Waterfalls of Kannur – Alakapuri, Ezharakund and Kappimala falls

posted in: Asia, India, Kerala, Waterfalls | 0

Kannur, a picturesque district in Kerala, remains less explored compared to other popular destinations in the state. Recently, Chaya and I had the opportunity to visit Kannur, and we spent our time visiting various attractions. In this post, I’ll share our experiences exploring three enchanting waterfalls in the region.

1. Alakapuri Waterfalls

This was the first waterfall we visited. Google Maps led us straight to the parking area near the entrance. Managed by the forest department, we paid a small entry fee before continuing further.

Mountains of Kannur
Mountains of Kannur

A short 10-minute walk on a well-marked trail brought us to the waterfall. The final stretch involved descending a few steps, but it was an easy walk overall.

The waterfall itself is small but charming, with a serene pool at its base, perfect for a quick dip or just soaking in the views.

Alakapuri waterfalls
Alakapuri waterfalls

Tip: Drive an extra 2 km to reach the nearby Sassipara Viewpoint for a panoramic view of the lush green surroundings.

2. Ezharakund Waterfalls

Next on our list was Ezharakund Waterfalls, located near the famous Paithalmala viewpoint. What started as a simple journey quickly turned into an unexpected adventure. Google Maps directed us onto a terrible road that my car couldn’t handle. To make matters worse, it was raining heavily, and there wasn’t a single local in sight to ask for directions. With no network available, I relied on my offline map. Frustrated and hungry, we almost decided to abandon the plan and head back to Kannur.

Paithalmala trail
Paithalmala trail

Google Maps, however, had other plans. It insisted on sending us down non-existent and muddy roads. After some back-and-forth, I made up my mind to stick to asphalted roads, hoping for the best. Slowly but surely, the map recalibrated. The road became narrower, but I kept going. Just when we thought we were lost for good, a signboard appeared by the roadside—the entrance to Ezharakund Waterfalls! It felt like destiny wanted us to visit this place after all.

The rain continued as we entered the site. Our enthusiasm wavered when we learned that it would take a 30-minute walk to reach the waterfall. We were in no mood for a trek in the rain. But then, the ticket counter staff mentioned there was a Jeep track and that we could hire a Jeep to get there. We were back in business!

Ezharakund waterfalls
Ezharakund waterfalls

We quickly found another group to share the ride, and within 10 minutes, we were standing in front of the majestic waterfall.

Ezharakund is known for its water activities. Unfortunately, the rains had restricted access to the water during our visit, but the sight of the falls more than made up for it.

3. Kappimala Waterfalls

Our final destination was Kappimala Waterfalls, situated near the town of Alakode. There is a spacious parking area and a small restaurant with a view of the falls.

Kappimala waterfalls seen from parking area
Kappimala waterfalls seen from parking area

A 20-minute walk brought us to the waterfall. Unlike the others, Kappimala is located on private property, and a small entry fee is charged. The trail to the falls includes crossing two streams.

The path leads to the base of one of the waterfall’s stages, where a small pool is ideal to dip their toes or enjoy the cool waters.

Kappimala waterfalls
Kappimala waterfalls

Information and tips

Location: All three waterfalls are located in the hilly areas of Kannur district, bordering Karnataka.

Travel Time: It takes approximately 1–1.5 hours to drive to these waterfalls from Kannur town.

Proximity: Although the waterfalls are close in terms of aerial distance, the hilly terrain requires descending and climbing multiple times, adding to the travel time.

Road Conditions: The roads are generally in good condition but can be narrow in some stretches.

Food Options: There’s a lack of good restaurants in the area. The only decent eatery we found was near Kappimala Waterfalls.

Summary

Overall, it was a nice experience visiting these waterfalls.

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