Treks in Kodagu

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.