Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka, is known as the 'Garden City of India' because of its pleasant weather and green spaces. It's also a great base for day trips and overnight excursions into the surrounding countryside.
Waterfalls are one of the most popular tourist attractions near Bangalore and there are many to choose from.
Here are 5 of the best, all located within 250 kilometers of the city center.
1. Shivanasamudra Falls
2. Mekedatu Falls
3. Hogenakkal Falls
4. Lakshmana Tirtha Falls
5. Kunti Betta Waterfalls
6.Hebbe Falls
7.Abbi Falls
8.Irupu Falls
9.Kallathigiri Falls
10.Jogfalls
The Shivanasamudra Falls are located on the Kaveri River about 120 kilometers from Bangalore. These falls are considered to be one of the oldest waterfalls in India and are a popular tourist destination.
The falls are divided into two parts, the Gaganachukki Falls and the Bharachukki Falls. The Gaganachukki Falls are located on the left side of the river and are about 90 meters high. The Bharachukki Falls are located on the right side of the river and are about 75 meters high.
How to reach: The falls can be reached by taking a train from Bangalore to the town of Maddur and then hiring a taxi or auto-rickshaw for the final leg of the journey.
Mekedatu is a small village located about 100 kilometers from Bangalore, on the banks of the river Cauvery. The highlight of the village is the nearby waterfall, which is formed by the river flowing over a narrow gorge.
Visitors can take a swim in the pool at the base of the falls or hike to the top of the gorge for a better view.
How to reach: To get to Mekedatu, you can take a bus from Bangalore to the town of Ramanagara and then hire a taxi or auto-rickshaw for the short journey to the village.
Hogenakkal is a small town located in the Dharmapuri district, about 150 kilometers from Bangalore. It's famous for its waterfall, which is formed by the river Cauvery and is one of the largest in India.
Visitors can take a boat ride on the river, enjoy a bath in the falls, or visit the nearby bird sanctuary.
How to reach: To get to Hogenakkal, you can take a bus from Bangalore to the town of Dharmapuri and then hire a taxi or auto-rickshaw for the short journey to the falls.
The Lakshmana Tirtha Falls (also known as Irupu Falls) are located in Coorg, about 250 kilometers from Bangalore.
They are formed by the river Lakshmana Tirtha, which flows over a series of rocky cliffs before plunging into a deep gorge. The waterfall can be reached by a short 1 km trek through the dense forests.
How to reach: To get to the falls, you can take a bus from Bangalore to Coorg and then hire a taxi or auto-rickshaw for the final leg of the journey.
Kunti Betta Waterfalls is a beautiful waterfall located in the Mandya district of Karnataka. The waterfall is situated amidst the scenic hills of Kunti Betta and is a popular spot for picnics and treks.
It's one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region and perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway. The waterfall is fed by the River Cauvery and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region.
How to reach: The best way to reach Kunti Betta waterfalls is by taking a direct bus or private cabs from Bengaluru to Pandavapura. The journey takes about 3 hours.
Once you reach Pandavapura, you can either take a auto-rickshaw or a cycle-rickshaw to reach the waterfalls, which is about 5 km from the town centre.
6.Hebbe Falls
Hebbe Falls, located at a distance of about 35 km from Bangalore, is one of the most popular waterfalls in Karnataka. The Hebbe Falls are part of the Kaveri river and the Hemavati River that join together here.
The falls are named after their shape which resembles an elephant (hebbe in Kannada).
The falls are surrounded with lush greenery all round making it an ideal place for picnics and day trips with your family or friends.
It has beautiful scenic beauty that you would love to capture on camera while visiting this place as well as during your stay here.
How to reach: To reach Hebbe Falls, one needs to reach Sakleshpur. Then, follow the route towards Manja Village and keep driving on until you see a signboard saying “Hebbe Falls” pointing rightwards (towards the left). From here onwards, you will have to take an uphill road that leads to the foot of Hebbe falls.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Hebbe Falls is during monsoons when the river level rises up and you can see a huge mass of water falling down from a height of 30 feet into an undulating pool surrounded by trees on all sides which gives an awesome sight for photographers.
Abbi Falls is a waterfall near Hebbe Falls in Karnataka. It's located in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka and falls from 50 meters. The waterfall is surrounded by lush green forests and has become a popular spot for adventure enthusiasts.
