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Mullayangiri, KR hills and Bababudangiri-The Chikmagaluru paradise

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The Chikmagalur region of Karnataka is a treasure- I found this place to be the king of natural beauty, and it’s just 6 hours away from Bengaluru and closer to Mysuru. The main talk is about green stretches and exciting trekking trails. You can trek for three days or so and cover the whole region if the forest department permits. The post-monsoon view is a treat to the eye- whether it’s KR hills, Mullayanagiri or Bababudangiri. There are tea and coffee estates and many forests which make the trek worth it though you can reach all these three places by your vehicle too-but you still need your feet to talk a bit- anything for mother nature-right!

5 Reasons why you must visit Chikmagaluru:

  • Chikmagalur lies in the foothills of the Mullayanagiri Range at a height of 3400 feetknown for its vast range of hills,forested areas ,tranquility and huge coffee plantations.
Views of Mullayanagiri Valleys
Views of Mullayanagiri Valleys
  • Kemmanagundi or KR hills has the highest peak of Karnataka, Mullayanagiri.This is around 2000 m in height and is a must trekking paradise for anyone who wants to get started as a trekker .Red soil and rains pose challenge to the trek. The view from top is just over the moon. There’s a Shiva Temple at the top as well.
  • Kemmanagundi has beautiful spots and must visit ones like Hebbe Falls, Z Point, Kalhatti Falls which are great visits just post-monsoon.
  • Baba Budangiri,the second-highest peak in the mountain range, is must visit for its picturesque hills and valley coupled with endless green meadows.
Shanthi Falls,KR hills
Shanthi Falls,KR hills
  • A protected area and Project Tiger area, the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best tourist spots in Chikmagalur. The Sanctuary is located between the districts of Chikmagalur and Shimoga and is at approx 35 km from Chikmagalur. This is must visit to view the tigers as well as the Bhadra Reservoir.

Location  : Chikmagaluru is 250 kms west of Bengaluru.Mullayanagiri is about 20 km, Bababudangiri is around 30 km and Kemmanugundi or KR hills is 60 kms from Chikmanagaluru.

K.R. Hills,Kemmangundi
K.R. Hills,Kemmangundi

Tourist Attraction on the spot:

Mullayanagiri peak, Bababudangiri, KR hills : Shanthi Falls,Hebbe Falls, KR park, Z point, Kalhatti Falls

Tourist Attraction in Vicinity:

You can visit Jog Falls , Murudeshwar ,Udupi ,Gokarna,Coorg and Sringeri within 400 km range.

The glory of romantic sunset in a shy of drizzle
The glory of romantic sunset in a shy of drizzle

Distance Charts:(Chikmagaluru)

The deadblock trekked up wrong-Mullayangiri
The deadblock trekked up wrong-Mullayangiri

How to Reach Chikmagaluru:

Road Routes:

Bengaluru-Hassan-Chikmagalur-Mullayanagiri-Bababudangiri-KR hills

Greenhouse at KR hills
Greenhouse at KR hills

IMPORTANT NOTE FROM MY EXPERIENCE:

1)The late September to Early November is the suggested corridor to view these places in utmost greenery without facing much rainy spells-you don’t want to trek here in even drizzles.

2)Continuing on my first point , Mullayanagiri and all neighboring hills have that red soil which becomes damn slippery after even a drizzle-unless you are in proper boots-you are gonna fear slip roll and then anyhow manage to be at the top.It’s gonna make you think -no treks next time but we adventurous junkies are shameless-we’ll do trek but easier ones in right seasons next time!

3)Have snacks and water with you in a small bad and keep it light when you trek to any of these regions.Have a mini umbrella with you all times-either to get away from sun or from downpour.

4)Bababudangiri has a waterfall coupled with amazing views far and wide-local buses is only way to be here but ,it’s worth it. Green pastures with lots of tea plantations with a trail going to Kudremukh down the line is what you see!

The plains from KR hills
The plains from KR hills

RAIL:Chikmagaluru has a railway station of its own but trains are pretty few.Hassan will be a better stop from where you can catch a state bus.

AIR: Hassan/Mysuru/Bengaluru are some airports close to Chikmagalur.

ROAD: A road from Bengaluru runs straight through Hassan to Chikmagalur on a smooth metaled road,But,the road to Mullayanagiri or KR hills is not smooth, quite rough with lots of patches-maybe because half the year it rains here!KSRTC offers good bus services upto KR hills.

Map:

Bengaluru-Hassan-Chikmagalur-Mullayanagiri-Bababudangiri-KR hills road rourte Map
Bengaluru-Hassan-Chikmagalur-Mullayanagiri-Bababudangiri-KR hills road rourte Map

Time to Visit:

September to January is a good time visit these places.

The peak of Mullayangiri is 3 kms uphill
The peak of Mullayangiri is 3 kms uphill

Spend Time With:

Friends,Groups,Solo,Couple,Family(if used to hilly roads)

Food and Lodging:

Hotels are not there at Bababudangiri or Mullayanagiri but you’ll find some resort or government guest house in KR hills. Chikmagalur is cheap and best for hotels for these places.And have snacks and plenty of water for all these places as there are hardly any shops as such except maybe at peak and KR hills. Chikmagalur has restaurants with local food-shall not be an issue.

