Trekking in the Nilgiri

Parts of the reserved forest area in the Ooty district comes under the perview of the District Forest Officer (DFO), North while another part comes under DFO, South. Once the trek route is finalized, it is advisable to inform the two DFO's and the Wildlife Warden, Mudumalai sanctury, all of whose offices are located in Ooty town. This can prove beneficial in availing the facilities of the forest bungalows in different areas and co-operation from the local forest department staff.

Ooty - Parson Valley - Portimund - Mukurti Forest Bungalow - Mukutri Peak - Nilgiri Peak - Mukurthi Bungalow - Emerald - Ooty

Parson valley is around 3 hours away by bus from Ooty. There are two local buses in the evening from Ooty bus stand. Another hour on the same bus takes you to Portimund village directly. But the trek-route between Parson valley and Portimund, with its brilliant flora and fauna is worth being covered on foot.

The Mukurti forest bungalow can serve as the base-camp for the next couple of days from where the Mukurti peak and the Nilgiri peak can be covered. The Mukurti Peak is named so as it's shape resembles a human-nose.

Caution : The leeward side is not advisable for climbing as the face is not solid with lots of loose stones. To reach the Nilgiri peak, one has to go through the col by the Mukurti peak. Water is scarce beyond and it is advisable to fill up at the lake at the base of the col.
Emerald is a small village, half a day's walk from the forest bungalow. Ideal for a picnic by the lake. Emerald is linked to Ooty by bus.

Ooty - Portimund - Mukurti Forest Bungalow - Western Catchment - Bangitapal - Upper Bhavani

The route to Mukurti forest bungalow is mentioned in the above section. The route to western catchment starts with a gradual climb. A series of knolls follows in between which Western Catchment - I, II and III are located. Lots of wildfile florish in the area the prominent among which are elephants, nilgai and wild buffaloes. Water is scarce beyond Western Catchment. Upper Bhavani is linked to Ooty by jeeps and minibuses.

Ooty - Emerald - Lakhri Peak - Avalanche - Ooty

Emerald is a small village around 2 hours by bus from Ooty. There is a forest bungalow there. But there would be ample amount of time to proceed to Avalanche and avail the facilties there. The trek upto Lakhri/Tekkadi peak and back takes around one day. A microwave tower is situated on top. It shouldn't be surprising to meet a couple of elephants on the way.

Kodaikanal - Perumalmalai

The trek to Perumal peak and back at a leisurely pace takes about 7 hrs. The route upward starts from slightly after Silver Cascade on the Kodaikanal - Madurai Highway. There are regular buses from Kodaikanal till the hamlet at the base of the peak. The walk down is not a bad idea either, with lot of short-cuts through fields.

Water is scarce and is advisable to be carried. The climb upward is mostly uniform with occational steep climbs in between. The vegetation can consist of occational thick undergrowth during the monsoon.

The peak offers a splendid view of the surrounding including Kodaikanal town. Being probably the heighest in the neighbourhood, it is usually windy throughout the year. There is a motorable track to very close to the summit, but then what is the fun !!

Kodaikanal - Berijam Lake - Mariam Shola

Munnar - Annaimudi - Rajamalai

Munnar is a quite low-profile hill station in Kerala, easily accessible from Madurai by road. I don't know how famous this place is otherwise, but if it is, then it must be because of it's tea estates which are amply provided around.
The Annaimudi peak is reputed to be the tallest in South India. Its is a about a half days walk from Munnar passing through through some lovely woods. This is another place supposed to be infested with elephants. Rajamalai is a much smaller peak, much more like a picnic walk. The 'trail' is more like intermittent shortcuts through tea-estates as the road wounds upward close-by. Don't expect much unless, as aforesaid, you have your picnic basket.
Caution : Not recommended if you are allergic to leaches.

For a change, one can come down from Munnar via Udumulpet & Pollatchi. Close to Udumulpet are the Trimurthi Hills, more like a couple of hills rising out of nowhere. But the rock faces around are of superb quality. In fact a dozen of them are marked with paint as recomended for a climb. Place is slighly desolate after sun-down as it offers neither the thrills of the wilderness, nor the comforts of the city, being almost on the bus-route, but one night is bearable by the lakeside