Ranipuram Peak - 10 Things to Know Before Visiting

The drive towards the hill is quite magnificent on its own. You have to navigate through small towns and then through the steep hills and forests. The routes to the hill are perfect for a small road trip but do keep in mind that vehicles with too much load won't be able to reach the top, simply because they will not have sufficient power to tackle the steep climb.

Once you are at the starting point of the hike, vehicles will not be allowed further and you have to be on foot from there on. There are forest guards and rangers posted at the entrance where you need to pay fees to enter the hiking trail. Electric fences are bordering the forest, to prevent elephants from entering human-occupied areas and vice versa.

On the hiking trail is a forest guard hut made of stones that sits in the middle of the grasslands. It's a small structure with some of the sides damaged - possibly by elephants. There is a natural pool too nearby where elephants come to drink and play in the water. The pool will be dry in peak summer. This is one of the numerous pools in the area which are used by wild animals.

At the peak, you will find a big rock that looks like the neck of a dinosaur. You can climb up and stand on the rock but do expect strong winds - and you will even get wet from the mists. From here you will be able to view the endless chains of mountains of the western ghats, the vast green valleys, forest trails, and the small towns below, and occasionally you can spot wild animals like bison, elephant, and deers.

Ranipuram was known as Madathumala in earlier days. The peak and the hills are part of Kerala state but the forest itself merges into those of Karnataka, the bordering state. The hill is a part of the Talacauvery (or Talakaveri) wildlife sanctuary and forms an elephant corridor between the two states. Elephant herds can be seen grazing and roaming around the peak at times. 

You can also see many varieties of birds and butterflies in the canopies of the forest. From the highest point of the peak, you have a panoramic view of the landscapes and green valleys with the Arabian Sea at the far west.

The best time to visit Ranipuram Peak is between October and February when the weather is cool and pleasant. This is also the ideal time for trekking as there are no chances of rain. March to May is the summer season here, the temperatures can get too high and humid. The monsoon months of June to September see heavy rainfall, making Ranipuram a bit inaccessible. However, this is also the time when the hills are lush and green and misty.

In any given month, the view is even more magnificent during sunsets but since the peak closes its operations at 5 PM, you will have to get special permission from the forest officer to stay late and enjoy this breathtaking view.

1. If you are going in the summer months be sure to take plenty of water as it's going to be pretty hot. The lack of trees on the hiking trail makes the climb hard under the scorching sun. 
2. While temperature is the problem during the summer months, during the rainy season its leeches. They pretty much cover all the areas of the peak and the hill. Do keep some salt with you to get rid of them. In the rainy months, fog can cover many portions of the hill and thereby limiting the awesome view around.
3. There are some shops at the entry point of the peak where you can get drinks and snacks. It's really helpful to have some as you will be quite tired after the hike.
4. Wear comfortable shoes. There is a lot of walking involved and the trail is not the best in the world.

1. The peak changes its color depending on the season. From reddish-orange in the summer months to dark green in the rainy months.
2. Ranipuram Peak is popularly called as 'Ooty of Kerala' by the locals.

It takes around two hours to hike up to the top of the Ranipuram peak, first through the forest and then through the grasslands without shade. Visitors could enjoy the panoramic views of the Western Ghat mountains from the peak and then it takes another hour to hike down to the starting point of the hike.

The nearest small town to Ranipuram peak is Panathady at a distance of 10 km. The nearest large town with a railway station is Kanhangad (43 km), connected to the rest of the country. There are buses from Kanhangad to Panathur that passes through Panathady. From Panathady, there are no other means of transportation, except for the jeeps that can be hired to reach the peak.

Adults are charged INR 30 and children are charged INR 15 to enter Ranipuram peak.

Ranipuram Peak is open from 9 AM, and the entrance closes at 4 PM. Visitors have to leave by 5 PM unless there is special permission from the wildlife warden.