Dondole Falls

About Dondole Falls

Dondole waterfalls is a nice water falls which is around 20 kms from a place called Kakkinje which is just 3kms before charmadi from Ujire.
Part of this 20 kms can be covered in a jeep and after a rivercrossing and 50minutes of walk through the forest one reaches this waterfall which is of around 50+ft height. On the way one just after leaving the kakkinje one gets a breathtaking view of the banDaje arbi and the ballaLa rayana durga.
Though these places are very near to roadheads one must carry their food and tentage. If lucky you might even get a chance to see a Bison or two. Even otherwise sighting of some wonderful birds, butterflies is for sure.

Donhole Waterfalls, on the Dharmasthala-Ujire Road, is located near Netravathi Bridge, about 10 km from Ujire in Dakshina Kannada District. Donhole plummets from a height of 50 ft. The adjoining areas of the waterfalls are home to rare species of birds and flowers.
Alekhan Waterfalls and Bandaje Arabi Falls are among the points of interest nearby. Dondole can be reached from Dharmasthala

Dondole waterfalls is a nice water falls which is around 20 kms from Kakkinje which is just 3kms before charmadi from Ujire.
Part of this 20 kms can be covered in a jeep and after a rivercrossing and 50minutes of walk through the forest one reaches this waterfall which is of around 50+ft height. On the way one just after leaving the kakkinje one gets a breathtaking view of the banDaje arbi and the ballaLa rayana durga.
Though these places are very near to roadheads one must carry their food and tentage. If lucky you might even get a chance to see a Bison or two. Even otherwise sighting of some wonderful birds, butterflies is for sure..

History

When we visited this falls on December 2007, the area around the falls had undergone a massive change. A Dam was being constructed just before the falls for mini-hydro project by a private company. The hills have been blasted using dynamites to construct a road to the falls and to lay the pipe from the dam to the power generating station. The road and the debris of the blast have almost covered the falls rendering a sad scene to watch. The entire area is bustling with the activity of construction workers and the heavy vehicles carrying the materials.

We could not get much detail about the dam or the company building it or about the permissions obtained for destruction. It is now too late and the chances of recovery of the falls are very remote. It is safe to say that Dondole falls is history.

After destroying Western Ghats for roads, mines and huge power plants, Government has come up with a new idea to continue the destruction of the forests, the mini hydro electricity projects. Soon, other falls like Bandaje, Koosalli, Irpu and Kudlu Theertha will follow the suit.

Location info

• Address:

• District: Dakshina Kannada

• Nearest City:

• Best time to visit:

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Nearest food point : kakkinje.

Nearest visiting places

• Nethrani Island

Nethrani is a small uninhabited island, 18 km southwest off a small fishing village Murdeshwar and is shaped like a upturned boat with some vegetation along the rocky outcrop. The Island is famous for its Shiva temple and for having some of the best dive sites in world

• Kumaradhara River

The Kumaradhara River is an Indian river, in the southwestern India state of Karnataka. One of the two major rivers of Sullia, it merges with the Netravati River at Uppinangadi before flowing to the Arabian Sea

• Shambavi River

Shambavi is name of the river which flows in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka state, India. Mulki town is south of river Shambavi. The river flows westwards to join the Arabian sea. Bappanadu Durga temple is situated near the river

• Mukka Beach

Mukka is suburb of Mangalore city on the shore of Arabian sea. It is located to north of NITK,Surathkal campus on National Highway 17. There is a beach in Mukka which has escaped public attention

• Panambur Beach

Panambur is the site of New Mangalore Port. It is located in Dakshina Kannada (formerly South Canara ) district of Karnataka state, India, north of the Gurupura river.There is a Nandaneshwara temple in Panambur

• Someshwar Beach

Someshwar Beach, blessed with an endless stretch of golden sand and graciously swaying palm trees, is located 9 km south of Mangalore. The beach is well known for a large rock called ‘rudra shila’

• Surathkal Beach

Located 15 km north of Mangalore, Suratkal Beach is known for its clean surroundings and a lighthouse. An uninterrupted and extremely attractive stretch of curving shoreline is a major feature of this beach. Sadashiva Temple is a nearby attraction

• Tannirubhavi Beach

Tannirubhavi beach is a beach in Mangalore, Karnataka, India. Currently, it can only be reach by land via Panambur or by ferry via Gurupura river from Sultan Battery

• Ullal Beach

Ullal Beach is situated about 12 km away from Mangalore on the south bank of the Nethravati River, facing Arabian Sea. Mangalore is a city of vivid contrasts. Apart from this beach, there are other beaches also in Mangalore

• Dharmasthala Temples

Dharmastala kshetra is located amongst the scenic beauty of the Western Karnataka on the banks of the Nethravathi River. The temple of Lord Manjunatha at Dharmastala is the star attraction in the Karnataka.

• Kadiri Temples

The 17th century Manjunath Temple is situated at the foot of the Kadiri Hill, 3 km north of Mangalore city. The temple has some superb bronze images of Buddha, dating to the 10th - 11th centuries. The idol of Lord Manjunathaswamy of the temple is believed to be the oldest of the South Indian Temples

• Katil Temples

The Name KATEEL: The word ‘Kati’ which means ‘center’ (between the ‘Kanakagiri’, birthplace of river Nandini and the end) and ‘lla’ which means ‘area’. Thus the place is called ‘Kati + lla’ = Kateel.
Kateel or Kateelu is a temple town in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, India. It is about 29 kilometers away from Mangalore and is considered one of the holiest temple towns in Hinduism

• Subramanya Temples

Kukke Subrahmanya Kshetra lies in the luxurious abundance of the beauty of the nature nature with rivers, forests and mountains in Sullia Taluk of Dakshina Kannada (South Canara) District. Kukke Subrahmanya Temple is regarded as one of the seven Mukti stala pilgrimage sites of Karnataka. (Kollur, Udupi, Kumbasi, Kodeshwara, Sankaranarayana and Gokarna are other Mukti places)

• Mangalore Archeology

This temple is at the foot of the Katri hills, north of Mangalore. It is full of pilgrims. The temple belongs to the 10th century, but the pyramid like tower belongs to another time

• Mangalore Historicals

Situated in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, Mangalore is one of the important centers of exporting coffee and cashew nut. It is a hilly city with winding disoriented streets located some 357 km away from the city Bangalore

Helpline & emergency contacts

• Police Station:

• Nearest Hospital:Ujire 8+kms

• 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.

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.

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 Dondole 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.

Things to do at Dondole Falls

At Dondole Falls, visitors can enjoy the spectacular views of the cascading water, take photographs, have a picnic in designated areas, and explore the surrounding forest trails. During the post-monsoon season, the mist and spray from the waterfall create a refreshing atmosphere. Bird watching and nature photography are popular activities in the surrounding area.

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 Dondole Falls

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