Chembra Peak – A Perfect Destination for Trekkers

The Chembra Peak is the highest peak in Wayanad. Located near the town of Meppady and 14 km from Kalpetta, it is part of the Wayanad hill ranges in Western Ghats, adjoining the Nilgiri Hills in Tamilnadu and Vellarimala in Kozhikode district in Kerala. The peak stands 2100m above sea level and offers spectacular views of the surrounding hills and valleys.

Chembra is accessible by foot from Meppady. One has to obtain permission for the trek, issued free of cost by the Forest Range Office at Meppadi. The trek to the top takes 3 hours. Trekking to this peak is can be risky since the rocky surface in many places is very slippery because of the incessant rains that the region receives for most of the year. The area around the peak provides a unique habitat for rare species of flora and fauna. There is a small heart shaped waterbody called “hridayathadakam” en route to the top of the peak. This is a major tourist attraction and is believed to have never dried up. Drinking water is available from nearby natural springs even at the height of summer.

From the top of the peak, one can view almost the whole of Wayanad district. The town of Kalpetta, the mist-covered peaks of the Neelgiri ranges and the lush greenery of the Nilambur forest range in Malappuram district are all visible from here. It is said that during the days of the Raj, British planters came here to play golf in the evenings and they constructed a stable for their horses and a rest house in the area. The relics of the rest house can be seen here even now.

A perfect destination for trekkers as well as nature lovers, tourists can stay for one or two days at the top of the peak in temporary camps. Though the climb is steep and arduous, this trail is ideal even for a first time trekker.The District Tourism Promotion Council provides guides, sleeping bags, canvass huts and trekking equipment on hire to tourists. Chembra Peak is about 47km from Banasura Hill Resort.