Four beach treks in Karnataka you must do!

This post is dedicated to beach junkies............

Have you heard of beach trek? 

You might have and possibly would have also done one. The coast of Karnataka in South India has some excellent and unspoilt beaches. Each one is unique which makes trekking along the sea very exciting. We haven't done it yet and is in our bucket list. We are sharing from the experiences of some of our friends who have done it.

Start exploring before the summer sets in. Here are the four beach treks along the Arabian sea.

Trek No 1 - Gokarna to Honnavar

Route - Gokarna - Kudle beach - Om Beach - Half Moon beach - Paradise beach - Bellikan - Cross by ferry over Aghanashini - Barka beach - Long beach - Sangam beach - SemiCircular beach - Cross backwaters at Kumta by boat - Dhareshwar beach - Ramanagindi beach - Tarebagilu beach - Karki - Honnavar

Distance - Around 45 KMs

Best time to trek - Winter months from November till February

Time - Two days. Night camp/stay on the beach

Half Moon Beach 

Paradise Beach

Trek Tips

a) Gokarna is well connected by rail and bus to different parts of the country. The nearest airport is the Dabolim airport, Goa.
b) This trek route is interspersed with small hillocks along the sea. Not difficult to manoeuvre but one has to be careful as the rocks may be slippery.
c) From Karki village take an autorickshaw/bus to reach Honnavar.

Trek 2 - Bhatkal to Maravanthe

Route - Sodigadde - Alvegadde - Cross river by boat - Dombe - Baindur - Cross river by auto to Uppunda beach - Koderi - Navunda - Maravanthe

Distance - Around 35 KMs

Best time to do the trek - Winter months from November till February

Time - Two days. Night camp/stay on the beach

Uppunda Beach

Baindur Beach

Trek Tips

a) Bhatkal is well connected by rail and bus to different parts of the country. The nearet airport is Mangalore. It will be good to hire a auto at Bhatkal to reach the beach at Sodigadde. It will save time.

b) There is a need to cross stream at Alvegadde. You will always find local fishermen helping out. At Baindur, take an autorickshaw and cross the river to Uppunda and start trek from the beach there.

c) Unlike Trek 1, there are not much of hilly terrain in this route. 

d) It will be good to break day 1 in Baindoor which has Forest Inspection bungalow and also hotels. 

Trek No 3 - Gokarna to Ankola

Route - Belekeri - Deshina Halli - Gabth Halli - Shedikuli - Cross Nadibagh stream - Belambar - Manjugoni - Cross Gangavalli river by boat - Gokarna

Distance - Approximately 20 KMs

Best time to do the trek - Winter months from November till February

Time - Two days. Night camp/stay on the beach

Belambar beach

Trek tips

a) Gokarna is well connected by rail and bus to different parts of the country. The nearest airport is the Dabolim airport, Goa.
b) Belekeri is at a distance of 10 KMs from Ankola. Catch a local bus or an auto to reach the place.

Trek No 4 - Manki to Bhatkal

Route - Manki - Murudeshwar - Kaikini - Bengre - Bhatkal

Distance - 25 KMs

Best time to trek - Winter months from November till February

Time - Two days. Night camp/stay in Murudeshwar

Sanabhavi beach near Murdeshwar

Trek Tips

a) Though Manki is on Konkan railway, it would be better to reach Honnavar and then take a bus/taxi to Manki. The nearest airport is at Mangalore.
b) This is a long stretch of beach walk with no hills on the route.

General Tips for all beach treks

a) Start the trek at dawn and finish by 3 PM and camp. Enjoy the beach in the evening.

b) The day temperatures will be high even in winter with high humidity levels. Carry enough water and drink on the way.

c) Always walk on the trails which are parallel to the beach.

d) Walking on loose sand is slow. Good trekking shoe is useful.

e) You will find fisherman's houses on the way who will always be helpful for small needs.

f) Carry food along as you will not get anything on the way.

g) Good hat and sun screen lotion is a must.

If you love beaches, you should not miss the following posts in this blog

Five lovely beaches in India to visit before summer!

Surfing, Snorkeling and Scuba diving in India

12 things to do in Goa you haven't done before!

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