Huddled up amidst the lush green Western Ghats, Chikmagalur is a quaint city and one of the best hill stations to visit in Karnataka. If you are looking for a serene and pleasing retreat to step away from the chaos of the cities like Bangalore, Chennai etc pack your bags to Chikmagalur and enjoy the tranquillity and quietude it offers.
Chikmagalur has everything you wish to explore as a traveller. From forts, temples, waterfalls, lakes to breathtaking viewpoints, the endless list of amazing places to visit in Chikmagalur attracts innumerable tourists from across the world. Along with these, the resplendent hill station is also famous for tea plantations and coffee estates where you can enjoy countless cups of the best tea and coffee.
Apart from exploring within the city, you can also check out other nearby attractions in your Chikmagalur trip and visit destinations like Kemmanagundi, Mullayanigiri, Sringeri Sharadambha Temple, Dattatreya Peeta, and more. Plan a trip to this beautiful hill station and spend some time in the verdant hills, enjoying its serenity and picturesque beauty.
Want to know which places to see in Chikmagalur during your travel? Scroll down and read our blog post the ultimate list of the 15 best places to visit in Chikmagalur.
How to Reach Chickmagalur
- By Air: Mangalore Airport is the nearest airport to Chikmagalur that is located at a distance of 13km. It is connected to all major cities and one can take a cab from Mangalore Airport to reach Chikmagalur.
- By Road: Chikmagalur is well-connected to Bangalore, Mangalore, Hassan and other cities in Karnataka from where one can take state-run buses or private cabs to reach Chikmagalur via road.
- By Train: Chikmagalur does not have a direct railway station and one has to get down at Kadur Railway Station (located 40km from the city) and take a cab to reach Chikmagalur.
Best time to visit Chikmagalur
The best time to visit Chikmagalur is from September to March – the winter months when the temperatures are quite pleasant and favourable for long vacations. Nevertheless, Chikmagalur enjoys a pleasing weather all-year-round and is a great destination to visit any time of the year.
15 Best Places to Visit in Chikmagalur with Distance
1. Hebbe Falls
Hebbe Falls is a beautiful, cascading waterfalls located amidst the Kemmangaundi Hills and falls from a height of 168 metres. It is divided into two falls – Dodda Hebbe (Large falls) and Chikka Hebbe (small falls). The route to reach the falls is arduous and tedious but once you reach the base and take a dip in the refreshing, cool, crystal clear waters, you are sure to fall in love with it. Along with the picturesque beauty of the waterfalls, the surrounding greenery, pleasant weather and serenity of this site makes it one of the best places to visit in Chikmagalur.
- Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
- Distance: 8km from Chikmagalur
Suggested to Read : Things to do in Chikmagalur
2. Datta Peeta
Among the many Chikmagalur tourist places, the Baba Budangiri range is a famous and prominent attraction. It is also called as Chandra Drona Parvatha and Mullanyagiri is the highest peak here. In fact, Mullayanagiri and Baba Budangiri both are a part of Dattatreya Peeta, the mountain ranges that are a part of the Western Ghats. There are several nearby attractions to these peaks which include caves, waterfalls, lake and temples. The sheer beauty and picturesque allure of Baba Budangiri make it one of the most beautiful places to visit in Chikmagalur.
- Timings: Open all the time
- Distance from Chikmagalur to Baba Budangiri: 33km approx
Also check Couple Friendly Hotels in Chikmagalur
3. Mullayanagiri
One of the most alluring places to visit in Chikmagalur, Mullalayanagiri is the highest peak in Karnataka, at an altitude of 1930m. The peak has a small temple at its summit which is dedicated to Mullapa Swamy, a seer who had mediated in the nearby caves here. Mullayanagiri offers ample trekking, hiking and biking opportunity to adventure enthusiasts who can either indulge in the 3km trek to the summit from Saptadhari or have fun mountain biking here.
- Timings: Open whole day
- Distance from Chikmagalur: 23km
4. Bhadra Dam
Bhadra Dam is yet another awe-inspiring site that you must include in your Chikmagalur trip. The dam stands atop the Bhadra River, acting as a reservoir for storing water that is used in irrigation, hydropower generation, drinking purposes and industrial use. Bhadra River is a tributary of Tungabhadra and is fed by other tributaries like Somavahini, Odirayanahalla and Thadabehalla. You can enjoy a calm evening visiting the dam which is one of the top places to see in Chikmagalur, and also travel to nearby places like Shimoga etc if you are not pressed for time.
- Timings: From morning to evening
- Distance from Chikmagalur: 76.5km
5.Hornadu Annapoorneshwari Temple
Situated on the banks of the Bhadra River, Horanadu Annapoorneshwari temple is one of the best places to visit in Chikmagalur. The temple is surrounded by lush greenery and charming vistas the Western Ghats boasts of and offers immense serenity and calm to devotees who flock here. This Hindu temple is dedicated to Goddess Annapoorneshwari, the deity of food and prosperity. Every day the priests here adorn the idol with garlands made of fresh flowers and beautiful ornaments before they allow public viewing of the Goddess.
