Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary

Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary protects one of the most pristine stretches of Western Ghats shola-grassland habitat in Karnataka. Located near Somwarpet in Coorg district, the sanctuary spans from 160m to 1,712m altitude, creating a dramatic altitudinal gradient of habitats — from moist deciduous forest at the base to stunted shola and grassland at the peaks. The Kumara Parvatha trek, one of Karnataka's most popular and challenging treks, passes through this sanctuary. The forests harbor rare species including lion-tailed macaques, Malabar giant squirrels, and the elusive Nilgiri marten. King cobras are found in the lower elevations. The sanctuary is primarily a trekking and nature-walking experience rather than a traditional safari destination — visitors explore on foot along forest trails.