Chembra Peak Trek
About
Chembra Peak is the highest point in Wayanad and the region's signature trek. The trail climbs steadily out of the tea estates into open grassland, and about halfway up you reach the famous Hridaya Saras — a small lake shaped almost perfectly like a heart, and the spot most people turn around at.
What makes it special:
- The heart-shaped lake, said to never dry up, framed by rolling green hills
- Sweeping views over the Western Ghats and the Wayanad plateau on a clear day
- A mix of tea-estate trail, shola forest, and exposed grassland ridge in a single short climb
It's a half-day effort that rewards well above its difficulty — which is exactly why it's the busiest trek in the area on weekends.
Getting There
The trail starts from the Forest Department check-post near Meppadi, about 15 km from Kalpetta, the main town in Wayanad. The nearest major airport and railhead is Kozhikode (Calicut), roughly 65–70 km away — around a 2.5-hour drive up into the hills.
A Forest Department permit and a registered guide are mandatory and are arranged at the check-post, so entry slots can run out on busy weekends. Start early to get a slot and to be off the exposed ridge before the afternoon mist rolls in.