Kerala
Western Ghats, cardamom hills and backwater canyons.
Legend
- Treks
- Hikes
- Mountains
- Lakes
- Waterfalls
Quick Stats
- Spots
- 114
- Landforms
- 5
- Terrain
- Tropical Hills
Trails & landmarks
Anamudi Peak
South India's tallest peak — a grassy shola dome inside Eravikulam NP, home to the Nilgiri tahr.
Meesapulimala
Eight-ridged peak between Munnar and Kolukkumalai — rhododendron forests and endless tea in the valleys below.
Agasthyarkoodam
Sacred peak of Sage Agastya — permit-only ascent through rainforests of the Agasthyamalai biosphere.
Chembra Peak
Wayanad's tallest peak — a heart-shaped tarn glitters midway up the grass-covered ridge.
Banasura Hill
Broad grassland summit above Wayanad's largest reservoir — named after the demon king Banasura.
Vellarimala
A long Nilgiri ridge between Wayanad and Malappuram — ancient stone forts and wild orchids.
Kolukkumalai
The world's highest tea estate — jeep climb from Suryanelli, sunrise above a sea of clouds.
Kurisumala (Vagamon)
A pilgrim trail of fourteen crosses up a grassy hillock — views across three rolling meadows.
Ponmudi Hill
The 'golden peak' — twenty-two hairpins through rainforest to a tiny plateau above Thiruvananthapuram.
Illikkal Kallu
A giant boulder-crown above Kottayam — rare Neelakurinji blooms paint the slopes every twelve years.
Paithalmala
The highest point in Kannur — rolling meadows on the Karnataka border with Arabian Sea views.
Ambukuthi Mala (Edakkal)
A hill of prehistoric rock art — 6000-year-old petroglyphs inside a split-rock cave.
Anginda Peak
Silent Valley's highest summit — permit-only access through untouched tropical evergreen rainforest.
Vattavada Hills
A 'mini Kashmir' of terraced vegetable farms on the Munnar–Kodaikanal stretch — cold, quiet, high.
Sitharkundu Viewpoint
Nelliyampathy's eagle's-perch cliff — the Palakkad plains unroll 1500 m below in a single drop.
Mangaladevi Peak
Remote Pandya-era temple on a jungle peak inside Periyar — opens just once a year for Chithra Pournami.
Amarambalam Hills
The wet western wall of the Nilgiris — evergreen forests that merge into Mukurthi grasslands.
Pakshipathalam Hill
'Depths of birds' — rock caves at Wayanad's northernmost corner where rishis once meditated.
Brahmagiri Peak (Wayanad)
Trisilimala grassland peak on the Karnataka border — the mythical Brahma Giri of Thirunelli temple.
Kumarikkal Mala
A lesser-known shola high above Eravikulam — broad grassland dotted with stunted neelakurinji shrubs.
Chembra Heart Lake Trek
A steep grass climb through Meppady's tea estates ends at a perfect heart-shaped lake below the summit.
Banasura Hill Trek
A 10 km one-way climb through dense shola to one of the longest ridges in Wayanad.
Meesapulimala Trek
Two-day trek through Rhodo valley and Silent Valley shola — camp under rhododendrons above 2400 m.
Agasthyakoodam Trek
28 km biosphere trek through the richest rainforest in the Western Ghats — season opens mid-January.
Kolukkumalai Tea Trek
A 7 km walk from Suryanelli through a 120-year-old tea plantation to the summit heliport ridge.
Thusharagiri Trek
The 'snowy hill' of Kozhikode — three-tier falls and a jungle trail up to Vellarimala ridge.
Pakshipathalam Trek
A 17 km permit trek from Thirunelli through Brahmagiri forests to a deep rock cave full of birds.
Gavi Eco Trek
A cardamom-forest trail inside Periyar Tiger Reserve — Nilgiri tahr herds, lion-tailed macaques and a lake.
Periyar Bamboo Raft Trek
A full-day trek + bamboo raft across Periyar Lake — elephants, bison and a sleeping gaur at the waterline.
Silent Valley Trail
India's last primeval evergreen forest — permit-only walks from Mukkali through lion-tailed macaque territory.
Vagamon Meadows Trek
Seven rolling grass hills between Kurisumala and Thangalpara — paragliding, pine forest and silence.
Neelimala Viewpoint Trek
A short jeep + trek to the edge of the Neelimala cliff — Meenmutty falls thunder in the canyon below.
Kanthalloor Orchard Trail
Rain-shadow village of apples and oranges above Marayoor — walk between fruit farms to the Chinnar boundary.
Ramakkalmedu Ridge
One of India's windiest spots — windmills whir above a ridge that overlooks Tamil Nadu's plains.
Athirappilly Falls
Kerala's 'Niagara' — the Chalakudy river drops 80 ft in a thunderous horseshoe inside the Sholayar forests.
Vazhachal Falls
Athirappilly's calmer sister — cascades over basalt steps inside one of India's best hornbill forests.
