TREKKING ROUTES OF PONMUDI – VARAYADUMOTTA

Inhabitants in Trivandrum will assert that a weekend trip to Ponmudi is among the best ways to spend time. Folks equally are known to go on long drives up the winding paths for a view they insist rivals any other in the State. The slopes wrapped in mist fill one with a feeling of wonder and astonishment. A significant amount of rare flora and fauna can be seen here including highland blossoms, wild orchids and exotic butterflies.

The warmth is equable during the course of the year and the three hour drive from the city is reasonable once the valley comes into view. One can always stopover at the breath-taking ‘Kallar’ River on the way, which flows corresponding to the road in the opposite direction, with the charming ‘Meenmutty’ Waterfalls only a little distance ahead. Many small house and resorts have come up in the area. The tree house view tower is another great place to visit. Ponmudi is indeed a rising hotbed of tourist activity. A hill so close to the city, yet nestled so near the shielding arms of the sea.

Ponmudi offers beautiful hiking trails to many other curiosities of nature hidden away from the casual eyes. All day you can walk through the promising trails with greater excitements. Trekking to Varayadumotta, the most popular trekking trail in Ponmudi offers the panoramic view of the hills along with the Nilgiri Tahrs. Considered as one of the toughest in Trivandrum, it is 18 km trek (one side).

Varayadumotta is a highland ridge some 40 kilometers from the city. As the name itself suggests, it is home to a small population of Nilgiri Tahr, known as ‘varayadu’. It is a full day long led hiking programme and you need to climb the elevation, which is 1100m high. To reach the base of the trek is a long walk through the evergreen shola forests.

Considered as one of the toughest in Trivandrum, it is 18 km trek (one side). Once you successfully climb Varayadumotta after the arduous trek with its slippery trails and treacherous abysses, you will be treated with stunning views of mountains and valleys all around. The famed goats of Varayadumotta rarely make an appearance before the traveler.