Makki Hills Hike
Table of contents
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.
Route Description for Makki Hills Hike
The starting point for the Makki Hill hike is at Muneeswaran Kunnu, a hillock with a 280-degree view at Mount Muneeswaran.
A short hike through the Makki rainforest leads to the nearby peak and grassland. It is an ideal place to view both sunrise and sunset.
Trail to the deep forest path, then slowly head down hill from the peak through grassland. The trail here involves crossing forest streams, before hiking through deep jungle to visit fast-flowing seasonal waterfalls.
The forest has four layers of canopy, akin to a tropical rainforest. Stop for a photo among the huge candle-shaped trees towering in the sky, wrapped in stragglers and elephant creepers. The middle canopy, holding epiphytic ferns and orchids, is home to many forest birds.
As you continue further down through the forest, spot stick insects, leaf insects, and tree frogs, which are the highlights of the lower canopy.
Finally, reach the forest floor, which is home to an innumerable number of insects and amphibians. The clucks and doodle-doo of jungle fowl running across the trail add another note to the combined song of the rainforest.
Insider Hints for Makki Hills Hike
- There are no self-guided walking options possible, you must be with a guide.
- The Makki Hills hiking zone offers two more trails, one to the Surya Mudi 'Sun Mount' and other to Makki peak, which you can suggest to your guide if you’d like more of a challenge.
- The bugs can be bothersome in this area, especially mosquitoes. We recommend packing bug spray.
Getting to the Makki Hills Hike Trailhead
The reporting point is the Munneswarankunnu forest office. The destination is 14.0 km from Mananthavady town. Take the Mananthavadi-Thalassery road until Thalapuzha. From here, take a Jeep another 4.0 km to reach Muneeswarankunnu.
Route Information
When to do:
November to March
Backcountry Campsites:
No
Family friendly:
Older Children only
Route Signage:
Average
Crowd Levels:
Moderate
Route Type:
Lollipop
Makki Hills Hike Elevation Graph
Weather Forecast
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