If you are planning to take a trip to enjoy the rainy weather, check out this list of the best destinations in Karnataka.
Monsoons should be enjoyed in the heart of nature & Karnataka has some of the best locations. (Unsplash/Anoop Bhaskar)
Monsoons in the cities, more specifically, Bengaluru, are not as romantic a notion as one might think.
While in the movies we see people and places come alive in the rain with happy faces everywhere, the reality is the stark opposite most times.
Monsoons in the city can be a drab affair. (Unsplash/Sarang Pandey)
Flooded roads, congested traffic, autos and cabs hiking their fares or refusing rides altogether… you get the gist.
Sure, some of us might try and enjoy the rains nursing a cup of hot tea or coffee and enjoying the view of the concrete jungle outside our window, but if monsoons must be witnessed in all their glory, it must be far from the city.
Karnataka is home to some of the most spectacular locations that come alive and transform during the monsoons.
It goes without saying that most of these destinations are nestled in the heart of nature. And they are just a drive away.
If you are planning to take a trip to enjoy the rainy weather, check out this list of the best destinations in the state we have curated for you:
Located in the Shivamogga district of Karnataka, the town of Thirthahalli is noted not just for its rich natural beauty but for its cultural value as well.
From nature to history, Thirthahalli is Karnataka’s representation at its best. (Flickr/Subramanya U G)
From ancient temples and forts nestled in lush greenery to ranges of hills overlooking the Western Ghats, Thirthahalli is the perfect representation of Karnataka at its best.
Many people drive down from the cities to this popular tourist spot, especially in the monsoon season, simply to rejuvenate and take in nature and historic sites.
There are also locations like the Anandagiri Hills and Siddeshwara Gudda — perfect trekking spots for visitors offering magnificent views. You can take a walk through these ranges enjoying the misty weather.
The serene Tunga River is a must-visit spot in Thirthahalli. (Flickr/Chetan CI)
The Sakrebayalu Elephant Camp and Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary are perfect spots for nature lovers to visit in Thirthahalli.
A lot of adventure junkies also plan their river rafting trips here as the Tunga and Malathi rivers converge forming huge rapids, especially during monsoons.
How to reach by road: From Bengaluru, Thirthalli is approximately 350 km, and you can drive down on a road trip via NH48, which will take approximately seven-eight hours.
How to reach by rail: The nearest railway station is the Shivamogga railway station.
From trekking to simply strolling about, you can do it all in Devaramane. (Unsplash/Shashank Hegade)
A picturesque spot in the Chikkamagaluru district, Devaramane is a scenic village and an offbeat monsoon destination, perfect for a quick little weekend getaway.
Deveramane offers travellers the best of both worlds. Be it adventure or just relaxation and rejuvenation, this location has the perfect blend.
The several hillocks located here make it an ideal trekking spot and there are different routes for beginners and hardcore trekkers.
On the other hand, if you just want to stroll about in the misty weather, admiring nature amid a light drizzle, you can do that as well.
The view from the Kalabhairaveshwara temple and the route leading to it offers a gorgeous panoramic view of the glittering streams, lakes and rich green surroundings.
“My husband and I often visit this place, especially, in the monsoons as it’s just so romantic. We hole up in a cosy little hotel, and go on long walks when it’s drizzling to enjoy views of the misty mountains and the endless streams. It’s simplicity at its best,” Mishti Vaidyanath, a homemaker from Bengaluru, tells South First.
Devaramane guarantees travellers the most spectacular views. (Flickr/Rudresh M)
How to reach by road: The place is well connected, and you can easily drive down here from Bengaluru via NH75. It will take you approximately five-six hours as the distance is almost 280 km.
There are also several private buses which ply daily to Dharmasthala or Kottigehara. Once you get there, you can take the local transport to reach Gutti, from where you can reach Devaramane by auto or simply on foot.
How to reach by rail: There are no railway stations close by. Kadur is the closest railway station, but it is approximately 40 km away. Travelling by road is the best option.
