Trek to Muktihole Falls and then a View of Honnavara Beach or Sharavati Beach

It had been a while we all did a trek and camped in a Raw Jungle. With all the treks in the Charmudi Ghats banned due to some reason, it was time for us to explore a different place. I had been to this place called hirebailu village, which is approximately 30 Kms from Honnavara an year ago. I with 5 friends went to this place hoping that we would get a guide to show us the path to Muktihole Falls. But unfortunately due to some religious festival in that village we didn't get any guide that day and we had to return without completing the trek. They even didn't allow us to go on our own as they told that the forest is very dense and there is no marked path for us to go. They just said one sentence. "Sir the Mountain will Eat You. So please don't go". This was an year back and this time with my close friends, I decided to do the trek and contacted Mahadeva Nayak, who is a famous Yakshagaana artist. We spoke with his son Ishwar and he assured us that this time he will arrange a guide for us and finally our trek was on.

How we reached there?

Take a Bangalore- Honnavara Bus. Almost a 10 hour journey. KSRTC is preferable but many good private Buses are also available. Alight at a place called hadimbala bridge, which is approximately 10 Kms before Honnavara. You can have your breakfast at this place. We had hot and delicious Idli-Sambhar at Shri Hanuman Hotel. You have to take a right turn there which is the path to reach Hirebailu. There is a Bus from that cross to Hirebailu, which comes at 8 am. You can either wait here or start walking towards Hirebailu. The bus comes in the same path and you need not have to worry about missing the bus. It takes some 40 minutes for the bus to reach Hirebailu. Then we went to Mahadeva Nayak's house and freshened up there. As promised he had already arranged a guide for us. His name was Naveen and then we seven, started towards Muktihole falls.

Terrain!!! How it was???

It was ascending all the way. A walk in the Jungle will always be fun. After a walk for almost two hours, we had to take a right, which is impossible to spot ourselves. There is an arrow indicating the right deviation on a tree but as I heard its where people get lost during the trek and never see Muktihole. As soon as you take a right be prepared for a steep descent for almost 30 minutes. After this descent, we reached a stream where we had our Lunch. Just besides the stream you can put your tents if in case you are planning to camp. After Lunch, we again started our trek and it was monotonous walk for almost 2 hours crossing the streams from left to right and vice versa. Be careful while Walking on the rocks as it was too slippery and any minor slips could lead to major sprains. After two hours of continuous sweating, we finally reached Beautiful Muktihole Falls. Many, ask us why do you guys do all these treks and climb mountains. We just tell them that "We just love to Trek because we always have the hope that we will see something new and will be able to learn something new about nature in each and every trek. This hope is what drives and takes us to all these places". Muktihole also didn't disappoint us from offering its own variety. After spending an hour in front of the falls we started our trek back to the place where we decided to put tents. One sad part was that we couldn't play in the falls as it was too steep to swim near the falls. After almost two hours of walk we put our tents and campfire. Everyone were tired and after dinner(Special Bread toast and Chapati with Jam and sauce) we all slept hoping that we will wake up next morning.

And the Next Morning!!!

Oh ya. We woke up without any problem. Most of us had a pleasant sleep and we all played in water for some time. Then it was time for us, to pack our bags and start our return journey. It was almost 45 minutes of steep climb which was really tiring. Then a walk for almost 2 hours will again lead you to Mahadeva Nayak's house and we bid adieu to our friend and guide Naveen. There is a small river flowing just behind Mahadeva Nayak's house and we all enjoyed our time there and finally it was time for us to go back to Honnavara.

How to reach Honnavara???

There is a bus at 3 PM which leaves from Mahadeva Nayak's house that is Hirebailu. The bus before this, leaves at 9.30 am. Based on the time that you want to reach Honnavara, plan your trek accordingly. It takes almost an hour to reach Honnavara from Hirebailu. Maruthi Omni will be available all the time and they will drop you to Honnavara whenever you want.

What's in Store for you in Honnavara???

It's always a dream to do a difficult trek, play in water to forget all the strains and sprains and then a Beach to forget everything and enjoy the Sunset watching the waves hitting the shore hard and pleasant. Yes all these are possible during this trek and as soon as you head back to Honnavara, catch an auto rickshaw and ask him to take you to Sharavati Beach or Honnavara Beach which is some 4 KMS from the Honnavara bus stand. It's one the most cleanest and pleasant beach that I have seen in Karnataka. Enjoy the beautiful Sun changing its color from harsh yellow to beautiful Orange and when he calls it a day it was time for us to have dinner(Vegetarians can take Khamath Executive or Shivsagar and Non Vegetarian freaks can take PramiLa or Samrat) and board our buses for a return journey to Bangalore.

Whom to Contact???

Mahadeva Nayak- +919343971471

What's My Impression on the Trek???

One of the best and toughest treks that I had ever been in Karnataka. It tests both physical and mental toughness. First timers please don't do this. The only reason why I say this is you will never feel like going to other beautiful and simple treks, if you face so many difficulties in your first trek. Anyways all the best and have a great trekking experience.

A Trip without Photos is never the same. Here are few memories from our wonderful trek.