The Valapattanam River originates from the
Brahmagiri hills of
Western Ghats in
Karnataka. Initially the river flows towards the eastern direction through some villages in the hilly
Malenadu region of
Karnataka, like Matyani, Birunani, Poradu, Badagarakeri and Kikkod. Later it takes a sharp bend toward the west and flows through a narrow deep valley descending towards the hilly regions of
Kannur district. The river then enters the
Malabar plains where it flows through the towns of
Sreekandapuram, Chengalayi, Mungam, Koyyam (where the
Bavali river joins),
Kandakkai,
Mullakkodi Nanichery,
Parassinikadavu,
Kolachery, Kambil,
Narath, Velapuram,
Pappinissery,
Azhikode and empties into the
Arabian Sea at
Azhikkal where the
Kuppam river joins the Valapattanam. ==Tributaries==