Monsoon at the heart of nature makes everything come alive, which makes for the most spectacular of views — something one can’t even conceive of ever witnessing in the city.
Take a walk in the clouds in the magical Skandagiri Hills. (Flickr/Abdulla Mannuthodikayil)
Located in the Nandi Hill ranges approximately 70 km from Bengaluru, Skandagiri Hills is a destination that promises to give travellers a delectable assortment of incredible, picturesque views, especially in the monsoons.
“It’s an easy climb to the top, which I think pretty much anyone can do and I am the least fit person in the world! My friends and I started early at about 4:30 am to ensure we caught the sunrise and watching the sun struggle to shine through the heavy clouds and finally bursting out was so cathartic,” PR executive Vedant Eashwar told South First.
“I went there around two years ago, but the memory of the clouds, which I could almost touch, and exploring the ancient ruins and temples on the hilltop is still fresh in my mind,” recalled the 24-year-old.
The main fortress of Skandagiri, historically known as Kalwarbetta or Kalavara Durga, is the main feature of this location, as the view from this point is guaranteed to be breathtaking, irrespective of time and weather.
Eashwar warned that trekking during monsoons could be tricky for obvious reasons, and advised people to come equipped with apt footwear and not flimsy sneakers.
How to reach by road: You can drive down as Skandagiri is approximately 70 km away from Bengaluru. You can also take a bus from Bengaluru to Chikkaballapur, from where it’s a 15-minute auto ride to the destination, or you can walk.
How to reach by rail: Chikkaballapur is the nearest railway station. From there, you can get on a local auto or cab to reach the destination.
A small village in the Shivamogga district in the Malnad region of Karnataka, Agumbe is the perfect utopian getaway for anyone who wants to escape the concrete jungle and enjoy the charms of rural life for a while.
Agumbe, which is already heaven on earth, transforms during Monsoons. (Unsplash/Ganesh Partheeban)
Also known as the “Cherrapunji of the South”, this picturesque village lies in the Western Ghats belt at about 643 m above sea level and receives one of the heaviest rainfalls in the southern region, which makes it the perfect home to some scenic waterfalls, dense forests, and rivers.
Popular must-visit spots here include the famous Sunset Point — a 10-minute walk from the main town — and the beautiful Barkana Falls, which is among India’s highest waterfalls.
If you’re up for something a bit more challenging, you can also check out the 17th-century Jain temple located on top of the Kundadri hill, which can only be reached by a small road full of sharp turns. During monsoon, the temple is shrouded by fog and can make exploring a fun activity.
How to reach by road: You can either drive down if you reside in nearby states or take a bus from Bengaluru to Agumbe, or a bus going to Thirthahalli and then another bus from there to Agumbe.
How to reach by rail: The Udupi railway station is about 50 km away from Agumbe.
Sakleshpur is a charming hill station peppered with nature’s gems in the form of beautiful mountains, endless coffee plantations and enchanting landscapes, assuring bikers of a view they will never forget.
Sakleshpur is a lesser-explored, tourist-free paradise. (Flickr/Jayakrishnan Sureshbabu)
Located approximately 240 km from Bengaluru, this underrated and rarely explored destination promises visitors a glorious experience.
If all you want to do is walk around in the rain soaking in the endless lakes, meadows, and waterfalls and clicking pictures of nature in all its dewy glory, then Sakleshpur is the place for you. The lack of a heavy tourist flow is an added advantage.
The lush green vegetation and thick green forests which come alive even more so in the monsoons will bring out the inner photographer in you.
There is also a whole range of trekking routes where you can enjoy bird watching and experience brilliant sunrises and sunsets.
How to reach by road: You can take a cab or drive down to Sakleshpur, a journey which will take approximately four-fiver hours. There are also several buses plying daily from Bengaluru to Sakleshpur
How to reach by rail: You can get a direct train from Bengaluru to the Sakleshpur railway station.
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