page_title: Paithalmala
section_title: Things to do
hierarchical_section_title: Paithalmala / Things to do
caption_attribution_description: English: Trekkers through paithal hills
context_page_description: Paithalmala is a hill station in the Kannur district of Kerala in India. Located near Pottenplave village, at a height of 1372 m above sea level, this is the highest geographic peak in Kannur. It is located at 40 km from Taliparamba and 65 km from Kannur. Nestled in the Kerala Karnataka border near to Kodagu forests, it lies in the Western Ghats. It has become a favourite spot for the nature enthusiasts, photographers, trekkers and leisurely visitors.
context_section_description: There is an observatory tower made by the department of tourism at the hilltop which can be reached after a 45 min walk from the Paithal valley. Trekking starts through the dense forest followed by the plain grass land on the hill top.
   View of the valley from the observatory tower is breathtaking and the observer's eyes can hover over more than half the area of Kannur district.
   Most of the visitors end their trek having time spent around the tower, but much of the excitement of the Paithalmala is located elsewhere. 
  The best part of the trek is the walk from the observatory tower to the thick forest where trail from Kappimala ends. One can move on top of the hills enjoying the mesmerizing scenery of the Coorg forest on right and Paithal valley on the left. The grassland looks stunning here and arguably is the best scene of the trek. The best time to start the trek is early morning, after the breakfast from the valley and finishing by evening. Lunch, water and snacks need to be carried.
caption: Trekkers at paithal hills
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