The Kopatty trek, also known as the Kopatty-Kalagundi trek, is a
popular day hike near Coorg. Despite being lesser-known than the other
Coorg treks, it is a must-visit destination in the region. Located in the
southwestern Karnataka approximately 295 km from Bangalore, the trail
reaches an altitude of 4300 ft and it is one of the tallest peaks in the Talakaveri
range near the Bhagamandala town. It is a mesmerising hill range near
Cherambane on Madikeri-Bhagamandala Road and a peaceful place away
from the chaos of the city.
The Kopatty trek is one of the best weekend getaways from Bangalore
and it offers beautiful glimpses of the tropical trails of the Western Ghats and
brings the travellers closer to the Coorg lifestyle. The starting point of the trek
is the Mahavishnu temple, which is a short walk from the Kopatty bus stop.
The Paddy fields surround the first 2 km of the trek, and this distance can be
covered through a concrete road. When the road concludes, the trail
continues along a muddy track which has to be covered via jeep. There
comes a Y-intersection here and navigating left from here for about 10 minutes
will lead the hikers into the forest where they’ll also come across two
abandoned houses. Upon walking through the forest for about 2 km, there
comes an open area on the top of the flat table range of Mandalpatti and this
offers a stunning view of Erullivana hills and Kopatty hills. It takes a
10-minute climb from here to reach the Kopatty hill top which is marked with
a flag where one can enjoy a 360-degree view of the Western Ghats.
