Section I: Kakkebe Bridge to Nalknad Palace
Southern India’s hiking community considers this trip to be one of the most popular. Tadiandamol Trek is one of the most talked-about treks among both novice and expert hikers in the Western Ghats. Many people come on the trip to see the famed hill towns of Madikeri and Coorg.
The walk leads to the highest mountain in the Kodagu district and Karnataka’s third highest peak.
Tadiandamol trek is a Western ghats walk that takes place in the Bhagamandala Range Forest’s Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary.
Trekking through this area will take you through a mixture of dense shola woods with stream crossings, as well as a carpet of lovely meadows. The excitement of reaching the summit of Tadiandamol, as well as walking among the clouds, is an adventure not to be missed.
Even if you are a seasoned trekker, the trek will put your endurance to the test. This hike is suitable for fit beginners. However, go over the recommendations and comprehensive trip information to make sure you have all you need.
View of the rolling green hills while hiking to Tadiandamol’s summit
The vista from the top, which stands at a height of 5,735 feet, is breathtaking. Green hills may be seen stretching as far as the eye can reach. From the summit, it spreads out in all directions.
The evergreen forests abound throughout the valleys.
During the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, when clouds blanket the whole region, this vista is often impossible to obtain. Go soon before the summer season begins to enjoy the best views.
Trekking through the magnificent Evergreen woods of Shola
In the upper mountain areas, the Shola woods are stunted tropical forests located in valleys amid rolling grassland. The trip provides a haven for a wide range of plants and wildlife.
Throughout this section of the trail, coffee estates and pepper plantations may be seen. There are also Arecanut (Betel nut) trees, Nutmeg trees, fishtail palms, and a variety of other species that thrive here.
If you keep your eyes peeled when hiking through the woods, you’ll almost certainly see millipedes, Calotes Versicolor lizards, a variety of butterflies, and, if you’re lucky, a snake slithering across the trail. If you go hiking during the monsoon or post-monsoon season, you will almost certainly encounter leeches.
Begin your journey early in the morning. If you take a local bus, you will arrive at the Kakkabe bridge. If the bus is travelling ahead on the Virajpet-Talakaveri route, you may get off at the Aramane-Kakkabe intersection, saving 15 minutes of walking time.
Otherwise, begin your journey from the bridge, heading east on the Virajpet-Talakaveri route.
If you’re unsure, simply ask the locals who will lead you in the proper path.
The intersection of Aramane and Kakkabe road heads takes around 15 minutes to reach. You must turn right into the Nalknad Palace Road.
While hiking here, keep your eyes and ears out for diverse flora and wildlife.
Throughout this section of the trail, coffee estates and pepper plantations may be seen. In the farmlands, you’ll also find Arecanut (Betel nut) trees, Nutmeg trees, fishtail palms, and a variety of other trees.
The singing of birds is amplified by hiking early in the morning.
The Nalknad Palace is reached by zigzagging roads and a 40-minute hike. On your way down after your climb, stop at this ancient palace. On the way up, you don’t want to waste time examining this.
This was the final spot where cars could go until early 2020. Concrete blocks have just been placed until the base of Tadiandamol. If it is accomplished, the vehicles will be able to travel all the way to the base.
Section 2: Nalknad Palace to Tadiandamol’s Base
From the Nalknad Palace, the journey now makes a more moderate rise via a mud and gravel stretch to the base of Tadiandamol, where the main trekking track begins.
When you’re going to begin your walk from Nalknad Palace, don’t forget to look for the waterfall. If you’re hiking during the monsoon or post-monsoon season, keep an eye out for this unnamed waterfall around 5 minutes into your hike.
This location has also been indicated on the GPX file so that you don’t miss it. So, if you want to visit this hidden treasure, don’t forget to download the file.
Return to the main route of the journey after exploring this area for a few minutes.
Starting here, you’ll encounter a combination of damaged tar road, muddy path with tiny pebbles, and concrete roads. For approximately an hour, the journey takes you through beautiful green foliage.
After a half-hour hike, you’ll come upon the last house, which has a little creek running alongside it. Your water bottle may be refilled here.
This location is about 10 minutes from the Tadiandamol’s base. Keep an eye out for the perspective on the right, which will reveal the whole territory directly in front of you.
Section 3: Tadiandamol’s base to the Boulder point
Begin your journey early in the morning. If you take a local bus, you will arrive at the Kakkabe bridge. If the bus is travelling ahead on the Virajpet-Talakaveri route, you may get off at the Aramane-Kakkabe intersection, saving 15 minutes of walking time.
Otherwise, begin your journey from the bridge, heading east on the Virajpet-Talakaveri route.
If you’re unsure, simply ask the locals who will lead you in the proper path.
The intersection of Aramane and Kakkabe road heads takes around 15 minutes to reach. You must turn right into the Nalknad Palace Road.
Notice the forest department’s green board pointing to the left, where the ascent begins. The board is a little rusty and aged. It points up, indicating that there are 3.75 kilometres till the summit.
From here on on, the route is a true mud trail all the way.
Your first stream crossing will be around 15 minutes into your trek. To cross this creek, we recommend that you take off your shoes and socks. Otherwise, the shoes may become damp, causing your journey to be ruined afterwards. It’s no fun trekking in wet shoes or socks. The depth of the water will be higher than your ankle. It will be considerably higher if you trek during the rains.
Section 4:
A hillock may be seen from the boulder point. This is a fake peak, not Tadiandamol’s genuine peak. Tadiandamol’s summit is considerably further away, on the left or southern side, facing the false peak.
Begin your ascent by following the well-marked route ahead of you. This latter part is usually obscured by mist and fog.
It’s a magical sensation to trek through the mist and clouds. The forest service has placed orange ribbons on trees that serve as path markers. You are on the correct track if you see this ribbon.
After about 20 minutes of moderate climbing, you arrive to a location that resembles a fort construction. After that, stay on the trail and to your right.
There is one fork that can cause you to think. Either search for the orange ribbon or stay on the right-hand track.
There are a few viewing spots where you may stop for a few minutes to take in the scenery. As you ascend, take a few moments to gaze back at the lush rolling hills.
Taking a few sips of water is a good idea. From this point on, you’ll enter the second woodland area.
Difficult sections on the Tadiandamol Trek
The trip to Tadiandamol is moderately tough.
If you journey from Kakkabe to Kakkabe in one day, your stamina will be put to the test. The trip will be close to 12 kilometres one way. As a result, trekking about 23 to 24 kilometres in a single day can put even the most athletic trekker to the test.
There are no particularly tough portions, however there are a few things to remember when trekking.
The Washington Magazine 