A god's footprint
Legend says Lord Subramanya left his footprint in the hilltop temple. The summit has shrines to Shiva and Subramanya.
After the summit · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
One of the toughest treks in Karnataka: a big climb from near sea level, with one night at a forest house.
1,712m
Kumara Parvatha
165m
Kukke, where it starts
28km
There and back, 2 days
300
Trekkers a day, booked online
💪 Moderate to tough⛺ Camp at Bhattara Mane🚌 From Bangalore
Day by day
Three days, step by step
The Bikat Adventures plan, Bangalore to Bangalore.
How high you are on each kilometre
- Day 1Bangalore → Kukke SubramanyaLeave 9 pm, 280 km overnight
- Day 2Kukke → Bhattara ManeFrom about 10 am: forest, then grasslandAbout 7 km⛺ Tents on the grassland
- Day 3Summit and all the way downLeave 5–6 am; off the top by 1:30 pmUp and down to Kukke🚌 Overnight to Bangalore
Stories and nature
The mountain of Kumara
Pushpagiri
Evergreen forest, shola grassland and montane forest in the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary: home to the Malabar grey hornbill, lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri langur.
Too popular
In January 2024 more than 1,500 trekkers queued in one weekend and there was a stampede at the gate. Since then: online booking only, capped at 300 a day.
When to go
After the monsoon
Bikat runs it from September to February. The trail closes for summer and the monsoon, but sources disagree on when: June–September (Wikipedia), 1 March–30 September (Trekup), or from 15 February (DownToEarth). Check before you book.
Sep–Feb
Green after the rains, then dry and clear.
Summer and monsoon
Closed. Sources put the closure anywhere from mid-February or March to September.
Cost
₹3,700 + 5% GST with Bikat; the forest office charges ₹250 a person.
Plan your trip
Book on Aranya Vihaara
Tickets are booked only online on the Karnataka forest department's portal, with a government ID; one phone number can book up to 10.
- Bangalore🚌 280 km overnight
- Kukke Subramanya
Water
Kallu Mantapa is the last water before the peak. Nothing to eat after Bhattara Mane.
Watch your step
Look out for cobras in the high forest beyond Shesha Parvatha.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Bus to Kukke
KSRTC buses to Kukke Subrahmanya leave from Platform 2A at Majestic in Bangalore. Book ahead on ksrtc.in or redBus. The trail gate is a 1.5 km walk from the bus stand. Trekup India
By train
Subrahmanya Road station is about 11 km from the temple. A shared jeep costs about ₹60 a seat. An auto costs about ₹300. Trekup India
Stay in Kukke
Kukke has budget lodges and homestays for about ₹800–1,500 a night. Explurger
Little phone signal
Expect patchy or no signal on the trek. Bikat Adventures
One food stop
Bhatta's house at Bhattara Mane is the only food stop. It gets crowded, so carry dry fruit, nuts and snacks. Trekup India
Last toilets
Bhattara Mane has restrooms. There are no public toilets after it. Bikat Adventures
Little shade up high
From Kallu Mantapa to the top you are in the sun. Sip water every 15 minutes. Trekup India
Leeches
After the monsoon, leeches are on the trail from the forest start. Most people notice them at Bheema Rock. Trekup India
No plastic
Plastic bottles, carry bags and food wrappers are banned on Karnataka trails. Bags are checked. Liquor, cigarettes and lighters bring a fine. Outlook Traveller
Leave gear below
On summit day you can leave tents and extra gear at the forest office, then pick them up on the way down. Bikat has no offloading. Bikat Adventures
Check the closed season
Trekup India says the forest department closes the trail from 1 March to 30 September each year. Check the portal before you plan. Trekup India
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device.
Clothing
Gear
Papers and money
Health
List from Trekup India: Kumara Parvatha trek.
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 4 operators selling Kumara Parvatha from Bangalore in October 2026. Muddie Trails climbs from the Somwarpet side as a day hike, not from Kukke. Sources disagree on the closed season and the fee, so check Aranya Vihaara 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.