The Mahe River originates in the slopes of the Western Ghats part of the Wayanad district.

Initially, the river flows through the hilly eastern towns of the Kozhikode district like Vilangad, Vanimal, Jathiyeri and Nadapuram.

Then, the river enters into the Malabar plains where it flows through several towns, including Parakkadavu, Kadavathur, Peringathur, Eramala, Kunnukara, Kariyad and Peringandoor.

[2] The river then flows through the northern boundary of the Union Territory of Mahe and empties into the Arabian Sea.

The river has been used for inland navigation and transportation of articles from interior villages to Mahe and back in the past.