Introduction
A trek that is highly well-liked among Southern Indian trekkers. One of the most talked-about treks among novice and seasoned trekkers beginning their journeys in the Western Ghats is the Tadiandamol Trek. Many people who go on the journey also go to the well-known hill towns of Madikeri or Coorg.
The trek leads you to the third-highest mountain in Karnataka and the highest peak in the Kodagu district.
Tadiandamol Walk is a Western Ghats trek that is located in the Bhagamandala Range Forest’s Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary.
Trekking through this area will take you past lovely grasslands, dense shola forests, and stream crossings. In addition, one must experience the exhilaration of climbing Tadiandamol’s top and hiking through the clouds.
Even if you are a seasoned hiker, the trek will put your endurance to the test. Those in good shape can complete this excursion. To make a good strategy, read the advice and comprehensive trek information.
View of the Rolling Green Hills
For example While Ascending Tadiandamol Trek
Standing at a height of 5,735 feet, the top offers a breathtaking vista. As far as the eye can see, lush hills can be seen all around. From the apex, this spreads out in all directions.
The evergreen forests cover the valleys in abundance.
When clouds cover the entire area during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, it is frequently difficult to acquire this view. Go right before the summer season begins for clear views.
Trekking through Shola’s Beautiful Evergreen Forests
The Shola forests are tropical forests with stunted growth that can be found in valleys surrounded by sweeping grassland in higher mountain areas. The journey is a haven for a wide range of plants and animals.
Pepper and coffee farms may be seen all along this section of the trail. In addition to these, additional trees including fishtail palms, arecanut (betel nut) trees, and nutmeg trees also flourish here.
While hiking through the forest, if you pay close attention, you may see different millipedes, Calotes Versicolor lizards, numerous species of butterflies, and if you’re lucky, a snake slithering over the trail. If you go hiking during or after the monsoon season, you will undoubtedly encounter leeches.
Information on the Trail
The Tadiandamol Trek can be broken down into four parts. You can skip the first section up till the Nalknad Palace if you are leaving Kakkabe in your own car or a jeep/auto. The three sections that follow are applicable to you.
The exact same path you took on the way up will be followed on the way down from the peak. You’ll need close to 3 hours to make the descent to Nalknad Palace.
If you are travelling all the way to Kakkebe, allow an extra hour. Around 6 pm, the last bus from Kakkabe to Bhagamandala and Virajpet departs.
The best time to undertake the Tadiandamol Trek
Tadiandamol trekking is best done between September and February. After the monsoon, the lush vegetation of the Coorg region will be in its full splendour. The walk can be continued until the early summer when the majority of the route is covered with a mix of brown and green. Compared to the monsoon season, your sights will be significantly clearer.
Wildfires are more likely to occur in the summer. Due to this, trekking is prohibited during the height of the summer season (April to June)
The monsoon season brings a lot of rain to the area. Have all the necessary equipment on hand if you plan to undertake this journey during the monsoon.
Nalknad Palace to Kakkabe Bridge
Start your hike early in the day. If you used a local bus, it would have dropped you off at the Kakkabe bridge. You can choose to get off the bus at the intersection of Aramane and Kakkabe to avoid a 15-minute walk if it is travelling forward on the Virajpet-Talakaveri road.
If not, begin your hike at the bridge and head east along the Virajpet-Talakaveri road.
Tadiandamol Trek, Coorg Treks, Kodagu District, Western Ghats, Hola Forests, Indiahikes, Kakkabe Village
the Kakkabe Bridge, where the journey begins. Roshan Padhi took the photo. Ask the locals for guidance if you are unclear; they will be able to lead you in the proper route. You need roughly 15 minutes to get to the intersection of the Aramane and Kakkabe roads. You must turn right to travel down Nalknad Palace Road.