Charpa Falls
Roadside cascade between Athirappilly and Vazhachal — splashes right onto the forest highway in monsoon.
Thusharagiri Falls
The 'snow hill' — three tiered falls on the Chalippuzha river, with trek paths beside each stage.
Soochipara Falls
Sentinel Rock — a three-tier 200 m cascade in Wayanad's deep shola, swim-pool at the bottom.
Meenmutty Falls (Wayanad)
A 300 m three-stage fall on the Kabini — a 2 km jungle walk from Vaduvanchal to a black cliff face.
Kanthanpara Falls
A quiet 30 m fall near Meppady with rocky steps leading down through coffee estates.
Palaruvi Falls
The 'stream of milk' — a perennial 300 ft silvery drop into the Shendurney rainforests.
Thommankuthu Falls
A seven-tier cascade — 12 km of jungle path past each step, kayaking at the final plunge pool.
Meenmutty Falls (Ponmudi)
A 60 m drop deep in the Agasthyamalai reserves — forest trail from the Kallar–Ponmudi highway.
Aruvikkuzhi Falls
A rubber-plantation cascade near Kottayam — 100 ft of spray into a shaded rock pool.
Keezharkuthu (Rainbow) Falls
Rainbows ring the 1500 ft drop when morning sun strikes the spray — deep-forest Idukki secret.
Chethalayam Falls
A short monsoon-only fall east of Sulthan Bathery — secret swimming hole near Amaravathi.
Kozhipara Falls
A roaring jungle fall inside Nilambur's teak reserves — two kilometers of rocky trail from the road.
Arippara Falls
A natural waterpark near Kozhikode — smooth rock chutes and rope-guided rappel steps.
Marmala Waterfall
A 180 ft rubber-estate fall near Erattupetta — a private farm trail leads to the plunge pool.
Cheeyappara Falls
Seven stage cascade right on the Kochi–Munnar highway — everyone stops for photos on the Adimali climb.
Valara Falls
Cheeyappara's twin — another series of drops framing the old Travancore-to-Munnar highway.
Lakkom Falls
Meltwater from Eravikulam drops through a fern-covered gorge into a cold Munnar pool.
Attukad Waterfall
A quick stop off the Munnar–Pallivasal road — split cascades through a tea-estate ravine.
Nyayamakad Falls
A 1600 ft drop between Munnar and Rajamala — visible from the road, wild in August.
Power House Falls
A three-tiered fall beside an old hydro station on the Munnar–Thekkady road.
Perunthenaruvi Falls
The Pamba river spreads wide over a flat rock shelf — a quiet Pathanamthitta pilgrim stop.
Adyanpara Falls
The Kurumbalangad river slides over three granite steps in Nilambur's teak country.
Ezharakund (Ezhattumugham)
A deep river pool with seven drops in the Kannur jungles — swim in clear Periyar-branch water.
Palchuram Falls
A misty roadside fall on the Kannur–Wayanad ghat — the 'milky lime' coloured cascade.
Dhoni Waterfall
A 3 km forest trek through a dairy farm to a cold pool at the foot of the Dhoni hills.
Kallar Meenmutty
Natural granite slides on the Kallar river — the stop before climbing to Ponmudi.
Kumbhavurutty Falls
A remote Kollam fall deep inside the Shendurney sanctuary — permit-only ecotourism trail.
Vazhvanthol Waterfall
Hidden inside the Bonacaud rainforest on the way to Agasthyakoodam — rarely visited.
Aruvikuzhi (Vagamon)
A rubber-plantation cascade on the drive from Pala to Vagamon — short stop with wooden bridges.
Vembanad Lake
India's longest lake — 96 km of brackish backwater stitched with kettuvallams, coir villages and paddy polders.
Ashtamudi Lake
The 'eight-armed' lake of Kollam — a Ramsar site with cashew farms, Chinese nets and canoe paths.
Sasthamkotta Lake
Kerala's largest fresh-water lake — ringed by palm groves and a Dharma Shastha temple on its eastern bank.
Periyar Lake
A 26 sq km man-made lake inside Periyar Tiger Reserve — elephant herds swim from shore to shore at dusk.
Mattupetty Lake
Munnar's most photographed reservoir — shikara boat rides among tea-covered hills.
Kundala Lake
An Art Deco arch dam above Munnar — pedal boats through cherry-blossom trees in March.
Anayirankal Dam
'Where elephants descend' — a tea-fringed reservoir on the Chinnakanal highlands.
Echo Point Lake
Shout across the lake and the Kundala hills answer you — midway along the Top Station drive.
Banasura Sagar Dam
India's largest earth dam — a blue lake scattered with green islets beneath Banasura Hill.
Pookode Lake
A heart-shaped rainforest lake near Vythiri — pedal boats, freshwater aquarium and pine groves.
Karapuzha Dam
A quieter Wayanad reservoir — kayak rides among tribal hamlets and rice fields.
