Kuduremukha
"Horse-faced" in Kannada, for one side of the mountain. It was once called Samseparvata, after the approach from Samse village.
After the summit · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
One long day there and back, inside Kudremukh National Park.
1,892m
Kudremukh peak
18km
There and back, in a day
50
Trekkers allowed a day
600km²
National park, since 1987
💪 Moderate🧭 Local guide required🚌 From Bangalore
Day by day
Three days, one climb
The Bikat Adventures plan, Bangalore to Bangalore.
How high you are on each kilometre
- Day 1Bangalore → MullodiOvernight bus
- Day 2Forest office → Kudremukh → backStart 9 am, back about 6 pm18 km🛏️ Base camp
- Day 3Back to BangaloreOvernight bus
Stories and nature
The horse face
Iron ore
Kudremukha grew as a mining town. The government-run KIOCL mined iron ore for almost 30 years and closed in 2006 over environmental concerns.
Three rivers
The Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravathi are said to rise here. The park shelters tigers, leopards, wild dogs and the lion-tailed macaque.
When to go
Monsoon green or winter clear
Bikat runs it June–August and November–February. The park is typically closed from about March to May.
Jun–Aug
The grassland at its greenest, in the rains.
Nov–Feb
Clearer, drier days.
Cost
₹3,950 + 5% GST with Bikat, forest permit included.
Plan your trip
Book ahead
Permits are booked online on the Karnataka forest department's Aranya Vihaara portal, 1 to 30 days ahead. Bring the original ID you booked with.
- Bangalore🚌 Overnight
- Kalasa → Mullodi🚙 To the forest office
- Forest office
Timings
Enter after 6:30 am, and be back past the checkpost by 5:30 pm. No camping in the park.
Plastic
Single-use plastic is confiscated or tagged against a deposit.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Bus to Kalasa
Take an overnight bus from Bangalore towards Horanadu and get off at Kalasa. It costs about ₹800. The trek start is about 10 km from the Kalasa bus stand. Bikat Adventures DIY guide
Little phone signal
BSNL works in Kudremukh town. There is no signal inside the forest. Bikat Adventures
No food on the trail
There are no food stalls on the trail. Mullodi homestays give breakfast and a packed lunch. Packets of chips, biscuits and chocolates are not allowed in the park. Bikat Adventures DIY guide
Carry your water
Carry 2.5–3 litres of water and some electrolytes, in a reusable bottle. TrekGo
Basic homestays
About three homestays in Mullodi take trekkers. They have separate dorms for men and women and shared bathrooms. You sleep on thin foam sheets, so bring a blanket or sleeping bag. Muddie Trails
Guide on arrival
A local guide is assigned when you arrive. You don't need to book one ahead. Bikat Adventures DIY guide
Leeches
The forest is full of leeches, most of all in the monsoon. Put Dettol or Savlon on your legs and shoes before you start. Trekup India
Weather
Winter days are about 14–33 °C. The coldest nights drop to about 10 °C. The monsoon brings heavy rain. Bikat Adventures
Turn back by 1 pm
Start down from the top by 1 pm at the latest. The descent is tricky in the dark. Bikat Adventures DIY guide
No offloading
Bikat has no option to offload your bag. Carry only a light daypack. Bikat Adventures
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device.
Clothing
Shoes
Gear
Papers and money
Health
List from Muddie Trails: things to carry.
Rent or buy
Where to get gear
Many operators lend tents, sleeping bags and spikes. Ask yours before you rent.
Bangalore before you leave
Decathlon Brigade RoadBuy · rucksacks, gloves and other outdoor gearEva Mall, 60 Brigade Road, Ashok Nagar · Website
Shop details are from each shop's own page. Phone to confirm prices and stock.
Who runs it
Choose an operator
We found 6 operators selling Kudremukh from Bangalore in October 2026. Thrillophilia's page says trekking is suspended for now over forest-fire risk, so check before you book.
Prices are base prices from each operator's own page (October 2026); most add 5% GST. Ratings are what each operator shows, not an independent audit. Names marked † show last season's price or one seen only in a search snippet.