You have the option of skipping this opening segment if you are unsure about your level of fitness. There won’t be much you miss. From the bridge, take a car or hire a vehicle to Nalknad Palace. You will pay Rs 400 for an auto, and Rs 750–800 for a vehicle. If you observe other hikers setting off from the bridge, you can also choose the shared option. You can avoid trekking the 5.5 kilometre route head to Nalknad Palace for an hour.
The road is straightforward from the intersection till you arrive at the Nalknad Palace. A car may easily travel all the way to the Nalknad Palace. If your own vehicle is being used, you can move on to the next section or read more about how to get there before returning.
On this road, there are initially 5–6 cottages, resorts, and homestays that you will encounter. You can make reservations before beginning the walk if you intend to spend the night here following the hike. To get to the Nalknad Palace, you must hike for roughly 40 minutes via zigzagging lanes. After your hike, stop at this old palace on your way down.
Base of Tadiandamol to Nalknad Palace
From the Nalknad Palace to the base of Tadiandamol, where the true trekking track begins, the walk now ascends more gradually via a mud and gravel portion.
When you are about to begin the journey from Nalknad Palace, do not overlook the waterfall. Watch out for this unnamed waterfall that you will come across barely 5 minutes into your hike whether you are trekking during the monsoon or the post-monsoon season.
From here, you will encounter a mixture of concrete roads, muddy trails, and damaged tar roads. For nearly an hour, the hike takes you through more verdant, lush greenery.
You come to the last house, where a tiny brook flows next to it, after a half-hour hike. Here, you can get more water for your bottle. It takes only 10 minutes to go to the Tadiandamol’s base from this location. To watch the entire region open out in front of you, keep an eye out for the viewpoint on the right.
Base of Tadiandamol to Boulder Point
Two pathways can be seen at the Tadiandamol trek’s beginning. One is moving to the left, and the other is moving to the right. Here, you must follow the track that ascends to the left. Avoid using the right-hand trail, which goes to a few farms and dwellings. The beginning of the ascent is indicated to the left by a green board from the forest department. The board has some rust and wear from age. 3.75 kilometres remain to the peak, and it points upward.
From this point on, the track is a true mud trail.
You will pass your first stream about 15 minutes into your ascent. To cross this stream, it is advised that you take off your shoes and socks. If the shoes are not dry, your trek may be ruined. It is unpleasant to hike in wet socks or shoes. The depth of the water will exceed your ankle. It will be even higher if you are trekking during the monsoon. Leeches begin here and extend all the way to the trek’s section of grassland. You are currently deep within the Shola jungle.
From Boulder Point to Tadiandamol Peak
You notice a hillock from the boulder’s vantage point. This is not Tadiandamol’s true peak; it is a fake peak. The Tadiandamol peak is much farther away and faces the false peak on the left or southern side.
You are at an altitude of 5,375 feet, so you may anticipate a moderate drizzle on the top. Whiteouts and mist forms are frequent. So be cautious and properly shield your electronic devices. Try to be patient when eating lunch for around 30 minutes while waiting to see the sights from the peak.
How Hard is the Tadiandamol Trek?
The moderate difficulty of the Tadiandamol hike.
You would have to exercise a lot of endurance if you journey from Kakkabe to Kakkabe in one day. The trek will be close to 12 km in length one way. So even the most fit trekker can struggle to complete close to 23 to 24 kilometres in a single day.
Although there are no particularly challenging areas, there are a few considerations to make while trekking.
- Walking through the forest might be treacherous.
- Make sure you have two trekking poles with you and the appropriate footwear.
- It can be a little challenging to cross the two streams in the wooded area.
- In the event of rain, the last stretch to Tadiandamol’s peak will be exceedingly slick.
- Take extra precautions if you’re trekking during the monsoon season.
- GPS and trekking poles are highly advised for the trek.
How Do I Get From Bangalore To Tadiandamol?
Kakkabe is the name of the little settlement where the Tadiandamol trek begins.
Virajpet, one of the major towns in the Virajpet district of Madikeri, Karnataka, is around 25 kilometres away from this. Karnataka and Kerala both have borders with Virajpet.