Expense:

A 2 day trip to these places cost(only if buses follow your time patterns):

The gateway to Z-point,KR hills
The gateway to Z-point,KR hills


Food:INR 80/person/day(3 times a day)X2
Transport: Private bus will cost some 150 bucks to Mullyanagiri trek base point and Bababudangiri to and fro. For KR hills ,there’s state as well as private buses costing about 120 INR to and fro(In case you book a car to Mullayanagiri to and fro,that can cost you around INR 2500)
Lodging:INR 700/day X1(one night stay at Chikmagalur)
Entry Fees :Zero

The stairs to foothills of Mullayanagiri
The stairs to foothills of Mullayanagiri

Total: 1450 INR(INR 3900 if you book a car for Mullayangiri)

Nearby Attractions(Chikmagalur)

Bababudangiri
Bababudangiri
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The side view of the viewpoint
In Tourist destinations around Bangalore

BISLE GHAT-AN OFFBEAT ANYTIME DESTINATION

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BISLE GHAT

Bible Ghat-The side view of Bisle(shot on iPhone)
Bible Ghat-The side view of Bisle(shot on iPhone)

What is so special about Bisle Ghat makes it my first post!Reasons why you must visit Bisle Ghat:

  1. Proximity to Bengaluru and Mysuru
  2. It takes 6 hours to reach two big cities in Karnataka. So you have a day say, a holiday or Saturday or Sunday. What are you waiting for? Head out in the early morning or a night before and reach back the same night to Bangalore/Mysore
  3. Trekking Proximity: Five peaks are waiting for you to trek over them. (description below)
  4. All-season destination—especially after monsoon months, feels romantic and nostalgic, too, with a pleasant climate.
  5. A forest trail -trust me, walking solo or alone is crazy here. No one is far and wide, but sunlight keeps peeping in, and a road leads to Kukke Subramanya Temple, so enjoy fun trails and views. Along with it!…

Location: Bisle Ghat comes on the way between Sakaleshpura and Kukke Subrahmanya. (30 km span)

Tourist Attraction on the spot:

The viewpoint-Bisle Ghat viewpoint lets you get a panorama of the five peaks amidst dense greenery, valley, and forests: Kumara Parvatha (1319 m), Pushpagiri(1712 m), and Dodda Betta (1119 m), Patta Betta (1112 m) and Enni Kallu (900 m) Giri River flows by and a waterfall are visible as well. The viewpoint is well distinguished as there are railings and a concrete shade, and concrete chairs facing the viewpoint.

The side view of the viewpoint
The side view of the viewpoint

Distance Charts:

How to Reach Bisle Ghat:

Road Routes:

The possible routes are:

From Bangalore: Bangalore -Channarayanapatana – Hassan – Sakaleshpura – Sukravarasanthe – Hethur – Vanganoor Kudurasthe – Bisle-Bisle Ghat(2-3 KM from Bisle Bus stop)

Mangalore Side: via Adyar-Bantwal-Uppinangadi-kulkunda(close to kukke subrhamanya temple)-Bisle

Rainy days and mondays
Rainy days and mondays

RED ALERT/VERY IMPORTANT:

The road to the kukke Subhramanya does not have the viewpoint. For viewpoint, you need to take a deviation to the left of the Bus stop/nearby shop at Bisle Village. The Forest trail is the Bisle-Kukke Subramanya road, where you may encounter 1-2 waterfalls and greenery. Better ask the bus driver/shopkeeper if you are specific about the viewpoint. Otherwise, you’ll wonder like me in the jungle for the viewpoint that doesn’t exist! I later discovered the viewpoint by asking the passersby. The below images of waterfalls were from the jungle trek while searching for a non-existent viewpoint.

RAIL: You can reach Sakleshpur directly with limited connectivity from Bangalore. If you go to Hassan by train, you have more options, but after that, you must use bus services. From Sakaleshpuru only bus is public transport at 8 am and 2.30 pm to Bisle Ghat. You’ll get 3-4 trains from Mangalore as well to Sakleshpura. From Mysuru, it’s better to come to Hassan by train as it is more regular in terms of connectivity.

Below is the attached screenshot:

Mangalore-Sakleshpur Train Timings(Towards Bangalore)
Bangalore-Sakleshpur Train Timings(Towards Bangalore)

AIR: Bangalore is the nearest airport, and you need to opt for a rail or road network.

ROAD: If you have your bike or car, 5-6 hrs is all you need.But what if you want to opt for public transport! In that case, go for KSRTC Bus Services.

You can reach Sakaleshpura, after which you’ll get two buses at 8 am and 2.30 pm. I suggest you leave from Bangalore at night, reach Sakaleshpura before 8 am, and catch the morning bus to Bisle Ghat. After that, catch the 2.30 pm bus from Bisle, which will be at around 4-4.30 pm, and you can hit Banglore by 11 pm. Reaching Mysuru or Mangalore is more accessible as the distance is less. This is the method I opted for, making Bangalore as a base.

Map:

Time to Visit:

Mid-Sept to Mid Feb(you’ll sweat less to negligible)

VIEW 4 FROM BISLE VIEWPOINT
VIEW 3 FROM BISLE VIEWPOINT

Spend Time With:

Family, Friends, Solo, Couple

Food and Lodging:

Sakaleshpura is the nearest spot for good food and lodging facilities. There is a small shop near the Bisle Ghat bus stop. You can have refreshments like cold drinks, tea, and biscuits. The shopkeeper will guide you on the way to View Point.

Expense:

Bus both ways by KSRTC:{240(Bangalore to sakaleshpura)+60(to the bible)}X2=Rs. 600

Food: 200 approx(INR)

VIEW 4 FROM BISLE VIEWPOINT
VIEW 4 FROM BISLE VIEWPOINT

NOTE: Auto took 350 INR(one way) to take me to kukke Subramanya from Bisle Ghat(for 30 km)-I went to Kukke Subramanya for Darshan. I reached back to bisle ghat by hitchhiking!!!

Note 2:Ksrtc Karnataka Sarige charges INR 1 per km approx. So google the distance, and that’s the cost of travel.

Total: 1150 INR(includes Temple Visit).

Nearby Attractions:

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