Neyyar Dam Lake
Boat rides past the lion safari park and crocodile farm below the Agasthyamalai wall.
Peechi Dam
A reservoir inside Peechi-Vazhani Sanctuary — boat safaris through elephant-crossing waters.
Malampuzha Dam
The largest reservoir in Kerala — rope-way rides, rock garden and a giant Yakshi sculpture.
Idukki Arch Dam Lake
Asia's first double-curvature arch dam — permit-only viewpoint above a green fjord in the Western Ghats.
Parambikulam Reservoir
A tiger-reserve lake ringed by rosewood and teak — boat safaris past the world's tallest Kannimara tree.
Thenmala Reservoir
India's first planned ecotourism lake — suspension bridge, deer park and forest boat rides.
Aruvikkara Lake
A small dam on the Karamana river — sacred fish swim in the Durga temple's crystal pool below.
Kakkayam Dam
Hidden reservoir in the Kuttyadi hills — a monsoon-green lake with rappel and kayak operators.
Periyar Tiger Reserve Trail
Guided walks inside Periyar — cardamom hills, elephant paths and a rare chance of tiger pugmarks.
Silent Valley NP Trail
The last unbroken Western Ghats rainforest — jeep + 4 km walk to Sairandhri watchtower.
Eravikulam NP Trail
Rajamala shola-grassland walk — the Nilgiri tahr's last stronghold, and neelakurinji bloom in season.
Parambikulam Tiger Trail
Three-day guided trek inside one of India's best-managed tiger reserves — tree-house nights.
Muthanga Safari Trail
Wayanad's main safari gate — bamboo forests continuous with Bandipur's tiger country.
Tholpetty Safari
Northern Wayanad's quiet safari zone — open jeeps on the Karnataka–Kerala border, dhole packs and bison.
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
Salim Ali's beloved forest — 270+ bird species in a lowland riverine jungle east of Kochi.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Mangrove boardwalks on Vembanad's eastern shore — ibis, herons and the paddy-field Siberian storks.
Chinnar Wildlife Trail
Rain-shadow thorn scrub on the TN border — grizzled giant squirrels and a quiet treehouse stay.
Aralam Sanctuary
Kannur's lesser-visited sanctuary — Meenmutty cascades, butterfly swarms and the gateway to Brahmagiri.
Shendurney Sanctuary
Lion-tailed macaque jungle around Thenmala — boat rides past submerged forests and Rosmala tribes.
Marayoor Sandalwood Trail
The only natural sandalwood forest in Kerala — prehistoric dolmens and Muniyara rock shelters.
Nelliyampathy Hills Drive
Ten hairpin bends through orange orchards to a quiet hill station — Seetharkundu's Palakkad view.
Top Station Viewpoint
Old ropeway terminus above Munnar — the rain-shadow edge where clouds suddenly spill into Tamil Nadu.
Ponmudi Golden Valley Walk
A short plateau walk past flower beds, orchids and a 22-hairpin descent — easy sunset hill.
Vagamon Pine Forest
A rare 20-acre pine stand on a Kottayam ridge — boardwalk, paragliding pitch and a glass-bridge cliff.
Illaveezha Poonchira
Three hills enclose a wide meadow — legend says Bhima's foot made this 'valley where no leaf falls'.
Edakkal Caves
Neolithic rock shelter with 6000-year-old petroglyphs — short but steep climb from Edakkal.
Varkala Cliff Walk
A laterite cliff with mineral-spring beach below — the only sea cliff along the Kerala coast.
Kovalam Lighthouse Walk
Spiral climb to a red-striped 1972 lighthouse — the whole Travancore coast opens out below.
Bekal Fort Walk
Kerala's largest seaside fort — laterite ramparts over an Arabian Sea headland at sundown.
Peermedu Ridge Walk
An Idukki tea-ridge hike named after a Sufi saint — spice gardens and a long views toward Thekkady.
Thangalpara Sufi Hill
A rocky dargah above Vagamon's meadows — 800-year-old Sheikh Fariduddin pilgrimage.
Sivagiri Hills
Social-reformer Narayana Guru's ashram hill — stone steps through a tropical garden.
Ezhattumugham Nature Walk
A forest island where the Chalakudy river meanders — wooden swing bridges and riverside camping.
Malayattoor Pilgrim Hike
A 3 km forest trail to St. Thomas' rock shrine — one of seven apostolic pilgrimage sites in the world.
Sabarimala Trail
The 7 km Pamba-to-Sannidhanam pilgrim climb through Periyar's forests — Ayyappa's shrine at the top.
Kalady Adi Shankara Walk
Riverside path at the birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya — ghats, crocodile legend and Sringeri Mutt.
Alleppey Backwater Walk
A narrow causeway through paddy polders — Kuttanad lies below sea level, white herons everywhere.
Fort Kochi Heritage Walk
Chinese fishing nets, Jew Street, Portuguese church — 500 years of trade in a mile of lanes.