Paithalmala Once you are ready to move forward, start walking to reach a grassland. You will be able to see Pythalmala in the distance. As you trek further, you will walk down into a valley and then climb up again. From here, you can see the observatory tower built by the Department of Tourism. This is where the final leg of the trek begins to the peak. 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. Sit down, or stroll around the sweeping scenery of the Kodagu forests and rolling hills. Once you reach the main road, stop at a lock shack for something to eat. since there isn't any water source along the way, a few snacks that you can munch on to keep your energy up and a camera to document your journey. Pythalmala, also called Vaithalmala, is a hill station situated in the Kannur region of Kerala. Snuggled in the Western Ghats, the trek takes you through dense forests and opens up to a wide expanse that goes to the Pythalmala peak. ` The trek starts from Pottanplavu, which is accessible from the small village of Kudiyanmala.

Monsoon season, the months of July, August and September, is the best to do this trek. The rain washes the surroundings clean and leaves the mountains greener and the sky bluer. Be warned, however, that you might encounter some leeches on the way. Carry along some salt to scatter on the worms, in case they attach themselves to your legs. Pithalmala recieves a good amount of rainfall throughout the year. Temperature will drop to to less than 10 Degree Celsius in winter. Paithalmala have two active tourist seasons. If you are a photographer, the best time to visit Paithalmala is monsoon, June to October. At this period one can witness mist covered mountains and never ending greenery with a little showers. Remember to wear good shoes which completely covers your foot to protect against the leeches. As a result of the monsoon rains, the grasses grow to the walkways, which makes walking difficult. By the end of November the paths will be cleared and trekkers can easily pass through the grasses. The second tourist season is January to March. At this time, The sun might be a little harsh, so take care before setting out for trekking.The greenery at the top will fade away to golden brown grass land at summer. Always carry water with you to prevent dehydtation, especially in this time.