10 Places to Visit in Chikmagalur: No Less than the Northern Hills

Nested amongst the most beautiful Western Ghats, this hill station is one among the best places in Karnataka if you wanted to feel the tranquil retreat. The never-ending list of the best places to visit in Chikmagalur will surely lure you to plan something for your calm trip with the best of activities and things to explore.  For all nature lovers, a paradise with lush green forests, coffee plantations, and tea estates with beautiful views is unexplored in Karnataka, it is none other than Chikmagalur. Chikmagalur is the unexplored hill station in Karnataka with many natural plantations, religious and historical places to explore. The area is covered with mountains and waterfalls and the pleasant aromatic fragrances of coffee float in the air. The place can be visited if you love trekking, as it boasts numerous trekking trails.

Best Places to Visit in Chikmagalur: Surround Yourself with Natural Beauty

The crown jewel of the State Karnataka, Chikmagalur is situated around 250 km away from Bengaluru. Also known as Scotland of India, one of the famous havens for travelers in south India. Considered as one of the top places to visit in Chikmagalur. To admire the beauty of sunrise, valleys and sunsets this place is worth visiting. Many famous attractions like Mallayanagiri, the highest peak in Karnataka, Hebbe Falls, Kemmangundi and baba Budangiri and some of the famous lakes like Hirekolale Lake and Ayyanakere can also be spotted here. These are some of the places which will add starts to your evenings with their natural beauty.  The name Chikmagalur translates to “younger daughter’s town” and is said to have been given as dowry to the youngest daughter of Rukmangada, the legendary chief of Sakharayapattana. This is one of the best places to visit in India.

1. Baba Budangiri
2. Mullayanagiri
3. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Kudremukh National Park
5. Hebbe Falls
6. Coffee Museum
7. Z Point
8. Belavadi
9. Sringeri Sharada Peetham
10. Ballalarayana Durga Fort

1. Baba Budangiri: Shrine to the Sufi Saint

To the North of Chikmagalur district of Karnataka, lies the Baba Budan Range of the Western Ghats of India. This Baba Budan Range is known for its Shrine to the Sufi Saint, Hazrat Dada Hayat Khalandar. This place is often visited by travelers and is the famous pilgrim site for both Hindus and Muslims. This is one of the places to visit in Chikmagalur in 2 days. In addition to hiking and trekking, Baba Budangiri Hills are famous and explored due to the unique forest range with dense forest and vegetation. The most well-known trekking trails include- Baba Budangiri to Mullayanagri of 12 km, Budangiri to Gaalikere of 4 km, Budangiri to Manikyadhara Falls of 7 km, and from Attigudi Junction to Baba Budangiri of 6 km.

Kurinji is a unique species of flowers which bloom in these hills once every 12 years to witness which people from all over the world come down to this place.

Timings: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Weather: 18 - 26°C

Nearby attractions: Lakkavalli Dam, Kudremukh, Hanumangundi falls, Lakya Dam Lake

2. Mullayanagiri: Get Bird’s Eye View of Chikmagalur

To have a look at the serene ambience and nature's raw beauty, visit Mullayanagiri peak, just 45 minutes away from the Chikmagalur. Perched at an altitude of 1930 m above sea level, Mullayanagiri peak is located in the Baba Budan Giri Range of Western Ghats. This is among the places to visit in Chikmagalur in 1 day. For all adventure lovers this is a beautiful place to visit as it is adorned with verdant grasslands, strong and a good trek path, rugged rocks attracting all adventure lovers. The perfect trek trails can be done here, due to which Mullayanagiri is best known as a hub for all the adventure enthusiasts. Other than the trek, you can also get involved in other thrilling activities like mountain biking and road biking. Just below the peak, don't forget to explore the small caves. Also, a beautiful temple of Lord Shiva is situated on the hilltop and seeking blessings there is one of the things to do in India. And at the end to cherish the full- fledged glory of Western Ghats stand atop the peak on a clear day and have its clear insight.

Timings: 24 hours. Avoid going after dark as it is unsafe.

Weather: 18 - 26°C

Nearby attractions: Rock Garden, world of coffee, Jayanthi Coffee Roastery, STJ Junior College

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3. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary: Explore the Biodiversity

Covering a vast area of over 490 sq.kms, the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over the districts of Shimoga and Chikmagalur, 38 km west of the Chikmagalur town in Karnataka. Surrounded by hills of the Western Ghats on all sides, the view of the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary looks like a scene right out of a movie! Here, over 250 species of birds can be spotted, most of which are endemic to the Western Ghats. This is one of the best places to visit in Chikmagalur for family. Also, if you want to enjoy the boating experience, then boating safari is offered in Bhadra Reservoir.

Timings: 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Daily

Weather: 18 - 26°C

Nearby attractions: Jhari waterfalls, Hirekolale Lake, Dirt Mania Outdoor Adventures, Dada Pahad, Kallathigiri Falls

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4. Kudremukh National Park: Experience the Scenic Beauty

If you want to experience the scenic beauty then you are at the right place, Kudremukh National Park located between the mountains where you can find immense peace and satisfaction amidst the natural beauty.  Designated the status of a national park in the year 1987, the 600-kilometre square area is one of the most well-preserved national parks in the state. The Kudremukh National Park has too much to offer, it is a place that is jeweled with natural beauty, high rising peaks studded with a plethora of flora and fauna offering picturesque trekking routes with large stretches of verdant grasslands and much more which will make you fall for its beauty. The area gains its name from the native language. Kudremukha translates to horse-face, referring to the highest mountain peak in the park which resembles the face of a horse from a particular side. Leaving apart the beauty, the area is also the habitat of many endangered and endemic species of plants and animals, with mammals such as tigers, leopards and wild dogs as the primary predators of the region. You can also find here a few of the top nearby places to visit in Chikmagalur.

Timings: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Trekking hours: 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Weather: 13 - 22°C

Nearby attractions: Kudremukh Peak, Hanuman gundi Falls

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5. Hebbe Falls: Feel the Enchanted Waterfalls

One of the most stunning waterfalls that can be witnessed in Chikmagalur is the Hebbe Falls. 8-hour drive from Bangalore can get you here at beautiful Kemmangundi hill station. One of the major attractions, due to which a large number of tourists arrive here, is the water here comprises of the medicinal herbs offering healing qualities. This will remind you of one of the places to visit in Coorg, Abbey Falls. This place is quite magical and the water here is rich in medicinal herbs which are very beneficial for human health. Hebbe Falls drop in magnificent form, gloriously from a height of 551 feet over the slippery black rocks in two steps called Dodda Hebbe and Chikka Hebbe. While the Dodda Hebbe is the bigger one, the Chikka Hebbe fall is the smaller one. The tourists have to cross the hairpin turns and creeping mist to reach the famous Kemmangundi hill. Hebbe Falls is a part of Bhadra Tiger Reserve. This is one of the places to visit in Chikmagalur for couples.

Timings: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Weather: 20 - 29°C

Nearby attractions: Kemmangundi Peak, Jhari Waterfalls, Baba Budangiri, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Dada Pahad

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6. Coffee Museum: A Unique Repertoire

It is time to brew some quality time at the famous attractions at Chikmagalur. The one place working from the growing to the brewing of the beans. This is the place constructed to show the thematic display of the history of coffee and all the processes from picking, grinding and drying. With the best descriptions, this place offers one of the finest coffees to all coffee lovers.  This is the among the places to visit in Chikmagalur in 3 days. The coffee evaluation and training center is situated on the same ground as the Coffee Museum. Here, you can witness the proper presentation of the process of coffee making, one entire floor is dedicated to showcase the entire process of coffee making. Quite an interesting place for foodies and people who really love to look deep into the originality of raw things.

