Trekking in South India adds an extra zing to your otherwise mundane holiday experience and gives you an opportunity to push your limits. South India provides a plethora of locations for expert as well as amateurish trekkers. Each location has its unique features that will blow your mind off and beckons you to try your guts.

Although most of the trekking destinations are now mapped and provide you minute details of the route to reach your destination just at a click of the mouse, yet, the spirit of exploring a region on foot is the best antidote to your restless feet and nomadic soul. Hiking through mystic forest trails, climbing rocky overhangs, crossing turbulent waterways over ropes or rafting on rivers in spate are the best fun activities you can include in your travel bucket list.

We have shortlisted the best 12 hiking destinations of South India that will certainly fit into your budget and yet give you a fulfilling adventure experience of trekking in South India:

Tadiandamol Trek- It is one of the best trekking destinations of India and can be an adventurous spree for you provided you prepare your travel plan well ahead of your journey. Tadiandamol hails as the highest peak of Coorg standing at an elevation of 5735 metres above the sea level overlooking the Shola forest and casing the entire area in a blanket of greenery.  All along the hiking trail from the Nalakand Palace which was built in 1792 by Dodda Veerarajendra up to the Tadiandamol peak, the aroma of fresh coffee will certainly tease your sensations.

Your sight will be sporadically detained by unfamiliar streamlets, colourful snails, butterflies in their playful moods, vibrant flowers - all under the canopy of the blue dome of the sky. Some of the major attractions of your trekking expeditions can be the Big Rock, Shepherd Point, Chelavara Falls and Padi Igguthappa temple which is the oldest and one of its kinds in Coorg.

Location: Yevakapadi, Coorg, Karnataka- 571212 India

Price: Rs. 3,399

Difficulty level: Easy to moderate, prior experience is not required.

Best season to trek: Any time of the season

Kumara Parvatha trek- Kumara Parvatha is the second largest peak of Coorg and the sixth in Karnataka which stands at an elevation of 1,712 metres. The hill belongs to the panoramic Pushpagiri Range of the Western Ghats and stands tall behind the Kukke Subramanya Temple.  The trail from Subramanya Village to Kumara Parvatha will enthral you by the natural flora it abounds on either side.

The entire journey is divided into two segments-the smaller trek from Subramanya Village to Shesha Parvatha and the higher one from Sesha Parvatha to the summit of Kumara Parvatha.  The winding uphill trek to Kumara Parvatha leads through rocky terrain, dense thickets, open heaths and verdant meadows will keep you mesmerized throughout the journey until you reach your destination. The pervasive silence of the entire region makes your experience of trekking in South India one of its kinds.

Location: Subramanya, Coorg, Karnataka

Price: Rs. 3,179

Difficulty level: Moderate for experienced trekkers.

Best season to trek: October-February. Monsoon is not a recommended time for trekking in South India by this route as there are plenty of leeches and cobras in this region.

Mullayanagiri Trek- Mullayangiri offers one of the best trekking experiences in the Western Ghats with a splendid view of nature throughout your journey. As you start hiking serpentine forest trails, listen to the occasional cacophony of birds that breaks the silence of the region and sink into the splendid view of the mountain range bordering the woodland area once you reach the summit, you will feel it's well worth your time and energy as Mullayanagiri is indeed a hiker’s paradise.

It is the highest peak of Karnataka and part of the Baba Budangiri Hills. Atop its summit, is located the tomb of Mulappa Swamy and a temple of Lord Shiva. However, going on a monsoon trek will be a blissful experience altogether as the area is bathed in different hues of green to feast your eyes on. The cool air soothes your soul and washes away the fatigue of trekking an onerous distance. If you come in a group, you can enjoy an overnight camp and bonfire as a bonus for your hiking trip.

