Top 8 Best Treks In Munnar- Camping, Routes and Best Time

Are you crazy for adventure and feel the adrenaline rush within you? If you want to fulfill your desire by trekking or hiking across mountain trails or dense plantations, then Munnar is the ideal place for you. A picturesque tourist destination in Kerala, the trekking trails along with their tea, coffee, and spice plantations and the mountain terrains are breathtaking and thrilling. You can feel the intriguing beauty and the idyllic environment of Munnar’s landscape.

Let us explore the best treks in Munnar, a quick guide for adventure lovers and enthusiasts.

1. Meesapulimala Trek

The Meesapulimala trek is one of the most adventurous and challenging treks in Munnar. In the Sahyadri mountain range, Meesapulimala is the second highest peak. And climbing and trekking up the peak are sure to bring in an adrenaline-rush feeling within you. You have to ascend a height of about 2640 meters above sea level. The key attraction of the route is the vibrant and bright-colored rhododendrons. The entire stretch of the trekking trail is encompassed by rough and rugged mountain terrains, green meadows, and dense forests. The intriguing views of the Sahyadri mountain ranges are mesmerizing and captivating.

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You will enjoy the spectacular beauty of the tea plantations, and the gorgeous valleys. A plethora of trees and plants belonging to a number of species can be observed in the region. Quite an intriguing and fascinating place for wildlife photographers.

Difficulty level: Moderate to High

2. Chummar Trek

Chummar trek is one of the most captivating treks in Munnar. The trek is along the spectacular tea plantations with greenery prevailing around. You will pass along the Shola forest, the gorgeous valleys, and the stunning grassland meadows. As you walk along, you will love to witness the carpeted tea gardens, the plucking of the tea leaves, and the distinct aroma of the tea leaves. A good refreshing yet thrilling trek where you can mingle with the locals and immerse into the enthralling beauty.

Difficulty level: Easy

3. Chithirapuram Trekking

Chithirapuram is one of the enchanting and best treks in Munnar. The trekking trail is quite popular among adventure lovers. Beautiful tea estates greet travelers throughout the entire stretch of the trail. It is ecstatic to walk along the Chithirapuram bridge and the Ramaswamy Dam waterfalls. You will be marveled to watch the flora around filled with different plant species like pepper, betel nut, guava, and vanilla. The scenic views of the mountain slopes and the lush greenery are soothing for the eyes and refreshing for the mind.

Difficulty level: Moderate

Also see, Top 15 Must Visit Munnar Tourist Places

4. Chokramudi Trekking

A mix of easy and challenging, Chokramudi is one of the action-packed treks in Munnar. The beauty of the trekking trail is breathtaking and stimulating. The entire trek is divided into four different parts. One is along with the Shola forests, then a stroll along the grassland meadows, the third one is a very steep climb along the mountains, and then at the end the journey is through the dangerous rocky terrains. You need expertise in trekking to traverse through this trail, to cover an altitude of 7200 feet above sea level. But the picturesque beauty around and the soothing breeze will act as a balm to your tired soul.

Difficulty Level: Easy till Level 1 and then difficult

5. Kannan Devan Hills Trek

Similar to the Chokramudi trek, the Kannan Devan Hills trek is popular among avid adventure lovers. A 5 hours trekking trail with challenges to walk across rocky mountain terrains. You need to reach up to an altitude of about 1950 meters above sea level. But the best part is its scenic route packed with amazing natural beauty. It is truly one of the exquisite treks in Munnar. It is recommended to accompany a travel guide on the tour for the correct and safe route.

The trek starts through the tea plantations and moves up to the Lakshmi hills. Passing through the rocky mountains and the tea gardens is an exotic experience. Once you reach the destination, you will love to walk the highest arch dam in Asia, the Idukki dam. Throughout the entire journey, you will observe a large number of animal and bird species. And do not miss watching the spice plantations.

Difficulty level: High

6. Idukki Trekking

Idukki is a picturesque, quaint, and scenic destination in Kerala. Its natural wonders are mesmerizing. Trekking or walking through its fascinating trails is blissful, offering solace from the daily anxieties of life. The entire duration of the trek lasts for about 4 to 5 hours adorned by the breathtaking beauty of the mountain ranges, the lush green tea, and cardamom plantations. The key attraction of the trek is the mind-blowing Pothamedu viewpoint. You can spend some time in this place, and click some photographs while immersing in the captivating views around.

Difficulty level: Easy

7. Lakshmi Hill Trek

If you wish to enliven your spirits with the surreal beauty of the atmosphere, opt for the Lakshmi Hill trek. It is one of the best treks in Munnar to satiate your desire to explore the vivid natural environment. The trekking trail is very popular among trekkers and adventure lovers. The base camp of the trek is located about 3 km away from Munnar and near Kochi. At first, you need to move up a ridge where you can witness the magnificent beauty of its flora. Walk through the grasslands and the rocky terrain of the mountain ranges. The best attraction of the route is Anamudi, the highest mountain peak in the southern part of India.

Difficulty level: Moderate

Also see, Top 12 Munnar Honeymoon Resorts

8. Mathikettan Rainforest Trek

Rich with exquisite flora and fauna, the Mathikettan Rainforest trek is one of the scintillating treks in Munnar. You will love to walk past the Shola forests, enriched with biodiversity and thrilling wilderness. The trail starts from Thondimala and passes through Shantanpara and then through the dense rainforests. The enthralling beauty of Mother Nature is a soothing treat to the eyes. Hearing the melodious chirping of the birds is music to the ears. You will love to watch the local and some rare bird species. Besides sambars, elephants, spotted deer, gaurs, and giant squirrels may greet you on your journey. The peace and tranquility prevailing around the place is true bliss.

Difficulty level: Moderate

The Best time for treks in Munnar

The best option for embarking on treks in Munnar is after the monsoon and before the summer season commences, preferably between the months of September and March. The weather is pleasant and comfortable for walking along the mountain trails or forest trails. Monsoons are good to be avoided as the roads become dangerous and slippery most of the time. Trekking can be challenging at this time of the year.

Tips for trekking in Munnar

If you are not very conversant of the trekking trails or are not an expert trekker, then it is recommended to avail the trekking packages. Expert guides will aid you in the entire journey, a tension-free experience.

Here are some tips to follow while planning for treks in Munnar

1. Wear good comfortable and trekking special shoes. You need to ensure you don’t tire your feet while walking long duration and across rough and rugged paths
2. Carry a backpack that is light with minimum items in it, only those which are needed on the trip
3. Take some light food and water to suffice the trekking duration
4. Remember to carry salt with you as you may encounter leeches while walking through the forests
5. Do not forget to carry your camera to capture the stunning views of the wildlife, tea gardens, and grassland meadows
6. Powerbanks are compulsory to carry in your backpack as you cannot afford to lose your mobile battery power
7. Carry a small medicine kit in case of any emergency on the journey