Kodachadri, about 95 km southwest of Shimoga, is the most rewarding trekking destination accessible from the city. The 1,343-metre peak sits within the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary and is forested almost all the way to the summit, where a small shrine to the goddess Sarvajnapeetha sits amid clouds and shola scrub.
The standard route goes from Kollur (famous for the Mookambika Temple) through dense evergreen forest, taking about 3–4 hours up and 3 hours down. The Forest Department requires trekkers to hire a guide from Kollur, which is straightforward to arrange. Jeeps also go part of the way up via a rough forest road, cutting the walking time for those who want to focus on the summit views rather than the approach. The sunset from the summit, looking west over the Ghats toward the Arabian Sea, is one of the best in Karnataka. Plan for an early start from Shimoga (leave by 6 AM) to reach the summit and return before dark.