Located in the extended western ghats, Chikmagalur is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Karnataka. It is one of the few spots in Karnataka that make for a wonderful weekend getaway with family or friends. Even though it is a small hill station, it has ample of opportunities for adventure sports, beautiful waterfalls, and nature trails. Visiting Chikmagalur is a must if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and want to have a peaceful time amidst lush greenery. With so many things to uncover in Chikmagalur, we have listed down the 9 best things for you to explore on your next trip.
Exciting Things To Do In Chikmagalur
- Cool Down At Hebbe Falls
- Have An Adventure At Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
- Stroll Tea Plantations
- Try Out Authentic South Indian Cuisine At The Town Canteen
- Admire The Hoysaleshwara Temple
- Stop By The Coffee Museum
- Trek At Kemmangundi Peak
- Camp At Sakleshpur
- Experience Solace At Hirekolale Lake
1. Cool Down At Hebbe Falls
Hebbe Falls is one of the most popular falls that people visit when traveling to Chikmagalur. It is around an hour and a half away from Chikmagalur hill station. You can avail of a bus or jeep to get here. The journey is peaceful and seeing the 551 feet high waterfall plummet is worth it once you reach the destination.
It is a spot that you must visit if you really want to spend some peaceful time in nature. Hebbe falls is located inside a coffee estate which makes traveling up to the falls a very exciting hike. Walking towards the falls is exciting and fun with a bunch of people as you can soak in all the fresh air and the sounds of nature.
Since Hebbe Falls is open for visitors on a daily basis, we recommend that you visit these falls on a weekday. During the weekends it gets very crowded and you will not be able to have the best time with so many people around.
Hebbe Falls Distance From Chikmagalur: 1 hour 45 minutes
2. Have An Adventure At Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
A jeep safari in the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is an experience of a lifetime. You need to set aside an entire day just for this activity but trust us its worth it. This sanctuary is a tiger reserve and spotting a tiger in its natural habitat is quite common here. Alongside tigers, you can also spot some other animals like gaur, sloth bear, barking deer, elephants, and more than 250 species of birds.
Make sure you carry a pair of binoculars to spot some of the most exotic birds in the sanctuary. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is about 38 km away from Chikmagalur alongside the western ghats. The jeep carries 6 visitors at a time and it is a fun activity to enjoy with friends and family. Make sure you book your jeep well in advance so you have your seat reserved.
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary Distance From Chikmagalur: 2 hours
3. Stroll Tea Plantations
Chikmagalur has ample tea plantations along the way. One thing you can do to explore the plantation and have some rejuvenating time is by taking a walk. All you have to do is, take a halt somewhere near the plantations and explore the areas surrounding them. One thing to remember while taking in the beauty of mother nature is to not enter restricted premises or damage any plantations in the area.
You can enjoy the serene and admire the beauty of nature for some time. It is quite a refreshing and rejuvenating experience that not all are lucky to experience. Besides, you can also enjoy a cup of tea at the many tea stalls that are opened by locals. There are several coffee and tea plantation estates that you can stay at to truly soak in the beauty of Chikmagalur.
4. Try Out Authentic South Indian Food At The Town Canteen
Traveling to a new place involves trying out some of the local delicacies. When you visit Chikmagalur, you must try out the food at the Town Canteen. It is one of the best spots to try some delicious Kesari bath, Bisi Bele bath, dahi (curd) vada, butter masala dosa, jamuns, and vadas. It is one of the must-visit places in Chikmagalur that serves the best dosas and filter coffee. You must definitely stop by and try some for yourself.
Timings: Every day from 6:30 am to 9:00 pm
Location: RG Road, Opposite Government Polytechnic, Chikmagalur.
5. Admire The Hoysaleswara Temple
Chikmagalur has ample temples that you can visit to take blessings. One of these temples that have become a popular tourist attraction is Hoysaleshwara. It is one of the many temples with embellished architecture and a peaceful aura. You can explore the surroundings of the temple and also get to learn about the history of the temple from the locals. Besides, you can soak in the spiritual aura and spend the day in the retreat of Lord Shiva.
You should also be mindful to wear appropriate attire for visiting the temple because it is a holy place. Be sure to take your shoes off and maintain silence throughout your visit as well.
