The Kodachadri peak, which can be reached from Kattinahole village in Hosanagar taluk of Shivamogga district, is 1,343 meters above sea level and attracts hundreds of visitors every year from across Karnataka. During weekends, the nine-kilometre-long rugged mud-and-gravel road to the peak is teeming with 4X4 vehicles carrying tourists, many among them from faraway places such as Bengaluru.
“We thought we won’t be able to cross this tough stretch. But the local driver who was on the wheels knew how to navigate,” said Ravi Kumar, an employee in a software company who was part of a group of friends. It was a 45-minute nerve-racking ride.
The highest that vehicles can reach is the parking place near Kalabhairava temple.
| Photo Credit:
Sathish GT
Treacherous curves
The journey to the top passes through 40 steep curves. At each curve, the drivers exhibit all their skills to navigate the stretch. As they sense a vehicle approaching from the opposite side, they expertly park their vehicles at a vantage spot so that the other vehicle can pass easily. They know that coordination among drivers is key while on the job. Tourists are often so terrified through the ride that most drivers stop for a while midway so that they can shed their fear for a while and enjoy the breathtaking view and the breeze.
The highest that vehicles can reach is the parking place near Kalabhairava temple. From there, there is no path for vehicles. The tourists have to trek to reach the peak. Shankaracharya, a philosopher of the eighth century, who advocated the Advaita philosophy, is said to have visited the peak.
From the peak, visitors get stunning views of the Western Ghats. The peak is part of Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, the place rich with rare flora and fauna. Spotted deer, Sambar, Common langur, Bonnet macaque are commonly found, besides the rare lion-tailed macaque.
The period from November to February is considered to be the best for trekking.
| Photo Credit:
Sathish GT
Many enthusiasts take the trekking path to reach the peak. The trek for the 14-km stretch is challenging as well as rewarding. On the way, the trekkers enjoy water streams and a waterfall, Hindlumane. A few schools in Shivamogga take their students for trekking expedition to this place. They stay at the PWD guest house at the top and return the next day.
The Forest Department has fixed a fee of ₹250 for adults and ₹125 for children for trekking. The department allots guides to accompany the trekking groups.
The period from November to February is considered to be the best for trekking. During the monsoon, the region receives highest rainfall.
Many visitors reach Kodachadri hill with the help of vehicles.
| Photo Credit:
SATHISH GT
Road work and ropeway
Those who prefer to cover the stretch by vehicles take the service of local drivers, who own vehicles with four-wheel drive facilities. Such vehicles are available from Kollur, a popular tourist destination in Kundapur taluk of Udupi district, known for Mookambika temple. There are about 140 such vehicles in Kollur.
A majority of devotees visiting the temple plan a visit to Kodachadri as well. Vehicles are available from Nittur and Kattinahole in Hosanagar taluk of Shivamogga district as well.
The drivers charge over ₹3,500 for a two-way trip from Kollur while those in Nittur and Kattinahole charge between ₹2,000 and ₹3,000, depending on the number of passengers.
Everybody has to take permission to enter the forest at the check posts after paying the fixed fee. Ganesh Naik, who has been driving on the stretch for the last eight years, said that he hardly gets five or six trips a week. “The number of vehicles is very high. Only on rare occasions do we get a chance to make two trips a day,” he said.
The mud road that connects Kattinahole to Kodachadri Peak passes through Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary. Earlier, people of the village — Kodachadri — drove bullock carts on that path. According to local people, vehicles were introduced in the last 15 years to ferry tourists to the peak.
In the year 2021, the Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) proposed to improve the road.
The Tourism Department of Karnataka has proposed a passenger-carrying ropeway connecting Kollur and Kodachadri under the Centre’s Parvathmala project.
| Photo Credit:
SATHISH GT
Protest from environmentalists
Widening the road from the existing 3.5 metre to 7 metres was proposed so that vehicles could move freely. The objective was to promote ecotourism in the location.
The project required the diversion of forest land that falls within Sagar division and Kundapur division.
Environmentalists have opposed the proposal. They raised concerns over the safety of the hill station and also pointed out that allowing vehicles was a bad idea. They complained to the MoEF against the local authorities and urged the Centre not to allow the road. They also maintained that allowing vehicles on the mud road itself was against the law. The road has not seen any improvement.
The Tourism Department of Karnataka has proposed a passenger-carrying ropeway connecting Kollur and Kodachadri under the Centre’s Parvathmala project.
Shivamogga MP B.Y. Raghavendra is keen on implementing the project. The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has given its consent for the project, which is expected to cost ₹380 crore. The National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) has worked out a detailed project report after sending a team of experts to the field.
The project is expected to increase the number of visitors to the place and boost the tourism sector.
Of those who visit Kodachadri, some also take time out to enjoy boating in the river Sharavati backwaters and take a ride on the ferry that helps villagers cross the backwaters.
| Photo Credit:
VAIDYA
Backwaters and homestays
The number of tourists and trekkers visiting Kodachadri has also prompted the local people to start homestays in Hosanagar taluk. The trekking teams reach the homestays by Saturday afternoon, stay there, trek to the hilltop the next morning, and return to their place by evening.
“Many of the visitors to my homestay are trekkers interested in exploring the Western Ghats. The terrain is quite challenging for the trekkers. They return home with an unforgettable experience. Besides the trekkers, devotees of the Mookambika temple, located in Kollur, also visit the place in big numbers,” said Praveen, who runs a homestay near Nagara.
Of those who visit Kodachadri, some also take time out to enjoy boating in the river Sharavati backwaters and take a ride on the ferry that helps villagers cross the backwaters.
Following the construction of the Linganmakki dam for power generation, many villages in Sagar and Hosanagar taluks were submerged in water. The development disrupted transport facilities for a large number of people. They are all dependent on ferries. One such ferry is operated at Bilasagara. The ferry operating connects Karanagiri and Brahmana Taruve villages. The ferry can take a four-wheeler, a couple of two-wheelers, and a few people at one go. It reduces the distance between Hosanagar and Kodachadri by over 20 kilometres. The ferry operator also operates boats to enhance his earnings. He takes tourists on rides on the backwaters.
Published – January 10, 2025 09:00 am IST
