Top 10 Places to Visit in Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur — Karnataka's coffee-scented hill country — packs Western Ghats peaks, two-tier waterfalls, sacred caves and India's first coffee estates into a 60 km radius. This is the definitive list of the best places to visit in Chikmagalur, ranked by what travellers actually love, with distances from town, entry fees, best season and a deep-dive guide for every spot.
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#1 Must-visit1. Mullayanagiri Trek
The Mullayanagiri trek leads you to the highest peak in Karnataka at 1,930 metres above sea level, set deep in the Baba Budangiri range of Chikmagalur. The climb is short but rewarding — a steep stone-step trail that opens onto 360° views of the Western Ghats, often blanketed in …
26 km (45 min by road) 1.5 – 2 hours one wayBest: September to FebruaryEntry: Free (parking ₹50)Read full Mullayanagiri trek guide →
#2 Must-visit2. Baba Budangiri
Baba Budangiri is a sacred range in Chikmagalur named after the Sufi saint Hazrat Dada Hayath Mir Khalandar, who is believed to have brought the first coffee beans to India here. The dargah at the cave temple draws pilgrims from across faiths, while the surrounding peaks — includ…
30 km (1 hour) Half day (4–5 hours)Best: October to FebruaryEntry: FreeRead full Baba Budangiri trek guide →
#3 Must-visit3. Hebbe Falls Chikmagalur
Hebbe Falls in Chikmagalur is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Karnataka — a 168-foot two-tier cascade hidden inside the dense forests near Kemmanagundi. Known locally as Dodda Hebbe (big falls) and Chikka Hebbe (small falls), it plunges through coffee estates and shola …
55 km (1 h 40 min) Half day (4–5 hours)Best: August to FebruaryEntry: ₹350 jeep + ₹30 entry per personRead full Hebbe Falls Chikmagalur guide →
#4 Must-visit4. Kemmanagundi
Kemmanagundi hill station, also known as K.R. Hills, sits at 1,434 metres in the Baba Budangiri range and is one of the most underrated getaways in Karnataka. Originally the summer retreat of the Mysore Maharajas, today it offers crisp weather, panoramic Z Point sunsets, the hist…
55 km (2 hours) 1–2 days idealBest: October to MarchEntry: Free entry to most viewpointsRead full Kemmanagundi hill station guide →
#5 Must-visit5. Coffee Plantations in Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur is the birthplace of coffee in India — the legend goes that the Sufi saint Baba Budan smuggled seven Arabica beans from Yemen and planted them in these very hills. Today, Chikmagalur produces some of India's finest Arabica and Robusta, and visiting a coffee plantation…
0–25 km depending on estate Half day tourBest: November to February (harvest)Entry: Free with stay; ₹500–1,500 standalone toursRead full coffee plantation Chikmagalur guide →
#6 Must-visit6. Jhari Falls Chikmagalur
Jhari Falls — locally called Buttermilk Falls for its frothy white cascade — is one of Chikmagalur's most photogenic waterfalls, hidden inside private coffee estate land 30 km from town. Reaching it requires a mandatory 4x4 jeep ride through a coffee estate, which keeps it pleasa…
30 km (1 h 15 min) Half day (3–4 hours)Best: August to JanuaryEntry: ₹250 entry + ₹250 jeep per personRead full Jhari Falls Chikmagalur guide →
#7 Must-visit7. Kalhatti Falls
Kalhatti Falls in Chikmagalur is a 400-foot sacred waterfall that drops past the historic Veerabhadra temple, making it one of the most spiritually significant cascades in Karnataka. The falls are easily accessible by road, just 10 km from Kemmanagundi, and offer one of the best …
55 km (2 hours) 1–2 hours visitBest: September to JanuaryEntry: FreeRead full Kalhatti Falls Chikmagalur guide →
#8 Must-visit8. Hirekolale Lake
Hirekolale Lake in Chikmagalur is widely regarded as the best sunset spot in the region, set just 10 km from town with the Western Ghats as a perfect backdrop. The reservoir reflects the orange sky into mirror-like waters, making it a favourite for photographers, couples and casu…
10 km (25 min) 1–2 hours (sunset)Best: October to MarchEntry: FreeRead full Hirekolale Lake Chikmagalur guide →
#9 Must-visit9. Kudremukh National Park
Kudremukh National Park is a UNESCO biodiversity hotspot spread across 600 sq km of Western Ghats shola forest and grasslands. The name 'Kudremukh' means 'horse face' in Kannada, referring to the iconic peak that dominates the skyline. The park hosts the Kudremukh trek — a 22 km …
95 km (3 hours) Full day or overnightBest: October to FebruaryEntry: ₹600 per person + permitRead full Kudremukh National Park guide →- #10 Must-visit
10. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is a 492 sq km Project Tiger reserve in Chikmagalur district, home to tigers, leopards, elephants, gaur, sambar and over 250 bird species. The Muthodi range is the main entry point and offers organised jeep safaris through dense Western Ghats forest. Thi…
38 km (1 hour) Half day or overnightBest: October to MayEntry: ₹500 per person + safari feeRead full Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary guide →
Places to Visit in Chikmagalur — By Category
Peaks & Treks
Waterfalls
Hill Stations & Lakes
Want all of these covered in one trip?
Our 2-day and 3-day Chikmagalur tour packages cover every place on this list with private cab, estate stays and a local guide.
Places to Visit in Chikmagalur — FAQs
What are the top places to visit in Chikmagalur?+
The top 10 places to visit in Chikmagalur are Mullayanagiri (Karnataka's highest peak), Baba Budangiri, Hebbe Falls, Kemmanagundi hill station, coffee plantations, Jhari (Buttermilk) Falls, Kalhatti Falls, Hirekolale Lake, Kudremukh National Park and Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary.
How many places can I cover in 2 days in Chikmagalur?+
In a comfortable 2-day Chikmagalur itinerary you can cover 6–8 major places: Mullayanagiri, Baba Budangiri, a coffee estate and Hirekolale Lake on Day 1; Hebbe Falls, Kemmanagundi and Z Point on Day 2.
Which is the most beautiful place in Chikmagalur?+
Mullayanagiri at sunrise is widely considered the most beautiful — Karnataka's highest peak with cloud-inversion views. Hebbe Falls and Z Point at Kemmanagundi are close runners-up.
Are there offbeat places to visit in Chikmagalur?+
Yes — Jhari (Buttermilk) Falls, Seethalayanagiri cave temple, Devaramane Betta, Bandekal Gudda and Ethina Bhuja are quieter alternatives loved by repeat travellers.
Which places in Chikmagalur are good for families with kids?+
Coffee estate visits, Hirekolale Lake, Hebbe Falls jeep ride, Kemmanagundi rose garden and Yagachi water sports are family-friendly with minimal trekking required.
How far are the main Chikmagalur places from each other?+
Most major places are within 30–60 km of Chikmagalur town: Mullayanagiri (26 km), Baba Budangiri (30 km), Hebbe Falls (55 km), Kemmanagundi (55 km). A private cab is the most efficient way to cover them.
Do I need entry tickets for Chikmagalur tourist places?+
Most places are free or have a small entry fee (₹20–₹50). Hebbe Falls and Jhari Falls require a mandatory paid jeep ride (₹250–350 per person). Bhadra and Kudremukh have ticketed safaris.