Ranipuram Trek: An Easy Monsoon Hike in Kerala

Ranipuram is a hill in Kasaragod district of Kerala. Chaya and I were in Udupi for work, and on our way back, we decided to trek to Ranipuram.

Reaching Ranipuram was easy. We simply followed Google Maps to the parking area, and it took us directly to the starting point. The last 8 km was narrow and mostly uphill, but the road was in good condition throughout.

At Ranipuram

We reached around 9 AM, and the parking area was already almost full. It was clear that Ranipuram is a popular trekking spot.

 

We bought tickets from the Forest Department counter. The entry fee was ₹60 per person, and there was an additional ₹60 for a camera, including a GoPro. Car parking cost ₹30. For the forest entry and camera fee, they accepted only UPI or card payments. Airtel network does not work here, but since we had a credit card, we were sorted.

The guards also checked our bags for plastic covers before allowing us into the forest.

It was the middle of the monsoon, but luckily, it wasn’t raining when we started our trek. The first stretch was through the forest, with a gradual climb.

 

Grasslands

After about 20 minutes, we crossed the forest and entered the grasslands. This is where the scenery really opened up. Clouds were constantly moving across the hills, playing hide and seek with the landscape. It was beautiful.

 

What impressed me most were the amenities along the trail. There was a toilet at the entrance and resting places at several points along the trek. This is something I rarely see in Karnataka, even at trekking spots where we pay much higher fees.

The only sore point was the crowd. It wasn’t the number of people that bothered us, but the amount of noise and ruckus they were creating. Civic sense is still a rare commodity in India, and unfortunately, the trekkers at Ranipuram were no exception.

 

Apart from that, the walk was very pleasant. We stopped at several places to enjoy the views and take photographs. We were surprised to find a couple of small tea stalls just before the final climb.

 

At the peak

After about 1.5 hours of walking, we reached the top. The summit was rocky, with a few trees around it. Just as we reached the top, it started raining. We quickly pulled out our raincoats and put them on. Thankfully, the rain lasted only about 15–20 minutes.

After spending some time at the summit, we started climbing down. The descent was uneventful and took us about an hour.

Information and Tips

• It takes about 1.5–2 hours to climb up and around 1 hour to climb down.
• The trek is relatively easy. We even saw several people doing it with toddlers.
• The Forest Department checks for plastic before you enter. Avoid carrying unnecessary plastic, especially plastic bottles.
• Ranipuram is about a 1.5-hour drive from Kasaragod town or the Bekal Fort area. There are also several homestays and local resorts near Ranipuram.
• Plan your food accordingly. There are a few small eateries near the trek, but for better food options, you will need to head towards Kasaragod.
• If you are trekking during the monsoon, carry a raincoat. The weather can change quickly at the top.

Overall, Ranipuram was an easy and enjoyable trek, with beautiful grasslands, misty hills and good facilities along the trail. If you are looking for a relatively easy trek in Kerala with great views, Ranipuram is definitely worth considering.