Josegiri, a sleepy hamlet near the Kerala-Karnataka border, with misty valleys and scenic surroundings offers a spectacular experience to tourists. This Kannur village tucked away in the mountain ranges is a picturesque place that enchants the travellers with its lush green meadows and cool breeze. And Thirunettikallu is a magnificent spot in Josegiri that can take your breath away.
Josegiri and Thirunettikallu mesmerize the visitors with out-of-the-world vistas and the hovering thick mist. The best time to reach atop Thirunettikallu is early in the morning as the amazing sight of the plains below enveloped in mist is incredible. But you don’t have to worry if you are late by a few hours as hot and humid conditions are alien to the region and you will always be accompanied by cool mountain breeze while travelling to the hilltop.
Josegiri is one of the highest points in Kannur district and there will be a nip in the air even at noon. The local residents would vouch for the fact that the region receives rainfall almost throughout the year.
Thirunettikallu is situated 3 km away from Kannur and one can get a bird’s eye view of the surrounding regions while standing atop the majestic hill.
What’s in store
The mountain village of Josegiri is close to the Kerala-Karnataka border and even the journey to this beautiful place is fascinating. The hamlet is situated atop a hill and you have to manoeuvrer small hairpin curves to reach there. The drive to the top is captivating as the winding mountain road will be enveloped in mist and there will be a light drizzle throughout the journey. As you reach Josegiri, a small town with a few shops will greet you.
The journey to Thirunettikallu starts from Josegiri and on the way you can see cocoa trees and coffee plants. Most of the residents indulge in pig farming. One could see many such pig farms en route to Thirunettikallu. As you reach the valley, you can see the imposing Thirunettikallu in the distance and a holy cross placed on top it. The Christians undertake ‘Way of the Cross’ walk to Thirunettikallu during their fasting days.
The road to Thirunettikallu is well laid for a few meters and after that it is a bumpy drive all the way. Thirunetti is undoubtedly the best destination if you fancy off-road driving. If you are travelling in groups, then you can travel on foot to Thirunettikallu as it can be great fun. The last stretch to Thirunettikallu can be covered only on foot as it is quite steep. The sun might be shining bright but there the air will still be somewhat chilly. The narrow path with wild vegetation all around will lead you to Thirunettikallu and you could see a huge boulder with a holy cross sitting pretty atop the hill.
A ladder is fixed on the side of the huge rock to help travellers scale the boulder with ease. The view from the top is surreal to say the least as on one side you can see the hilly towns of Kannur district and on the other the Coorg regions of Karnataka. The sight of blue mountain ranges in a distance is stunning. Another nature’s splendid offering is the rolling stone that got stuck between two gigantic rocks.
Thirunettikallu is situated 2,300ft above sea level and many vloggers have projected the pristine beauty of this place to the whole world. Recently, many resorts have been opened in the area and plans are on the anvil to open more such facilities, say local residents. You can also stay in tents atop the hill and gel with nature. Thirunettikallu is the right place for a one-day trip if you can plan your travel meticulously.
How to reach
Josegiri is 19km away from Cheurpuzha. You can reach Josegiri by taking the Cherupuzha-Kozhichal-Rajagiri route or the Alakode-Udayagiri route from Taliparamba. Thirunettikallu is 2km away from Josegiri. It is better to travel on two-wheelers or in off-road vehicles from Josegiri to Thirunettikallu but you will have to trek for a while to reach the hilltop.