- Grade
- Moderate
- Distance
- 14 km there and back
- Walking time
- 6 hours
- Altitude
- 460 m
- Best months
- Oct – May
- Start point
- Kalikesam Eco Camp
- District
- Kanniyakumari
- Nearest station
- Nagercoil Junction, ~27 km
- Nearest airport
- Thiruvananthapuram, ~76 km
About this trail
From the Kalikesam eco camp, this route starts with a river crossing and heads into forest with a tall, closed canopy. Further on the woods give way to the Balamore estates, where clove, coffee and other spices grow on the slopes. It is a good mix of wild forest and working farm land, all at a low altitude of under 500 metres.
The walk covers 14 km there and back and takes about six hours. The path is not steep, but the humidity can be tiring, so drink often. Birders will enjoy the forest edges, and the spice gardens smell wonderful in season.
Highlights
- River crossing at the start
- Tall forest with a closed canopy
- Clove, coffee and spice plantations
- Low altitude, gentle gradients
- Rich birdlife on the forest edge
How the day goes
- ReportingArrive at Kalikesam eco camp and complete ID checks.
- River crossingCross the river with the guide and enter the forest.
- Forest stretchWalk under the tall trees with short photo stops.
- BalamoreReach the spice estates and take a refreshment break.
- ReturnWalk back through the forest to Kalikesam.
Getting there and staying over
- By train: Nagercoil Junction, ~27 km
- By air: Thiruvananthapuram, ~76 km
- Stay: Not included; hotels in Nagercoil or Kanniyakumari.
What to carry
- Photo ID
- 3 litres of water
- Quick-dry clothes
- Leech socks
- Shoes that can get wet
- Insect repellent
Good to know
These are guided trails run with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, and each has a daily limit on walkers. Book a few days ahead, carry the same photo ID you booked with, and expect a trail to close at short notice after heavy rain or when elephants are active nearby. We book the permit, arrange the car to and from the start point and, if you want, a hotel nearby for the night before.
More trails in Kanniyakumari
Moderate18 km · 7 hrsKanniyakumari · KalikesamInjikadavu Forest TrailA long day walk inside the Kanniyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary, from Kalikesam through mixed forest and grassland to Injikadavu and back.
Best: Oct – MayView trail →
Moderate12 km · 5 hrsKanniyakumari · KalikesamKalikesam – Maramalai TrailA 12 km walk from Kalikesam through plantations and shaded forest to an old clove estate at Maramalai, then back to the eco camp.
Best: Oct – MayView trail →Book this trek
Send us your date and group size. We will confirm the slot with the forest team and share the reporting time, car and total cost.
