There is a saying that goes, “nature is the best architect”. The impressive beauty of nature can be seen in different parts of Karnataka. Have you ever been to a place with many waterfalls and wondered which one is the best?
Like my friends and me, many people have imagined visiting some of India’s most popular and beautiful waterfalls. But not all know how to choose out of the many available. Therefore I have created this blog post with information on some of the top 12 waterfalls in Karnataka that are worth making a trip to:
1. Jog Falls – Highest Plunge Waterfalls In Karnataka
Jog Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Karnataka and is also known as the second-highest plunge waterfall in India. It is located in the Shimoga district. This place is approximately 50 km from Jog Falls.
These waterfalls are created by the Sharavathi River, dropping 253 m (830 ft), making it the second-highest plunge waterfall in India after the Nohkalikai Falls with a height of 335 m (1100 ft) in Meghalaya.
Jog Falls is a major tourist attraction of Karnataka and a popular destination for hydroelectricity. Europeans first discovered it in 1834 by Sir John Malcom, who was a Scottish Soldier, statesman, East India Company administrator and diplomat.
The perfect time to visit Jog Falls is between June and November. To get a better view of the falls, you can take a trek down to the foothills. This can be a bit challenging, though, so be prepared to climb back up! I would suggest that you visit the falls early in the morning (before 10 am) so that you can beat the crowds and enjoy watching the sunrise over the falls.
The journey to Jog Falls is as beautiful as the destination itself. The journey from Bangalore takes about 5 hours on the NH4 highway. You will pass through small towns, tea plantations and rural landscapes. Make sure you bring along some snacks for that long drive!
2. Shivanasamudra Falls
The Shivanasamudra Falls is a waterfall located in the Mandya district of Karnataka state. A group of ancient temples are located here, and they’re likely was a village.
The western branch becomes the waterfall known as Gagana Chukki, and the eastern unit becomes Bharachukki falls. These two branches can produce up to 19 million litres (4 million gallons) of water per second at a peak time of year.
Shivanasamudra is located 133 km from Bangalore and 22 km from Somnathpur, 135 km from Mysore, 80 km from Mandya, 50 km from Srirangapatna and 16 km from Kanakapura.
3. Gokak Falls
Gokak Falls is located on the Ghataprabha River in the Belgaum district of Karnataka, India. The waterfall is a major tourist attraction 6 km from Gokak and 60 km from Belgaum. Over a mile wide, It is 590 ft high.
Gokak Falls is formed by the river Ghataprabha, which originates from the Western Ghats near Mahabaleshwar at about 1470 m. In its course, the river traverses through several gorges and chasms due to falling along the Deccan Plateau. The river’s width ranges between 20 m to 175 m throughout its course. The river tumbles over rocks in two steps at Gokak, resulting in two cascades. The first drop is 21 m, while the second drop is 30 m resulting in a horseshoe-shaped waterfall. Both the drops have channel rocks on both sides of the waterfall, which protect it from erosion.
It presents a glorious sight during the monsoon season when swollen with rainwater. The magnificent waterfall is created by the Ghataprabha River, which plunges in two leaps of 170 ft. and 52 ft.
4. Iruppu Falls
Iruppu Falls is a popular tourist attraction in South India. Situated in the Brahmagiri Range amidst the lush forests of the Coorg district, it is a sacred spot for Hindus.
The water droplets resemble pearls, making Iruppu Falls look like a curtain of pearls. It is believed that this fall originated from the blood of Rama’s slain demon king Ravana. Another legend has it that Lakshmana shot an arrow into the Brahmagiri hills and brought into being these beautiful falls to quench the thirst of Rama’s army.
Located near the Kutta town of Karnataka, the Iruppu Falls is visited by people from all over India and abroad. The fall cascades down from 170 feet and forms a small pool at its base. The view is simply breathtaking and rejuvenating.
5. Abbey waterfalls in Karnataka
Abbey Falls is a major tourist attraction amidst breathtaking greenery and natural beauty. The waterfall is located at a distance of 8 km from Madikeri. It is also known as Abbi Falls and Abbe Falls. The fall originates from the Kaveri River, one of the most important rivers in Karnataka.
The best time to visit Abbey Waterfall is during the monsoon season in June and ends in October. Tourists can enjoy the sight of cascading water falling from a height of 70 feet during this period. During this season, the waterfall looks its best and offers an unmatched view to visitors. Besides monsoon, it is also good to visit Abbey Fall during the winter season (November to February) when the weather remains pleasant.
Abbey Waterfall has its origin from the Kaveri River and flows into several small streams before plunging into a deep gorge. It falls from a height of about 70 feet and creates a mist-like feature on its way down. The entire scene surrounding the waterfall offers spectacular views to tourists that cannot be experienced anywhere else.
6. Hebbe Falls
Hebbe Falls is located in Chikmagalur. It is situated at a distance of 10 km from Kemmangundi and is about 248 km from Bangalore.
