Chikmagalur (Chikkamagaluru) lies in the Baba Budan hills of the Western Ghats, about five hours from Bengaluru. According to legend, coffee first came to India here in the 17th century, when the Sufi saint Baba Budan brought seven beans from Yemen and planted them in the hills. Today the district is covered in coffee estates shaded by tall trees.
The things to do in Chikmagalur combine the outdoors and heritage: sunrise at Mullayanagiri, Karnataka's highest peak; the shrine at Baba Budangiri; waterfalls such as Hebbe and Jhari; treks in Kudremukh; safaris in Bhadra; and the Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebidu, recognised by UNESCO in 2023.
Two to three days is ideal. October to March is best for views and treks; the monsoon brings dramatic waterfalls but slippery trails.
For how to get there, when to go and where to stay, see our Chikmagalur travel guide.
Quick answer: best things to do in Chikmagalur
- Watch sunrise from Mullayanagiri
- Visit the shrine at Baba Budangiri
- See Kemmangundi and Z Point
- Take a jeep to Hebbe Falls
- Visit Jhari (Buttermilk) Falls
- Stay on a coffee estate
- Trek in Kudremukh National Park
- Go on a safari in Bhadra Tiger Reserve
- Watch sunset at Hirekolale Lake
- See the Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebidu
Want a day-by-day plan? Follow our Western Ghats itinerary (Coorg to Dandeli).
Going by road? See our guide to road trips from Bengaluru.
Love the outdoors? See our guide to nature travel in Karnataka.
Comparing hill stations? See our guide to hill stations in Karnataka.
Planning something active? Read our guide to weekend adventure trips from Bengaluru.
Peaks and viewpoints
Watch sunrise from Mullayanagiri
Mullayanagiri, at about 1,930 metres, is the highest peak in Karnataka. A road climbs most of the way, and steps lead to a small temple at the top. At sunrise, clouds often fill the valleys below. Weekends are crowded and vehicle entry may be regulated; go early on a weekday if you can.
- Best time
- Sunrise, October to February
- Good to know
- Crowd and vehicle limits at weekends
Visit Baba Budangiri
Baba Budangiri, a range next to Mullayanagiri, has a cave shrine revered by both Hindus, as Sri Guru Dattatreya Peetha, and Muslims, as the shrine of Baba Budan. The grasslands around it are beautiful, and Manikyadhara Falls is nearby.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
See Kemmangundi and Z Point
Kemmangundi, a small hill station developed by the Mysore kings, has gardens and a short trek to Z Point, a ridge with views across the Shola forests and valleys. Shanti Falls is on the way.
- Time needed
- Half a day
Waterfalls
Take a jeep to Hebbe Falls
Hebbe Falls, near Kemmangundi, drops about 168 metres in two stages inside a forest. Jeeps run through coffee estates and forest to near the falls, followed by a short walk. Access depends on forest department rules and may close in heavy rain.
- Best time
- September to December
- Good to know
- Access can close in heavy rain
Visit Jhari Falls
Jhari Falls, also called Buttermilk Falls for its white water, is reached by jeep through coffee estates and a short walk. It has a small pool at the base.
See Kalhatti Falls
Kalhatti Falls, near Kemmangundi, flows beside an old Veerabhadra temple and is popular with pilgrims and visitors after the monsoon.
Coffee, forests and wildlife
Stay on a coffee estate
Chikmagalur has many estate homestays and resorts where you can walk through the plantations, see how coffee is picked and processed, and drink estate-grown coffee. The Coffee Board's museum in town explains the crop's history. Harvest is from about November to February.
- Good for
- Couples, families
Trek in Kudremukh
Kudremukh National Park, about 95 km away, protects rolling shola grasslands and forest. The trek to Kudremukh peak, whose profile is said to resemble a horse's face, is one of Karnataka's best, around 20 km return. It requires a forest department permit and a guide, and numbers are limited.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Best time
- October to February
- Good to know
- Permit and guide required
Go on a safari in Bhadra
Bhadra Tiger Reserve, south of the Baba Budan hills, has tigers, elephants, gaur and many birds. Jeep safaris run from Lakkavalli and Muthodi, and boat safaris on the Bhadra reservoir are possible.
- Best time
- October to May
Watch sunset at Hirekolale Lake
Hirekolale Lake, a few kilometres from town, reflects the Mullayanagiri range and is a quiet spot for sunset.
