Kumara Parvatha trek (1712m peak).
Pilgrims arrive at Kukke Subramanya for the snake-deity temple and have no reason to know the peak rising directly behind the temple is one of South India's toughest day-hikes. Most temple visitors are pilgrims, not trekkers; the trek is known almost entirely to the Bengaluru-and-Mangalore weekend-climbing circuit through Karnataka Mountaineering Association references.WHY NOBODY KNOWS
A 13km one-way trek to 1712m (5,617 ft) — Karnataka's second-highest accessible peak after Mullayanagiri (1930m). The trail starts behind the Kukke Subramanya temple, climbs through Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary moist evergreen forest for the first 7km to Bhattru Mane (a traditional homestay where most trekkers night-halt), then 6km steep climb to Shesha Parvatha + Kumara Parvatha peaks. ₹500 forest entry permit (Karnataka Forest Dept); compulsory return same day OR night-halt at Bhattru Mane (₹500/person includes dinner-and-breakfast). Best season Oct-Feb; closed June-Sept monsoon and during Kukke Brahma Rathotsava (mid-Dec to early Jan).
