Trekking in Munnar: Best Munnar Trekking Places & Adventure Spots

​The tea gardens of Munnar were simply breathtaking from the view of the car window as I drove in, but nothing prepared me for the experience I would have while trekking through them with a view of the valley dropping on either side of me. Treks in Munnar were definitely not on my itinerary initially until another trekker at my homestay convinced me to try a trail or two. That was how I ended up doing seven trails in all in a week. Whatever your choice of a quick stroll or a whole day hike up a peak, trekking trails in Munnar cover a great variation in terms of difficulty and landscapes and I ended up doing most of it. 

This is everything I have learned during my visit to Munnar about the best trekking places in Munnar and everything else I have learned about trekking in this beautiful place.

Why Go Trekking in Munnar?

While looking back at my visit, here are a few reasons that kept me interested in doing the Munnar hills trekking rather than sticking to regular sightseeing.

• The changing landscapes, from tea plantations to shola forests to grassland and rocky ridges.
• The two trails that gave me a real experience of a sea of clouds effect on their summits.
• Spotting some wildlife and unfamiliar flora along the trail.
• Wide variation in difficulty level so that I can start with an easier one before attempting the more difficult ones.

Along with trekking, you can explore other places to visit in Munnar, including scenic viewpoints, lakes and tea plantations.

Best Trekking Places in Munnar

These were the Munnar trekking places​ that I either did myself or heard enough about to include them in my itinerary.

1. Kolukkumalai

Kolukkumalai trail is the first trek I did, going to one of the highest organically grown tea plantations in the world. Located at a height of 6800 feet, the trail goes through pine clad sharp hairpins and opens into views of the valleys below. I started from the Korangani village and did a combination of jeep ride partway up and short trek to reach the top, making it an easy trail to start with the Munnar trekking spots experience.

2. Meesapulimala

After a few days, I decided to trek up to the peak of Meesapulimala, which sits at an altitude of 2640 metres and is regarded as the second highest peak in the Western Ghats. The trail starts from Silent Valley and goes through grasslands and shola forests and mountain streams. We saw many stretches of sholas and tea plantations and shola forests before arriving at a summit which was over a sea of clouds. 

I made sure that the Kerala Forest Development Corporation Permit that is compulsory for treks in Munnar was arranged in advance. This was definitely a good decision considering the popularity of Munnar trekking adventure​.

3. Chokramudi Peak

This pyramid shaped mountain rises to nearly 7,200 feet in Bison Valley and this was certainly the toughest climb in my entire trekking trip in Munnar. However, no permit was required for this trek and it was relatively easier to plan in comparison to other treks. However, I felt each and every one of those 7,200 feet that we had climbed. The views of Bison Valley and Anamudi peak were rewarding.

4. Anamudi Peak

I did not attempt to climb Anamudi Peak as it is restricted for protection of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr and Indian Elephant populations. Instead I had a good view of Anamudi Peak from the viewpoints at Eravikulam and I must say it provided me a feel of the grandeur of this peak which is the highest peak in South India.

5. Lakkam Waterfalls Trek

On the day I wanted to give my legs a break after the tougher climbs, I went for the Lakkam Waterfall trek which took just an hour. We walked through forest cover and finally reached the waterfalls which plunged down a great height. If you want to explore more waterfalls during your trip, check out these best waterfalls in Munnar for additional sightseeing options.

6. Lakshmi Hills

I decided to go for the Lakshmi Hills trek as recommended by the locals from my homestay and I must say that this was a really relaxed hike through tea plantation and open grassland areas. If I were to suggest an entry level trek in Munnar then I would certainly recommend Lakshmi Hills trek.

7. Top Station Sunrise Trek

On my final day of trekking, I did a short trek to Top Station from its base. I must say that the panoramic view of the Kurangini Hills of Theni and Kolukkumalai Hills from this viewpoint completed my trekking week nicely.

Munnar Trekking Routes

Once I had done some treks in Munnar, I understood the connection between them which helped me plan the rest of my itinerary effectively.

