An off-roading adventure

Trekking through the wilderness and camping in a tent at night are some things that almost every traveller loves. But when you have a love for riding, you will definitely choose an off-road drive. Palkulamedu in Idukki district offers both, the off-road driving experience and a hillside where you can camp for the night. An ardent rider and backpacker like Sreesankar N.K., who works at a business service outsourcing company in Kochi, says Palkulamedu offers what every rider-cum-camper wishes for. “I first heard about the place in a movie. We have a group of enthusiastic travellers who used to go for weekend trips, mostly on our bikes. Though we have gone to many places in the district, we had never thought of camping there. So we decided to camp in the place for one night after hearing about this place,” says Sreesankar.

Palkulamedu is situated 12 km from Cheruthoni. The trekking starts from Churuli, from where one can reach the base of Palkulamedu in any two or four wheeler.  After that if you yearn to catch a glimpse from the top of the hill, you just have to walk for half an hour.

“After half an hour’s stroll, you can have one of the best views atop the hill. All you have to do is find a good time, as there are no shades. It is better to reach there by evening,” he added.  

Known for its weather, Palkulamedu is a hill station located 1200m above sea level, which offers beautiful views of the nearby town. It is about 13 km from Idukki. A treat to your eyes with the greenery all around, the hill station offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding area from such a height.  

“Camping on top of the hill at night was a wonderful experience. Carrying a makeshift tent or camping with a sleeping bag is highly recommended as it will save you at night from insects and cold weather in the morning. There is no food or water available hence you need to carry everything with you.”  

A small fresh water pool at the top of the hill adds another jewel to the enchanting beauty. The warm weather makes Palkulamedu one of the most ideal trekking locations in Idukki. The beauty of Palkulamedu is indescribable and it offers the perfect ambiance of nature. The view of Periyar Valley from the peak is admirable.  

Travellers can reach Palkulamedu from Churali, a small town just 8 kms away from Cheruthoni on the Adimali route. Go and visit Palkulamedu once the monsoon season gets over.