Last updated on April 7th, 2021 at 11:42 am
Looking for places to visit in Chikmagalur? You are at the right place. Chikmagalur makes one of the best weekend destinations with your family from Bangalore.
Popularly known as the “Coffee Land of Karnataka”, Chikmagalur is a tranquil hill station in the southern part of India.
Lush green coffee plantations, mystic Western Ghats, gushing waterfalls, hiking trails – Chikmagalur has it all. Unlike other hill stations in the Southern part of India like Ooty or Kodaikanal, Chikmagalur is much less commercialized and crowded.
Read more: You might also be interested in some other gems of Karnataka. Read about how to spend 2 days in Hampi.
How to reach Chikmagalur?
Before highlighting the places to visit in Chikmagalur, let me talk about how to reach this place.
Chikmagalur is well connected to cities like Bangalore, Mangalore, and Hassan by road. Bangalore to Chikmagalur is just a 4-hour car drive via NH75 (depending on traffic) and hence it is one of the most favorite weekend destinations.
You can also avail state-run buses or luxury buses to reach Chikmagalur.
There is no railway station in Chikmagalur and the nearest one is Kadur at a 40 KM distance from the city.
Where to stay in Chikmagalur?
Proximity to Bangalore makes Chikmagalur a sought-after weekend destination. There are different options available to stay here ranging from hotels, homestays, and resorts.
Depending on your preference, you can choose your accommodation.
There are very good homestays in Chikmagalur. They promise to offer you that will offer you the local feeling.
We stayed in Coffee Grove Resort, a beautiful tiny resort with picture-perfect cottages and lots of greenery around.
If you plan to stay in a hotel or a resort, read the reviews on Booking.com and Tripadvisor before finalizing.
Places to visit in Chikmagalur
1. Mullayanagiri & Baba Budangiri Hills – key locations to visit in Chikmagalur
Mullayanagiri is the highest peak in Karnataka. It is part of the Western Ghats and very scenic with lots of greenery like a rolling carpet.
The best time to visit Mullayanagiri is during early morning. You will need to park the car at the bottom of the hills and then climb the steps to reach the top. A breathtaking view awaits you here!
Close by is the Baba Budangiri Hills. It is in the Baba Budan range of the Western Ghats.
Legend says that the 16th-century Sufi Saint Baba Budan introduced Coffee plant in India. He brought 7 Coffee Beans from Arab and planted them in the then Chandragiri Hills of Karnataka. This hill range is now named after him as Baba Budan Giri and also has his shrine.
You can hike up to the top of the hills but can also take your car up there.
Be ready to witness a breathtaking view of the lush green hilly terrain from the top.
Both the above are the most prominent places to visit in Chikmagalur.
2. Jhari Falls
Jhari Falls (also known as Buttermilk Falls) is situated at a 45 Minutes distance from Chikmagalur city center and on the way to Baba Budangiri hills.
The waterfall is surrounded by dense coffee plantations.
This falls is created by springs generated from the mountains. A pool is formed below which allows visitors to drench themselves in water.
There is no changing room available there – so, you may or may not indulge in taking a natural bath there (especially ladies).
Since the road conditions are not great and it is at a steep incline, visitors are not allowed to take their vehicles to the falls. There are jeeps available to take you to your destination.
The 15-minute jeep ride from the main road to the waterfall is a bumpy ride due to the steep & rugged terrain.
But, once you reach the waterfalls, you can figure out that it was worth it.
Spend some time here soaking in the cool breeze around.
The best time to visit Jhari Falls is between August to January.
3. Coffee Museum – a not so common place to visit in Chikmagalur
I love coffee and I love museums. Guess what! Chikmagalur has a coffee museum!
Situated a little ahead of the Zilla Panchayat Bhavan and RTO, the coffee museum is one of its kind and offers a detailed tour of the history of Coffees in India.
Coffee Museum Experience
As you enter the museum, you will be guided through the various exhibits and labs by a professional guide or a research scholar from the Coffee Board.
The entrance to the museum has huge boards depicting the detailed history of Coffee in India.
You will also get to know details about the types of Coffee Beans prevalent in India, the methods used to grow coffee beans, drying them, and finally brewing.
This is followed by a lab tour where you will get to see the equipment used to brew coffee using those methods.
Proceed to “Coffee Yatra”, the Audio-Visual section of the museum where you will be taken through the history of coffee in India through a beautiful short film. The music of the film is by Ranjit Banot and cinematography by Santosh Shivan
Right after this, comes the fun part of the museum – “Brew your coffee”. It is a huge workstation and from a distance, it looks like a gaming console. The console has four Coffee Brewing options to select from – Indian Filter Method, Espresso Method, Percolation Method, and French Press method. You can select the one you prefer and make a coffee for yourself. In a nutshell, it is a recapitulation of what you have learned about the brewing methods so far.
If you are on a weekend getaway with your family, the coffee museum is a must-visit. The museum is packed with information and after all, you are in the Coffee Land of Karnataka!
Chikmagalur Coffee Museum Official Timings: 10 AM to 7 PM. Closed on Saturday and Sunday
4. Mahatma Gandhi Park
Mahatma Gandhi Park was once a long stretch of dense forest which has now been converted into a landscaped park area.
There is a Toy Train that will take you around the periphery of the park. Tickets for boarding the Toy Train are available right at the entrance of the park.
The park area is vast with many attractions like miniature rides, amphitheater, and a musical fountain.
Located in the north of Chikmagalur, this park is worth a visit if you are traveling with young kids.
5. Grab a coffee at Siri Cafe
Siri Café is one of the most interesting cafes I have ever visited.
The café is unmissable from a distance owing to the mammoth flower decor sculpture of a lady lying on a sprawling landscaped lawn. Can you imagine such a beautiful café entrance!
Inside the café, there are different seating arrangements. It offers a wide array of coffee and food to go along with it.
Siri Café is a great place to relax after a day’s excursion and mountain-exploring.
6. Hirekolale Lake
Gorgeous surroundings encompass this lake. You can see the Mullayangiri Hills from this lake. Visit this lake during the sunset to soak in the beauty of nature.
This place is not yet commercialized and hence you won’t find any amenities here. However, there are coffee shops nearby if you are feeling thirsty.
Final Thought
Not much explored, Chikmagalur makes for the perfect weekend getaway if you want to come closer to nature. Have a nice time here and explore nature’s beauty.
Already been to Chikmagalur?
What are your favorite places to visit in Chikmagalur? Comment here to share your experience. I would love to know.
