Best Places To Visit In Chikmagalur

If you are exploring Karnataka, a state in the southern part of India, and looking for a tranquil retreat then Chikmagalur is the best bet for you. Nestled amidst the extensive Western Ghats, this hill station is particularly famous for its lush green mountains, picturesque trekking trails, and coffee plantations. In this post, I will talk about the best places to visit in Chikmagalur that you definitely can’t afford to miss - especially if you are short on time.

Known as the ‘coffee land’ of Karnataka, the hill town of Chikmagalur is one of the best places I have visited in this beautiful state. It is also an ideal place for a perfect weekend getaway for people living in Bangalore. Located at a distance of 245 km from Bangalore, it is a beautiful and serene hill station that gives its visitors a wonderful opportunity to escape into nature.

As I mentioned earlier, Chikmagalur is popularly known for its coffee plantations and beautiful scenery. It is said that a Sufi saint ‘Baba Budan’ smuggled seven beans back to India from Yemen in 1670 and planted them in the hills of Chikmagalur, Karnataka. Since then coffee plantations have become established in the region, extending south to Coorg. Chikmagalur not only boasts sprawling coffee plantations but also has beautiful waterfalls and ancient temples, which makes it an ideal destination for all kinds of travellers.

Chikmaglur is a place that offers diverse tourist spots for spiritual experiences, adventures, nature-buffs, wildlife and history lovers.

Here is the list of the best places to visit in Chikmagalur which will inspire you to plan a trip to this charming town:

1. Mullayanagiri – A Hub for Adventure Enthusiasts

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Mullayanagiri

Your trip to Chikmagalur is not going to be complete without visiting this place. Mullayanagiri is Karnataka’s highest peak with an altitude of 1950 meters. It is known as one of the best and adventurous treks in South India. Locals of this town believed that a saint named Tapasvi Mullapa Swamy used to meditate at the top summit of this Mullayanagiri hill. This is the reason why the peak got its present identity. There’s a small temple located on the topmost summit of this peak with a small statue of Tapasvi Mullappa Swamy. Some people also believed that Mullayanagiri got its name from the old Kannada literature where the term ‘Mullai’ relates to the forests. Regardless of how this place got its name, I must say the place is worth a visit.

If you are interested in trekking and biking then this is the place for you. This is one of the most appealing destinations for trekkers and bikers.

Tips for visiting Mullayanagiri

There are certain things you should take care of while visiting this place:

• Plan your Mullayanagiri visit during the spring season to enjoy the beauty of this destination to the fullest.
• Avoid uncomfortable clothing and use sturdy shoes while trekking.
• Packed food and water are necessary for trekking as you can not find shops on the summit.
• Always pack a light warm jacket, raincoat, sunglasses, and sunscreen while visiting.
• Mullayanagiri is the highest peak in Karnataka, which means it’s difficult to access your mobile connectivity there. So plan accordingly.
• Do not forget your camera to capture the astounding panoramic view from the top.

2. Baba Budangiri – A Breathtaking View of the Lush Green Mountains

Photo ©The Blissful Aura

Baba Budangiri, Chikmagalur

Baba Budangiri is about 30 km from Chikmagalur town. The best part of visiting this place is that you can also enjoy many viewpoints, coffee plantations, and waterfalls on the way between Chikmagalur and Baba Budangiri.

Photo ©The Blissful Aura

Road to Baba Budangiri, Chikmagalur

Baba Budangiri is named after the saint Baba Budan (who introduced coffee for the first time to India) and is known as a sacred place. It is known for its shrine to the Sufi saint Hazrat Dada Hayat Khalandar and Sri Guru Dattatreya Bababudan Swami Dargah as a Hindu shrine. Not only Muslim devotees, but Hindus also visit to offer their prayers. A unique mountain flower, known as ‘Neelakurinji’, also blossoms on these hills only once every 12 years during the spring season.

Tips for visiting Baba Budangiri

• Some visitor chooses to stay near the Baba Budan dargah. This is the cheapest accommodation near this place.
• You can also find many homestays and accommodations on the way up to the dargah.
• The best way to reach Baba Budangiri is by hiring a private taxi. Public transport is not recommended and also not a convenient option to reach there.

