Meenmutty waterfalls-Wayanad - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Meenmutty Waterfalls is the tallest waterfall in Wayanad District of Kerala State in Southern India. It is considered the second largest fall in the entire Kerala State. The fall is nested in the lush greenery of Meppadi Forest Range under the South Wayanad Forest division. The water flowing through the fall later joins the Panamaram River near  Padinjarathara Town.

Meaning of the fall's name

A larger cousin of the nearby Kanthanpara and Soochipara Waterfalls, Meenmutty is over 300 meters high and the water roars down in three stages. The name ‘Meenmutty’ is originated by combining the Malayalam words ‘Meen’ meaning fish with ‘Mutty’ meaning blocked, perhaps due to the height and rocky face of the waterfall which prevents fishes from travelling upstream.

Journey to Meenmutty Waterfalls

Cascading down with huge thunder during rainy season, Meenmutty is a spectacular waterfall located amidst a lush, moist, tropical forest. In order to reach the falls, a 2 km trek through the jungle is required. The water plunges down from the top in three tiers and all three tiers need separate treks to view them. The fall is a dangerous place to visit in the rainy season and it has a long history of people drowning.

To get to Meenmutty, road access is available up to the main entrance of the falls. There are several parking spots available at the entrance so do not worry about finding a place to park your vehicle.

 

To explore the falls, you will have to hike through dense foliage which can become extremely slippery in the rainy months. You will get to the edge of the fall after climbing steep inclines and slippery rocks. Once you are at the edge, further descend through smooth boulders will get you to the pools at the bottom.

Exploring the falls and its climbing trails

The three different tiers of the falls also throws up their own challenges to the visitor. The first/ lowest tier can be reached by walking for about half a kilometre from the main entrance. This tier is small with water gushing down collected in a pool. The pool is safe to swim in if it is approved by the guards in the vicinity.

 

The second tier - which is in the middle - can be reached by climbing steps built over boulders. The narrow path is half a kilometre in length along the downstream of the river, offering wonderful views of the stream and the thick vegetation.

The third, topmost tier is a challenge to many. You will have to walk half a kilometre stretch through the stream stepping on slippery rocks with the help of ropes, and there are some steep ascends at some places. Once you are up at the top, the peak of the fall offers breathtaking views of Banasura Sagar Dam at a distance and surrounding valleys.

The occasional closure during rains

During heavy rains the hike to the top can become quite risky and unsafe. Due to the same reasons the authorities may close down the falls as well. Do check with them using the helpline numbers to know if its open for visitors during your planned time.

How to reach Meenmutty Waterfalls?

Meenmutty Waterfalls is located 22 km from the district capital Kalpetta. The nearest town is Padinjarathara, 5 km away and the nearest major railway station is in Kozhikode at 82 km. There are buses from Kozhikode to Kalpetta and from there to Padinjarathara.