Started with the first batch at 8 am. The forest section is on a broad jeep track with several small stream crossings. Leeches were everywhere in this stretch — the guide had us stop and wet our footwear with diluted Dettol, which kept them off. Spotted Malabar giant squirrels and Nilgiri Langur in the canopy here. Tiger pugmarks and scat visible on the trail; the guide pointed them out without drama. The watch tower is worth the stop — tall enough to get a full view back over Thirunelli village and forward to the summit ridge. Above it the forest stops abruptly, the leeches disappear, and the grassland opens up. The grassland section has a few false summits that can catch you off guard. From the top the fire line marking the Karnataka-Kerala border is clearly visible running across the hillside. The guide named several neighbouring peaks from the summit, none of which seem to be documented anywhere online. We spotted a herd of elephants on the open slopes, along with spotted deer and sambar. Wildlife sightings were frequent — the first batch has the best chance before the animals move deeper into cover.
About this trail#
The Brahmagiri route from Thirunelli crosses two distinct ecological zones in a single climb: moist deciduous forest with confirmed tiger and leopard activity in the lower section gives way, at the watch tower, to open highland grassland where elephants and deer are visible across unobstructed slopes. The approach from the Thirunelli Eco Tourism centre follows a broad jeep track through forest with multiple stream crossings before reaching the multi-storey watch tower that looks back over Thirunelli village. Above the tower the forest disappears entirely, the leech load drops sharply, and the route continues through grassland over several false summits to the main peak on the Kerala-Karnataka border. The fire line marking the state boundary is visible from the upper trail. Malabar giant squirrels and Nilgiri Langur are seen in the forest canopy on the lower trail. The forest section carries a heavy leech load during and after the monsoon.
Trail Information#
Forest section
The trail begins on a broad jeep track from the eco tourism centre, wide enough for a vehicle. The track passes through moist deciduous forest with multiple small stream crossings. Leeches are dense throughout this section during and after the monsoon; guides recommend wetting footwear periodically with Dettol diluted in water. Stay on the track; tiger and leopard signs have been recorded here.
Watch tower
The watch tower sits at the forest-grassland boundary. Climbing it gives the first unobstructed view back over Thirunelli village and forward to the summit ridge.
Grassland section
Above the watch tower the jeep track ends and the route continues through open grassland. Leech density drops sharply above this point. The ridge has several high points before the main summit; the true peak is the furthest one visible from the watch tower.
Summit
The summit sits at 1,608 m on the Kerala-Karnataka border. The grassland opens completely at the top; both states are visible, and the fire line demarcating the border runs visibly across the landscape below. Trails to several neighbouring peaks are visible from the summit.
Getting there#
Trail route
Route flyby#
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Trail reports#
Trail conditions and experiences shared by hikers who've done this route
GPX file#
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Wildlife & Nature#
Tiger and leopard are present: scat, pugmarks, and scratch marks have been observed in the forest section. Porcupine scat recorded. Elephants, spotted deer, and sambar are regularly sighted in the open grasslands above the tree line. Malabar giant squirrel and Nilgiri Langur seen in the forest canopy on the lower trail.
Camping#
No camping is permitted. The trail runs through the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, where overnight stays are not allowed. Day trek only.