Treks in Munnar for Every Experience Level

By the end of my trip, I had personally experienced enough of the range to map out how these trails compare in terms of difficulty.

Best Time for Trekking in Munnar

I visited between December and January, and the conditions could not have been better, with clear trails and comfortably cool temperatures, especially at higher altitudes. A local guide told me the period between September and May generally works best for trekking here, while monsoon season, roughly July to September, is best avoided since heavy rain makes trails slippery and increases landslide risk on steeper routes like Chokramudi.

Munnar Trekking Price

I kept track of what I spent across the different treks. Here is roughly what I paid or was quoted.

What to Carry for Trekking in Munnar

Some items I packed and found genuinely useful:

• Good quality trekking shoes that were already ‘broken in’, which helped prevent blisters while trekking on longer trails.
• Layers of clothing due to temperature changes that were evident as one moved between the valleys and the summits.
• Drinking water and energy foods, particularly helpful on longer treks like those on Kolukkumalai and Meesapulimala.
• A basic first aid kit, which I used once for a minor abrasion while trekking Chokramudi.
• Rain jacket, even though I wasn’t trekking during monsoon, due to weather changes occurring more than once at higher elevations.
• Cash in smaller denominations due to the difficulty I encountered while finding ways to pay digitally close to some trailheads.

Trekking Safety Tips in Munnar

Some safety pointers that I gathered during my treks, often the hard way:

• I always undertook my treks with a registered guide for permit based treks such as that on Meesapulimala, and I strongly recommend doing the same.
• Staying on marked trails became critical, especially when trekking close to cliffs as I did on Chokramudi.
• I always checked the weather forecast before undertaking my treks, helping me avoid being caught in a sudden shower on one of my longer days.
• Carrying back all my plastic waste became necessary due to both my habit of keeping a clean environment and the message conveyed by my guide about how much protection these trails required.

I always ensured to inform my host at the homestay about my intended route and estimated time of return.

How to Reach Munnar for Trekking

I stayed at Munnar town for my entire trekking trip and traveled out to trailheads from here.

• The road trip from Kochi airport took me about four hours, which is the closest airport to Munnar where trekking usually takes place.
• Local jeeps and taxis helped me reach Korangani for trekking Kolukkumalai and trailhead locations for Chokramudi without much hassle.
• For permit based treks, I arranged for transportation and guides through a registered trekking operator.

To make your trekking trip easier, explore our Munnar tour packages to plan your sightseeing, transportation and other travel arrangements.

Trekking in Munnar vs Other Kerala Destinations

As I had gone trekking in Wayanad previously, I just couldn’t help making comparisons.

For me, Munnar stood out for offering this entire range within a single, well connected region, which is exactly why I ended up doing so many treks in one trip rather than just picking one.

FAQs

Q. Is Munnar good for trekking? 

Based on my personal experience, yes, it is great. I found many trails that varied from very easy walks to the real tough climbs such as Meesapulimala and Chokramudi. All are in a relatively small area.

Q. How difficult is trekking in Munnar? 

The difficulty is really different depending on a particular trail. I felt that Lakkam Waterfalls and Lakshmi Hills were easy for me even when I was a bit tired; Kolukkumalai and Top Station were medium difficulty; Chokramudi and Meesapulimala were tough ones.

Q. What should I carry for trekking in Munnar? 

According to my packing experience, I would suggest wearing trekking shoes, bringing layered clothes, water, energy food, first aid, raincoat and cash as it is hard to use cards in some areas.

Q. Can I trek in Munnar without a guide? 

I had no guide only on easy trails like Lakkam Waterfalls. But on the other hand, permit-based trails require a guide.

Q. Can children go trekking in Munnar? 

In my opinion, easy trails like Lakkam Waterfalls and Lakshmi Hills will suit your child well. However, I wouldn’t advise you to take your kid on such trails like Chokramudi and Meesapulimala because of their difficulty.

Q. Can I combine trekking with camping in Munnar? 

Yes, I actually did it once near Kolukkumalai when camping in the nearby tea estates became an additional attraction to the sunrise trek and was the best experience of my whole trip.