Hoyasaleswara temple distance from Chikmagalur: 45 minutes
6. Stop By The Coffee Museum
Chikmagalur is well known for its extended coffee estates and tea plantations. For all the coffee lovers out there, you must visit the coffee museum located in the main town of Chikmagalur. The coffee museum in Chikmagalur is one of the most intriguing spots that has gained immense popularity. The first ever coffee plantations in India were planted in Chikmagalur and hence, the Coffee Board of India established the museum here.
The Coffee Museum distance from Chikmagalur: 15 minutes
7. Trek At Kemmangundi Peak
Kemmangundi Trek is one of the most fun activities that you will engage in when visiting Chikmagalur. You will get to see some waterfalls, forest areas, several species of birds, tea and coffee plantations, and more as you mark your journey towards the peak of Kemmangundi.
The pathway towards the peak is steep and has some narrow paths as well. This makes the trek a bit difficult for beginners.
A trip to Chikmagalur is incomplete without a hike or a small trek around the ghats. You can also go for a small hike in a nearby area for a smaller trip if needed. You need to carry your food, water, and other necessities along the way.
Kemmangundi Peak distance from Chikmagalur: 1.5 hours
8. Camp At Sakleshpur
Sakleshpur is located near the Hemavathi river and has ample riverside camping options for people who want to enjoy a weekend or a night stay near a beautiful serene area. A camping day trip in the area is one of the best things to do. You get to spend the night in tents under the open skyline and stare at the stars. Camping in the area is really great for groups of people as you can stay in cottages as well. But make sure you carry some ready-to-make packaged food with you so your bonfire night is lit!
Sakleshpur distance from Chikmagalur: 1.5 hours
9. Experience Solace At Hirekolale Lake
Hirekolale lake is a pretty famous spot and attracts tourists from Mangalore and Bangalore. You can come here if you wish to just sit by a lake and enjoy solitude. It’s best to arrive here in the morning and watch the sun rise over the lake. You will be tempted to click a dozen pictures when that happens so keep your phone ready. The drive to the lake will also be scenic and it should take you roughly 30 minutes to reach here from the central town of Chikmagalur.
Hirekolale distance from Chikmagalur: 23 minutes
Summing Up
As you can see, Chikmagalur has plenty of activities for kids and adults that you can engage in. It makes for the perfect family vacation spot that you can visit over the weekend for a rejuvenating experience. You can pick out a few of these above-mentioned activities that you can enjoy with your family and friends on your next vacation.
FAQs
What Are The Top Attractions To Visit In Chikmagalur?
Chikmagalur is a small hill station in Karnataka that has plenty of tourist attractions for you to visit. Some of the most popular attractions are, coffee and tea plantations, coffee museum, riverside camping sites, and more.
What Are The Best Outdoor Activities In Chikmagalur?
Chikmagalur is known for the exhilarating outdoor adventure sports that it has to offer. All the adventure enthusiasts can engage in some rejuvenating treks and hikes, and also engage in some water sports like rafting and kayaking.
Which Month Is Best To Visit Chikmagalur?
Chikmagalur is a hill station with pleasant weather all year long. But the best months to visit are between September to May as you can enjoy most of the outdoor adventures that Chikmagalur has to offer.
What Are Famous In Chikmagalur?
Chikmagalur is a famous tourist spot that has a number of coffee plantations and estates. It is known as the coffee land of Karnataka. You can visit some of these plantations and enjoy a rejuvenating cup of coffee at one of the local tea and coffee stalls.
How Do I Explore Chikmagalur?
Chikmagalur is one of the isolated spots in Karnataka known for its evergreen nature, waterfalls, hilltops, river streams, dams, flora and fauna, and more. You can explore some places like tea and coffee plantations and estates, temples, hiking and trek trails, water sports, camping sites, and more.
How Many Days Are Enough In Chikmagalur?
Apart from the plethora of coffee and tea plantations, Chikmagalur is popular for having several trekking trails, ancient temples, alluring waterfalls, and much more. And, to get a glimpse of all these wonders you would need to spend at least 2 to 3 days in Chikmagalur.
What Is The Special Food Of Chikmagalur?
Chikmagalur is known for its food from the Malnad region. But, among the various mouth-watering delicacies the most famous is pathrode or patravadi. It is made of colocasia leaves, rice, spices, coconut paste, and tamarind, among other ingredients.
Is Chikmagalur A Hill Station?
Yes, Chikmagalur is one of the popular hill stations in Karnataka that offers a pleasant climate all year long. With suitable weather for plenty of coffee and tea plantations, this city is also home to gorgeous views of several natural wonders and man-made marvels that you can’t get enough of.
