Hiking in India

Meesapulimala is the second-highest peak in Southwestern Ghats at a height of 2,640 m, overlooking the east escarpment of the Munnar Plateau and Korangini Crater. With Rhododendron Valley, golden grass hills, and low-floating clouds, this ancient and untouched landscape is not to be missed. Views of the Palani Hill range from abrupt cliffs to mountainous peaks, enchanting travellers with a once in a lifetime experience.

Named after a tea factory division, this cliffy ridge trail on the west side of Munnar is popularly called Lakshmi Hills. It was the backdrop of the first chapters of Yann Martel's Life of Pi, a popular philosophical novel inspired by the green hills and tea country.

This Cloud Forest walk takes place in a national park, home to a dedicated nature reserve, protecting high-altitude flora and fauna, especially restricted species. This patch of pristine cloud forest lies east of Munnar, close to the famous Top Station cliff.

Chokramudi is the third-highest peak in Munnar and makes for insane views for those willing to take on the challenge. The Dome, also known as Shiva’s Head, is accessible by a tiny, narrow path through grassland and is not for the faint of heart. This moorland is bursting with the fragrance of wildflowers throughout the year. Be sure to have your camera—and your nose—at the ready.

On this Southwestern Ghats hike, you’ll follow an old cart road built during the colonial period. Half of the trail winds through tea plantations with a fantastic view of the westerm ridge and ghats. The other half continues through a cardamom forest and planter’s village with friendly locals welcoming you in for tea.

In the 1890’s, Colonel Valentine discovered this passage to cross the leeward hills to reach Coimbatore in Madras Presidency of British India. The road snakes through undulating hills covered in green blankets of tea plantations surrounded by forest. Found here is the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a protected savannah-type forest with wildlife like Asiatic elephants, panther, wild gaur, monkeys, and deer roaming about. It also harbors 202 unique species of birds.

The Heritage Walks are soft hiking trails in the ethnic villages of Southwestern Ghats. The five-town county is located 40.0 km northeast of Munnar, home to a cluster of five ethnic villages surrounded by stunning mountains, laying in the rain shadow of the Anamudi Hills.

On the hike to Bhramagiri Peak, follow the lush, evergreen wet forest tracts of Thirunelli in Wayanad, which leads towindy grasslands overlooking the impregnable western jungle, popularly known as Pakshipathalam, which means “netherworld of birds.” Hike to the tip top of the peak to take in sweeping views over hills, valleys, and mountains in vibrant shades of green on the “mountain of the creator.”

The Chembra Peak calls Wayanad home, a plateau in the west escarpment of the Nilgiri biosphere. It is part of the World Heritage site known for its outstanding natural beauty. Chembra is the highest peak on the Wayanad plateau and makes for a challenging trek for adventurous mountaineers.

The Makki Hill ranges are located in the western slope of the Ghats. Their lush, tropical rainforests are surrounded by the Periya range and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. The region is historically noted in British Indian history as the first spot where a tribal uprising, organized by a local king, took place against the British. To this day, the core zone of the forest is impenetrable, but the buffer zone is accessible by specified paths which make up the Makki Hill hike.