Kumara Parvatha or Pushpagiri, at 1,712 metres (5,617 ft), is the highest peak in Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary (AKA Subramanya Hills) in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. Kumara Parvatha is located in the Somwarpet Taluk, 20 kilometres from Somwarpet in the northern part of Kodagu (Coorg) district. This mountain is on the border between Dakshina Kannada(Mangalore) and Kodagu districts.
Trekking in Kumara Parvatha
Kumara Parvatha is a wonderful and toughest trekking destination in Karnataka, you can enjoy the beauty of nature. There are 2 ways to reach Kumara Parvatha one is from Subramanya which is 13 km and other is from Somavarpet which is 7 kms. The trek starts from a place a Kilometer away from Kukke Subramanya temple.
Mangalore to Kukke Subramanya is about 110 Kms. State run KSRTC buses and private buses goes to Kukke Subramanya or call Mangalore Taxi at +91-9972722878 to hire taxi to go to Kukke Subramanya.
First stretch: which takes approx 2 hours till Bhaatramane (Bhat’s House). Approximate mid point for the first stretch being a Giant boulder on the way called Bhima Kallu (Bhima Stone).
Second stretch: of the trek is from Bhattramane to Kallu Mantapa(Stone Gazebo) and takes approx 2 Hrs and its mostly through dry grasslands.Third Stretch is from Kallumantapa to Shesha Parvata (Shesha is a Serpant Diety and Parvatha meaning Mountain) which again takes approx 2 hrs.
Final stretch: is from Shehsha Parvata to Kumara Parvata which is the toughest of all the stretches having to go through thick forest and boulders to reach the peak it takes approximately 1 hour.
Water is available in 3 places Bhattramane, Kallumantapa and a stream in midst of the forest on the final stretch from Shesha Parvatha to Kumara Parvatha. Water can be stagnant at times in the final source so its advised to carry enough water required. Enough food may also be carried from Kukke Subramanya if required. Simple Rice Sambhar Meal can be availed for nominal price from Bhattra Mane by informing the headcount to Mr Bhat before stating the trek from Kukke Subramanya or from Kallu Mantapa which is about 2 to 3 kilometers away from Bhattra Mane. An entry fee to the sanctuary has to be paid to the forest guard near Bhattramane.
If you are planning to reach the peak on first day then you have to start early before 6, else you can halt near Bhattra Mane where you will get lunch and flat place to put tent. In rainy season there will be leeches, so never plan trekking during rainy season.
1st Stretch: Approx 6.5 Kms from starting point to Bhattra Mane.
2nd Stretch: Approx 2 Kms approx from Bhattramane to Kallumantapa.
3rd Stretch: Approx 3 Kms from Kallumantapa to Shesha Parvata.
4th Stretch: Approx 2 Kms from Shesha Parvata to Kumara Parvata Peak.
One can camp at the peak, Kalumantappa or Bhatramanne. Kumaraparvata has everything for an adventure loving person such as thick forest, dry grasslands, hot sun, freezing cold winds, beautiful sunset and sunrise.
Photo Gallery of Kumara Parvatha