- Timings: 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Distance from Chikmagalur: 90km
6.Manikyadhara Falls
Chikmagalur is known for numerous waterfalls, lakes and temples that are located in its close vicinity. Manikhyadhara Falls is another stunning waterfall and one of the best places to visit in Chikmagalur. It is situated close to Baba Budangiri, surrounded by the rich foliage and greenery all around which makes it is an ideal picnic spot to spend time with family and friends. Manikyadhara Falls is perennial cascading waterfalls with amazing trekking trails that adventure seekers can try while visiting this place.
- Timings: Visiting the falls in the day time is advisable
- Distance from Chikmagalur: Around 34km
7.Chikmagalur Tea Plantation
Your Chikmagalur trip is incomplete without a visit to the resplendent tea plantations here. There are several tea plantations here and they’re undoubtedly some of the best places to visit in Chikmagalur. Tea Plantation walkthroughs are quite famous here and you indulge in a tour yourself, enjoying a walk amid these amazing plantations, interacting with locals to learn about their work and culture and soak in the colonial era aura these plantations boast of since many of them date back to the times of British Rule in India. You may also stumble upon some natural surprises such as small brooks, streams and hidden waterfalls that suddenly appear before you while you are busy taking a tour.
- Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Distance from Chikmagalur: Approx 33km
8. Kallathigiri Falls
Akin to other gorgeous waterfalls in and around this hill station, Kallathigiri Falls is another charming destination in the list of the best places to visit in Chikmagalur. Watching the magnificent waterfalls in close quarters will give you goosebumps, and the alluring surroundings are also equally awe-inspiring. The falls has many trekking trails that you can explore, visit a small nearby temple or check out the Rock Garden, another scenic and splendid site very close to this falls.
- Timings: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Distance from Chikmagalur: 53km Approx
9.Sharadamba Temple
When it comes to pilgrimage sites, Sringeri is one of the most sought-after places to visit in Chikmagalur in 2 days. It is a quaint and serene hill town located in the Chikmagalur taluk and is home to the first matha established by the great seer Shri Adi Shankara. Sringeri is also renowned for the Sharada Peetam that is dedicated to Goddess Sharadamba. Sringeri derives its name from Rishyashringa-giri and is famous for numerous temples dedicated to Sri Vidyashankara, Sri Malahanikareshvara and other deities. Sharadamaba temple is an enchanting Hindu pilgrimage site and a must-visit in your Chigmagalur trip.
- Timings: Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM-2:00 PM; 4:00 PM–8:00 PM; Sunday: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
- Distance from Chikmagalur: 80km
10.Kemmangundi
Among the various Chikmagalur tourist places, Kemmangundi is an amazing destination for a relaxing and quiet vacation. Situated at an elevation of 1400 metres, Kemmanagundi is one of the most amazing places to visit in Chikmagalur and is famous for magnificent hills, sprawling hills, gardens and valleys. Major attractions near Kemmnagundi include Rose Garden, Raj Bhavan, and the Z point. Hebbe Falls and Kallathi Falls, two of the famous Chikmagalur waterfalls, are also situated in the vicinity of Kemmangundi. The pleasant climate here attracts several trekkers who enjoy trekking up to Z Point.
- Timings: Morning to evening
- Distance from Chikmagalur: 62km
11. Coffee Museum
If you love coffee, consider yourself to be in the best place as Chikmagalur is nothing but an haven for coffee lovers. The museum has an elaborate display of the coffee-making process, and showcases right from the first step of plucking the beans to making the aromatic coffee powder that offers you the heavenly beverage you all crave for. You can enjoy the irresistible aroma of the coffee, check out the myriad of coffee pots surrounding the museum, or take a walk inside the museum and understand the arduous process of coffee making which results in pure and rich coffee powder intact with flavour and fragrance.
- Timings: 10:00 AM-1:00 PM; 2:00 PM-5:30 PM;
- Distance from Chikmagalur: 6km
12. Ayyanakere Lake
If you love lake-side picnic with tranquil surroundings, Ayyanakere Lake in Chikmagalur is your go-to spot. One of the most scenic and charming places to visit in Chikmagalur, Ayyanakere Lake is also the biggest lake here. The calm blue waters coupled with the alluring backdrop of mighty hills and the comforting greenery in the surroundings makes this place a very special one among tourists. One can spend a refreshing day here amidst nature enjoying the amazing views.
- Timings: Morning to evening
- Distance from Chikmagalur: 18km
13.Sri Veeranarayana Temple
Sri Veeranarayana Temple is located in Belavadi and is a splendid marvel of Hoysala style of architecture that boasts of trikuta or 3 shrines. All the 3 shrines are dedicated to the incarnations of Lord Vishnu, namely Veeranarayana, Gopalkrishna and Yoga Narasimha. The temple is mentioned in the Epic Mahabharata, denoted as the places where the mighty Bheema slayed Bakasura. Hundereds of devotees visit this holy temple to seek blessings from the main deity.
- Timings: 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM
- Distance from Chikmagalur: 29km
Here’s our list of the 13 amazing places to visit in Chikmagalur. If you are planning a travel here, you can book your stays with hotels in Chikmagalur. Your stays are fully secured with Hygiene Shield with Dettol Protection.