Location: Chikmagalur, Karnataka

Price: Rs. 3,287

Difficulty level: Easy to moderate

Best season to trek: September-February

Hampi Trek- Don’t miss out on a chance to include Hampi in your bucket list of trekking in South India. The ancient settlement testifies the historical grandeur of being the erstwhile capital of the glorious Vijaynagar Empire and one of the largest cities of India of a bygone time. Located on the banks of River Tungabhadra, it is a fantasy world of devastating beauty which is now declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Presently the city is distinctly divided into two sections based on its tenancy on either banks of Tungabhadra; on one side is the hippie island and on the other lays the great heritage sites.  Hampi is swarmed by tourists almost round the year for the numerous marvels of ancient architecture and the stories hidden behind their fortifications. Whether a history enthusiast or an amateur photographer, Hampi trip is truly exclusive and soul enriching.

Location: Bellary, Karnataka

Price: Rs. 3,299

Difficulty level: Easy

Best season to visit: October- February

Gokarna Beach Trek- Are you tired of hiking only through forest tracks or rocky trails to fulfil your trekking dreams and try your guts to the fullest? There’s a chance of trying something entirely different if you are looking for something that pacifies your soul in the lap of nature and fills you with deep spiritual vibes.  It is a quaint beach town on the coast of the Arabian Sea which is a popular Hindu pilgrimage site due to the existence of the famous Mahabaleshwar temple.

The overall cleanliness and sanctity of the place draw a large number of wandering souls from all corners of the country. As go for a morning walk along the coastline, the fresh sea breeze will soothe your soul and allure you to spend some quiet hours amidst nature. You can also participate in the fun sports held in the different beaches at Gokarna.  Also don’t forget to gorge on to mouth-watering seafood platters accompanied by some good music in the evening at Kudle Beach.

Location: Gokarna, Karnataka

Price: Rs, 3,400

Difficulty level: Easy

Best season to visit: Any time of the year except monsoon

Nishani Motte Trek- This is one of the lesser known trekking trails of Coorg where you can get to explore the real nocturnal beauty of nature at its best. It is an approximately 15 Km mystic trail which starts from the Bhadramangala forest range entailing a hike up to the summit of Nishan Motte.  As you hike through the mystical jungle floor, the eerie silence of the surroundings and the charm of the pristine shola forest will make your journey exciting.

Once arrived at the foothills gear up for a trek up to the summit of Nishan Motte which offers a stunning panorama of the entire Brahmagiri Range and the sprawling meadows nestled between the ranges.  As you advance towards your final destination you will unfold the hidden beauty of the place which has remained unknown to the common visitors. You may face some challenges during your climb but it will give you a soul-enriching experience of trekking in South India.

Location: Nishan Motte, Coorg, Karnataka

Difficulty level: Moderate

Price: Rs. 3,150

Best season to visit: October-February

Kodachadri Trek- It is one of the most frequented trekking sites of Karnataka for covering a number of trails to reach the summit. Kodhachari trek is interesting for adventure lovers of any level in the sense that it can be reached by easy trekking uphill through grasslands and tropical forests or by a moderately difficult trek from Marakuttaka via Hidlumane Falls where the route is steep and bumpy. The second one is certainly a challenging one as you may need to ape your way up to the peak by holding on to grassroots.

The place attracts tourists round the year for it is home to the Moola Mukambika Temple which is believed as the place of origin of Goddess Mookambika. The trail to Kodachari peak being set under the canopy of tropical trees exudes a mystic charm to the travellers every time they visit the place. You will chance upon cascading waterfalls, rolling meadows and edgy cliffs as you scale the peak to feast your eyes on and capture the moments on your camera. Catching a glimpse of the sun setting into the Arabian Sea is an experience of a lifetime.

Location: near Kollur, Shimoga Dist, Karnataka

Difficulty level: Easy to moderate

Price:  Rs. 3,179

Best season to visit: September to February

Kudremukh Trek- In the Kannada language, “kudre” means horse and “much” means face. It is quite understandable as the peak resembles the face of a horse; hence the name Kudremukh has been coined by the locals. As you touch down the place, the first thing which casts a spell on you is the picture-perfect beauty of the foggy hills and plain sailing verdant meadows. Nestled in the Kudremukh forest it is the third highest peak of Karnataka after the Mullayanagiri and Baba Budangiri peaks.

