Kalasa - Where rolling hills meet untamed wilderness !
The hills of western ghats, literally termed as gudda have been a fascination for youngsters for those passionate with outdoors, nature lovers and those keen to burn calories.The popularity of Kudremukh, Netravathi, Bandaje , Kurinji Kallu , Gangadi Kallu and Vali Kunja have already have been hot list for weekends and all time favourite.A few on the fringes of Kudremukh National park are unnoticed and are attracting the curious to explore.Here are a trio, such gudda namely Meruthi, Aane and Karushi which you might like to explore !.If you happen to visit Kalasa, do make time to give a try and explore them. Do keep the hills trash less !
Vishwanath Radhakrishna 
KALASA - A quaint sleepy hamlet on the banks of river Bhadra,located in the district of Chikmagalur is a picturesque location for an avid traveller.
Meruthi Gudda
Location: Basarikatte (Chikmagalur) Distance: 10 km (Round trip)
Altitude: ~4200 ft / 1280 m
Difficulty: Moderate Trek Duration: Half-day ( 5 -6 hrs)
Best Season: June to February
it is the 7th highest peak in Karnataka and offers stunning panoramic views of the Kudremukh and Charmadi Ghat ranges.
The trail offers an memorable roller-coaster of undualating traverse on the ridge, passing through grassy slopes, open ridgelines, and expansive meadows. It begins in a plantation, adjoining a forest-edged base and gradually opens onto the ridge-walk sections. As you hit the ridgeline, you’ll survey a striking landscape of undulating hills. One can sight an array of wind beauties in mud puddling in riot of colors !
The Glassy tiger feeding on flowers, Blue tiger moth, and Fulvuous pied Flat....
One of the prominent features visible from the top is the “heap of rice” hill, known locally as Akkirashi - Rice mound. It has a gentle, mound-like shape rising out of the ridgeline like a natural granary. The ridge walk itself has a saddle-like dip and rise (a natural saddle point) that resembles the hump of camel with ups and downs. And then comes the final climb to the summit.
Karushi Gudda
Location: Horanadu, Kalasa (Chikmagalur)
Distance: ~10 km (Round trip)
Altitude: ~ 1346 m ( 4450 ft ASL ) Difficulty:
Moderate Trek Duration: Half-day ( 5 hrs)
Best Season: May to February
The initial path of 4 kms is covered through a jeep ride 4*4 is a must.The rest through help of a guide.The name though resembles are sage, is a secret hidden gem in the trekkers community.The spell boudning views of grassalnds, hills such as Kuduremukha Range,Bandaje, Netravathi, Karushi gudda, Aaane gudda and Bhadra river skirting thriught he forest is a sight to behold.
Pigeon orchids (Dendrobium crumenatum) are the rarest orchid in western ghats. These tropical epiphytic plants can be found growing naturally in the branches of trees,or on rock faces. It blooms normally duirng the monsoon and is a visual treat to eyes.
From the side view, the orchid resemble a flying pigeon. Therefore, they are commonly known as the Pigeon Orchid.
Bheemana Hejje - The Big Foot
A diversion from the start point leads to yet another place called Bheemana Kallu, connected with local legends.The massive rocks has giant footprint and is said to be of Bhima - One of the pancha Pandava.We climbed with pinch holds and noticed a white patch.There are other interesting places if you have time to explore.
We could spot a pink flower in bloom amidst the rock faces and came to know about it.It was Scaped Sonerila is a small annual herb growing up to 10-15 cm tall. The plant has no stem. Oppositely arranged leaves arise directly from the root. The purple tinged leaves are ovate, minutely serrated, with a heart-shaped base. Many rosy purple flowers appear on an erect leafless scape, 3-7 cm high.
The flowers have three inverted-egg-shaped petals with pointed tips. Flowers have 3 stamens with bright yellow anthers.
Aaane Gudda
The conical hillock , - Gudda rising above the horizon dominates the landscape. The ascent can be made from Gorgal village, after passing throught the hamlets. Aane means Elephant. And the entire hilly ridgeline of Aane Gudda when looked from far, looks like an Elephant. The Aane Gudda Ridge Trek is basically like walking on the back of a Elephant.
This is an off-beat and little-known trek in Chikmagalur and is somewhat lost amongst the giants of Western Ghats like Kudremukh or Netravathi. A perfect Western Ghats trek for a beginner, it remains largely unexplored and is nestled within the laid-back, peaceful village of Gorgal which is 8 km from Horanadu
The Aane Gudda trek has all the flavors of a western ghats trek. It takes you through coffee estates and thick shola forests, before you suddenly emerge out of them onto a windy ridgeline. You are now on the elephant's back. There is no clear summit on this route. You can just keep on going as far as you want depending on how much time you have.
But the most interesting part is that it is this same ridge that connects to the famous Merthigudda Hill through shola forests enroute Battada raashi, Badane Khana estate of Chikmagalur. And this trek can be done as a longer circuit, covering both the Aane Gudda Ridge and Merthigudda Top.
The path is naturalist haven with fluttering butterlies, flowers in bloom and variety of interesting things.The taste of wild fruits enroute fascinate you.The views as you reach the summit, make you feel every step worthwhile.
Butterflies - L - R Yellow Pansy, Malabar glad eye bushbrown, Painted lady, Great eggfly, Red Pierrot
If you love raw wilderness, panoramic ridges, and untouched green trails, the treks in Karnataka’s Western Ghats is your calling. Tucked deep inside the forests, this moderately challenging trek offers a soul-stirring experience for every nature enthusiast and solo traveler.
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Note - During the monsoon May to Septmeber the hills and forest trails are studded with blood sucking LEECHES. Do carry a mixture / - of Lemon mixed with snuff / Castor oil, Common Salt. Apply the mixture to your legs to ward off these, so that you dont donate blood !