The waterfalls from a height of 168 m. Dodda Hebbe (Big Falls) and Chikka Hebbe (Small Falls) are the two parts of the falls. The waterfalls down in two stages form Dodda Hebbe (big falls) and then Chikka Hebbe (minor falls). The water cascades down through coffee plantations and is a primary source of irrigation for the region.
The nearest airport is Mangalore International Airport, about 200 km away. The railway station closest to this place is Kadur, around 63 km away. Kemmangundi, Hampi, Kudremukh National Park, Baba Budangiri and Horanadu are other tourist destinations nearby.
7. Sathodi Falls
Sathodi Falls is an exquisite waterfall located in the Sirsi Taluk of Uttara Kannada district. The waterfall is situated on the backwaters of the Kodasalli Dam, and it is one of Karnataka’s lesser-known waterfalls.
The Sathodi Falls cascades from around 100 feet into a small pond and is surrounded by lush green vegetation. Several other small cascades in the area make it a popular spot for picnics and trekking excursions.
The waterfall is created by several small streams joining together before dropping off a narrow rocky bed about 15 metres (49 ft) into a pool below. The falls are not exceptionally high but are pretty wide and scenic. This, along with their proximity to other waterfalls such as Magod Falls, Unchalli Falls, and Lalguli Falls, makes them a popular tourist destination.
Sathodi Falls is easily accessible by road, as there are well-connected roads leading to the waterfall from Sirsi and Karwar.
8. Unchalli Falls
Standing at the height of 110 meters, Unchalli Falls is one of the notable waterfalls in India. The falls is located in Heggarne village near Udupi in Karnataka state. Also known as Lushington Falls, it was named after Captain James Lushington, a British engineer who introduced coffee plantations during British rule.
It is an ideal picnic spot and a significant tourist attraction. It is located in a remote area, and hence there are no shops or restaurants nearby. The best place to view the falls is from the hanging bridge on the Aghanashini river.
9. Kalhatti Falls
Kalhatti Falls is located in Chikmagalur district, Karnataka. It is also known as Kallathigiri Falls. The waterfall is formed by a small stream of water that flows over a rocky bed. Hence the water flows slowly throughout the year. The height of the falls is 122 meters.
The waterfall can be visited at any time of the year, but it looks beautiful during monsoon months when there is abundant rainfall. In summers, the falls can dry up due to a lack of rain. A lot of tourists visit this place during the monsoon season.
Easily accessible from the parking lot, Kalhatti Falls is a popular tourist spot and a natural wonder. The falls are formed by the Varahi River, a tributary of the Kaveri River. The water plunges to 400 ft from the temple platforms in two successive drops.
10. Godchinamalaki Falls
Godchinamalaki Falls is situated in a quaint village called Gokak in the Belgaum district. The water from the Markandeya river falls from a height of 170 feet and flows through the rough rocks, making it look fantastic and scenic. The beauty of Godchinamalaki Falls will leave you spellbound.
Possibly the most beautiful waterfalls in Karnataka are the Godchinamalaki Falls. The main attraction of this waterfall is the rainbow that can be seen on a sunny day. The waterfall is easy to reach and is situated 2 km from the famous temple of Godchinamalaki. Though it is a trendy destination, it is not always crowded so that you will enjoy the waterfall in peace.
11. Benne Hole Falls
Benne Hole Falls is a serene waterfall near Siddapur in Uttara Kannada district. The cascades from a great height form a small pool at the bottom. Although the beauty of this waterfall cannot be compared with other famous waterfalls in Karnataka, it is ideal for visiting during the monsoon when the flow is heavy. Visitors can also climb the trails that lead to the top of the waterfall and enjoy the views.
The Sharavathi River forms the waterfalls. The perfect time to visit Sharavathi is before or just after the monsoon. This beautiful waterfall is around 100 metres high and near the famous Jog Falls. Benne hole falls are great for trekking and are surrounded by thick forest and wildlife.
The nearest airport to Benne Hole Falls is Mangalore International Airport, approximately 140 km away. One can take a train to Karwar Railway Station, about 50 km away from Benne Hole Falls.
12. Chelavara Falls
Chelavara Falls is located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, India. It is near Chelavara village, a few kilometres away from Madikeri town.
Chelavara Falls is the finest waterfall in Karnataka, and it is also famous for its natural rocky swimming pool at the foot of the falls. This waterfall can be reached only by a jeep or a trekking path from Chelavara village. It is an offbeat destination, relatively lesser known than the other waterfalls in Karnataka. It is one of the many beautiful waterfalls in Coorg and easily accessible. The fall is indeed a gem!
Takeaway !
As a traveller, our foremost intention is basically to explore the places outside of your comfort zone. And these waterfalls in Karnataka are exactly the same in the first place. So, if you are looking for planning out an awesome weekend drive with your friends nearby, we hope you will love this treks and consider these waterfalls in karnataka for your weekend getaway
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