Accidental Adventures: Trekking through Muthyala Maduvu/Pearl Valley

Introduction

Muthyala Maduvu/Pearl Valley is a popular tourist destination located just 40 km away from Bangalore(five kms from Anekal). Offering attractions such as a small lake, boating, and waterfalls, it's a great place for a weekend getaway. This is a very important elephant corridor connecting kanakapura, Bannergheta National Park and Krishnagiri. One Sunday afternoon in February we decided to visit this place.

Pearl Valley

The Waterfalls


We reached the destination by 3 PM and inquired about the waterfalls. We were told that there were two falls, with one being the main attraction, but it had very little water. The other fall was located about 500 meters away and had no water. Disappointed with the lake, we headed towards the first waterfall, which was just a couple of hundred steps away.

Pearl Valley

The water was very little, and an artificial pool had been created below the waterfalls. We asked some fellow tourists for directions to the other falls, and they pointed out two paths, one climbing towards a small hill, and another along the stream. They insisted that we take the stream route, and we decided to follow their instructions

Pearl Valley

Pearl Valley

Pearl Valley


Our Adventure in the Pearl Valley

As we walked along the stream, we could walk on the stream itself as there was no good flow. After 15 minutes or so, the first indication that this was not an easy trail came through. We just missed stepping on a 1.5-meter cobra by a whisker. It quickly vanished under the rocks on the stream.

Pearl Valley

Muthyal Maduvu

Muthyal Maduvu

The second warning sign was the first sighting of elephant dung. only then we realised that vegetation on either side was full of bamboo. The next fifteen minutes we reached a place where we could not continue on the stream and had to get inside the bushes. The place was just filled with elephant dung everywhere. There was no sight of the other waterfall, and we realized we had to head back to the stream to avoid getting lost.


Muthyal Maduvu


Muthyal Maduvu
Truly Lost

We heard a few sounds, thinking a road was nearby, quickly opened our map, and realized there was no road nearby. We were getting deep inside the forest and had entered Tamil Nadu. It was already more than 4:30 PM, and we decided wisely not to pursue the waterfall any further and trace our way back to safety.


With little difficulty, we quickly found the way back. In 30 minutes, we were back to the first falls. Only while coming back, we realized there were a couple of streams coming from the hills joining the stream, and one of them should have been the other falls we were looking for.


Pearl Valley

We reached the first waterfalls in 30 minutes and had enough time and were now confident to try the other path that could have taken us to the waterfalls. In 500 meters, we reached a dry stream and saw what must have been the other waterfall. En route, we had a few great views of the valley. After spending a few minutes resting, we started back, managed to climb the 200 odd steps with just one break. This waterfall would definitely be a good attraction during the monsoon


Muthyal Maduvu

Pearl valley

Pearl Valley Elephant corridor

Pearl valley

Pearl valley

Pearl Valley

Conclusion


While it was a great adventure, we realized that we were not prepared, both gear-wise and mentally, and it was too risky being in elephant territory with no escape route. We felt a bit foolish for venturing into the forest unprepared. 

We owed to comeback with family post monsoon to enjoy the waterfall and left for home.


Tips

  • Visit Post Monsoon, August to November should be good
  • A good shoe is essential to visit the other waterfall.
  • Never get into the forest, as this is a critical elephant corridor it can be very dangerous.


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