Apr 24, 2013 10:40 AM
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A hard day's trek will reward you with the beauty of nature and peace at the top. Its a moderate level trek for most and easy for experienced. Can be tough to amateurs specially if you decide to climb this hill in the wrong season.
The approach: You can either start from Kukke Subramanya temple side, which is the hard side or from Somwarpet side, which is relatively easy climbing. And you can choose to climb down either way. If you are travelling only by public transport then better to climb down to Kukke as public transport is minimal on the other side. I prefer climbing from Kukke and downhill the Somwarpet side. Where our tranpost will be waiting for us.
The Journey: We started at night 11pm from Bangalore and reached at 6am to Kukke in a TT. Our journey was delayed as we had many people to pick up, driver had not rest from his previous trip and heavy fog near Skaleshpura. We were 12 and had 4 tents to accomodate 3 in each. However we forgot one tent in the vehicle which starting the trek and realised only half way through. And another tent we had rented did not have all accessories to erect and hence we ended up with 2 tents only.
It was cold morning and we did not intend to offend god by visiting temple without bath, so brushed our teeths, had light breakfast (as we know the effect of heavy food on trek) and started our uphill journey by 7.30am. I being amongst the slowest of my team started with higher pace and was ahead by at least 500m for first half an hour. After about 1km from Kukke, uphill climb begins. There is an old bill board which shows direction to Kumaraparvata and greets you and you need to take a left turn and soon after 50 meters a right turn to enter the Jungle.
After this there is no confusion in road as there is only single path. Its humid even at 8am and you will feel the effect soon. At least 2 lts of water per person is required.
Battara Mane: First place where you can rest peacefully is Battara mane, whic is about 2 to 3 hours trek from KUkke. Here you can preorder your lunch by calling them a day before and again the time you start your journey. It will be a simple meal with rice, sambar, pickle and buttermilk and if lucky some papad :-). You can rest here for an hour or so before you start your journey forward. Also Lunch is served only after 11 am so no use reaching this place too early unless you want to skip your lunch.
Now this is interesting, many teams end up their first day trek at this point :-) either cause of poor planning of capabilties. And most of such teams never complete the trel, they reack till Mantapa or the next hill and return back and claim to have completed the trek :-)
Check post: About 1km from this house is the forest check post. You are not supposed to carry liquor, kerosene or other inflamable or prohibited materials. They will search your bags. You need to pay Rs.200 per head entry fees and get your tickets. You need to show these tickets while getting out, either same place or the opposite end. Many just pay a bribe of 50 rs per head and move on.
Mantapa: From check post its mostly no cover from sun and heat. You will need your hats and water from here. Its about 2 to 3 hours trek from check Post to Mantapa. And Manatapa is the last place where you can find water, though there is a small stream at the last peak, cant rely on that. You can have your second break at this point.
The hill top: Another 2 hours walk and you will reach the Kumaraparvatha top. This gives best view of the valley and also most people camp at this place. Fire wood is available for camp fire and there is a small stream little way down. You will get great view of Sun Set and Sun Rise from here and you will feel it more that worth to have spend a full day climbing this hill.
Pushpagiri: You can see another hill to your left from Kumaraparvata and that is Pushpagiri. Its another hour or so to reach that place. Some go to this place to camp. We visited this place the next day as our plan was to get down to Somwarpet side. There is a small temple on this hill and again its very scenic and fabulous to see the surrounding from here.
The way down: If you decide to go towards Somwarpet as we did then you need to take a left from Pushpagiri hill. Bit difficult to find way down if none in your team has been to this place before. But once you find it, its a easy go job. Less than 3 hours for rest of your journey to the temple at the bottom of the hill.
Checkpost again: As I said before there is another checkpost at this end also. You need to show your entry permits here and register your names as safely returned. Just before this checkpost is a small stream running with chilling water. You may fresh up here before you reach you vehicle and finish up your trek. Its too cold and still you will enjoy spending some time here to refresh your tired body.
1km from here is the temple I said before and your vehicle can come till that place to pick you up. If you dont have own transport you need to wait for public transport at this point to make it to Somwarpet and take a bus back.
overall if you love adventure, it is for you. Enjoy...
