Barkana Falls

About Barkana Falls

Barkana Waterfalls, 259 meters high, is one of the picturesque spots in Shimoga District of Karnataka. Located in Balehalli forest area, Barkana Falls is about 80 km from Thirthahalli. It is formed by the natural water of Seeta River. A small stream adjoins the waterfalls.

Barkana is located approximately 7 kilometers from Agumbe within the dense forests of the western ghats. The name Barkana comes from the words Barka which means “Mouse Deer” and Kana means “Home”. Currently Barkana falls are the prime source of one of the hydro electric projects in Karnataka.

Interesting things to do

The view from the Barkana platform which roughly 2000 feet above sea level; located at the borders of Shimoga and Udupi districts provides a beautiful view of the V shaped valley with a spectacular 2200 feet high waterfall of the Sita river at the seam.

You can either drive or trek to Barkana which includes 4 kilometers of tar road and the rest is mud road. The roads runs through dense forests and hence is shaded and pleasant throughout the year. Almost midway between falls a tiny village called Mallandoor which has approximately 50 families.
Barkana Falls

Nestling in the Southern end of Tirthahalli, Agumbe is also called as Cherapunji of South of Switzerland of Karnataka. Here in this region of heavy falls lies the Barkana Falls. The Barkana Falls are made by the river called as Sita River. Bakrana Falls also makes for one of the best trekking grounds as one covers the Kudllu Teertha to reach the Bakrana Falls. There amidst the dense forest which cover the area lie the Barkana Falls.

The forests flora changes every 100 meters - from bamboos to hurbs to shurbs. The main attraction of this forest apart from the Bakrana Falls is the plant called Guruji. It is said, it blossoms once in 7 years and it is also believed that the flower signifies coming of Drought. But with sadness comes the happiness. Along with the draught also comes a lot of natural honey. Whenever, this bounty flower blossoms, there is a large scale production of Honey which fills the entire village.

Nearest Visiting places

Kudlu Teertha Falls : Kudlu Teertha Falls are the beautiful falls, falling 126 feet deep. The water of the falls drop the top to bottom in one big leap. Its a 4 kms walk from the grounds to reach the falls. This fall has a religious aspect too from the villages point of view.

Narasimha Parvata : Narasimha Parvata is the tallest peak in the surroundings with a depth of 3780 feet. The trekking to Narasimha Parvata begins from Mallandhur Village . The route to Narashimha Parvata is not very dense but has several trees which are as high as 40 to 50 high. It takes approx. three hours to reach the Parvata or Hill. The sight from the Hills is panaromic.

Kigga : Kigga, a small village which houses to beautiful waterfalls - Mage bail and Sere mane. Kigga is about 16 kms from Sringeri. The local buses coming from Nassimha Parvata take you to the falls.

Ambuthirtha:
It is about 16 kms to the North-West of Thirthahally Town. The river Sharavathi takes its birth here and it is considered holy. A Shivalinga is installed at the spot.

Agumbe:
Nestling on a ghat head is the picturesque town of Agumbe famous for its glorious sunsets. Other spots include the Gopala Krishna temple and the observatory.
**
Belagavi:**
Famous for Old Temples.

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary:
Bhadra wildlife sanctuary is in the Shimoga and Chikkamangalur district is one of the most fascinating sanctuaries. Barking dear, Flying fox,Mongoose, Elephant, Panther, Gaur and birds like King Fisher, Weaver bird can be seen in this Sanctuary.

Gudavi:
A bird Sanctuary near Soraba.

Jog:
60 kms from Honnavar. The river Sharavathi spreads into four steams and cascades as the Raja, Rani, Rocket & Roarer.

Honnemaradu:
15 km from Jog Water Sports Centre.

Kodachadri:
Hill Station in Western Ghats.

Sinhadham:
A Lion Safari Park on Shimoga-Sagar Road.

