INTRODUCTION
On the way to Chikmagalur there is a point where you roll down the window and the air changes into the smell of coffee. Not the cuppa one but the actual one- mud, shade trees and the sweet fragrance of berries just ripening on the plants. This is when you know, you are truly away from Bengaluru.
Coffee began here in India and continues to define Chikmagalur’s landscape. Plantations stretch across the hills, evening mists descend into the valleys and the state of Karnataka’s tallest peak looms overhead. Your definitive guide on how to reach, the deserving pit stops on route, four days road trip plan, the places you should never miss, the best coffee story to get on the route and the villas in Chikmagalur for that leisure stay.
What is the distance between Chikmagalur and Bengaluru?
The distance from Bengaluru to Chikmagalur is approximately 240-250 km by road. The road NH75 from Bengaluru to Chikmagalur through Kunigal, Channarayapatna, and Hassan on the way to Belur and at last on the path to the mountain top hill city of Chikmagalur takes an estimated five to six hours.
Depart from Bengaluru before 6 am in order to avoid city traffic and arrive for the later lunch. Non-driver alternatives include buses and trains to Kadur and Birur. Chikmagalur can be visited by taxi from there.
Stops worth making on the way
Shravanabelagola
A little way from Channarayapatna, Shravanabelagola hosts the world’s largest monolithic statue of Gommateshwara (Bahubali) situated on Vindhyagiri hill. The ascent is few hundred rock cut steps and needs to be walked barefoot so carry your shoes back.
Belur and Halebidu
These towns are home to some of the finest Hoysala temples in India. Chennakeshava temple at Belur and Hoysaleswara temple at Halebidu are both included in UNESCO list “Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas” (inscribed 2023). From musicians and dancers to animals, the intricate carvings are stunning and you’d see ten times more with a guide.
It is only about 25 km from the Chikmagalur so you could visit Belur first while on your way and then visit Halebidu while heading back.
What are the best places to visit in Chikmagalur?
Mullayanagiri at sunrise
Mullayanagiri is the highest point in Karnataka at around 1930m. Take a road most of the way up, then a short flight of stairs to reach the small temple at the summit. Watching the sunrise here, with clouds on the horizon, will be the highlight of many visits. Sometimes there are limits on vehicles over the weekends and booking regulations, so check before you travel.
Baba Budangiri
Named after the Sufi saint Baba Budan, who, according to legend, brought seven coffee beans from Yemen in the 17th century and planted them here. The hill shrine is revered by both Hindu and Muslim pilgrims, and the drive along the ridge is stunning.
Hebbe & Jhari Falls
Hebbe Falls can be reached by a jeep ride through coffee plantations followed by a short trek. Jhari falls or Buttermilk falls is situated nearer to Mullayanagiri. The best time to visit the falls is one-two months after the rains, i.e. September to December (subject to access, do check before visiting).
Hirekolale Lake
A tranquil lake on the outskirts of town, with views of Mullayanagiri range. Bring your own filter coffee and don’t do anything for one hour during sunset!
Bhadra Tiger Reserve
If you are a wildlife enthusiast then a safari into the Bhadra reserve will have plenty of potential sightings – gaur, elephants, deer and birds galore. Look but do not seek a tiger as they are extremely difficult to find.
Those are the big guns to visit in Chikmagalur, but the best moment, a true-to-heart image, is often when wandering around estate roads with no plan.
Simple Four Day Schedule
Day 1: Leave Bengaluru, take the route of Shravanabelagola or Belur on the way. Reach and check-in by evening.
Day 2: Mullayanagiri trek in the morning for sunrise and Baba Budangiri trek. Afternoon: Sleep and sit at the Hirekolale Lake.
Day 3: Coffee estate walk morning, Hebbe Falls or Kemmangundi in the evening.
Day 4: Leisurely morning breakfast and drive back to your own home near Halebidu.