- Best time
- Sunset
Temples nearby
See Belur and Halebidu
The Chennakeshava Temple at Belur (12th century) and the Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu are masterpieces of Hoysala architecture, covered with intricate soapstone carvings of deities, dancers, animals and epics. Along with Somanathapura, they were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023. Belur is about 25 km and Halebidu about 30 km from Chikmagalur.
- Time needed
- Half a day for both
- Good to know
- Hire a guide to read the carvings
Visit Sringeri and Horanadu
Sringeri, on the Tunga river, is home to the Sharada Peetham founded by Adi Shankaracharya and the Vidyashankara Temple with its zodiac pillars. Horanadu's Annapoorneshwari Temple, in the hills, serves free meals to all visitors.
Things to do in Chikmagalur by type of traveller
Weekenders from Bengaluru: Mullayanagiri at sunrise, Baba Budangiri, a coffee estate stay and Belur on the way back.
Trekkers: Kudremukh with a permit, Z Point and the Baba Budan grasslands.
Culture seekers: Belur, Halebidu and Sringeri for temple art and philosophy.
What to do in Chikmagalur with one day
Drive to Mullayanagiri for sunrise and then to Baba Budangiri. After lunch, take a jeep to Jhari Falls and end the day at Hirekolale Lake for sunset.
Practical tips for Chikmagalur
- Kadur and Chikmagalur have railway stations; Bengaluru and Mangaluru are the nearest major airports.
- Roads to the peaks are narrow and winding; drive carefully, especially in mist.
- Leeches are common in the monsoon; wear leech socks.
- Weekend crowds at Mullayanagiri can be heavy; start early.
Plan the rest of your Chikmagalur trip
Chikmagalur things to do: FAQs
What are the best things to do in Chikmagalur?
Watch sunrise at Mullayanagiri, visit Baba Budangiri, Kemmangundi and Z Point, see Hebbe and Jhari falls, stay on a coffee estate, trek Kudremukh, go on a Bhadra safari and visit Belur and Halebidu.
How many days are enough for Chikmagalur?
Two to three days.
What is the best time to visit Chikmagalur?
October to March for clear views and treks; the monsoon for waterfalls.
Is Chikmagalur good for a weekend trip from Bangalore?
Yes. It is about five hours by road and makes a relaxed two- or three-day break.
Things to do near Chikmagalur
- Things to do in Coorg: coffee country to the south
- Sakleshpur: estates and treks nearby
- Things to do in Udupi: down the ghats to the coast
- Things to do in Bangalore: about five hours away
More things to do in Karnataka
Published by the Kudozz Club editorial team · Last updated · How we research our guides
Want us to plan this trip for you?
Tell Kudozz Club where you want to go and what kind of trip you’re looking for. We’ll build a Chikmagalur and Karnataka itinerary around your dates and budget.
Continue Exploring
View all guides
Hill StationsHill Stations in Karnataka: Coorg, Chikmagalur and More
A guide to the hill stations and hill country of Karnataka: Coorg (Kodagu) and Madikeri, Chikmagalur with Mullayanagiri and Kemmangundi, Sakleshpur, Kudremukh and Agumbe in the Western Ghats, and Nandi Hills and BR Hills closer to Bengaluru and Mysuru, with coffee estates, treks, seasons, the monsoon and how to combine them.
Destination GuideCoorg Travel Guide: Coffee, Waterfalls, Trekking & More
Misty coffee hills, thundering waterfalls, Nagarhole wildlife and Kodava warmth — South India's most quietly magnificent escape.
Road TripsBengaluru to Coorg Road Trip: Route, Stops and Weekend Plan
A route guide to the Bengaluru to Coorg road trip: the Bengaluru–Mysuru expressway, the routes via Hunsur or Kushalnagar to Madikeri, approximate distance and driving time, stops at Srirangapatna, Bylakuppe, Dubare and the Harangi backwaters, two-wheeler rules on the expressway, the monsoon and a two- to four-day plan.
Hill StationsCoffee Plantation Tourism in India: Coorg, Chikmagalur, Araku and More
A guide to coffee plantation tourism in India: estate homestays and plantation walks in Coorg, Chikmagalur and Sakleshpur in Karnataka, Araku Valley's tribal-grown coffee in Andhra Pradesh, Wayanad in Kerala, and Yercaud and the lower Palani hills in Tamil Nadu, with the blossom and harvest seasons, what you can see and how to buy.