Exploding with giggly green hues and dramatic waterfalls, these four getaways are Miss Monsoon's gift to weary city souls.
Waterfalls undergo a magical transformation during monsoons. (Unsplash/Anmol Ramanujam)
Monsoons in the city — a headache. Monsoons in nature — pure heaven. Yes, that’s the stark difference location can make when it comes to rains.
With the monsoons in full swing, one can’t help but twitch every weekend to get out of the city and witness the rains in all its glory in the midst of nature.
Waterfalls become must-visit spots during the monsoons. (Unsplash/Venkat Sudheer Reddy)
Sure, watching the showers through the windows or from the balcony of one’s apartment can be somewhat cathartic and pleasant, but nothing beats enjoying Miss Monsoon while you’re cradled in nature.
IT’s that time of the year when the waterfalls come alive and rain-drenched expanse of valleys and forests giggle through the heavy showers, offering oxygen-starved city folks a breather from the grey and grim.
As you browse the Internet for your antidote to the summer exhaustion, we make the search easier for you with these five non-touristy waterfalls in Karnataka that are ideal to renew your contract with life.
Starting in the forests of the Western Ghats in Uttara Kannada, Karnataka, the Bedti river takes a massive 200-metre plunge forming the magnificent Magod Falls.
Mist, winds and greenery welcome visitors at Magod Falls. (Flickr/Vinod)
“More than the waterfall, which of course is spectacular, it’s the small trek to the falls that is mind-blowing. I went there last year just when the monsoons ended and the entire area around the falls was covered by mist. If you take a hike by a ridge in the forest area, you will come across multiple vantage points for the waterfalls and that is something in itself. You can actually hear the falls way before you even reach it. Watch out for the roar of the gushing waters. Surrounded by the mist, the wind, and the greenery, you will find yourself in a new world,” Vidisha Jain, a homemaker from Bengaluru recalls her trip to South First.
Magod Falls and the area around it is ideal for weekend outings or picnics with your family. On the way to the falls, don’t miss the large Kavadikeri Lake to take a quick break, for the views are a feast for the eyes.
Best time to visit: July to October
How to reach by road: Magod Falls is approximately 450 km from Bengaluru and it’s an almost 8-hour drive.
How to reach by rail: Kumta and Hubballi are the nearest railway stations.
Often called Karnataka’s own mini Niagara Falls, the glorious Gokak Falls is formed as the Ghataprabha river plunges around 170 feet into a picturesque gorge.
Gokak Falls — Karnataka’s mini Niagara Falls. (Flickr)
Located in the Belagavi district of Karnataka, the Gokak Falls is a locally popular destination, however, is yet to appear on the radar of tourists from out-of-state.
Besides the murky colour of the water and the width, the Gokak Falls is quite similar to the Niagara Falls in terms of speed, shape and height — of course, in a scaled-down manner.
While you are here, and if you are a history buff, check out the time-worn relics and monuments from the Chalukya era. If temples enchant you, visit the ancient structures dedicated to Lord Mahalingeshwara, Lord Shanmukha, and Goddess Durga, set in Chalukyan architecture.
After this mini temple tour, gape at the 200-metre-long hanging bridge, which stands approximately 14 metre above the bedrock. The views guarantee a soul-stirring experience.
Best time to visit: July to September
How to reach by road: Gokak Falls is approximately 622 km away from Bengaluru and is almost a 10-hour drive.
How to reach by rail: Belagavi is the nearest railway station.
With the reputation of being the “highest waterfall in India”, the glorious Kunchikal Falls is a fierce cascade, dropping from approximately 455 metres.
Kunchikal Falls is the highest waterfall in India. (Karnataka Tourism)
Formed by the Varahi river and its tributaries, this waterfall flows down hundreds of rocks for over a kilometre, which makes for a visual treat.
“My wife and I visited the Kunchikal Falls a couple of years ago and I still remember every bit of it. To put it simply, it’s just so dramatic. Like out of a movie. It was drizzling, and we were in our raincoats with the falls spraying our faces with fine mist, accompanied by the sound of the thunderous water in the background. The stream of white water surrounded by lush greenery wrapped in foggy mist was just so beautiful, and the fact that it was monsoons meant the falls was double in volume, which, I believe, is just the way it should be seen,” narrates software engineer Elton Davis from Mangaluru to South First.
Located in the Shivamogga district near Masthikatte, the Kunchikal Falls is a hidden gem as only locals and a handful of travellers are familiar with the place. Unlike the Jog and Dudhsagar Falls, this one is pristine and untouched so far. Let’s hope it remains so!
Best time to visit: July to September
How to reach by road: The Kunchikal Falls is approximately 380 km from Bengaluru and is almost an eight-hour drive.
How to reach by rail: Udupi is the nearest railway station.
Snuggled in the Sahyadri forests of the Western Ghats near Siddapura, Uttara Kannada, the Unchalli Falls is a natural gem hidden from the hustle and bustle of tourist activities.
Unchalli Falls — Karnataka’s “tourist-free” hidden gem. (Unsplash/Amrutha Hebbar)
Created by the Aghanashini river, originating in Sirsi, the waterfall plunges from a height of 116 metre and tumbles across endless rocks.
While several locals make it a point to visit Unchalli during the monsoon season, so far, it has not popped up on the radar of nationwide tourists. And the locals are not complaining!
“I truly hope things stay the way they are and I can enjoy my magical waterfall in peace. The lack of tourists is one of the main reasons I keep coming back to this place every year,” shares 33-year-old financial advisor Chirag Rana, from Bengaluru, with South First.
“The drive to the falls is therapeutic in itself as the view keeps getting more and more awesome once you get off the highway. I’m talking about the mountains, paddy fields, and endless greenery that welcome you once you enter the countryside. It’s a sight for sore eyes compared to the daily traffic you see! Once you reach the parking lot of the falls, you take a little downhill climb to the waterfalls and then another visual treat is in store for you,” Rana adds.
There is a viewing deck at the falls for those who can’t get down for a closer view of the falls, or in case there is a deluge, and the path becomes extra slippery.
“I have visited the falls almost three times in the last two years and I see something new every time. Be it the mist or the rainbow, it’s a new experience always, and that’s what makes me keep coming back for more,” says Rana.
The Unchalli Falls undergo a magical transformation during monsoon. (Flickr/Shridhar Shridhubhat)
If you plan to visit during the monsoons, Rana advises to avoid wearing flimsy flip-flops. Come with sturdy footwear and raincoats, as you will be drenched in the mist from the waterfalls when you get close to it.
The climb to and from the waterfalls has several viewpoints which serve as great spots to take a break, in case the trek flexes your muscles a bit too much. Even though the descent to the fall might look like a herculean task, Rana strongly recommends visitors to go for it to enjoy the view and take advantage of the fact that not a lot of people go downhill.
Best time to visit: July to September
How to reach by road: Unchalli Falls is approximately 440 km from Bengaluru and is almost a nine-hour drive. The last stretch needs to be done on foot and is a picturesque little trek.
There are also several buses plying regularly from Bengaluru to Sirsi, from where the falls are just a cab ride away.
How to reach by rail: The closest railway stations are Talaguppa and Kumta, around 60 km from the falls.
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