Charming Chikmagalur! That’s what we want to call this region. It is charming indeed. Especially in Monsoon.
Monsoon road trip from Bangalore 3 is an opportunity to explore hills of charming Chikmagalur with its beautiful valleys and numerous cascades which is nothing but spectacular in this season.
In this third part of the series, we want you to experience the bliss of lovely waterfalls and the mesmerising valleys in Chikmagalur. Nestled in the western ghats in Karnataka, the region is also called as “Coffee country” famous for the coffee grown. The hills, forests and waterfalls of charming chikmagalur is at their best when it rains. This lovely monsoon road trip will give you an opportunity to explore unknown wonder Devaramane, Spectacular valleys of Mullayyana Giri and Bababudan Giri hills. And of course numerous waterfalls!
The Plan
This is an overnight weekend trip from Bangalore and you need to stay in any of the many home stays/Resorts in and around Chikmagalur .
The Complete Circuit
Bangalore – Hassan – Belur – Mudigere – Devaramane – Charmadi – Chikmagalur (Night Stay) – Mullayana Giri – Bababudan Giri – Kemmanagundi – Kadur – Bangalore
Day 1 Plan – Delightful Devaramane and Captivating Charmadi!
The Route – Bangalore – Channarayapatna – Hassan – Belur – Mudigere – Devaramane – Charmadi – Chikmagalur (Night Stay in any home stay/resorts around Chikmagalur)
Total distance – 322 KMs
Route Map – Google Map Link
Road condition – Very good
The Itinerary
6.30 AM – Leave Bangalore. Hit Bangalore – Tumkur road. If you are near NICE road take it and exit at Tumkur road to join the highway.
8.30 AM – Stop for Breakfast at Swathi Delicacy on the highway before Yedyur. We recommend this place because the food is excellent and coffee is to die for. They have car service if you don’t want to go inside. Make sure you order for Masala Dosa. The restaurant also has clean rest rooms.
9.15 AM – Depart from Swathi and head straight to Devaramane. After crossing Hassan take Belur road and at Belur drive towards Mudigre. The road is curvy and in excellent condition. Cross Mudigere and after Phalguni, you will see a signage for Bettagere. Take the turn and drive along. You will find signage for Devaramane in Kannada. The road starts climbing and is curvy with few hairpin curves. Enjoy the beautiful vistas of the valley even as the road becomes steep. Once you reach top, the road flattens out and you will see beautiful plateau surrounded by rolling hills. That’s is if you are lucky and the place is not covered by clouds!
Road to Devaramane…..misty and mesmerising!
Isn’t this lovely? This the view you will see on the way to Devaramane!!
12.30 PM – Arrive at Devaramane. Visit the Kalabhairaveshwara temple and the lovely lake in front of it. If it is not raining, one can climb the surrounding hills. Spend 30 minutes at this place.
The pristine lake in front of the Kalabhairaveshwara temple
1 PM – Drive back to Banakal. Either you can return back by the same route or take another road which goes down in front of the temple. This road is shorter but there is a bad patch of one KM which may be tough for sedans.
1.30 PM – Lunch time. There are few good places in Banakal where you can have lunch.
2.30 PM – Drive to Charmadi ghat. On the way, stop and enjoy the beautiful Alekan falls which is on the highway. Make sure you stop to enjoy numerous cascades flowing from the mountains. Get mesmerised by the beautiful valley. Drive up to the midpoint/highest point – you will find few ice cream carts – and return back from there.
Can you see the road? It is amazing to drive on Charmadi ghat in Monsoon!
3.30 PM – Drive back from Charmadi ghat. Enjoy the drive. Stop and check out lovely cascades, valley views. Make sure you drive safe and park on the side without obstructing traffic.
5.30 PM – Reach your place of stay in Chikmagalur. Thera are many home stays/resorts in Chikmagalur. Enjoy the evening.
Day 2 – Wonderful Valleys & Pristine Peaks!
The Route – Chikmagalur (Place if your stay) – Mullayana Giri – Bababudan Giri – Manikyadhara – Kemmanagundi – Lingadahalli – Kadur – Arsikere – Chnnarayapatna – Bangalore
Total Distance – 353 KMs
Route Map – Google map Link
Road condition – Very good except for small patches in the hills.
9 AM – After Breakfast, check out your place of stay and drive to Mullayana Giri. This is a lovely drive with excellent view of the valley. The road at some points is narrow. Be careful and drive to the peak. Enjoy the panoramic view of western ghats from the tallest peak in Karnataka. We will give another lovely option if you are able to get up early. Drive to the peak at sunrise. You will not be able to see sunrise due to monsoon clouds but will be overwhelmed at the clam and pristine surroundings when there is no crowd. You can then come back and have breakfast and proceed to Bababudan Giri.
The view from Mullayanagiri. Mesmerising indeed!
10 AM – Arrive at Mullayana Giri peak. Depending upon the place of your stay it may take anywhere between 30 minutes to one hour to reach the peak. Spend 30-45 minutes at the place. climb the steps to reach the temple which is the tallest point.
10.45 AM – Depart for Bababudan Giri. You need to drive down the hill and turn at the junction – you will find proper signage – towards Bababudan Giri. This is again a beautiful drive with fantastic views of Valley.
The valley views on the way to Bababudangiri!
11.30 AM – Arrive at Bababudan Giri. Visit the cave temple where Peer baba spent his days in penance. Hindus rever the place as Datta Peeta. The cave temple is interesting experience.
12.15 PM – Depart for Kemmanagundi. Drive along the winding roads, enjoy the lovely scenery and arrive at Kemmanagundi. You can walk around and go to the view point to get a nice view of the valley. You may not be able to go to Hebbe falls which needs a trek of four KMs. Spend half hour here.
A lovely waterfall on the way to Kemmanagundi. You will find numerous waterfalls when you drive on this route in monsoon.
Lovely meadows in Kemmanagundi
12.45 PM – Depart for Bangalore via Lingadahalli. On the way, you can stop over and check out Kallathagiri falls.
1.45 PM – Lunch time. Have lunch at Vinayaka restaurant in Kadur.
2.30 PM – Drive back home from Kadur.
5 PM – On the way, you can stop over at Swathi Delicacy for quick snacks of Mangalore bajji and Coffee or Shavige Bath and Coffee or Masala Dosa and Coffee!
5.30 PM – Depart Swathi and arrive back at home by 8 PM.
Travel Tips
a) This is a road trippers dream drive. You will be driving through some of the most beautiful landscape in the country in charming Chikmagalur!
b) The road at some places on the way to Devaramane and Mullayana Giri becomes narrow. Be careful and drive safe.
c) Devaramane is still unexplored and beautiful. Two years back we were there to get mesmerised by carpets of Kurinji flowers which flower once in 12 years! Check this post on it In search of Kurinji Flowers in Devaramane and Charming Charmadi!
d) For more details of driving on mesmerising Charmadi and Kemmanagundi, you can look at this post on this blog – A Refreshing monsoon drive in Chikmagalur
e) The roads will be wet. Make sure your car has good tyres.
f) Do not enter into any stream/backwaters.
g) There are many home stays/resorts around Chikmagalur. Pick one and stay for the night. Our recommendations (where we have stayed)
If you are looking for more options this lovely website is helpful
h) Carry umbrella/rain coat.
i) Carry a good camera and a binocular.
j) All timings are indicative.
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Thanks so much, Lucifer