Trekking to Brahmagiri Peak: An Unforgettable Adventure in the Western Ghats
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| Tirunelli Temple(Brahmagiri peak in the background) |
Introduction
Brahmagiri is a picturesque peak standing at 1608 meters above sea level, nestled in the heart of the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, between the Kodagu district of Karnataka and Wayanad of Kerala. It is one of the most popular trekking trails in Wayanad. Pakshipathalam another popular trek also starts from the same place. There are two main routes that can be taken to reach the peak of Brahmagiri. The first route starts from the beautiful Iruppu Falls, located in the Kodagu district of Karnataka. The second route starts near the ancient temple town of Tirunelli in Kerala, and offers a different perspective of the peak, with stunning views of the forested valleys and rolling hills along the way.
Getting there and Accommodation
During our trek to Brahmagiri, we spent the night at the KTDC Tamarind in Tirunelli, which is a budget hotel that offers basic amenities. However, there are also several resorts available at various price points that cater to modest to expensive budgets. After having breakfast and packing lunch at 6:30 am, we headed to the start of the trek, which is located near the inspection bungalow. The trek for Pakshipathalam also starts here and was our original plan. But as it has been temporarily stopped we chose to do the Brahmagiri Peak Trek.
We arrived at the trekking point at 7:00 am and were the first ones there. The official start time for the trek was 7:30 am, and two more small groups had arrived by then. Our guide for the trek was a local man in his 50s, who had a lean build and was quite reserved. He communicated mostly through sign language, and his instructions were clear and concise. The guide asked us to pick a pole each and began leading the way at a steady pace, always keeping about 50 feet ahead of us.
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| Brahmagiri Peak Trekking - Starting point |
The Trek Begins: A steady Climb through the forest
The beginning of the trail was a relatively easy jeep track, and we crossed several small streams that cut across the path. Since it was February and there had been a prolonged dry spell, the streams were reduced to a trickle or small, dirty pools of water. Despite our excitement, we were chatting non-stop, prompting our guide to remind us to maintain silence and respect the serenity of the forest. Suddenly, our lean guide turned mean, and instead of sticking to the road, he began climbing the hill vertically. He refused to slow down, despite our struggles to keep pace, always remaining ahead and pushing us to catch up. The other teams started overtaking us one by one, and by the time we reached the watchtower, two of them had already passed us, and another team had caught up.
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| Start Of the Trail |
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| The gang |
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| Tiger Marks |
Refreshing and Refilling: The Watch Tower Pit Stop
After a challenging climb, we finally reached the watch tower, which was located about 3 kms from the start of the trek. As soon as we arrived, we were rewarded with a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. From the watch tower, we could see the sholas, grasslands, and the entire Brahmagiri range stretching out before us.
We took a moment to catch our breath and take in the view. It was truly spectacular and made the entire climb worthwhile. We also took the opportunity to have some snacks and fill up our water bottles, as this was the last place on the trek with a water source. The water was crystal clear, cool, and tasted awesome. (There was another deviation Which is the route to Pakshipathalam.)
After taking in the view and recharging our energy, we continued on our journey towards the Brahmagiri peak.
The Ridge Climb: Scaling Brahmagiri Peak
After a refreshing break, we were ready to tackle the next part of the trek. As we resumed the climb, we noticed the first group of trekkers who had overtaken us earlier were already nearing the peak. Seeing them as small ants climbing the mountain put the climb in perspective for us, but also made us a bit anxious about the upcoming challenge.
The next part of the trek involved a climb on the ridge of the mountain, through dry grasslands that covered the slopes. It was a challenging ascent, with the trail getting steeper and the air getting thinner. However, we were determined to make it to the top, and kept pushing ourselves forward.
Despite the challenges and obstacles we faced along the way, including my shoe giving way midway and having to tie it down with a rope, we pushed ourselves to keep going and cheered each other on. But the sense of achievement we felt when we finally reached the peak was indescribable. Looking down at the world from the summit of Brahmagiri, we felt a sense of awe and wonder that we had never experienced before. The view was breathtaking, with the Tirunelli temple on one side, Kutta and Nagarhole on the other, and the Talacauvery peak visible in the distance. We could also see the pakshipathalam cave. It was a moment that we would never forget, and one that we would cherish for the rest of our lives.
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| Finally at the peak |
The Descent: A Rewarding Experience
After spending some time at the peak, we started our descent back down the mountain. The journey down was difficult and we were grateful for the trekking poles that our guide had advised us to take. They helped us maintain our balance and saved us from falling multiple times. Unfortunately, midway through the descent, my other shoe also broke, which slowed us down considerably. Despite this setback, we continued on and made our way back to the trekking ticket counter by around 2 PM, which took us close to 7.5 hours. Although we were tired, we were extremely satisfied with our accomplishment. Fortunately, the dry season had helped us avoid leeches and other animals that could have added to the difficulty of the trek. We finished the lunch pack we had carried and tipped our guide, promising to come back again during the post-monsoon season. Finally, bidding goodbye, we made our way back , reminiscing about the incredible adventure we had just experienced.
Tips for Trekking to Brahmagiri Peak
- Wear comfortable and sturdy shoes with good grip to avoid slipping on the rocky terrain.
- Carry enough water and snacks
- Dress appropriately for the weather, and carry a raincoat or umbrella in case of rain.
- Start early in the morning so you can rest up and enjoy the trek at a leisurely pace.
- Before heading out, call to check for any updates or changes in the trail conditions.
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