The water here flows through a narrow gorge between two mountains called Shivagiri Hill and Nandi Hills. The place where this waterfall meets another lake is known as Shivanasamudra Temple.
The falls are located at an elevation of around 1,100 meters above sea level and can be trekked from two different directions: from Mullayanagiri peak or from Malavalli village.
How to reach: The trekking route starts near Madikeri town, which has a bus station connecting you to various cities in India like Bangalore, Mangalore and Mysore.
You'll need to take local transport to reach Mullayanagiri (or Mulle Beedi) peak where there's an entry point into the forest area where you'll find yourself surrounded by tall trees and thick vegetation that makes it feel like something out of Jurassic Park!
Best time to visit: The best time to visit this place is between November and February when you’ll be able to see snow on the peak, as well as a full view of Abbi Falls without any obstruction.
Irupu Falls is a 100 ft waterfall in the Western Ghats, located in the state of Karnataka. It is located in the district of Hassan and at its base is a beautiful lake.
It is one of the few waterfalls in India that have been preserved by the state government. The river Sharavathi flows through this region and passes through Kumara Parvatha, which lies at an altitude of 2,872 meters (9,400 ft).
This area has witnessed several wars between feuding kings during ancient times and hence it has been declared as a protected monument by UNESCO.
The hike to Irupu Falls is not as strenuous as other waterfalls on this list (just be ready for some steep steps), but it’s definitely worth it if you want a nice escape from Bangalore’s heat.
How to reach: If you want to trek to Irupu Falls from Bangalore, you can take a train from Bangalore City Railway Station (BCT) until Hassan Junction railway station or Belur Road Railway Station respectively.
From there it's about 6 km by road to reach Irupu village where one can park their vehicle and start walking towards the falls.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit this place is between March and May, when the monsoon season has hit its peak and the waterfall becomes extremely beautiful to look at with all its greenery surrounding it.
Kallathigiri Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in Karnataka. It is situated at a distance of 30 Kms from Bangalore city.
This place has been developed as a picnic spot by the forest department of Karnataka and hence there are good facilities for tourists’ entertainment like boating and other sports activities.
Kallathigiri falls are formed by the water that comes down from Ghataprabha Dam which is located near Shivasamudram village (about 12 Km).
The water flows through caves and enters into Mallasandra valley where it meets with other small streams flowing from surrounding areas and forms huge rocks falling with great energy forming a waterfall at this place.
How to reach: This waterfall is located on the way to KSA from Mangalore city and is about 60km away from Mangalore city. It takes about 2 hours to reach Kallathigiri falls if you are travelling by a car or by bus. There are many private buses which run between Bangalore - Kadaba - Udupi - Hospet route via Kallathigiri falls.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Kallathigiri Falls is during monsoon season (June through September). During this time of year, there's usually plenty of rain in Bangalore but little cloud cover above Kallathigiri Falls so you can enjoy them without getting wet (and also so they'll look their best)!
Jog Falls is a waterfall located in Sagara taluk, Shimoga district of the state of Karnataka, India. The Jog Falls is the second highest plunge waterfall in India, after Tungabhadra Dam.
It is also one of the highest single drop waterfalls in Asia and a major tourist attraction near Bangalore. The waterfall is approximately 200 feet tall and has a width ranging between 250 m to 350 m (820 ft to 1,150 ft) during peak monsoon season.
The falls are formed by Sharavathi River which originates from Brahmagiri Hill (1,872m) near Bhadravathi town and flows down to Gangothri peak before descending at Jog Falls through three streams namely Savitha Nadi or Middle stream (739 m), Hemavathi River or Western Stream (1128m) and Lakshmana Thirtha River or Eastern Stream(1126m).
How to reach: You can reach to the place by road or rail. There are regular buses that ply from Bangalore city to Jog falls, however, it takes around 5 hours to cover this distance. If you wish to reach the place by train then you can take a train from Bangalore City Railway Station which will take around 2 hours.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Jog Falls is during monsoon. The waterfalls are at their most beautiful and majestic during this time, when you can see the rainbows that form as the spray from the falls hits the mist. You will also be able to see more greenery around Jog, as well as hear a range of different birdsong.
