One of the most beautiful hill stations in Karnataka, Chikkamagaluru is situated in the foothills of the Mullayangiri Range and is famously known as the ‘Coffee Land of Karnataka’. With plenty of coffee plantations, Chikkamagaluru’s air is filled with a perpetual fragrance of coffee. Apart from coffee production, it is popular for its lush green forests, tranquil environment, and tall mountains. Chikkamagaluru is a quick getaway destination for the people of Karnataka and is a very popular tourist attraction.
Chikkamagaluru is mainly all about its coffee as it is the largest producer of coffee in the country. So if you love coffee and as well as nature, taking a walk through coffee plantations in the city is a thing you should definitely check off from your bucket list. Most of these coffee estates provide homestays right within the estates and also allow visitors to take guided tours through the plantations, so one can literally wake up to the smell of coffee in the air and end their day with the same.
Chikkamagaluru has some incredible trekking trails to offer, such as the Baba Budangiri trek, the Mullayangiri trek, and the Kemmanagundi trek. Mullayangiri is the best place to get a perfect view of the sun rising from behind the mountains and is the highest peak in all of Karnataka.
# Baba BudangiriBaba Budangiri is a mountain range popular for housing the shrine of Hazrat Dada Hayat Khalandar, a Sufi Saint. It is also a famous trek from Chikkamagaluru. The 5 hours trail starts from Sarpadhari and is 9 kilometers long. The rare Neel Kurinji flowers bloom here after 12 years of time.
# MullayangiriKnown for its nature's raw beauty and peaceful ambiance, Mullayanagiri is the highest peak of Karnataka. It is a part of the Baba Budangiri Ranges and is a famous trekking point from Chikkamagaluru. Mountain biking is a popular adventure activity to do here.
# Bhadra Wildlife SanctuarySpread over the districts of Shimoga and Chikkamagaluru, the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is situated 38 km west of the Chikkamagaluru town in Karnataka and covers a vast area of over 490 sq. km. The view of the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary looks like a scene right out of a movie as it is surrounded by hills of the Western Ghats on all sides.
# Kudremukh National ParkThe Kudremukh National Park is famous for trekking and bird watching and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to around 200 species of avifauna, Kudremukh Peak requires a permit from the forest ranger to trek. Kudremukh National Park is considered as one of the best places to visit in Karnataka.
# Coffee PlantationsOne of the most essential things to do in Chikkamagaluru is taking a tour of the resplendent coffee plantations. Aside from relaxing amidst the verdant green plantations and reveling in the fresh aromatic smell of coffee beans, the estates’ owners provide frequent tours where you can learn about coffee and its history.