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 RE: For the weekend backpackers, Kudremukh, Charmadi and Shiradi ranges on the Western
hats offer ample opportunities for trekking.

There are a plenty of trekking spots close to the city. ne can set out on Saturday morning from here and
return by Sunday evening after an overnight stay on those hills or guest houses close by, said Dinesh Holla,
an avid trekker who has been trekking in the Western hats for 12 years.

³Choice of stay is yours. You can extend your stay at a particular spot or continue trekking from one hill to
the other nearby,´ ×r. Holla, organising secretary of ×angalore unit of Youth Hostels' ssociation of India,
said.

The unit organises trekking to a spot every month. In rainy season, trekking would be for select water falls,
he said.

×inchu Kallu, Bidirutala Halli, Balegudda-Kodekallu-Jenu Kallu-Kumbha Kallu hills on the Charmadi range; or
Kudrekukh and angadi Kallu on Kudremukh range offer a good choice to break the monotony of life.

If they are not enough, pack and head for Shiradi range. With undya as the base, trekkers can walk to
Venkatagiri, Edakumeri, rebetta, ramane Betta and ×ugilagiri, he said.

×inchu Kallu

fter reaching Ujire, trekkers can take their vehicle up to Devagiri Kanive near andibagilu on the
eriya
Road. The Kanive is at 90 km. distance from ×angalore. s trekkers will have to pass through an estate,
permission will have to be obtained from the estate authorities at Devagiri Kanive. It takes five to seven
hours to reach the peak of ×inchu Kallu. ne has to walk through thick shola forests having wild elephants.

³ particular type of rock structure on the peak of the hill attracts lightning in rainy season. Hence people
have named it as ×inchu Kallu,´ ×r. Holla said.

There is another option. Trekkers can climb the Kallu from Devaramale via Kottigehara-Banakal.
Kotigerehara is at about 120-km distance from ×angalore. The trekking hour from Devaramale to the peak
of the Kallu, which is the highest peak in Charmadi range, is about four-and-a-half hours.
Bidirutala Halli

The approach to Bidirutala Halli is on the Charmadi hat Road just after three km distance from the
nnappa udi. It took about two hours to reach the Halli from the road. The halli has only eight thatched
houses and is surrounded by scenic beauty. ×any wild animals frequent this halli. If trekkers want to go
further, trekkers can walk for about five hours to reach Ballalarayana Durga or Durgada Betta.

Balegudda

It can be reached from near the 11th hair pin bend on the Charmadi hat. The exact location for starting
walking is three km distance ahead of the 11th hair pin bend towards Kottigehara. It is three-hour trekking
from the roadside to reach Balegudda. It is the second highest peak in Charmadi range. Trekkers can trek to
Kodekallu, Jenu Kallu and Kumbha Kallu.

Trekkers can stay at ×alaya ×arutha guest house having four rooms of the Forest Department on the ghat.
The forest office is at ×oodigere.

angadi Kallu

This foothill at angamoola near Kudremukh can be reached by a vehicle. The foothill is at about 90 km
distance from ×angalore. It is three hour trekking from the foothill to the peak of the Kallu. Its peak offers a
picturesque view of akhya and Bhadra rivers. s it is under the Kudremukh
ational Park, permission will
have to be obtained from its offices either at Karkala or Kudremukh.

Staying overnight on the Kallu is not allowed. Trekkers can stay at Bhagawathi
isargadhama at
Kudremukh. There are tent houses.

The other spot of trekking is Kudremukh near Samse. Vehicles ply up to Toali near Samse. From Tolai to the
peak of Kudremukh it will be four-hour trekking.

Shiradi range

The trekking hours from undya to Venkatagiri is three hours; to rebetta four hours; and to ×ugilagiri five
hours. Edakumeri railway station is just at 6 km distance.

It will be two-day trekking from undya to ramane Betta.