Chikmagalur is a land of beautiful hills, lakes, dense forests, and coffee plantations. It is nestled in the Western Ghats of Karnataka and filled with many natural wonders. Chikmagalur means “The town of the younger daughter” in the Kannada language. Enjoying a fabulous Chikmagalur holiday by visiting the many tourist attractions in Chikmagalur is a good way to beat the summer heat.
Chikmagalur district is the source of three rivers Tunga, Bhadra, and the Nethravathi Rivers. Besides, the tallest mountain peaks in Karnataka – Kemmangundi, Baba Budangiri, and Mullayangiri are here. These mountain peaks are the must-visit tourist places in Chikmagalur for all adventure addicts.
Agriculture is the primary economic activity in the region spread over three seasons. Many crops like rice, ragi, groundnut, and maize are grown abundantly in the district. However, Coffee plantations overshadow all agriculture activity here. The mineral-rich soil, pleasant weather, and abundant water make coffee production a primary occupation in Chikmagalur.
Coffee is grown in 85465 hectares in Chikmagalur. More than 15000 coffee growers in the district produce over 55,000 metric tonnes of coffee a year. Traders from all over the country flock to Chikmagalur for its high-quality coffee beans.
Tourists from all over the country flock to Chikmagalur for the natural beauties found in the region. Chikmagalur has a temperate climate with temperatures ranging from 11-20 °C during winter to 25-32 °C during summer. The best time to visit Chikmagalur is from September to May because the temperature is pleasant then.
10 Chikmagalur Tourist Attractions to visit in the summer of 2021
If you love your cup of coffee, want a break from the city’s monotonous life. If you fancy a short getaway to the hills packed with magnificent monuments, fascinating wildlife, or if you are a prolific trekker. Then Chikmagalur is the place to unwind and enjoy a serene, relaxing, and adventurous holiday. Here are the top 10 places to visit in Chikmagalur worth exploring.
1. Chikmagalur Kudremukh National Park
Kudremukh National Park is a mountain range and a popular tourist destination in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. The name Kudremukh is taken from the Kannada word horse face as the picturesque view of the mountain here resembles a horse’s face.
The wet climate and the tremendous water retention capacity of the shola grasslands create perennial streams in the region. Besides, the three major rivers Tunga, Bhadra, and, Nethravathi converge at the park.
The park spread over 600 sq km consists of tropical evergreen forests, deep valleys, and unique flora and fauna. Kudremukh receives over 7000 mm of annual rainfall and bears the brunt of the severe Indian monsoon winds.
The grasslands at the hills have many strips of forests that provide a fantastic vista of lush green cover. The animals found there include Malabar civets, wild dogs, sloth bears, and spotted deer. The Kudremukh National Park is the finest tourist attraction in Chikmagalur.
- Opening Hours: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm (open all days).
- Entry Fee: ₹ 200 per person
2. Chikmagalur Baba Budangiri Peak
Bababudangiri is one of the best tourist places to visit in Chikmagalur, ideal for a fascinating mountain trek. The twin peaks of Budangiri and Mullayangiri look like a crescent moon and are therefore known as the Chandra Drona Range.
A trek up the Baba Budangiri forest offers trekkers a challenging course through darks forest of shola trees, rocky stretches, and miles of serene grasslands on the rolling hills. The long trek will test the stamina of even the fittest trekkers.
Baba Budan tomb is a shrine dedicated to a Sufi saint named Baba Budan. It is worth a visit when on the way to the mountain top. Besides, the Manikyadhara Falls is another brilliantly scenic place to check out.
The Baba Budangiri range comes to life when the Kurunji flowers blossom here once in 12 years, offering travellers a stunning view of the purple-blue landscape. The hills are one of the finest tourist places in Chikmagalur of the young and fit traveller.
- Opening Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (open all days).
- Entrance Fee: Free.
3. Chikmagalur Kallathigiri Falls
The Kallathigiri Falls is a magnificent waterfall around 50 km from the Chikmagalur town. The water from the majestic Chandra Dona Mountains falls from a height of 400 ft here.
Kallathigiri Falls boasts abundant greenery, shrubs, trees, and vines. Also, Tourists can sight wild animals like elephants, spotted deer, and monkeys.
Besides this, it is a favourite hangout for people eager to take a shower in the waters. The falls are also very close to the renowned Veerabhadreshwara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Veerabhadreshwara temple is one of the most visited pilgrim places in Chikmagalur. Pilgrims who flock to the temple in the thousands bathe at the falls before visiting the temple. The falls are one of the top sightseeing places in Chikmagalur, especially when touring with little children.
- Opening Hours: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm (open all days).
- Entrance Fee: Free, ₹ 50 for car parking.
4. Chikmagalur Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in the Bhadra tiger reserve, part of the Project Tiger initiative in the Chikmagalur district. It is a popular place for day outings and jungle treks. The pristine Bhadra River passes through the sanctuary and hence gets its name, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary.
The sanctuary’s diverse ecosystem consists of rich deciduous trees. There are over 120 varieties of trees preserved here. Popular tree varieties like teak, rosewood, and dry bamboo can be sighted inside the sanctuary.
In addition, enchanting birds and exotic animals make the sanctuary their home. Some of the commonly sighted animals are tigers, leopards, porcupines, sloth bears, and wild boar.
Apparently, this is one of the best tourist places in Chikmagalur that one must never miss out on. A trek by jeep is the ideal option to enjoy a good jungle trip to the sanctuary.
- Opening Hours: 6:30 am to 8:30 am and 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm (open all days).
- Entrance Fee: ₹ 400 per person (includes a jeep safari to the sanctuary)
5. Chikmagalur Bhadra Dam
The Bhadra Dam was built across the Bhadra River in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka in the 1960s. It is a composite earth and masonry structure towering over 59 meters and is 1708 meters long. The dam creates the Bhadra reservoir that has submerged over 27,801 acres of land.
