- Grade
- Moderate
- Distance
- 12 km there and back
- Walking time
- 5 hours
- Altitude
- 517 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
This trail heads out from the Kalikesam eco camp through plantation country and into shaded forest before reaching an old clove estate at Maramalai. The forest here mixes evergreen and deciduous trees, so it stays green for most of the year. It is a quiet route with good chances of seeing birds and native plants.
Allow about five hours for the 12 km. The climb is gradual, topping out around 500 metres, and most people with basic fitness will be comfortable. Students and photographers often choose it as a first proper forest trek in the far south.
Highlights
- Old clove plantation at Maramalai
- Shaded mixed forest
- Gradual, steady climb
- Good first forest trek in the far south
- Plenty of birds and native plants
How the day goes
- ReportingCheck in at Kalikesam eco camp with ID.
- PlantationsWalk through the plantation belt with the guide.
- ForestEnter the shaded forest with stops for birds and photos.
- MaramalaiReach the old clove estate and rest over refreshments.
- ReturnWalk back to the eco camp by the same trail.
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
- 2–3 litres of water
- Light full-sleeve clothes
- Leech socks
- Walking shoes
- Light snacks
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 →
Moderate14 km · 6 hrsKanniyakumari · KalikesamKalikesam – Balamore Estate TrailA 14 km forest-and-plantation walk from Kalikesam, crossing a river and tall forest to the clove and coffee estates of Balamore.
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.