3. Hebbe Falls – A Heavenly Delight for Nature Lovers

• Photo ©The Blissful Aura

  Hebbe Falls

Falling from the height of 551 ft. (168 meters), Hebbe Falls is the 6th highest waterfall in Karnataka. It is among the most beautiful waterfalls in Karnataka that I have visited so far. This fall looks even more beautiful as it gushes down in two parts named Dodda Hebbe( big fall) and Chikka Hebbe (small fall). Another interesting thing about this fall is that it is surrounded by coffee estates, which means the journey to the fall is enjoyable in itself - sure a bliss for nature lovers and wanderers. While visiting this fall, you can also visit the famous hill station, Kemmangundi, located at a distance of 10 km from this fall.

Tips for visiting Hebbe falls:

• Carry a backpack with a water bottle, light snack, and extra pair of clothes.
• Also if you plan to visit Hebbe falls during the monsoon, be cautious about leeches as this is the breeding season for them.
• We hired a two-way jeep from Kemmanagundi to Hebbe Falls which is considered the best way to reach there.
• Hebbe fall is 13 km away from Kemmanagundi, you can also trek to the fall and enjoy the scenic route.

4. Hirekolale Lake – A Place for Fantastic Sceneries

• Photo ©The Blissful Aura

  Hirekolale Lake, Chikmagalur

• Photo ©The Blissful Aura

  Hirekolale Lake, Chikmagalur

• Photo ©The Blissful Aura

  Hirekolale Lake

If you want to add some beautiful pictures to your travel album then you should not miss this Lake. This beautiful man-made lake is surrounded by the beauty of mountains in the Western Ghats. It was built as a source to supply water for drinking and irrigation purposes to the town of Chikmagalur. Nowadays it is a popular tourist attraction of this town.

Photo ©The Blissful Aura

Hirekolale Lake, Chikmagalur

Tips for visiting the Lake

• This lake can be visited throughout the year. I would recommend visiting this place in the evening if you want to capture the sunset and astounding views around this lake.
• If you want to avoid crowds then a morning or afternoon visit is best for you.
• There is no entry fee to visit this lake. This place doesn’t offer any boating activities. This is just a place to chill and relax.
• Pack light snacks and water as there are no shops to serve these things.
• During our visit, we not only enjoyed the mesmerizing Hirekolale lake view but we were highly impressed with the scenic route while driving to the Lake.

5. Mahatma Gandhi Park **–**An Ideal Site for a Family Picnic

• Photo ©The Blissful Aura

  Mahatma Gandhi Park, Chikmagalur

• Photo ©The Blissful Aura

  Mahatma Gandhi Park

• Photo ©The Blissful Aura

  Toy Train in Mahatma Gandhi Park, Chikmagalur

If you are visiting Chikmagalur with family then this is a wonderful place to spend some quality time. Mahatma Gandhi Park or Ratnagiri Bore, located in the northern part of Chikmagalur is a beautifully maintained garden. It is placed on the backdrop of the Mullayangiri. The main attractions of this park are a musical fountain and a toy train ride, which kids are definitely going to like.

Tips for visiting

• The park’s main attractions, the toy train, and the fountain are not always functional. If you are lucky during your visit then you are sure going to enjoy them.
• I will advise you to be there in the evening around 5 PM so that you may get co-passengers to go for a toy train ride. They expect a minimum of 10 people for a trip.
• You can get a glimpse of the Chikmagalur district central prison from the park.
• In my opinion with a small entry fee, this place is worth paying a visit.

Conclusion

Photo ©The Blissful Aura

Picture perfect location in Chikmagalur

Chikmaglur is one of the most enticing places in Karnataka - ideal to escape from the daily grind and to spend time amidst the flora and fauna. No matter which place you choose to visit here, you will see the coffee plantations and lush greenery on your route - a real treat to the eyes. Last but not least, this is a place to explore the beauty of nature and make some good memories with friends and family to cherish later.

Have you ever visited Chikmagalur? Share your experience in the comment section.

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Photo ©The Blissful Aura

Best places in Chikmagalur, Karnataka

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silvaand Noor Anand Chawla and sponsored by Bakez by Daizy