Kumara Parvatha is the second heighest peak in Coorg,Karnataka.It is really a challenging trek for beginners.Trekking starting point is Kukke Subramanya. Famous Kukke Subramnay temple is located in Subramanya village.Getting to trekking starting point is very much easy. Overnight bus journey to Kukkesubramanya. If you are going by private vehicle then its 6hrs drive(280 Kms).
Trek can be logically divided into 4 stages
Stage 1 : Trek starting point (Kukke temple) to Battara Mane
Stage 2 : Battara Mane to Kallumantap
Stage 3 : Kallumantapa to Sheshaparvatha
Stage 4 : Shesha Parvatha to Kumara Parvatha Peak
Stage 1 : Trek starting point (Kukke temple) to Battara Mane:
Trek starting point is from Kukke temple. Initial trek is easy on wide road till forest. In stage 1, you trek inside forest. Water is available only at one place. We'll find a waterfalls inside a deep forest.
You will find zig-zag trail which indicates that you are there at the end of forest. there will be a moderately difficult climb through dense forests which will lead to grasslands.. Total length of this stage – 1 is 5.5 KMS. Time required to trek is about 3 – 4 hours. You can get basic food and water in Battara Mane. You can fill your water bottles if its empty. Restroom is available here. At Bhatt’s House, you can take a short break and then proceed further. Take permission from Forest House for camping as it is prohibited to camp from beyond this point. Camp overnight.
Stage 2 : Battara Mane to Kallumantap:
An early morning start will lead you to Kallu Mandapa beside a stream.Trek length of this stage is about 2.5 kms. Time required to trek stage 2 is about 1.5 – 2.5 hours. Kallu mantap is place for break. Just before Kallu mantap you will find water. If your trek pace is very slow and if you reach Kallu mantap by 4 pm then it its better to camp at this place. Near to water stream you will find flat place to camp.
Stage 3 : Kallumantapa to Sheshaparvatha:
The hike to Shesh Parvatha is the toughest part of the trek. After Shesh Parvatha, the trail goes downwards to a clearing, after which there is an uphill hike leading to huge boulders. A rocky stretch leads to meadows and then to the summit. The view includes the vast expanse of Madikeri.
Stage 4 : Shesha Parvatha to Kumara Parvatha Peak:
Relatively easy trek trail if you compare with previous stage. You will descend bit and trek trail goes inside forest. You will find water stream inside this forest. This will be there till end of Dec or Jan. After Jan water stream will dry up, even if you find water that will be stagnant water. So please confirm in forest office about availability of water if you are trekking after December. Distance of this trek trail is about 2 kms. Time required to complete this stretch will be 1 – 2 hours.
Descent & Return
After a break, start your descent through the same trail, takes 3 hours to reach Forest Office and then another couple of hours to reach the base. Upon descent, stay overnight at Kukke Subramanya or head to Coorg or Bangalore and make your return journey.
Kumara parvatha trek distance:
Subramanya temple road(Trek starting point) — 1.5Kms –> Forest starting point — 2.5Kms –> Forest end point — 1.2Kms –> Battaramane — 0.5Kms –> Forest office — 2Kms–> Kallucheppara — 5Kms –> Peak . Total length is about 12.7 Kms i.e approx 13 Kms
Time to trek Kumara parvatha:
Subramanya temple road(Trek starting point) — 1/2 hrs –> Forest starting point — 2 hrs –> Forest end point — 1/2 hrs –> Battaramane — 1/2 hrs –> Forest office — 2 hrs–> Kalluchappara — 3hrs –> Peak . Total time required to trek is about 8.5 hrs + lunch break for average trekker.
So approx time is vary between 8-10 hours
Note: if you want to reach same day peak then you should reach forest office within 11 AM, After 11 AM forest people wont allow us because returning back will become late.
Other option is you reach forest office late and camp there till morning 6 AM and start your trek.