On the foggy side? What to do in Chikmagalur to get ready? Get set to explore Mullayanagiri estate and Belur.
The Coffee journey
Chikmagalur’s coffee season has its own beat. In the months of November to February you’ll find pickers hanging on the hillsides and beans drying out in courtyards. In the months of March and April, the first rains bring the coffee bloom: rows of white, jasmine-scented flowers that hang on for just a few days.
Join a guided walk on many estates to learn how coffee is cultivated beneath the shade trees, interplanted with pepper vines, how the beans are roasted, how to taste them and more. Take home freshly roasted beans or filter powder.
Why choose a Chikmagalur coffee estate stay?
Why come all the way here, just to wake up in the middle of a plantation? When you are in a coffee estate in Chikmagalur, you are living surrounded by bushes and shade trees, with the dawn chorus giving way to the dusky mists.
It even changes the way you travel. Instead of driving through an estate, you’re staying in one. Are Chikmagalur coffee estate stays for everyone? Not always. Some estates are a little more remote, with access roads over steep or uneven ground so check this before you travel if you’re coming with the older folks in your family or have a need to be in a low car.
What is so special about a Chikmagalur villa stay?
A good Chikmagalur villa stay would be something that is not too out-of-the-way, but at the same time – not the city, either. Try to find a place that is walking distance from the town, and the main tourist points, can cook some Malnad dishes, offers hot water and has backup power (which is very useful when it rains).
Eat good food. Ask for akki rotti, kadubu, vegetables in Malnad style, graviest with tamarind, bamboo shoots when in season, and strong filter coffee to keep you going till your next indulgence! You might make your year by spending time at a Villa in Chikmagalur with a gifted cook.
Is Villa better than a resort in Chikmagalur?
Sure, if you’re a family or a group of friends. Chikmagalur’s private villas give you a home: a verandah of your own, a bonfire of your own, a tempo of your own. Resorts are fine if you want activities and a restaurant; but they can seldom beat the serenity that this town is famous for.
That’s one reason couples adore a private villa in Chikmagalur, nothing beats having a cocktail on the verandah, watching the mist roll in, a pot of coffee, and no one else in sight.
Organize your stay with Eko Stay
After a dawn at Mullayanagiri or a long estate walk, returning to a home secluded from the rest of the world is a beautiful feeling. Looking for villas in Chikmagalur for your road trip? Browse through Ekostay’s latest listings and its curated collections of mountain-view villas in Chikmagalur, couples, groups, and family villas.
Road trip tips
– Initiate the journey early from Bengaluru and do not attempt estate & ghat roads at night.
– Bring warm layers. Nights in the hills can be cold, from November to February.
– Leech socks aid at the estate and forest walk in the monsoon.
– Hills, here we come – fuel up in town first.
– Respect property lines and don’t go into private plantations without permission.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the drive from Bengaluru to Chikmagalur?
Approximately 250 km. Generally five to six hours (subject to traffic conditions and stops).
- Which month is best for Chikmagalur?
September to March to make the most of the waterfalls and the dry weather; March to April to see the Coffee flower.
- Is Mullayanagiri suitable for beginners?
Yes. There is a road and then a staircase of steps. Check out current restrictions on vehicles and time.
- How many days should I spend in Chikmagalur?
It takes around three to four days for you to visit most of the main attractions and have a leisurely stay on the estate.
- Are villas in Chikmagalur good for families?
Yes, you can if you inspect the access road, the number of bedrooms and having a cook.
- Is it possible to do Belur and Halebidu in one trip?
The distance from Chikmagalur to Belur is around 25 km, and you can explore nearby Halebidu by car.
Conclusion: Slow down and smell the coffee
Chikmagalur is a patience-test road trip. Pull over at a temple, or two on the way, watch at least one sunrise above the clouds, stroll through an estate, and the remaining days on the Verandah over a tea mug. When you’re up for the trip, check out Ekostay Chikmagalur villas.