Tips & Suggestions

Nearest Medical Help - Shimoga 80+ kms

?  The nearest Airport is Thiruvananthpuram ( 95 kms) and the railway station is Kollam and Aryankavu. The train to Kollam and Aryankavu can be catched from Thiruvananthpuram. Palaruvi is 4 kms from Aryankavu.
? There are good rest houses, both in Kollam and Aryankavu. However its better to get the Hotels booked in Kollam rather than in Aryankavu if you want to see some beautiful places around. Kollam being the gateway of Backwaters, it can also be a place for Backwater Excursion.
?   The nearest tourism place to Kollam is Periyar. From Kollam one can go to Periyar and see the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary there.
?  Palaruvi is also known for the Ayurvedic Healing Therapies Packages. Go for some of the famous therapies which are meant for rejuvenation for body and mind.

Location info

• **Address:**Distance - Approx 80 kms from Tirthahalli and 7 kms from Agumbe

• District: Shimoga district

• Nearest City: Shimoga

• **Best time to visit:**Early Winter

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Nearest Human Vegetation - Tirthahalli - Shimoga

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.

Climate & weather

Karnataka has a varied climate from the humid coast to the dry Deccan plateau and cool Western Ghats. The best time to visit is October to March, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 30°C depending on region. April–May is hot across most of the state (up to 38°C). The southwest monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rain to the coast and ghats but transforms the landscape — this is the best time for Jog Falls and Coorg’s lush greenery. Hill stations (Coorg, Chikmagalur) remain pleasant year-round. Bangalore has a moderate climate throughout.

Helpline & emergency contacts

Tourist Helpline: 1364 (toll-free, 24×7). Police: 112 (all-India emergency). Ambulance: 108. Women’s Helpline: 1091. Karnataka Police Tourist Helpline: 112.

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 Barkana Falls

Post-monsoon season (October to February) is the best time to visit when the waterfall is at its full flow. The monsoon months (June to September) see the heaviest water flow but accessibility may be limited due to slippery paths. Summer (March to May) has reduced water flow.

Timings & opening hours

6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Best viewed during daylight hours. Avoid visiting after dark as the terrain can be slippery.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry fee: ₹10-₹20 per person for Indian nationals, ₹50-₹100 for foreign nationals. Parking fee: ₹20-₹50 for vehicles. Camera fee: ₹25-₹50 for still cameras.

Duration needed

1-2 hours is sufficient to visit the waterfall, enjoy the views, and take photographs. If the area has trekking trails, plan for 3-4 hours.

Safety tips

Do not venture beyond designated viewing areas or barriers. Rocks near waterfalls are extremely slippery. Do not swim in waterfall pools — submerged rocks and strong currents pose serious risks. Rainfall can cause sudden increases in water flow. Wear non-slip footwear. Supervise children at all times.

Things to carry

Carry water bottles, snacks, raincoat/umbrella (especially post-monsoon), camera for photographs, comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, and a change of clothes if planning to get wet.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest railway station: Shimoga Town (SMET) or the closest district railway station. Nearest airport: Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore (BLR) or Mangalore International Airport (IXE) depending on location. Local buses and taxis are available from both.

History of Barkana Falls

Barkana Falls is one of the scenic waterfalls in Karnataka, formed by a river cascading down the Western Ghats. The area around the waterfall is part of the rich biodiversity hotspot of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The waterfall has been a popular tourist destination for decades, known for its natural beauty and serene surroundings.

Things to visit & highlights

The main attraction is the waterfall itself — watch the water cascade down the rocky cliff face. The viewpoint near the base offers the best perspective. During monsoon, multiple smaller streams join the main fall creating a dramatic spectacle. The surrounding forest has walking trails and viewpoints.

Frequently asked questions

Is swimming safe at the waterfall? No, swimming at the base of waterfalls is not recommended due to submerged rocks and unpredictable currents. It is safest to enjoy the view from designated areas.

What is the best time to visit? The post-monsoon season (October to February) when the waterfall is at its fullest flow is ideal.

Are there trekking trails nearby? Many waterfalls in Karnataka are surrounded by forest trails and viewpoints that offer short nature walks of 1-3 km.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Karnataka
• Category: Waterfalls

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.

Photo gallery of Barkana Falls

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