Tadiandamol, the highest peak of Coorg situated at 5735 feet, is a trekking spot 275 Kms from Bangalore. It is one of the best Western Ghats treks situated in Karnataka. It is the highest peak in Coorg and stands at an altitude of 1,748 meters (5,735 feet). The trek offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes, including the rolling hills, dense forests, and coffee plantations.
The trek starts from the Nalaknad Palace near the village of Kakkabe and takes around 4-5 hours to reach the summit. The trail is well-marked and relatively easy to navigate, making it suitable for both experienced and novice trekkers. The trek takes you through the lush green forests of the Western Ghats, where you can spot a variety of flora and fauna, including rare bird species like the Nilgiri flycatcher and the Malabar trogon. As you approach the summit, the trail becomes steeper and more challenging, but the panoramic views from the top make it all worth it.
At the summit, you can relax and take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and valleys. You can also visit the Nalknad Palace, which is a historical landmark and one of the oldest buildings in Coorg. Overall, the Tadiandamol trek is a must-do for anyone visiting Coorg or looking for a trekking adventure in the Western Ghats. It offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, adventure, and cultural heritage.
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Tadiandamol Trek Trail Reference Map
Before I write anything else, here is the reference map for the Tadiandamol trek. It will help you in knowing about the trek in a better way.
Tadiandamol Trek Overview
- Tadindamol trek distance: 7 Km, one way
- Trail type: Out and return
- Tadiandamol trekking time: 3-4 hours one way
- Tadiandamol parking: Near Nalknad palace
- Tadiandamol camping: Not allowed
Tadiandamol Trek Starting point & Parking
Nalknad palace is also the parking point for the bigger vehicles like bus, Minibus or tempo traveller. There are also small shops around from where you can buy snacks and water bottles. There are no parking charges here.
Nalknad palace to Forest Checkpoint
From Nalknad palace to the Tadiandamol forest checkpoint is around 3KM. This is mostly a metallic road. This would be an extra bit of trekking. So, if you have a vehicle, you can drive further up to the forest checkpoint. The walk takes an extra of around 45 minutes as the road a bit steep and there are coffee plantations on the both sides of the road.
Forest Check Point
The point from where the real trek starts. It is a place where you will have to take permission. There is also a shop near the entry point where you can buy snacks and water bottles or after returning from the trek, you can have snacks here.
Tadiandamol forest entry charges
Forest entry charges for Tadiandamol trek is Rs. 100 per head.
Forest Entry Point
Forest Entry point to old camping site
The trail from the forest checkpoint to the old camping site is around 2 KM. The trail is wide and the walk is easy. Also, there is not much ascent or steepness. The total trekking takes around 30 minutes.
Wide Tadiandamol trekking trail until camping site from forest entry point in monsoon
Old Camping site to the Tadiandamol Peak: 1.5 Km
The trail becomes steep after the old camping site. The trail is also windy and winding with a lot of viewpoints. From here to the peak takes around 1.0 to 1.5 hours of trekking depending upon your fitness. Just before the peak, there is a forest stretch of around 500 meters. The trail is very steep there. In the monsoon, it gets very slippery increasing the chances of slipping. So be careful.
Tadiandamol camping site big rock in Feb
Tadiandamol trek – Steep narrow trail from camping site to the peak
Tadiandamol view from the peak
Best Time for Tadiandamol Trek
Post monsoon time is what many people prefer to visit Tadiandamol trek so plan your trip here during the months of September to March. You will witness the lush green surroundings with some amazing views of the Western Ghats. You can also plan your trip during the monsoon season but you might need prior permission and right gears for the trek.
Avoid visiting this place during the peak summer months of April to June as the mountain jungles are prone to wildfires and hence trekking is banned during these months.
Permission and Camping on the Tadiandamol Trek
Yes. You need to take permission for Tadiandamol trek. The trek of Tadiandamol comes under the Bhagamandala Range Forest and you will find a forest check post at the beginning of the trekking route. You will have to pay RS.100 entry fee for each person. No, currently there is no permission for anyone to camp around the Tadiandamol trek. It was very much allowed till 2016 but now due to the huge number of wild animals sighting the forest authority has disallowed Camping inside the forest.
Driving to Tadiandamol from Bangalore (Road condition)
Bangalore to Hunsur: 180 Kms (Two-way road)
Hunsur to Virajpet: 65 Km (Double road, single lane)
Virajpet to Tadiandamol: 30 Km (Almost single Ghat roads)
Search on Google maps for “Nalknad Palace, Nalknad Palace Road, Yevakapadi, Karnataka 571214“. You will see a driving route until there. You can drive your vehicle until there. Park your vehicle over there and from there onwards, start trekking on the same route for Tadiandmol trek. As such, there is no parking fee and vehicles are also safe there.
