Banasura Hills

Banasura Hills is one of Wayanad’s most rewarding treks, offering a steep climb through grasslands and shola forest to a summit with panoramic views of the Banasura Sagar Dam reservoir, surrounding hill ranges, and the valley below. Named after the mythological king Banasura — said to be the son of Mahabali — this peak rises to about 2,073 metres and is considered one of the more challenging day treks in the district. The effort pays off with summit views that are among the best in all of Wayanad.

The Trek

The trek to Banasura Hills starts from the Padinjarathara forest office, where you must register and obtain a permit. The trail covers roughly 6–7 km one way and takes 3–4 hours to ascend, depending on fitness level. The initial stretch passes through forest and plantation, gradually opening into rolling grasslands as you gain altitude. The final section involves a steeper scramble over rocky terrain to reach the summit ridge.

The grassland sections are exposed, so start early (by 7 AM) to avoid the midday heat. On clear days, the summit offers 360-degree views — the Banasura reservoir glistens below to the west, the Nilgiri hills are visible to the east, and on very clear mornings, you can make out the plains of Karnataka to the north. Mist often rolls in by mid-morning, so early starters get the best visibility.

A forest department guide is mandatory and can be arranged at the check post. The trail is well-established but not marked with signage, so do not attempt it without a guide.

How to Reach

The trek base at Padinjarathara is about 21 km from Kalpetta (approximately 40 minutes by road). Take the Kalpetta–Padinjarathara road and follow signs toward Banasura Sagar Dam — the forest check post is near the dam approach road. Auto-rickshaws from Kalpetta charge around ₹400–500 one way. If you are hiring a taxi for the day, ask them to wait at the base — there is no return transport at the trailhead.

Nearby Attractions

Banasura Sagar Dam (3 km from the trek base) is India’s largest earth dam with speed boating and island walks — it pairs perfectly as an afternoon activity after a morning trek. Karlad Lake (8 km) offers boating and kayaking in a scenic setting. Meenmutty Waterfalls (20 km) is Wayanad’s tallest waterfall with its own forest trek. For a more relaxed follow-up, Priyadarshini Tea Environs (25 km toward Mananthavady) offers tea tasting and plantation tours.

Visiting Information

• Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (start by 7 AM recommended)
• Entry/Permit Fee: ₹500 per person (forest department trekking permit)
• Guide Fee: ₹500–1,000 per group (mandatory, arranged at check post)
• Best Time: October to March (clear skies, dry trails, comfortable temperatures)
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging — requires reasonable fitness
• Duration: 6–8 hours round trip
• What to Bring: 2+ litres of water, energy snacks, trekking shoes with grip, sunscreen, rain jacket (weather changes fast at altitude), and a light layer for the summit wind
• Not Recommended: During heavy monsoon (June–August) when trails are slippery and visibility is poor