Chembra Peak- 10 Things to Know Before Visiting

Chembra Peak is one of the most popular hiking destinations in entire Kerala with an incredible trail through evergreen forest at lower altitudes and grasslands at higher altitudes. The peak is visible from almost all parts of the Wayanad district.

To explore Chembra Peak, one has to reach Meppadi Town located 10 km from the district capital Kalpetta. The starting point of the trek is another 10 km from Meppadi, at the foot of Chembra Peak where a forest office is situated. The areas near the forest office are covered in tea, coffee and spice plantations. Public transportation is not available after Meppadi, you have to either hire a taxi or come in your vehicle.

The forest office should give you permission to trek. On-the-spot permissions are provided in exchange for a fee, no other prior permissions are required to hike the peak. Once the permission has been granted, a guide will direct you through the trekking trails.

The long trekking trail to the top of the peak

The total distance of the trek is around 4.5 km. There are four points during the trek- starting point at the forest office followed by the watch tower at a distance of 1 km, then Hdriyathadakam (heart-shaped lake) at 2 km from the watch tower, followed by the peak at 1.5 km from Hridayathadakam. The hike was up to the mountain peak until a few years back but this has changed recently restricting the entry only up to Hridayathadakam. One should clarify this with the authorities before starting the hike.

The hike to the watchtower

The hiking trail is of moderate difficulty unless you are a complete beginner. The hike from the starting point to the watch tower through green scenery and a tea estate is pretty easy, taking 20 minutes to cover this first kilometre.

The hike to Hridayathadakam

From the watch tower, the hike towards Hridayathadakam starts. This stretch goes through forests and later through open space filled with tall grasses. This portion is of moderate difficulty. The 2 km hike will take around an hour and a half to complete. Hridayathdakam, in the shape of the heart, is one of the most fascinating attractions in Wayanad. Seen halfway through the hike, this small lake is a waterhole for wild animals.

The difficult hike after Hridayathadakam

The difficult portion of the trek starts after Hridayathadakam. The hike to the peak is through steep slopes and takes roughly an hour and a half to reach the top covering 1.5 km. During heavy rains, it is not advisable to trek through this part.

At the top of the peak

From the top of the peak, one can see the whole of Wayanad. You can also see the neighbouring district Kozhikode and Malappuram of Kerala state and Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu state. The beauty of the top is thrilling, with numerous other peaks in the vicinity. Due to the thick forest cover, it's difficult to hike to those peaks.

In addition to the abundance of beauty from the vegetation, some wild animals also inhibit the area. Some of the visitors have seen elephants, gaur (Indian Bison) and spotted dears. Some of the guides have also mentioned that they have seen black panthers and tigers.

If you are planning to do camping at the peak, please note that it's not permitted. The forest department does not allow camping on the peak owing to the sensitive ecology and to prevent any trouble from wildlife.

The best time to explore the peak will be from September to March just after the rainy season. There will be more greenery from November to January, and in February and March, the grass will turn yellowish due to the warm climate. Please keep in mind that any accidental wildfire during this time can cause serious damage to the biodiversity of the place. 

It is recommended to avoid the place during rainy months (June to August) as it will be more slippery and heaven for leeches. In fact, the authorities close the place during these months, do contact them to check at +91 9947896008 or +91 8547602689.

1. Chembra Peak is located in a remote area, make sure to wear comfortable shoes and pack plenty of water and snacks.
2. The hike to the summit is fairly challenging, so be sure to pace yourself. It's also a good idea to start early in the day to avoid being caught in the midday sun.
3. Limited number of visitors are allowed per day, so arrive early to get a ticket.
4. Watch out for animals. Chembra Peak is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants. Don't approach them if you see them on the trail.
5. Stay on the trail and always follow the directions from the hiking guide.
6. Swimming is not allowed at the heart lake.

1. At 2,100 meters (6,900 feet), Chembra Peak is the tallest mountain in Wayanad district and one of the tallest mountains in South India.
2. The Chembra Peak trek is one of the most popular treks in Kerala.

It will take at least half a day to explore Chembra Peak. The hike is steep and reasonably long and it is worth spending some time exploring the views from up top.

To reach Chembra Peak, you have to come to Meppadi town and from there hire a taxi to Chembra Peak. Meppadi town is located 10 km away from Kalpetta, from where there are frequent buses. Banglore and Kozhikode are connected through Kalpetta so it will not be difficult to reach Chembra. The nearest railway station is in Kozhikode, 90 km away and it is connected well to Kalpetta by bus.

It costs 850 INR to explore Chembra Peak. The cost is for up to 10 people in total. So no matter if you are just two or 10, you will pay the same price. You can pool with other visitors though. For foreigners, it is 1500 INR for a group of 5 maximum.

Chembra Peak is open from 7 AM to 2 PM. The hiking starts at 7 AM and the number of visitors allowed per day is limited (about 200) so it is good to reach early.