The Kodachadri trek in Shimoga is a famous trekking destination. The name Kodachadri is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Kutaja’ which means ‘Jasmine of hills’. It is the 10th tallest peak in Karnataka and has been designated as a natural heritage site. The natural beauty of Kodachadri hills is unparalleled with glowing rays of the sunrise and the reddish yellow sunset. As part of the Western Ghats, it provides scenic vista for the Kollur Mookambika temple.
This trek is situated in the heart of Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary and takes you through an out-of-the-ordinary village setting consisting of Paddy fields, thick forests and marvellous grasslands. Additionally, the trek features ‘Hidlumane waterfalls’ which is a cascade/series of waterfalls that provide a unique experience to the trekking that is not usually found in other treks. The thick grassland and the hills surrounding the peak have stories from the 7th century AD. It is believed that this is the place where Adi Shankara, the great Indian philosopher and Vedic scholar, visited and meditated at the peak. The altitude of the peak is 5,735 ft and according to local legend, the temple of Mookambika Devi was established by Adi Shankaracharya who witnessed the vision of the goddess Mookambika himself.
