Ranipuram | Kasargod | Kerala Trek

Highest Altitude: 1048m (3438ft)

Location: Kasargod District

State/Country: Kerala/India

Base Village: Ranipuram

Trek Open: Year Round

Total Distance: 6KM Return

Time: 1-1.5h ascent, 30-45 min Descent. 

Difficulty Level: Easy

Ranipuram is situated in Kasargod district of Kerala. It is around 100km from Mangalore which is a 2 hour drive. I left home at around 5:30AM. I took the national highway till Kasargod before taking a left turn towards the hills. The entire stretch was covered in mist. I passed through small, clean villages. I was impressed by the fact that there were hardly any hoardings or posters of any kind anywhere on the way. No ubiquitous display of political preferences, religion or self obsession. This was unlike in most other parts of India. 

By the time I reached Ranipuram, it was 7:45AM. There were a few tourists already waiting. The lady forest guard at the counter told me that they would open at 8AM. There are some food shacks, a big parking lot and a toilet around the checkpost. 

At around 8:00AM more guards arrived and I bought my ticket. Th payment of Rs 60 had to be done only through card or UPI. There is no cellphone network there but one can connect to their free Wi-Fi to make the payment. A group of young boys arrived there and as they only had cash and not much money in their account, they requested if I could transfer some money to their account in exchange of cash. I did so. 

I was the first visitor to start the trek. The forest guards checked the bag for any plastics and asked me if I was carrying any alcohol or cigarettes. After confirming that I was clean, they let me pass. Ahead of me, a few forest guards were walking to the forest checkpost near the peak. I was impressed with the  meticulousness of the staff there. I was still the only one who had made it to the top. The young boys and the family behind were nowhere to be seen. Perhaps they turned away from midway. 

I enjoyed the spectacular views as I made my way to the summit, all alone. 

At the summit, there are railings, indicating an end to the trail. I picked a spot, had the breakfast I had packed from home and took a few pictures. It was one of the most relaxed trek I have ever done - Short but feels deep into wilderness. 

After spending more than 30 minutes alone at the summit, I headed back. As I was getting down, I met more people walking up. Most of them were families or college students. There were hardly any regular trekkers. 

The forest checkpost also sells some local products - Tea powder from Wayanad, local honey, henna, turmeric powder and tamarind. I bought a bottle of tea and turmeric powder.

On the way, I drove past the glass bridge that is apparently an attraction in Ranipuram. I did not wish to walk till there. So, I made a quick stop, took a picture and continued my return journey. 

It is a bit difficult to find all vegetarian restaurants in Kerala. I wasn’t very hungry either, so I decided to head back home directly. I returned home around 2PM - on time for lunch. It was a refreshing experience and I surely wish to do it again during the Monsoon. 

Trek Video: