5 Best Hill Stations in Karnataka

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Karnataka, originally known as the 'princely State of Mysore', is located in the South-Western region of India. The State is known for its beautiful unpopulated beaches, hill stations and rich culture. The natural, cultural and architectural heritage of the State is very famous. The best hill stations of the State are Coorg, Chikmagalur, Agumbe, Kemmanagundi, and Yana.

 

Coorg:

 

Coorg

 

Coorg also known as Kodagu is one of the best hill stations of Karnataka. The hill station is located in the Western Ghats at an altitude of 1580 meters. The place is also referred as the ‘Scotland of India’. The place is set amidst beautiful green valleys, imposing mountains, tea and coffee plantation, orange groves and teak wood forests. This is the largest producer of Coffee in India.

 

The hill station, being a part of Western Ghats, is rich in flora and fauna. It has three wildlife sanctuaries namely the Talacauvery, Pushpagiri and Brahmagiri Sanctuaries, and one national park, the Nagarhole National Park. Some of the animal species found in these wildlife parks include the Asiatic elephant, tigers, leopards and wild boars.

 

The main tourist attractions here are Raja's seat, Abbey Falls, Iruppu Falls, Omkareshwara Temple, Bylakuppe, Talacauvery and Dubare. Talacauvery is a must visit place in Coorg, where the famous Cauvery River originates.

 

Coorg is famous for trekking activities with peaks like Thandiyandamole, Brahmagiri and Pushpagiri. Elephant rides at Dubare Elephant camp and white water rafting in Upper Barapole River are other interesting things to do. Madikeri is the heartland of Coorg. The place gives a rejuvenating feel to those who visit there. This is a natural base for a number of activities like rafting,  kayaking, canoeing, trekking, camping and microlight flying. A forest trail from Iruppu Falls to the Brahmagiri peak is also best to explore the natural beauty to its fullest.

 

There are many restaurants here average as well as 5 star serving traditional South Indian dishes. Some of the traditionsla Coorg dishes include Pandhi, Koli and Bembla curry, Kadumbuttu, and the Votti.

 

The place has a pleasant and moderate climate which attracts tourists all round the year. The best season time to visit the hill station will be October till May which is an ideal period for sightseeing. Heavy rains here during monsoon also attract tourists.

 

 

Chikmagalur:

 

Chikmangalur

 

Chikmagalur also known as Chikkamagaluru is a hill station located in the foothills of Mullayanagiri range. The place is famous for its serene environment, lush green forests, tall mountains and coffee plantations. The town is also referred as the ‘Coffee land of Karnataka’. The Western Ghats start just from the outskirts of the city. The hill station is located at an elevation of 1090 meters above sea level. The place is blessed with natural beauty offered by the breathtaking views of the surrounding hills. There are many historic monuments and temples in the city.

 

The main tourist attractions here are Hebbe Falls, Baba Budan Giri range, Shanti waterfalls, Kallathigiri waterfalls, Hanumana Gundi Waterfalls, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, and Manikyadhara waterfalls. The important festival celebrated here is Kailash Fair. The local cuisine of this area is the rich spicy "Malanadu" cuisine.

 

The place is known for being a hotspot of adventure activities like wildlife viewing, bird watching and trekking. The main rafting spots are the small towns Kalasa and Horanadu from where the Bhadra River flows. These spots are about 90 kms from Chikmagalur town. There are day-long rafting trips and kayaking. The best time for rafting is during July and August. The hills here offer gorgeous views of the surrounding. Travellers can enjoy cycling on the winding roads and also trek up to the summit of the hills.

 

The ideal time for sightseeing is from October to April. The beauty of the waterfalls here can be enjoyed during the rainy season.

 

There are scenic resorts as well as jungle holiday homes here offering comfortable stay for its visitors.

 

Agumbe: 

 

Agumbe

 

Agumbe is a picturesque hill station in Karnataka, famous for its adjoining rainforest & verdant slopes. The hill station is located in Shimoga district at an elevation of 643 m above sea level. The place is popularly known as the ‘Cherrapunji of South India’.

 

The main tourist attractions here are Sunset Points, Kunchikal Falls, Barkana Falls, and Gopalakrishna Temple. The place is blessed with beautiful landscapes and lush greenery. The hill station is rich in medicinal plants. The longest venomous snake in the world, the King Cobra is seen in large numbers in the dense forest of the hill station.

 

This is an ideal destination for holidays or trekking. The best time to visit Agumbe is between November and January. Trekking to the Nishani Gudda and Kudlu Theertha Falls is a once in a lifetime experience.

 

 

Kemmanagundi:

 

Kemmanagundi

 

Kemmanagundi is a hill station in the Chikmangalur district of the State. The hill station is popularly known by the name KR Hills, named after the Mysore King Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV. This is a beautiful tourist destination with breathtaking views of the valleys amidst mountain streams and lush vegetation. The main tourist attractions there are Raj Bhavan, Z point, Rock garden, Hebbe Falls, Kalhattagiri Falls, Baba Budan Hill and Bhadra Tiger Reserve. The sunset view from the Raj Bhavan is a photographer's delight. The hill station is popular among tourists for trekking routes, mountain trails and other adventure activities. The two famous waterfalls located here that offer trekking opportunities are Shanti Falls and Hebbe Falls. The region is covered with coffee and tea plantations along with thick bamboo groves.

 

The hill station can be visited at any time of the year. The best time to visit there is in the months of May and June.

 

 

Yana:

Yana Rocks

 

Yana is a small hill station in Uttar Kannada district of the State. The place is popular because of the two black crystalline limestone formations named as Bhairaveshwara peak and Mohini peak. These peaks are located in the picturesque green background of the Sahyadri Mountains. This is also a well known pilgrimage spot. Tha main festival time is during Shivaratri. Here you can see the car festival celebration of Lord Bhairaveshwara.

 

The rock hillocks are surrounded by thick forests and water streams. Trekking in this part of the Western Ghats is an amazing experience. Yana village is the base for trekking. To reach these tall rock peaks you will have to trek 3 kms through a steep forest route, which is a biodiversity hotspot of Sahyadri range from the base. The Bhairaveshwara hillock has a 3 m wide passage that leads to a cave, which embodies the self-manifested Shiva Lingam; there is also an idol of goddess Parvati. From the overhead roof of the hillock, water trickles on the Shiva Lingam, looking like the Goddess Ganga emerging out of the Shiva Lingam.

 

The main activities to do here is sightseeing, bird watching, hiking and rock climbing. There are varieties of endangered species of birds and butterflies here. Another must visit place here is the Vibhooti waterfalls. You can camp and enjoy a stay in the Sahyadri forest.

 

This adventure hill station is located at a distance of 25 km from Kumta and 62 km from Karwar. The nearest rail facility is available from Kumta and airport is at Hubli. The best time to visit is from the months of November to May.

 

There are many holiday homes in Karnataka that offer its visitors comfortable stay, excellent food and great hospitality.

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