Mattighatta waterfall has been in my list for more than decade since I started by professional journey. The primary bottleneck to visit the falls was the absence of partners. No one was ready to join me to trek through dense jungles at that time. It was nasty 6km hike to reach the waterfall. Last December, I decided I would take my lifetime partner to the falls and satiate my exploration. This would be the ideal time to visit waterfalls. This spot is nearly impossible to reach during monsoon due to tough terrains, slippery rocks, leeches and dense jungle. The creek the runs throughout the trail would be brimming with rapids which would be life threatening to cross.
After a divine visit to Sonda Vadiraj mutt and savoring tasty breakfast at my wife's uncle house, we directly headed to Mattighatta village. The roads were in excellent condition but snaky. The dense jungle spread all along the journey was spooky. The network was no worth here. We didn't trace even single dot of signal in our mobile. After a winding drive of nearly 50kms for 2 hours, we reached the Mattighatta village. We enquired the villagers about waterfall. The locals asked us to take a different route than one pinned in maps which was worth taking. They also assured that its safer to reach now.
Instead of going through normal trail which would be 6km odd trek, they suggested alternative route to off roading till a known location and then trek for 1.5km on a jungle trail. It was tricky off roading for nearly 3kms. The road was mostly mud road with patch of concrete roads. At once we thought to be lost but the distant view of waterfall kept our confidence high.
Revving up engine at intervals to negotiate steep roads. The drive was difficult through ballast strewn mud road with absolute zero presence of civilisation.
We reached a village and asked guidance from local. He asked us to drive backwards and look for the deviation with trayambakam board painted on dish. From here, he asked us to drive till a bridge is spotted. As per his instruction, we headed back and found the board hidden behind the thick shrubs
Here is place where we missed Trayambakam board hidden under vegetation. We should have taken right instead we drove straight!
Satisfied us, found the bridge as well as pointed by local and found few North Indian workers doing labor. They guided us to the right trail. The labourers were working in plantation owned by local. He asked us to be careful and not to be adventurous. Please listen to advices from locals. The serious mishaps would prompt authorities to close down the trail permanently which would be unwise on peaceful enthusiasts like me. With this, we began our hike.
Despite two months past the monsoon season, the streams were still flourishing.
Hopping those boulders doesn't seem easy!
Enter the grandeur.
Feel the rainforest 😎
Behold the beauty 😍
Enjoy silence of formidable jungle
Undoubtedly, Western ghats are the epitome of beauty without makeup!
Initially we walked through trail easily which later led to stream strewn with rocks. We initially thought that we have lost way because it seemed dead-end. The stream trail leads us all the way towards the waterfalls. However, this path is arduous due to boulder strewn bed, gushing waters, slippery rocks. Hopping between huge boulders needs good body stamina and grip in your foot like labourers.
We headed back and requested worker to guide us. He was generous to guide us and showed us the trail from stream. He asked us to follow trail and never get down until you see waterfall. Below are picture which we failed to spot initially. The bushes were the culprit which made trail invisible by covering it.
The dense jungle kept us on tenterhooks, but the increasingly loud gushing of water signalled that the waterfall was drawing near. My wife was still skeptical on spotting waterfall and felt nervous. I assured that we would soon spot it.
As we climbed and negotiated narrow trails, we heard the sound of people enjoying in waterfall. Few more ups and downs from cliffs, we finally spotted the waterfall! Anxiety, skepticism, fear turned into joy in a trice after spotting the waterfall post arduous trek. An adrenaline rush of joy erupted from within
The waterfall from distance looks like slender white tree. You can feel the energy only if you move closer by. I didn't capture much images. Most of the moments are captured in form of videos which is composed as YT shorts which I have provided at last. Don't miss to have click the play button and enjoy the real feel of waterfall.
We rested in one of many waterfalls that plunges from hillocks and merges with waterfall stream. There are plenty such tiny waterfall for few distance along the trail
The body was dehydrated and famished. We consumed plenty of water both from packed bottles and as well as pristine stream. The dates and dry fruits filled the tummy. The kids played for nearly 30 minutes in the cascade. Despite being winter, the hike made us sweat profusely. We couldn't venture closer to the waterfall due to the tough terrain leading to its base. The gushing water, the large boulders need to be negotiated to reach waterfall closely. A glimpse of trail to reach base is as below!
The waterfall is a cascading one, with multiple plunges before its final dive into a deep gorge. I guess the stream merges with Aghanashini river. Some of the cascades remain hidden, obscured by the boulders flanking the trail. Perhaps, moving closer to waterfall would have exposed them all.
One more batch of labourers were seen enjoying swimming in waterfall. They seemed to be heavily built whole heartedly enjoying nature's charisma. They were easily hopping the boulders without an iota of error. Even though they motivated us to jump boulders and cross streams, we were not confident. Also it would be tough for kids to manage safely. I was greatly satisfied though looking from distance! It was worth the exploration. The trail of skepticism culminated into a tale of most satisfying dream fulfilled. Apart from us, there weren't any outside visitors. Perhaps this waterfall remains lesser known among enthusiasts because it’s hard to reach.
Please don't do this 🙏🙏
Uplifted by the euphoric sight of the waterfalls, we easily made our way to the parking spot. There was no possibility of getting lost in trail.
On concluding note,
For visitors, I would request you to remain humble and sober. Please refrain from indulging in adventurous activities along the trail or near the waterfall. It would help you to be safe and also not block future visitors. The risky topography is not worth the adventure and risk your life. Any untoward incident could prompt the authorities to restrict future visits, depriving peaceful enthusiasts like us of the opportunity to explore the place.
There are no trail marks, no shops, sparse civilisation, absolute nil assistance nearby or even at hike start point. Human presence is zero nearby waterfall. So plan everything on your own.
The dense jungle shrouds the sunlight, keeping the region dark even in broad daylight. Hence, try to wind up the hike by 4 PM at the latest.
Monsoon trekking is risky and dangerous with streams overflowing, unexpected floods, tree falls etc..
This is not officially a designated tourist destination. Only enthusiasts hike here. See if locals can guide you till waterfall. There is also a home stay nearby Mattighatta. May be they also facilitate trek to waterfall.
Last but most important, please do not trash the place. Carry your own trash bags. Live only memories, but do not leave trashes. These are pristine forests of India and home for wide range of wild animals. Do not litter their homes.
Here is a short from the visit. It’s way more beautiful than it looks in YouTube Shorts
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