May it be a weekend getaway or a summer vacation; hill stations are the first choices of most of the people in tropical region. When it comes to Karnataka, there are more than 10 small and large hill stations.
We are focusing here on the top six hill stations in the state that attracts a lot of local and international tourists every year.
Chikmagalur
Nearest city: Mangalore (150 km) and Mysore (189 km)
Peak tourist season: Middle of March to end of May
Minimum temperature: 17 degree C in winter
Trip duration: 1 or 2 days
Chikmagalur is located at an altitude of 3400 ft from sea level. It is the highest hill station in the state. The most important activities in this hill station are:
- Boating in Yagachi river, Ayyanakere lake and Hirekolale lake
- Strolling in coffee estates on a foggy morning
- Trekking in Mullayanagiri peak and exploring caves
- Trekking in Baba Budangiri and sightseeing
- Sightseeing at temples like Kodanda Rama temple, Halebidu, Sri Veera Narayana Temple and others.
- Picnic at Manikya dhara falls
- Trekking sightseeing and photography at Kemmangundi, a small hill near Chikmagalur
Coorg
Nearest city: Mysore (120 km)
Peak tourist season: Middle of February to end of May
Minimum temperature: 13 degree C in winter
Trip duration: 1 or 2 days
Coorg is the most famous hill station in the state of Karnataka. It has historic importance in many ethics too. It was ruled by various rulers and you can find their monuments even today. Coorg is the largest coffee producer of the country and a stroll through coffee plantation is a must-do activity. Other top attractions in the hill station are
- Sightseeing at Raja’s seat, Iruppu falls, Abbey falls, Omkareshwara temple and others
- Safari at Talacauvery sanctuary or Pushpagiri sanctuary or Brahmagiri sanctuary
- Spending a day bathing, playing and feeding elephants at Dubare elephant camp
- Rafting and other activities in upper Barapole River
- Picnic in Cauvery Nisargadhama
- Trekking at Tadiyandamol Peak
- Trekking for experienced trekkers in Mallali falls and sightseeing
- Nagarhole National park safari and trekking in Nagarhole
Kemmanagundi
Nearest city: Mangalore (200 km)
Peak tourist season: Middle of March to end of May
Minimum temperature: 10 degree C in winter
Trip duration: 1 or 2 days
It is a beautiful hill station that is filled with red soil. It used to be the summer retreat spot for kings of Mysore. The waterfalls in this hill station is said to bring water that flows through many medicinal plants. The water in these falls is considered to cure a lot of chronic diseases. Top attractions in this hill station are
- Sightseeing at Raj Bhavan, Rock garden and Z point
- Bathing at Hebbe falls and picnic at Kalhattagiri falls
- Safari at Bhadra tiger reserve.
- Trekking at Shanti falls and Hebbe falls
- Trekking at Baba Budangiri
- Sightseeing at Amruthapura and Badra dam
- Boating in Ayyanakere Lake
Biligiri Ranga hills
Nearest city: Mysore (85 km)
Peak tourist season: October to May
Minimum temperature: 20 degree C in winter
Trip duration: 1 day
This hill station is a wildlife rich place that connects the Eastern ghats with the Western ghats and the must visit during trip to India. Top attraction includes a safari in Kattari Betta wildlife sanctuary which has 250 species of exotic birds including racquet tailed Drongo, flycatcher, crested hawk eagles and others. You can find a lot of animals too here including bison, elephants and others. Another important activity is trekking in Vodda Sampige. Other attractions in this hill station are
- Boating, fishing, angling and rafting in Cauvery river and Kapila river.
- Watching tribal fire dance
- Coracle boat riding
- Elephant safari or jeep safari
Male Mahadeshwara Betta hills
Nearest city: Mysore (89 km)
Peak tourist season: October to March
Minimum temperature: 23 degree C in winter
Trip duration: 1 day
This hill station is famous for thick forest and an ancient temple of Sri Male Mahadeshwara. It is a pilgrim spot of South India. Other than the temple, top attractions in the hill station includes
- Bathing in the water stream near temple
- A few other temples like Indi Basaveshwara, Adi Madappa and others
- Picnic at Hogenakkal falls
- Trekking through forest – only for experienced trekkers
Agumbe
Nearest city: Udupi (54 km)
Peak tourist season: September to January
Minimum temperature: 25 degree C in winter
Trip duration: half a day
This hill station is famous for two things. It has a very large rainforest research centre where you can find a lot of wildlife. The second attraction is trekking. There are a lot of waterfalls and hills where trekking is allowed. This hill receives the highest amount of rainfall in the south India and thus, it is better to avoid monsoon season.