The reservoir irrigates over 402,330 acres of land and generates over 39 MW of power yearly. Besides this, the dam offers an astounding view of the surrounding green hills. The construction of the dam has created many small islands that attract migratory birds.
Some common birds sighted are the emerald dove, Malabar parakeet, black woodpecker, and a variety of butterfly species. Water activities like kayaking, sailing, water trampoline, and boating are key attractions near the Bhadra dam. The immensely massive dam is a magnificent tourist attraction in Chikmagalur loved by all.
- Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (open all days).
- Entrance Fee: Free.
6. Chikmagalur Coffee Museum
The Chikmagalur Coffee Museum gives a unique take on coffee grown in the region. The coffee museum was built to promote Chikmagalur tourism by the Government of Karnataka. The Coffee Board of India maintains the Coffee Yatra museum. Exhibits here contain depictions of the history of coffee plantations in Chikmagalur. Besides, the process of coffee production is exhibited in short video format and in a photo gallery.
An in-house laboratory offers a rare glimpse of the entire coffee production process. These include the process of picking, grinding, and drying the coffee bean.
The museum also depicts the use of modern technology and the research and development efforts of the Coffee Board of India. The Chikmagalur coffee museum is a unique place to visit especially for all coffee lovers.
- Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (closed on Saturday & Sunday).
- Entrance Fee: ₹ 20 per person.
7. Chikmagalur Belur & Halebidu Temples
The temples of Belur and Halebidu are famous for their intricate carvings and splendid architecture. These ornate temples have spectacular sculptures on the temple walls, ceiling, and carved pillars. The artistic expression on the temple walls is adventurous and provoking.
Scenes from the Hindu epics, elephants in battle, and sensuous dancers come alive in stone. A sculpture of 42 celestial dancers is the most eye-catching at the temple. The mythological depictions are large with lavish decorations. Some of the interesting sculptures are of Lord Shiva dancing on a demon, Incarnations of Lord Vishnu as Vamana & Varaha, Kali, Ganesha, and Mahishasuramardini.
The temples are one of the must-visit tourist places in the Chikmagalur district. It is advisable to tour these monuments en-route to or from Bangalore. This exotic tourist destination in the Chikmagalur district attracts tourists throughout the year.
- Opening Hours: 7:00 am to 8:00 pm (on all days).
- Entrance Fee: Free
8. Chikmagalur Hirekolale Lake
Hirekolale Lake is one of the most scenic places to visit in Chikmagalur. The lake supplies water for drinking & irrigation purposes to the town of Chikmagalur. It is a man-made lake with awe-striking idyllic views of the mountains in the Western Ghats.
Travellers flock here to catch a glimpse of the mesmerizing landscape during sunset. The surroundings look magical at dusk when the sun’s rays give a dazzling saffron hue to the lake’s waters. The lake is one of the exquisite places to experience solitude and bliss in Chikmagalur.
- Opening Hours: 9:00 am to 6:30 pm (on all days).
- Entrance Fee: Free
9. Chikmagalur Mahatma Gandhi Park
Mahatma Gandhi Park is a beautifully crafted garden set amongst the Mullayangiri Mountains as the backdrop. This park is a favourite picnic spot for families and children. Beautifully designed pathways and manicured lawns at the park are decorated with colourful plants and water cascades. The park has contrasting flowers and ornamental plants which look distinctly sublime.
The Nehru Rose garden within the park is adorned with over 250 rose varieties. The other attractions include a telescope and a glasshouse, that preserves over 300 species of plants and trees. A toy train for little children is a star attraction.
The verdant garden is a favourite with children and one of the most beautiful places to see in Chikmagalur.
- Opening Hours: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm (on all days).
- Entrance Fee: Free.
Kindly check about the Munnar and its attractions in this blog.
10. Chikmagalur Mullayangiri Peak
Mullayangiri is the highest mountain peak in Karnataka at an altitude of 1950 meters. It is part of the Drona hill ranges of the Western Ghats of the Chikmagalur district. A 3 Km long trek to the mountain peak starts from the Sarpadhari bus stop in Chikmagalur town is highly recommended.
The views from the hilltop are picturesque, with lush green hillocks and mountains. Trekkers will love a thrilling trek when walking across Blade Ridge, a cliff on one side and a precarious slope on the other.
Adventure buffs have many things to do here as the destination serves as a hub for trekking, mountain biking, and road biking. Travellers can also visit a small temple cave dedicated to a sage named Mulappa Swamy. It is one of the favourite Chikmagalur tourist spots for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
- Opening Hours: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm (open all days).
- Entrance Fee: Free, ₹ 50 for car parking.
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Coffee plantations, towering mountains, dense jungle cover, magnificent waterfalls, and magical temples attract tourists to Chikmagalur throughout the year.
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It’s time to head to Chikmagalur and enjoy the top tourist attractions this summer.
A fabulous Chikmagalur holiday is incomplete without scaling the Mullayangiri & Baba Budangiri mountain peaks. Besides, a jeep tour to the Kudremukh National Park and Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is a nature lovers’ delight.
Also, a visit to the majestic Bhadra dam and the picturesque Hirekolale Lake is a never-to-be-missed place. Savouring the delectable Chikmagalur coffee blends is a must-try-out at the city’s many cafés and restaurants. Winding up a tour of Chikmagalur by visiting the strikingly dazzling Belur & Halebidu temples is highly recommended.
Chikmagalur is a destination that has allured tourists from all over the world for its natural beauty. Chikmagalur tourist places to enjoy are the never-ending coffee plantations, clear lakes, vast grasslands, and picture-perfect backdrops.