Paithalmala

Paithalmala, or Pythal Mala or Vaithalmala, is a hill station located in the district of Kannur in Kerala. Nestled in the Western Ghats, the hill station looks over the Coorg valleys on one side and the plains of Kannur on the other which is situated at Kerala-Karnataka border. With an altitude of 4000 feet above sea level, it is the highest peak in Kannur.

Palakkayam Thattu another major tourist attraction in Kannur District is just a few kilometers away from here. Paithalmala is one of the best places in Kannur district if you are planning for a one day trip. The mountain will be covered in thick fog in the morning and evening. This area is under the control of Kerala Forest Department.

It’s very true that the higher we travel the wider and deeper our eye sets its frame to shoot nature at its best! Uploading that beautiful context, I went for a 2 day trip in the month of January and it was a nice trip with misty winds twisting and turning through the ranges of Paithalmala and Palakayamthattu and staying on top of the hill with no network, no electronic gadgets, just the beautiful mesmerizing greenery.

BEST TIME TO VISIT:-

July to October where one can see lush green mountains and blue sky in the rainy season OR

January to April where the hill turns into a green blanket after the monsoon showers.

MODE OF TRANSPORT:-

To Palakkayam Thattu

It is located at 50 km from Kannur and 28.5 km from Taliparamba.

Bus- If you prefer Public Transport, KSRTC is operating several buses from Kannur and Taliparamba to Naduvil. If you are interested in traveling by a private bus several buses are operated from Taliparamba to Sreekandapuram and then Sreekandapuram to Naduvil.

Bike- When Driving from Kannur, The shortest route (55.8 km) is Kannur- Taliparamba – Oduvally – Naduvil – Mandalam – Palkkayam Thattu.

When Driving From Taliparamba, another route is Taliparamba – Sreekandapuram – Chempanthotty – Naduvil – Palakkayam Thattu.

To Paithalmala

It is located at 55km from Kannur and 40 km from Taliparamba.

Bus- Take a bus till Kannur Town- from there catch any KSRTC bus from Kannur and Taliparamba to Kudiyanmala. From Kudiyanmala one can catch a auto to reach Paithalmala which is 17 kms away.

Train- 56kms from Kannur Railway Station (CAN). Take a public bus or cab to reach the destination.

Flight- 159 Kms from Calicut International Airport (CCJ). A public bus or cab to reach the destination.

Bike- When Driving from Kannur to reach Paithalmala, The shortest route (55.8 km) is: Kannur- Puthiyatheru – Mayyil- Sreekandapuram – Chemberi – Paithalmala.

When Driving From Taliparamba, The shortest Route (39.2 km) is: Taliparamba – Oduvally – Naduvil – Kudiyanmala – Paithalmala.

I travelled by bus from Bangalore to Kannur town which was a night journey and reached at around 5 am. We stayed at one of the organizers place and travelled to Palakkayam thattu which is around 50 kms from there and met all the other fellow travelers who were a part of this trip. From there we directly headed to our viewpoints

DAY 1

First Point- Palakkayam Thattu

It is a beautiful and well maintained hill station in Kannur. This lesser-known location is a misty mountain in the Western Ghats have an altitude of 3500 Ft from Mean Sea Level. Paithalmala, another famous hill station in Kannur District is just a few kilometers away from Palakkayam Thattu. This is one of the safest hill stations in Kannur for spending time with family. If you visit here during the monsoons, you can witness the scene of the monsoon clouds hugging the hills along with the panoramic view of Western Ghats. It offers a good off road experience if you are interested in off roading.

It is a must-visit location for those who loves trekking and adventures. Several waterfalls (in rainy season) and mountain ranges adds the beauty of Palakkayam Thattu.

Nearest towns are Naduvil and Pulikurumba. To reach the top of Palakkayam Thattu you can either trek uphill or hire a taxi jeep which will cost almost Rs 200/-. After the Jeep ride, we should walk another 500 meters to reach the top of the mountain.

Reaching there you will be witnessing one of the most picturesque spots in Kerala. This is one of the best spots for Photographers, Trekkers, and Nature Enthusiasts in Kerala. The view of sunset from here is magnificent. Also there is a place where one can have fun with so many activities to do with minimal amount.

Second Point– Ezharakund Waterfalls

Ezharakund is one of the most picturesque waterfalls of Kannur district, situated in the Paithalmala Valley. The waterfalls and nearby areas were completely dry during the summer but has revived the beauty with the onset of monsoon. The waterfall comprises of seven levels of rocky natural pools of varying sizes and depths and hence the name.
The falls make a unique scene. It is like 4 kettles stacked one after the other. The kettle on top is quite deep and therefore dangerous. As the water over flows it fills in the second kettle and so on. The third one is ok to descend the two on top are more than 10 feet deep. The area is still a hidden treasure although the state government is working to develop it.

We headed back to our Paithalmala camp center and after we got freshened up we went for a small walk to listen to the chirping of the birds. There was a PhD scholar with us who had done research in bird sound recognition who explained us the different ways to know how birds chirp and many other unique things about animals.

DAY 2

The Paithalmala Mountain covers over 300 acres of land with its unique and picture-perfect views. At the top of the hill, a watchtower is set up by the authorities, where you can enjoy the panoramic view of Kannur till the Arabian Sea, in a clear climate. This is one of the favourite spots for Photographers, Trekkers, and Nature Enthusiasts in Kerala. Several rare species of birds and butterflies have been discovered in Paithalmala recently. A tourist Information Centre and Dormitory facilities are provided by Department of Tourism (DTPC) at Kudiyanmala which is 7 km away. Parking facility for vehicles are provided near ticket center opposite to the Paithal resort at Paithalmala.

First Point– Kudiyanmala

After parking the vehicles visitors should trek through dense forest for almost 2 kilometers to reach the Watchtower at the edge of the hill. This Spot is also referred as a suicide point, as the steep valleys are dangerous. The view from the Paithalmala trek is unlike anything you would have seen before. The silhouettes of the Western Ghats, one mountain after the other, is a picture worth saving in your mind and camera.