Kollam, the ancient port city of Kerala, once the arterial junction of trade, commerce and culture, offers quite a few options for the advenure junkies and nature lovers.
If you are someone who loves to tred up the hills and cherishes the feel of wet earth under your feet, these least-explored hills in Kollam are a must go.
These hills bear the scent of the sandalwood trees and caress your senses with the aromatic rustle of lemongrass.
Hidden in them are the myriad forms of wildlife that you can explore in your treks.
Here we list you a few of those spots you'll thank us for:
Malamel: the fragrant hillocks
These hills were once under the threat of being destroyed by the quarry lobby.
Malamel comes under Arakkal Village of Edamulakkal Grama Panchayat in Pathanapuram Taluk of Kollam district.
The place is bordered by a series of hillocks. Ayiravallippara, Pullakkampara, Ambalampara, Kombukuthipara, Kudappara, Golandarappara, Nadappara, Kochunadukanippara, Nadukanippara and Shankoothupara.
When you visit the place, don't forget to visit the Arakkal Devi Temple and Sankaranarayana Temple, which are now managed by Travancore Devaswom Board.
While standing on the summit, you can see Chadayamangalam, Jadayuppara and Maruthimala - the rocky hills under the blanket of trees.
You wont forget the air here- there is an unmistakable tinge of sandalwood laced with the aroma of lemongrass.
Kudukathupara: A climb to serenity
Once on the top of this hill, perched 840 metres above sea level, you can see four districts of Kerala and a bit of Tamil Nadu as well.
When you look at Kudukathupara from various directions in other districts, this sole rock formation appears to take on different shapes and forms.
The place is so silent, that the wind will carry the sound of even the slightest quiver of your lips. Nobody has till now scaled the top of Kudukathupara, of the 840 feet, you can cover as much as 780 feet.
On the southwest direction, there is Jatayapura, on the east, there are the Palaruvi ranges and towards the southeast, you can see the Ponmudi ranges.
If there is no fog or rain, from here you can see parts of the Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts. If you have carried ample water and food, then this is an ideal picnic spot, where you can spend the entire day taking in the glorious sights.
Micamon: a village with glittering glassy soil
The sun-lit soil of Micamon ward in Pirvanthur Grama Panchayat, Kollam, glitters like nose studs.
Once reputed for the mining of mica, the village now has shining soil in every courtyard, farms and wayside.
Located in the woods, the village was known as Mica Mine in the past.
The name eventually got its local version: Micaman.
Mica bits lie scattered all over the village glow in the sunlight. The soil is so soft that it sinks, like a cushioned bed, if one sets foot on it.
If you hold a mica bit and look at the sun through it, you get the feel of a cooling glass.
Two ponds in Micamon remain as remnants of mica mining linked by an underground tunnel.
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