you reach the peak.
Just when you feel that the mountains are out of ways to play games with your head, you see something that we shall count as the seventh milestone. There are huge volcanic rock formations for about 1.5km. You are compelled to wonder how diverse nature can be.
As you cross this stretch, you reach the final destination. The view from the peak is breathtaking, as it is the second highest peak in the state. You can almost jump and touch the sky if you try. Of course, this is the eighth milestone.
After spending some time at the peak you must start your way back towards the base. It is never a great feeling to return from a trek. It takes a lot of hard work to reach the top. With memories locked away and victory in your minds, you return to the base camp.
As you must have realized by now, this trek offers a lot more than just itself and its trail. A small detour from the trail will take you to Mallali Falls, a cherry on top to your weekend’s adventure. They are undoubtedly worth a visit.
The Kumara Parvatha trek is much more than your average trek. If you are looking for an adventure that satisfies your eyes and your soul, then this is the perfect trek for you.