If you're ever in the vicinity of Bangalore, be sure to visit these 10 waterfalls that are not so far away from the city.
1. Annapurna waterfall, 5 km from Bangalore
Located just 5 km from Bangalore, Annapurna waterfall is a hidden gem amidst the lush greenery of the city. A perfect place to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of the city, Annapurna waterfall is a must-visit for all nature lovers.
2. Chilamulla Falls, 7 km from Bangalore
Chilamulla Falls is one of the hidden gems near Bangalore. It is a beautiful waterfall located in a secluded spot, away from the city hustle and bustle. The best time to visit Chilamulla Falls is during the monsoon season, when the water flow is at its peak. There are several trekking trails in the vicinity of the falls, making it a perfect spot for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
3. Hemavathi Falls, 21 km from Bangalore:
Hemavathi Falls is a popular picnic spot and a weekend getaway from Bangalore. The falls are located on the river Cauvery and are surrounded by mountains and forests. The place is scenic and offers good trekking opportunities.
4. Komaravathi falls, 25 km from Bangalore:
This is one of the lesser known waterfalls near Bangalore, but it is definitely worth a visit. The falls are located in a small village called Komaravathi and can be reached by taking a short trek from the village. Once you reach the falls, you will be mesmerized by its beauty. The best time to visit this place is during the monsoon season when the falls are in full flow.
5. Nagarahole Falls, 30 km from Bangalore:
Nagarahole Falls is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Karnataka. It is located in the Nagarahole National Park, about 30 km from Bangalore. The falls are created by the River Cauvery and offer a stunning view of the river and the surrounding forest.
There are many activities that tourists can enjoy at the falls, such as swimming, fishing, and boating. Nagarahole Falls is a great place to enjoy the beauty of nature and spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
6. Nilgiri hills falls, 32 km from Bangalore:
One of the best places to visit near Bangalore within 100 kms, the Nilgiri hills waterfalls are located in Ramanagara district. The place is famous for its serene and peaceful ambience and is a perfect weekend getaway from Bangalore if you are looking for some peace and tranquility.
There are numerous trekking trails in the area that lead to the top of the falls. The place is also popular for bouldering and rock climbing.
7. Someshree Falls, 36 km from Bangalore:
This is one of the best hidden gems near Bangalore city and a perfect getaway if you are looking to spend some time in nature's lap. The route to Someshree Falls is quite scenic and you can enjoy the views of the valley while driving down.
The falls are located in a small village called Dodda Aladahalli and can be easily reached by taking a short walk from the parking area. The best time to visit Someshree Falls is during the monsoon season when the falls are in full flow.
8. Varaha Reservoir Falls, 38 km from Bangalore:
The Varaha Reservoir Falls are one of the many hidden gems in Karnataka. Situated just 38 km away from Bangalore, this place is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The falls are located in a small village called Kunti Betta and can be reached by taking a bus or hiring a cab from Bangalore. The best time to visit the falls is during the monsoon season from June to September.
9. Yousufgarh falls, 40 km from Bangalore:
A beautiful falls located in the outskirts of Bangalore, Yousufgarh Falls is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. A moderate hike of around 2 km from the base camp leads to the falls, which is surrounded by dense forest.
The best time to visit the falls is between October and February when the weather is pleasant and the falls is at its full glory.
10. Manchanabele Waterfalls, 44 km from Bangalore
Manchanabele Waterfalls is located near Manchanabele, about 44 kilometers from Bangalore. The falls here are created by the river Arkavathi and are a popular spot for picnics and trekking. Visitors can also enjoy views of the falls from a watchtower nearby.
The best time to visit waterfalls near Bangalore is during the monsoon season, from July to September. This is when the waterfalls are at their fullest and most impressive. However, do be aware that some of the roads leading to the falls may be closed due to flooding.
If you're looking for a quieter experience, the waterfalls will still be beautiful during the post-monsoon season from October to December. Just be sure to check road conditions before heading out.
If you are looking for a getaway with nature then look no further. In this article, we have compiled a list of must-visit waterfalls in and around Bangalore. Whether you are travelling for leisure or business, these waterfalls will leave you relaxed and rejuvenated. We highly recommend visiting them all!
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