Article Published On - 31-07-2025
Narasimha Parvatha stands at an astounding 3,772 feet and can be described as the crowning glory of Agumbe. Trekking along its paths provides an incredible sensory experience as you traverse lush Western Ghat vegetation and rolling hills covered with verdant grasslands en route to stunning summit views that leave even those familiar with these mountain ranges speechless at their sight.
Narasimha Parvatha in Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary of Remukh National Park offers a trekking experience similar to more famous routes. It offers breathtaking scenery and heart-thumping adrenaline-inducing adventures – but does not surpass them.
Agumbe is widely known as the Cherrapunji of South India due to the rain it receives each year in this part of India’s South region. Acclaimed for protecting forests and being home to unique medicinal plant species, Agumbe was honoured with World Heritage status by UNESCO in 2008.
1. To Reach the Summit Via Mallandur (From Agumbe) 1. The journey from Agumbe to Mallandur Base Camp to Summit Summit covers approximately 13 km.
The initial 8 kilometres of this trek take you through Agumbe’s lush and dense forest, leading you out into the sunlight where the Sita River drops at an impressive 850-foot drop, creating the magnificent Barkana Falls, one of India’s ten most remarkable falls, where views at its base can be absolutely spectacular.
Beginning at Barkana Falls and winding its way through a 2-km trek through the forest, reaching lush grasslands stretching across mountains in front of you is sure to provide an enjoyable journey.
Continue your trek for three kilometers through the Agumbe hills until you reach Narasimha Parvatha on top.
Mallandur to the top can be described as moderately complex due to dense forests,, making navigation challenging without assistance. Therefore, engaging the services of an expert local guide’s services is vitally important to guarantee an enjoyable and safe journey.
Monsoon or post-monsoon seasons see the trail covered with leeches, making the journey treacherous for novice walkers attempting to arrive at Barkana Falls from its base, an eight-kilometer distance away. Navigating this terrain after monsoon season has passed can prove particularly treacherous.
2. Kigga (near Sringeri) provides access to the summit: From Kigga, trek trails reach up to its highest point – approximately six kilometres.in the distanceal kilometres of this trek takes the same path through narrow dirt tracks.
Forest trails provide an idyllic setting for the next two kilometres, unlike the the Mallandur trail, which requires guides. Here, the path is easily visible, making for an effortless experience.
As you make your way over the last three kilometres, be aware that the route includes several steep inclines, which could tire you out quickly.
Contrasting with the Mallandur side, this route is more suitable and accessible to novice trekkers.
Kigga can be reached by trekking from Mallandur or directly by starting at Kigga.
If you want the whole Narasimha Parvatha trekking experience, this trek should test your endurance regardless of previous trekking experience. Climb from Mallandur up until the summit before returning back down. This trek offers ample opportunity to see all major highlights along this trek route.
October through December is an ideal time for starting this trek – Narasimha Parvatha Trek.
After the monsoon season has passed, particularly between October and November, when weather conditions are at their best, visitors to Agumbe can marvel at its lush green scenery and all its beauty. Rainfall patterns vary between regions,, so depending on where you go,, you could experience lush greenery during early December; during winter and summerseasons,, you might even spot hills adorned with golden-brown hues that appear more vibrant compared to post-monsoon periods.
Under summer’s increased risk of wildfire, trekking is prohibited due to monsoon rainfall bringing an abundance of precipitation across the area, thus making its peak period from March through September too dangerous for trekking activities.
The Narasimha Parvatha Trek can be divided into three distinct stages, offering different experiences along its path from Mallandur Base Camp to Barkana Falls and Narasimha Parvatha Peaks before culminating at Kigga.
Section I: Mallandur to Barkana Falls Summit
Distance of Trek: 8 Km; Suggested Hiking Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Start early each morning to maximize the experience of your trek, which should start relatively smoothly; with only rough or muddy terrain encountered over its initial one kilometer; however, the additional 7 kilometers through Agumbe forests could prove challenging without assistance; hiring a guide might prove essential in keeping pace.
Once at Barkana Falls, the path leads back into the forest where its terrain becomes steeper as you ascend through its depths. One highlight during this section of your trek can be observed within Agumbe Reserve; approximately two kilometers later will bring an expansive grassy area for restful respite from trekking.
