The Hill stations in Karnataka are generally unexplored and more pristine than better known ones in South India. Kudremukh, Kemmangundi, Agumbe, Horanadu, Nandi Hills are some of the poplar sights. Tourism hasn’t affected these places like Ooty (in Tamil Nadu) which is falling victim to commercialization.
Apart from scenic treks, bird watching, boating and picturesque waterfalls, these areas are also close to major coffee producing areas in the state, making a trip all the more interesting. Many resorts have sprung up to accommodate those who want to relax.
Karnataka with its capital at Bangalore is the country’s 8th largest state. It is a charming land of Southern India has rich history and culture. It is located at Deccan Plateau, and is surrounded by Maharashtra to the north, Arabian Sea to the west, Goa to the northwest, Kerala to the southwest, Andhra Pradesh to the east and Tamil Nadu to southeast. Karnataka’s economy benefits from gold, manganese, oilseed, coffee, silk and sandalwood production. Over 90% of India’s gold production comes from south Karnataka.
Karnataka is the largest producer of coffee, raw silk and sandalwood based products.
- Agumbe Hillstation
Agumbe, a small village located in Karnataka for all those who wish to find peace with nature in the western ghats. It is known to be the wettest region in Karnataka receiving highest rainfall. The tiny village is much known for its beautiful sunset and the trek opportunities it offer. It is also famous for its glorious sunsets and travelers on the highway from Shimoga to Udupi or Mangalore. This was the town where the classic serial “Malgudi days” was filmed. A number of trekking trails are available from Agumbe.
This place receives the highest rainfall in the state. Post monsoon is the most beautiful time to visit, never mind the leeches.
- R . Hills
B.R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, Situated at a height of 5,091 feet, B.R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique blend of resort and wildlife sanctuary, a must for wildlife lovers. Dancing trees, whistling winds and swirling streams form a backdrop to some very rare animal. The B.R Wildlife sanctuary is 3,375 ft above sea level and is spread over an area of 540 sq. kms of undulating hills and valleys covered in deciduous forests and Sholas.
- Bababudangiri Hills
Bababudangiri shrine (also known as Dattatreya Peeta or Dattatreya Peetha) is a shrine located on Bababudangiri hill in the Chikmagalur District of the state of Karnataka in India.This peak is one of the highest in Karnataka. This peak can be reached from Chikamagalur which is around 250+km’s away from Bangalore. This peak is about 20+km’s from Chikamagalur. Few buses (not frequent) will take you to the spot where the “darga” is situated. From there it is few km’s walk to the peak which has some old station of the telecom dept.
- Biligiri Hills
Biligiri Hills is a must for any person who wants to release his drudgery and stimulate his spirit by basking in the joy of natural glory. Located almost 120km from Mysore and 247kms from Bangalore, the picturesque Biligiri Hills are situated between the rivers Cauvery and Kapila. Biligiri signifies `white capped`, though the hills are hued in shimmering blue colours. Rising to a height of almost 5,091 ft above mean sea level, the hill extends from north to south for approximately sixteen kms. To the west, the lower hills are sheltered with wet deciduous forestry where elephants roam in abundance.
- Bisle Ghat Hillstation
- Coonoor Hillstation
oonoor is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris, surrounded by tea plantations, at an altitude of 1839 metres. Its climate is milder than Ooty. It is a very popular weekend get away for the people in Coimbatore. Coonoor is essentially a small tea garden town where the weather remains pleasantly cool throughout the year.Coonoor is on the toy-train line between Mettupalayam (28 km) and Ooty. A popular pastime is
birdwatching, as an extensive variety of birds can be spotted. The main attraction is the Sim’s Park, a small well maintained botanical garden that has several varieties of plants. It is about 19kms to the south of Ooty and is accessible by both train and road.
- Gangamoola Hillstation
Located in the Samse Taluk of Chikmagalur district, the Gangamoola hill is surrounded by thick forests. It is the origin of three mighty rivers, the Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravathi. The highlights of the region are a Goddess Bhagavathi shrine and a Varaha image, 1.8 metres high, within a cave, which become inaccessible during the monsoonsBeing an integral part of Samse Three mighty rivers, namely the Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravathi originate from here.