Covering an area of 600 sq. km the place boasts of housing one of the prominent coffee plantations of Karnataka. If you are on a monsoon trek you will come across gurgling streamlets flowing amidst the forest in their own mirth. You can witness the pug marks of Indian Sloth Bear, vibrant butterflies fluttering in the bushes aside or even venomous snakes from close quarter en route Kundremukh. As you make an uphill journey, you can feel the gusty wind caressing all over your physique and soothing your soul of a tiresome journey.

Location: Chikmagalur, Karnataka

Difficulty level: Moderate

Price:  Rs. 3,499

Best season: September-March

Kotebetta Trek- It is the third highest peak in Karnataka after Tadiandamol and Brahmagiri which stands at an elevation of 5,400 ft. above the sea level. The 20 km trekking trail which starts from Madikeri Somwarpet Highway is initially a tarred road followed by recurrent muddy patches and thereafter a smooth trail up to Kotte Betta. In the local dialect, Kotta Betta means Fort Hill and as per their belief during exile the Pandava brothers built stones houses atop the hill and spent some days here.

So the place has gained a religious charm to the devotees down the ages. There is a temple of Lord Shiva over the hill which is thronged by pious Hindus during major festivals. Built under the canopy of big trees, the temple ground offers cool and shady sitting corners to the visitors. From the Kotta Betta summit you can gape at the jaw-dropping vista of Coorg and realise how fairly it is called “The Scotland of India.” All along your journey you will come across locals with whom you can interact and share your tour experience and collect some fond memories of your journey.

Location: Sirangalli, Madikeri, Karnataka

Difficulty level: Easy

Price:  Rs. 2,300

Best season to visit: October to March.

Kotagiri Ooty Trek- Are you genuinely looking for some offbeat trekking spot and spend some days exploring the undiscovered trails of the Nilgiris which beckons us with its mystic charm and soothing atmosphere? Being a prohibited zone for outsiders and tourists, it is a tranquil paradise on earth with unending charm.  The trekking trail starts from the tea estates and ends at Mettupalayam-Kotagiri junction bringing forth the virgin beauty of the place.

On a two days’ trek the major attractions you are likely to chance upon are the Elk Falls, Catherine Falls, Doddabetta Peak and the Rangaswamy Pillar. A 2 days’ tour package of trekking in South India is now on for tourists so don’t miss out on the chance to scale the Kotagiri Peak and discover the hidden gems of the Nilgiris and win envy of your travel buddies.

Location: Kotagiri, Ooty

Difficulty level: Easy

Price: Rs. 3,549

Best season to visit: October-February

Iruppu Falls trek- Located amidst the backdrop of the Brahmagiri Hills, the place is a relaxing haven for genuine nature lovers and trek enthusiasts.  To enjoy the comprehensive fun of trekking in South India, Iruppu Falls is a must visit in a leisurely weekend. The tropical rainforest encircling the waterfall is home to an exotic fauna which includes some endangered species.

If time is no restraint and if your limbs are not tired from going a few extra miles, trek up to the Brahmagiri Peak which is about 9 km from the waterfalls. In a nutshell, it can sum up that Iruppu Falls trek offers you the best trekking experience for its wide-ranging activities and sites to explore.

Location: Kuruchi Village, South Kodagu, Coorg, Karnataka

Difficulty level: Moderate

Price:  Rs. 2,195

Best season to visit: September-October (after monsoon)

Brahmagiri trek- The Brahmagiri Hills stand at an elevation of 1608 metres above the sea level and is one among the popular trekking sites in Karnataka sharing the border with Kerala. The name Brahmagiri has a spiritual connotation as it is believed as the abode of Lord Brahma. Although the trek up to the peak is quite demanding, but the view of the sprawling valley down the hills under the spotlessly blue firmament is worth your effort and tenacity.

Make sure you stay overnight at the Brahmagiri Hills to watch the incredible sunset along the skyline. If you have made arrangements for your sojourn at some homestay, you can enjoy a campfire under the canopy of the starry night sky savouring on delectable starters. To add some more fun to your itinerary, you can go on river rafting in the nearby watercourses.

Location: Virajpet Taluk, Kodagu, Coorg, Karnataka

Difficulty level: Medium

Price:  Rs. 2,569

Best season to visit: December- February