BR Hills

About BR Hills

Topography (BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary)
The BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is an important link between the Eastern and the Western Ghats. The river Cauvery flows South East and at Kollegal takes an abrupt turn towards the North and again returns to its initial course. This reflects the geographic significance as well as the wonderful blend of the Biligiri Rangaswamy and Male Mahadeshwar ranges, bridging the gap between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.

Wildlife Attractions (BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary)
The B R Hills Wildlife sanctuary is home to many species of wild animals. The sanctuary is teeming with varied flora and fauna. Gaurs, chitals, sambhars, bears, elephants, panthers and tigers inhabit the place in large numbers. Here is an opportunity for the nature lover to study over 200 species of birds, chief among which are the racket-tailed drongo and the crested eagle.

Location info

• **Address:**Kemmannagundi, Karnataka

• **District:**Mysore

• **Nearest City:**Bangalore

Best time to visit: The BR Hills Wildlife sanctuary is open throughout the year. Best time to sight wildlife is June to October when the animals come out for water. But the more comfortable time to visit if relaxation is what you’re looking for is winter to early summer. Make sure you take permission from the Forest Department at Chamarajnagar if you are not staying at the resort.

Climate & weather

Tempterautre (90℃ to 160℃ minimum and 20℃ to 38℃ maximum)

History of BR Hills

A wildlife sanctuary of 322.4 km2 was created around the temple on 27 June 1974, and enlarged to 539.52 km2 on 14 January 1987. The sanctuary derives its name “Biligiri” either from the white rock face that constitutes the major hill crowned with the temple of Lord Rangaswamy, or from the white mist and the silver clouds that cover these lofty hills for a greater of the year. BRT has an amazing diversity of vegetation types such as scrub, dry and moist deciduous, evergreen, sholas and high-altitude grasslands.

Things to do at BR Hills

Professional angling, amateur fishing, coracle boat rides, bird watching, river rafting, trekking, outdoor camping will keep you busy. Every April you can witness the wonderful Ratha festival at the BR Temple too.

Things to visit & highlights

For trips within the park one can either trek up on foot or opt for jeep safaris or elephant rides.

How to reach BR Hills

• **Nearest Railway Station:**Bangalore is the nearest rail junction.

• **Nearest Airport:**The nearest airport is at Bangalore

**Road Transport:**It is easily accessible by road being 100 km from Bangalore via Kanakapura / Halagur. 85 km from Mysore via Malavalli and 245 km from Ooty via Mysore. There is couple of buses leaving from Mysore everyday. Mysore is 90 kms and Bangalore is 254 kms away.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Furnished twin bed tents, with attached modern toilet facilities, lit by hurricane lamps. Furnished ethnic huts on stilts, with attached modern toilet facilities again lit by hurricane lamps. Furnished rooms at the Maharaja’s Bungalow with electricity are also available for the one’s seeking some luxury. There is a bar and multi-cuisine dining is at the open-sided Gol Ghar restaurant, a Jungle Lodges specialty as well as conference facilities.

Nearest visiting places

• 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

• Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta is a small hill, in the core zone can be accessed by a small road through the village of Hangala north of the national park. Gopalaswamy Betta (betta is hill in Kannada) located inside the forest is a popular trekking spot. Atop the hill is a temple of Lord Venugopala Swamy built seven centuries ago and a travellers’ bungalow which remains locked now and belonged to the Ruler of Mysore

• M.M.Hills Temples

Malai Mahadeshwara hills (MM hills also called Mahadeshwara betta in local language, Kannada) belongs to Chamarajnagar district in Karnataka state. It is a very popular & holy ancient temple, surrounded by 77 hills in the Eastern Ghats. The Lord Sri Mahadeshwara is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva. It is a very famous Shaiva piligrim centre. The Lord Sri Mahadeshwara’s miracles are beautifully sung by the village folk in Janapada Style

• B R Hills Sanctuary

Located 90 k m from Mysore and 230 kms from Bangalore, the Biligiri hill are exquisitely situated between the Kapila and the Cauvery rivers. Placed at a height of 5091 feet above sea level, the B.R Hill Sanctuary lengthen to about 16 kms from North to South. Completely engulfed by the deciduous trees, the wild species are found roaming freely amidst the long grasses

• Bandipur National Park

Bandipur National Park is one of India’s best known sanctuaries, and is an important Project Tiger reserve. It is located in the Chamarajanagar district of southern Karnataka in south India, and is contiguous with the Mudumalai National Park in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, the Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, and the Nagarhole National Park to the northwest

• Nugu Reservoir

Helpline & emergency contacts

• **Police Station:**100

• **Nearest Hospital:**Government Hospital on B R Hills Road 2. Picardo Hospital on B R Hills Road 3. St. Joseph’s Hospital on Ramasamudra Road

• Society/Community Phone Number

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Karnataka. 4G is reliable in Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, and along highways. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Bandipur, Nagarhole, and certain Western Ghats sections. Most hotels, resorts, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Karnataka cuisine ranges from coastal seafood to Udupi vegetarian to Coorg’s pandi curry. Dosa, idli, bisi bele bath, and filter coffee are iconic.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Best time to visit BR Hills

October to March is the best time to visit — the weather is cool and pleasant with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 25°C. April to June offers respite from the plains heat but is busier. Monsoon (July to September) brings heavy rainfall and misty landscapes — beautiful but roads may be slippery.

Timings & opening hours

Open 24 hours for visitors. Some specific viewpoints and gardens within the hill station may have restricted hours (typically 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM).

Entry fee & tickets

Entry to the hill station area is free. Specific viewpoints, gardens, or estates may charge an entry fee of ₹10-₹50 per person. Parking fees may apply at popular spots.

Duration needed

A day trip is sufficient to cover the main viewpoints. For a relaxing experience, stay overnight to enjoy sunrise and sunset. 2-3 days is ideal for exploring the surrounding forests, coffee estates (if applicable), and nearby attractions.

Safety tips

Hill roads can be winding and narrow — drive carefully. During monsoon, watch for landslides and slippery roads. Carry warm clothing as temperatures can drop significantly in the evenings. Stay on marked trails when trekking. Avoid venturing out alone after dark in remote areas.

Things to carry

Warm clothing (jacket/sweater) for evenings. Comfortable walking shoes. Raincoat/umbrella (especially during monsoon). Camera and binoculars for nature viewing. Water bottles, snacks, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Personal medications.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest railway station depends on location — typically Shimoga, Chikmagalur, or Mysore stations. Nearest airport: Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) or Mangalore International Airport (IXE). KSRTC buses connect to major cities. Local taxis are available for the final leg.

Frequently asked questions

What is the temperature like? Hill stations in Karnataka typically range from 10°C to 25°C. Evenings can be cool — carry a light jacket.

Are there trekking opportunities? Yes, most hill stations have forest trails and trekking routes of varying difficulty. Hire a local guide for the best experience.

What is the nearest major city? The nearest city depends on the specific hill station — typically 100-200 km away with good road connectivity.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Karnataka
• Category: Hill Stations

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.

Photo gallery of BR Hills

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of BR Hills on popular travel photography sites and social media.