National park · India
Kudremukh National Park
Enter Kudremukh National Park for a day: pay a ₹200 entry fee, drive to Kalasa (≈45 km (28 mi)) and hike the 12 km (7.5 mi) trail to Kudremukh peak (≈4 h each way) in the dry season; skip the trek in monsoon.Enter Kudremukh National Park for a day: pay a ₹200 entry fee, drive to Kalasa (≈28 mi (45 km)) and hike the 7.5 mi (12 km) trail to Kudremukh peak (≈4 h each way) in the dry season; skip the trek in monsoon.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
600 km² (232 sq mi)232 sq mi (600 km²)
approximate
Established
1987
Best months
Nov–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 600 km² (232 sq mi)232 sq mi (600 km²)
- Approximately 600 km² of tropical wet evergreen forest and mountainous terrain (check official forest‑department figures).
- Established
- 1987
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Chikmagalur
Kudremukh National Park protects a 600 km² stretch of the Western Ghats in Karnataka, featuring dense evergreen forest, three river origins and the 1 894 m Kudremukh peak. The park is a hub for trekking, wildlife spotting and cultural sites such as the Bhagavathi shrine, but access is limited to guided treks beyond the gate to preserve the fragile ecosystem.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1987.
Size and age
600 km² (232 sq mi)232 sq mi (600 km²) · national park since 1987
Approximately 600 km² of tropical wet evergreen forest and mountainous terrain (check official forest‑department figures).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Chikmagalur.
Why go
- Explore 600 km² (232 sq mi) of tropical wet evergreen forest and rugged mountains.Explore 232 sq mi (600 km²) of tropical wet evergreen forest and rugged mountains.
- Climb Kudremukh peak (1 894 m) for panoramic views of the Western Ghats.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry; ideal for trekking
- FebCool, dry; good visibility
- MarWarm, dry start of summer
- AprWarm, dry
- MayHeat rises, occasional showers
- JunHeavy rains begin
- JulMonsoon, trails slippery
- AugPeak monsoon, landslide risk
- SepRain eases, but trails still wet
- OctPost‑monsoon, cooler
- NovDry, comfortable 19‑25 °C (77 °F)Dry, comfortable 19‑77 °F (25 °C)
- DecDry, cool
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malabar civet, wild dogs, sloth bear, spotted deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Bengaluru
KSRTC or private bus to Kalasa (≈5 h), then taxi or local bus to park gate
5–6 h
From Mangaluru
Private bus to Kalasa, then taxi to gate
4–5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Kalasa gate | Entry point, visitor office, parking | Open with entry ticket |
| Peak trail | 12 km (7.5 mi) forest trail to Kudremukh peak, passes waterfalls7.5 mi (12 km) forest trail to Kudremukh peak, passes waterfalls | Guided only |
| Kadambi Falls area | Scenic waterfall and picnic spot | Open, no fee |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the park; exact trailheads may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | INR 200 (≈ US$3) | person | Check latest rate at gate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Peak trek guide permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Not allowed in the park; stay in nearby towns
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the gate
- Fire & litter
- No open fires; carry out all waste
- Vehicle access
- Private vehicles only to gate; no off‑road driving
Where to stay
Near the park
Kalasa town
Budget hotels and guesthouses (₹300‑₹850 per night)
Near the park
Mullodi village
Guesthouses for trekkers (basic facilities)
Safety
Lost on trail high
Landslides during monsoon medium
Heat & dehydration medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area reachable by car; short walks are level.
- Trail to peak is steep, uneven and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use guide‑approved routes; do not litter.
- Support local guesthouses and buy tea/coffee from community stalls.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kudremukh National Park?
Entry is ₹200 per adult (check at the gate for the current rate).
What are the best hikes in Kudremukh National Park?
The main trek to Kudremukh peak (12 km, hard) and the short walk to Kadambi Waterfalls (easy) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Kudremukh National Park?
The dry months November to February offer comfortable temperatures and clear trails; avoid June‑October monsoon.
Do I need a guide for the peak trek?
Yes – the forest department requires a licensed guide for any trek beyond the gate.
Is camping allowed on the peak?
No, camping is prohibited by the Karnataka forest department.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Kudremukh National Park
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