There is something highly satisfying about walking from the top of a mountain to plains, and there are many spectacular hikes along well-trodden paths that take you from misty heights to the sweltering heat. Many of these are regular routes taken by barefoot fruit and vegetable vendors who nimbly run up to Kodai on steep trails with heavy loads, leaving the puffing hiker far behind! Fr.K.M. Matthew of the Anglade Institute of Natural History at Shenbaganur has identified 21 hiking routes from the Kodai plateau to the plains. Five of these are described below.
Kodai Dolphin’s Nose Vellagavi Kumbajarai
It is a 10 km hike to Dolphin’s Nose (described earlier). Continue on the well-beaten path to Vellagavi. Just before entering the village and before th small school, is a path to the right which will take you down to Kumbakarai or Tope, as it’s familiarly known. This hike can take anything from three to six hours, depending on how fit you are. It is a steady downhill trudge and a bit hard on the knees. At “Tope”, there are several places where one can swim. Stay overnight or take a bus back to Kodai. There is usually one which leaves for Periakulam around 3 pm. From there one can get buses to Batlagundu, and on to Kodai. Ideally hire a car which will meet you at Kumbakarai. Some stalwarts hike back up; but it is very tough!
Kodai Thopi Thukki Varai Periyur Periyakulam
Proceed to Thoppi Thukki Varai, which, incidentally, means Hats-Off Point! It is said that if you fling your hat over the edge, the updraft will sail it back to you. It is about 18 kms. From Kodai, on the Kodai-Berijiam road. From here, a footpath leads to Periyur village. There are lovely views, including that of Sathanur reservoir, one of the large water catchments of South India. The path is very steep. Make sure you don’t bump into any gaur, which are numerous here. On reaching Periyur hamlet you will no doubt be ready for a short rest. Continue on through coffee plantations and forest until you reach the road; follow it to Periakulam.
Kodai Vilapatti Ganesapuram Puliamanathope Palani
A 16 km, roughly six-and-a-half-hour walk. From the telephone exchange, take Convent Road and walk past Presentation Convent and on to Valpatti village, past Naidapuram. From here, ask for the path to Ganguvar Kodai Forest Bungalow. Then go down the zigzag path along the Palar river, which is very steep. This is elephant country, so keep eyes and ears open and don’t get to close to them, however much you want to take a photograph. After the Palar-Porundalur reservoir you will come to a bridle path and a pipe line which will take you to the foothills. Get a bus to Palani from here.
Kukkal Kudiraiyar Dam
This is a difficult hike. . The distance is 13 kilometres and a good hiker will take about 5 hours. It is best to have g guide along. From Kukkal, follow a foot-path leading to Pappampatti. After three kilometers this crosses the Kudiraiyar River and continues along the river. A waterfall 90 metres high can be heard to your left. Elephants are not uncommon here. You’ll walk though shoals, and deciduous forest. On getting to Kudiraiyar Dam, take a bus to Palani and back to Kodai or, better still, have a car meet you.
Pallangi Porundalur Dam
14 kilometres, about 5 hours. This is a very beautiful but very tough hike. Take a guide. You’ll walk through plantations, teak forest and shoals. After a refreshing swim in the river, follow the path which runs parallel to the river. When you reach the dam, you have to walk three kilometers on the bridge, which seems like a LONG way if you are tired and its’s hot! From here take a bus to Palani, and on back to Kodai.
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