Netravati Trek - The Ultimate Cloud Walk in Chikmagalur

Netravati Trek

The Netravati Trek is a well-known trek in southern India's trekking circles. It has become a popular cloud formation at peak. Netravati Trek is in the Chikmagalur district, between Samse and Belathangady. The Netravati River starts at the base of the Netravati peak and gives the Netravati Trek or Netravati Peak Trek its name.

This is one of the few treks in Karnataka where you can see great views the whole way. With shola grasslands that roll on all sides of the trail. You can see the smaller towns in Belthangady from the top.

Fit beginners can do the trek. Even if you've been trekking for a while, it will test your endurance. We love trekking just like you do! And we've written down a lot of information about this trek to help you do it on your own.

 Trek Details

● Length: One day
● Distance from Bangalore: 326 km
● The highest point is 1520 m / 4990 ft.
● Total distance of the trek: 6.4 km (both ways)
● Base: Samse
● How to Book Forest permit?

Option 1 : Aranya Vihara website (District: Dakshina Kannada) has permits.

Option 2 : Book atleast 7-14days advance to get confirmed permit.

Shola Forest

The western ghats are home to shola, which are high-altitude grasslands and shrublands. To get to Netravathi Peak, you have to walk through the Shola forests. There are many different types of plants and animals in the shola forests and grasslands. You might be able to see this beauty if you're lucky.

Information about the trail

There are three parts to the Netravathi Trek.
From the forest office, walk to the two-tier waterfall.
A walk along the canal to the stream that flows from the two-tier waterfall.
Stream to the top of Netravati.

Section I: Walk from the forest office to the two-tiered waterfalls.
Distance of the trek: 2.5 km
Time for the trek: 1 hour

The first part of your trek is rocky and goes up, but it flattens out when you get to the two-tier waterfalls. This is where you get your drinking water.

There are a few gradual climbs and descents along the well-marked path to the waterfall. You might see groups of cows from nearby villages eating grass.

When the monsoons are really heavy, the water on the waterfalls can flow very fast, making it hard to cross them without getting wet.

Section 2: Two-tier waterfalls to the stream

Trek Distance: 3.5 km

 Trek Duration: 45 minutes

You can hear the sounds of a canal that goes to the nearby villages for irrigation as you walk through the forests.
To your left, you can see Rani Jhari Cliff and Ballalrayana Durga Fort. That is another hike that can be done.

There is a stream that goes up the hill and connects to the canal. You need to turn left after a kilometer. You get to the stream after a short drop into the forest and a few slow climbs and drops.

You can take off your shoes and walk on the water for a short distance.

When the monsoons are at their worst, the stream's water level may be high, making it hard to cross. 

Section 3: Stream to Netravathi Peak through many false peaks

Trek Distance: 1.00 km

Trek Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

This is the best part of the hike. You start walking through the grasslands and can see all the way around you to the rolling hills. From here, it's a steep climb through the shola grassland. You have to cross several false peaks before you get to the top. You will feel like the climb will never end at one point.

You will be able to see some of the most famous peaks in the Western Ghats from the top. If the clouds are clear, you will be able to see Kudremukh Peak on your right and Rani Jhari on your left. You can also see other famous peaks far away on the horizon. You can see the small towns and villages of Belthangady right below you.

The best season to do the Netravathi Trek

From June to December is the best time to do the Netravathi trek. You will see the full beauty of the green hills of Kudremukh during the monsoons. The hike can go on until summer, when most of it is a mix of brown and green. Compared to the monsoon season, you will be able to see much more clearly. The best times to do the Netravathi Trek are in the winter or after the monsoon.

During the monsoon season, the area gets a lot of rain. If you want to do this as a monsoon trek, make sure you have all the right gear. The trek is also harder if you go during the height of the monsoon.