Timings: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Closed on Saturday-Sunday

Weather: 18 - 26°C

Nearby Attractions: Araku Tribal Museum, Padmapuram Gardens, Chaparai Waterfalls

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7. Z Point: A Vantage Spot

Z Point is a vantage point for which you need to take a trek of 3kms, offering exquisite views of mesmerizing Western Ghats. This trekking trail begins from Kemmanagundi Raj Bhavan and into the thick forest from which you will come across Shanti Waterfalls. Till Shanti falls, the trek is easy, but after that, it gets a little tough. In the later part of the trek, you are likely to be on a narrow path surrounded by deep valleys and steep hills. For the nature lovers who really want to feel the beauty of nature here, come to Z Point, one among the most picturesque places where you can see magnificent sunrises and sunsets. Keep this one tip on points, that you wear full clothes covering your legs and feet's properly as there are a lot of leeches, especially during monsoon and this is also considered as the best places to visit in Chikmagalur city.

Time Required: 2-3 hours

Weather: 20 - 29°C

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8. Belavadi: Time for National Heritage Site

One of the major attractions just 29km away from Chikmagalur is belavadi, the prime attractions in karnataka. For people, if you want to relax and spend some chill time in a scenic village, then Belavadi is the right place, surrounded by lush landscape. The place holds historical significance due to the presence of the Veer Narayana Temple, constructed by the Hoysalas and for the legend of Belavadi Mallamma who was a fearless warrior and queen who fought against Shivaji, the Maratha King thereby winning his admiration in the 17th century AD. This should be in the must-visit places list as you can get the time to unwind and relax away from the hustle of the city life.

Timings: 24 hours

Weather: 18 - 26°C

Nearby attractions: Sri Veeranarayana Temple, Hoysaleswara, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

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9. Sringeri Sharada Peetham: Marvel at the Beautiful Architecture

This is a beautiful place which showcases the past and the present through beautiful architecture. For some time in which you can unwind and breathe the fresh pure air come here in the backdrop of the exquisite Malnad Hills on the banks of river Tunga. This was established by Sri Adi Shankaracharya and named after great Rishi Rishyashringa. Sharadhamba Devi is considered as the prime deity of the temple. This is the place for many social events happening nearby, considered to be one of the Advaita centers of authority that holds control over the Yajur Veda and the Krishna Yajur Veda amongst Samartha's, who the followers of the Advaita School.

Timings: 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Weather: 18 - 26°C

Nearby attractions: Sri Annapuneshwari Temple and Sri Vidyashankara temple

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10. Ballalarayana Durga Fort: Explore Best Panoramic Vistas

In the village of Bettabalige between the towns of Kottegehara and Kalasa, a hill fort in Chikmagalur is situated known as Ballalarayana Durga. This place holds a very rich history and cultural significance offering some of the finest panoramic sites and picturesque views in the region. Although the hill fort is currently in ruins with only periphery walls, a few arches and a basement, it is a major tourist destination, a popular picnic spot in addition to being an ideal campsite.

Timings: 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, Daily

Weather: 18 - 26°C

Nearby attractions: Rani Jhari View Point, Kodige Falls, Shree Rama Kshethra, Devaramane Viewpoint

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So, if you are looking for an exciting hill station that exhibits the best form of green nature and a pleasant environment and lets you escape from the rambunctious noises of the city, then it's the best places to visit in Chikmagalur. Chikmagalur not only provides peace but also sightseeing and trekking activities. Enjoy the verdant greenery here with the panoramic views of the marvelous environment.

It is the dream world and a paradise for all the people who love to travel and explore different parts of the world. So, here it is nearly impossible to make and say that these are the only best places to visit in Chikmagalur has everything to offer. The heavenly place full of lush green forests and visitors often come back to the magnificent place to escape from the hustling life. That's the magic of Chikmagalur. To feel the epitome of this magic, explore India tour packages to get the best deals without any hustle.

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