- Horanadu Hillstation
Horanadu the holy city of Chickmagalur district of Karnataka, is famous for the Annapoorneshwari Temple. Dedicated to Goddess Annapurneshwari, Goddess of Food and Grains.It is believed that one who visits the temple and takes the blessing of the Deity one shall never go hungry in their life. Annadana (free meals) is ritually provided by the temple organization 3 times a day. This is a form of Prasada (blessing) from the deity.
- Kemmannugundi Hillstation
55 kms north from Chickmagalur town on the Baba Budan range is the scenic hill station of Kemmannugundi called K.R hills, after the Wodeyar king Krishnaraja Wodeyar – IV who made it his favorite summer camp. Situated at a height of 1434 meters and surrounded by thick green forests. K.R Hills makes and ideal health resort. Beautifully laid out ornamental gardens, salubrious climate throughout the year and the panoramic view of mountains and valleys are just a few of the attractions. Kemmengundi Rajbhavan is also seen in the photo. Horticultural Department is maintaining the beautiful gardens here in the top of the hill station.
This beautiful hill station of Karnataka in well situated in the grassy lands of the Western Ghats, just after the malenaadu region.
- Kudremukh Hillstation
The unspoilt Kundadri hill station in Karnataka situated in Teerthahalli taluk of Shimoga, still remains one of the favorite spots for tourists keen in mountain trekking. The mountains are unexplored and one can feel the excitement in discovering new pathways to the peak. Kundadri hill station is a huge monolithic rock formation about 3200 feet above sea level. It is covered with dense evergreen forests.
- Munnar Hillstation
Munnar, also known as the Kashmir of South India is a peaceful hill station with its impeccable beauty has become the most sought after destination for a holiday. Munnar was the erstwhile ‘Summer Capital’ of the British Government in South India. It is the luxuriant gift of nature to the Western Ghats, the eastern border of Kerala and an adjoining parts of Tamilnadu. The very name ‘Munnar’ means three rivers and there are actually three of them, confluence of three mountain streams-Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala 5000ft above sea level. Munnar consists of vast sloping areas of tea, most of which mostly are owned by Tata Tea. Coffee and cardamom
- Nandi hills
Nandi Hills is a hot favourite among Bangaloreans who find this an ideal get-away for weekends. The 1478-m high Nandi Hills is the originating point of many rivers.
And the forests surrounding the hills, abound with wild animals. Around the Nandi Hills are several smaller hills, which can be visited on foot.
- Ooty Hillstation
Ooty also known as Udhagamandalam is the “Queen of hill stations” and the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means “Blue Mountains”. It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level.
- Savanadurga Hill station
A left turn some 7 kms before Magadi in Magadi road reduced our travel distance by some 8 kms and itz around 65 kms from bangalore city. Nice road to drive on and lotz of quarries on the way and road having lotz of bends and turns makes your drive a splendid one. The road which we turned before magadi took us via a village (some 4 kms stretch) which resembles the one shown in Tamil movies by Bharathiraja (in Tamil). Honking for hens, Goats and Cows we drove thro’ that village and reached the main road which connects Savandurga and Hosapte (near magadi). And you will not miss the big Bangalore tourism hoarding of savandurga hill. Take left there and the road thro’ thick vegetation leads to savandurga.
- Yana Hills
- Yercaud Hillstation
Yercaud Situated 1,515 metres high in the Shevaroy Hills, in the state of Tamil Nadu, Yercaud is quiet little hill station on the Eastern ghats is the only one of its kind in northern Tamil Nadu. While the rest of this region is generally dry, Yercaud presents a welcome contrast with its cool climate where temperature never rises above 30 º C and dip below 13 º C . It is also a less expensive place than either Udhagamandalam or Kodaikkanal the peaceful hill station of Yercaud nestles among coffee plantations and thickly forested slopes and is a good place for trekking and boating.