Other points to be taken care of
– Be aware of elephants
– It might be very windy and rainy at the peak in monsoon
– There is no need for guidance as the trail is self-evident
– Please go along with someone who has already been there
At Tadiandamol peak in monsoon
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Regards
Vijay Madhav
Please go ahead
I’m in love with this trek it is very beautiful.
Very very useful keep it up
Is there any guide available for trekking
Will They make any groups like that
Bcz I am single
There are no guides but the trail is pretty clear. You can also join a group of other trekkers over there.
Very useful
HI We are around 10 people planning to go for trek in first week of this december. I Have few doubts Can you please clarify
1. Can we stay night in tents for the camp near rock you said is it safe to stay there
2. Are there any adventorous activities if we go alone
3. If we want to stay at night in tents there by what time we should start our trek to see peak and after stay at tent in nights
4. For camp fire wood other accessories will be available or not
5. Can we get tents for rent there or we need to carry from our place.
It will be very helpful if i get details for these questions.
Thanks in Advance
Thanks for the informations it was very useful !!
Hi,
We are planning a trek to tadianmol in Aug 12 and planning to stay there for 2 days. Is it allowed?
Also, is the place pet friendly? or there is animal activity in the area apart from Elephants.
Camping on Tadiandmol is not allowed.
Oh Ok! I thought we can camp at the base somewhere not at the peak. Any other places you can reccomend for camping
Hi, How did you capture the trekking trail? Any app used?
Hi, I’m planning to do this trek around May 21. I came across an article that said prior permission needs to be taken before doing this trek. Is that the case?
Thanks in advance!
Could you also suggest another trek around this area? I would really appreciate it. Thanks
Hi Shaili,
I went for this trek long ago… So I am not aware of the current situation now but until one month ago, permission was not needed.
Can we go camping there privately?
Sure, you can camp there.
What time is best for trekking Tadiandamol ? planning for March 2nd week, will it be a good experience ? Please advise ?
Do we need to take any permissions ??…I am planning to go their next week with 4 of my friends
No Permission is needed
what would be the average cost for this trek to and fro Blore ?
It depends on how many people you go and what mode of transportation you use?
Thanks for the info
Planning a trek there sometime this fortnight, with three of my mates.
Is the information still relevant? Regarding permissions, fees, etc? And is camping allowed? Unlikely well be staying there, but just in case.
And are there any bus routes or something such that can get me to a few miles of the start point?
Thanks
There are no such bus facilities but most of the information regarding the trek still hold true
Hello Sir,
First I would really like to thank you for the given piece of helpful information.
Actually we (group of 4) planning to take this trek on next weekend. Kindly advise the possibility, Whether we should go or not, as its a monsoon period. And Do we need to take any kinda permission to enter.
Thanks heaps in advance!
People usually do not take permission to go there. During monsoon I would not advise you to go there
Is camping allowed for now?
No camping is not allowed there
First off, thanks for the detailed info. I do have some doubts of my own
1) Where do we park our cars? Is that a parking space or someone’s home?
2) Is there any water source near the “rock”?
3) This is not a question, but which month would you suggest to be the best for camping?
You can park you vehicle at the end of the tar road. There is also a place called aramane palace school ground, you can also park there. Yes, there is a water source near the rock.
camping is not allowed on this trek. But after monsoon, trekking is the best
We are trekking tommorow… As we know this time very challeges of heavy rains, brain freezing cold.. Etc etc..
Hi,
How does the trek in monsoon will be ? I saw the weather report and it says whole week it’s raining. We are even planning to put tent on the hill top. Please advice.
Hi Rohan,
It is gonna be very rainy and windy as well. Some of my trekking mates who went there told that Tadiandmol received a lot of rainfall this year. Please do not pitch tent at the top since it would be very windy. Pitch nearer to the big rock just before the peak. You will get the reference in the blog. Wind should be lesser there. Also make sure tent is rain proof. Are you carrying Quechua T3 plus or Arpenaz Xl3 or some wildcraft tent? these are nice tents 🙂
Thanks!! +1
Is it that dangerous to go alone for the first time? How is the possibility to find a group(to trek with) from there. I’ll planning to travel on a weekend in April.
It should not be dangerous alone but the possibility to find a trekking group to trek with is very less. There are some trekking companies who do organized trekking and operate from Bangalore on weekends to various peaks in western Ghats. You can search for them in Google, pay them and go for the trek.