Thusharagiri Falls
Kozhikode district · 11.467° N, 76.033° E
A set of forest waterfalls and rock pools in the Western Ghats east of Kozhikode.
Photo: Dr.Juna / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Best time
October to March. The monsoon is dramatic but the rocks are dangerous and the water is high.
Suggested stay
Half a day
Daily budget
₹1,200–₹3,000
Crowds
Moderate · Moderate adventure
The guide
Why Thusharagiri Falls?
Thusharagiri means 'snowy mountain' in Malayalam, though the name refers to the white spray of three waterfalls rather than snow. The falls sit in the hills about 50 km east of Kozhikode, where the Chalipuzha river drops through forest and rock. A short trail leads to viewpoints and pools, and the surrounding area has plantations and tribal villages.
The site is popular with domestic day-trippers and can be crowded on weekends. The path is steep and slippery, and swimming is dangerous when the water is high. It is best visited early in the day, in the cooler months, and combined with a drive through the plantation country. Trekking further into the hills requires a guide and permission.
Why go
A green, accessible waterfall escape from Kozhikode, with short walks and forest scenery.
What makes it different
Three distinct falls and rock pools in a compact forest setting make it more varied than a single roadside cascade.
Logistics
How to get there
By air
Calicut International Airport is about 70 km away.
By rail
Kozhikode station is about 50 km away.
By road
Drive via Kodencheri; the final road is narrow and winding.
Nearest airport
Calicut International Airport (CCJ), ~70 km
Nearest railway
Kozhikode (CLT), ~50 km
A hired car is easiest; local buses reach Kodencheri but are infrequent.
Permits & access
Trekking beyond the main falls requires a guide and forest permission.
What to do
Things worth doing
- 01Walk to the main falls and viewpoints
- 02Cool off in the shallows only where locals confirm it is safe
- 03Visit a nearby spice or rubber smallholding
- 04Drive on to the Kakkayam dam area if conditions allow
Keep going
Nearby, and worth the detour
Also nearby
- Kakkayam dam
- Kodencheri plantations
These are editorial suggestions, not verified attractions. Access may be seasonal or private; ask locally before setting out.
Context
Food, custom and a few words
What to eat
Simple Kerala meals and tea shops; carry water and snacks.
Custom & context
The hills are home to tribal communities and small farmers. Do not enter private land or photograph people without consent.
Money
What it costs, and what we assume
Per person, per day
₹1,200–₹3,000
Indicative, not a quotation.
Per person per day, excluding travel to Kerala. Assumes a shared car, entry and simple food.
- · Excludes travel to Kerala and any international flights.
- · Assumes two people sharing; solo travellers usually pay more per person.
- · Peak season, festivals and luxury stays can multiply the upper figure.
Who it suits
Families, senior travellers and access
With children
Moderate. The main viewpoint is manageable, but the path to the falls is steep and slippery.
Senior travellers
Moderate; the lower viewpoint is easier than the full trail.
Accessibility
Very limited. Steps, rocks and uneven paths.
Practical
Safety and weather
Read before you go
Do not swim in the pools when the water is high. Rocks are slippery and there are no lifeguards. Leeches are common in the wet season.
Medical
Nearest hospitals are in Kodencheri and Kozhikode.
Police
Kodencheri police station serves the area.
Humid and warm, with heavy monsoon rain and cool mist in the hills.
Questions
Practical answers
Can I swim at Thusharagiri?
Only in shallow water where locals confirm it is safe. The falls and pools are dangerous when the river is high.
How difficult is the walk?
The main viewpoint is a short, steep walk. The full trail to the upper falls is more demanding.
Sources & verification
Last editorially verified: 1 October 2026. Fees, opening hours, transport and access change; confirm important details with official sources before travelling.
- Kerala Tourism — official state tourism portal · checked 2026-10-01
- Kerala Forest Department — protected areas and permits · checked 2026-10-01
- Indian Railways — station and train information · checked 2026-10-01
Editorial rating: 4.2 / 5. A pleasant half-day from Kozhikode. Go early and be careful on wet rock. No visitor reviews are published for this destination yet, so no visitor rating is shown.
Next
Keep the route going.
Hidden gemKappad Beach
The quiet beach where Vasco da Gama landed in 1498, north of Kozhikode.
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Teak country on the Chaliyar river, with one of the world's oldest teak plantations.
Chembra Peak
Wayanad's highest peak, with a heart-shaped lake and a steep, permit-controlled trek.