Continue trekking three kilometers through valleys and hills for three kilometers to fully experience nature’s splendor. While certain sections may prove challenging, overall it should not be overly taxing provided you’re fit and healthy. The Western Ghats transform into stunning landscapes during monsoon season as hiking adventure enthusiasts flock there; exceptional hikes include climbing Kigga in Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary. Experience breathtaking views often shrouded by mist around Kudremukh’s peak; post monsoon treks offer spectacular misted scenery that still offers stunning vistas!
Section II : Narasimha Parvatha Peak to Kigga.
Trek Distance:6 km Its Duration of Trek:2 hours
Redescending from the summit involves traversing an inclined and rough path for three kilometers. As you go down, an unassuming hut serves both as shelter and water source allowing you to refill bottles as there won’t be an available supply at the bottom of the mountain.
Your second leg of the journey covers 2 miles through forest terrain via an alternate trail than that used on your initial ascent to Mallandur. Departure from here should be straightforward.
Your final mile will lead you along a wide, muddy road where an incline with a small lake appears on your left-hand side – this marks your nearness to completion; just 200 meters await at Kigga Temple! Here, it marks an endpoint on this journey.
Beginning at Temple and walking to the one-kilometer mark should only take 20 minutes.
Throughout a one-kilometre stroll to an intersection, you’ll have two paths available to you – walking towards either home or entering the forest. If you would like to continue your trek through this wild landscape, select the route leading into it and begin walking in that direction.
Allow for at least an hour and a half when exploring two miles through the forest on an easy trail without needing assistance to find your way.
As one approaches the forest from its distance lies a vast plain of grass. Stretching for 3 kilometres and offering an easy yet steady upward climb up to the summit, this path typically takes 120 minutes.
Nar is known for offering varied yet moderate challenges, ranging from Mallandur being moderately complex and the trail leading to Kigga being much more straightforward with some moderate sections. If you attempt to complete the journey from Mallandur to Kigga in one day, it will truly test you to your limits!
The 19-kilometer journey between Mallandur and Kigga can be challenging even for experienced climbers, making completion within one day impossible.
As part of hiking, be aware of parts that could prove challenging.
Forest trails can be treacherous due to uneven terrain and reduced grip due to dried leaves, making for an unpredictable experience. To stay safe while exploring forest forest trails, wear sturdy hiking boots explicitly designed for forest hiking and bring trekking poles for added stability and support.
Visitors of Barkana Falls Top should use caution when traversing Sita because it can be extremely hazardous due to its rough surfaces. To ensure a pleasant and safe experience, visitors must keep a safe distance from its edge, particularly if they suffer from acrophobia or fear of high places.
Though walking may appear straightforward, cautiously, it could result in knee or ankle injuries if not performed with caution. Be conscious of your foot speed when walking and how you move.
Travel from Mallandur to Agumbe is simple with public transportation as both destinations are within six kilometres. By informing travel guides of your expected arrival date and specifying when passengers should be picked up from Agumbe for transport back to Mallandur, arrangements can be made for their smooth arrival at both ends.
If you are driving yourself or in your car, take a direct route towards Mallandur or park it at Agumbe and take the transport provided by your tour guide to reach it. Due to poor road conditions in Mallandur, parking and taking transport is highly recommended as the direct route could take much longer.
From Kigga, take public transport to Sringeri before taking an easy bus back to Kigga, which lies only 10 km away.
If you’re driving your vehicle alone, head directly towards Kigga.
If you travel from Mallandur to Agumbe by overnight bus, KSRTC provides an alternative. Reservations can be made online.
Buses from Bangalore leave at 10.00 pm and arrive in Agumbe around 7.00 am; tickets cost Rs.600 per person for this journey. When arriving in Agumbe, you can ask a guide to arrange transport from Agumbe to Mallandur on your behalf.
Kigga can be reached from Bangalore using KSRTC buses between Bangalore and Sringeri. When considering sleeping buses for non-AC sleepers, prices begin at Rs 600 for every individual rider; an early bus arrival would allow time for rest before taking local bus service to Kigga.
Head Of Mountain Experts
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