paithalmala estates

Paithalmala is a small hill station tucked in the forest of Kodagu in the Kannur district of Kerala. The region is the highest geographic peak in Kannur. It is one of the most beautiful peaks in the Western Ghats and will mesmerize anyone who has been here. Standing tall at 4500 ft., Paithalmala is the tallest peak in the district of Kannur and a very popular trekking destination for all the nature and adventure lovers out there. An enchanting hill station with captivating beauty, thrilling trekking trails and abundance of lush greenery - Paithalmala is a perfect getaway. It has become a favorite spot for nature enthusiasts, photographers, trekkers, and leisurely visitors.

There are two trekking seasons at Paithalmala, falling in monsoon and summer. Monsoon (June to October) trekking to paithalmala estates is a photographer's delight as the mist blankets the hills and forest. One can indulge in the lush greenery amidst the showers throughout the day, especially in July. Practically, trekking is not as easy as in the summer because of the extreme climate. Watch out for leeches and occasion paithalmalatourism.org elephant visits.

Paithalmala is a must experience trekking trails in the Malabar region. Trekking is the best activity one can indulge in here, allowing you to absorb and be mesmerized by the stunning beauty of the place and its surroundings. A 6 km long trek from the base to the top of the hill takes you through dense forests and grasslands, ultimately leading to a watchtower at the top. The watchtower is the highlight of the whole trek as one gets to see breath-taking scenery of the Kodagu forests, Coorg Forests, and the adjoining areas. Small detours to the nearby ponds or lakes located via the help of the local guides. View of the valley from the observatory tower is breath-taking and the observer’s eyes can hover over more than half the area of Kannur district. Most of the visitors end their trek having time spent around the tower, but much of the excitement of the paithalmala hiking is located elsewhere.

The best part of the trek is the walk from the observatory tower to the thick forest where trail from Kappimala ends. One can move on top of the hills enjoying the mesmerizing scenery of the Coorg forest on right and Paithal valley on the left. The grassland looks stunning here and arguably is the best scene of the trek. The best time to start the trek is early morning, after the breakfast from the valley and finishing by evening. Lunch, water and snacks need to be carried.

This is one of the few places in Kerala where the nature is not largely affected by human invasion, thanks to the limited reachability. But the future does not look promising because of the increasing tendency of visitors to make it as a drinking spot. The observatory tower is in poor condition as the walls and barricades are broken or destroyed. The surroundings of the tower are littered with beer bottles and like any other tourist spots, plastic is the major threat here too. It is sad to see even the streams where you get the purest of water have been treated badly with plastic covers thrown around. Nevertheless, the hilltop remains largely non-polluted and the visitors are advised to preserve it.