Karnataka Hill Stations, Nandi Hills, B R Hills, Madikeri, Coorg, Kudremukh, Kemman Gudi

Nandi Hills, the beautiful summer resort is situated 60 kms north of Bangalore, at an altitude of 1468 m above sea level. Nandi Hills, also known as Nandidurga, was the famous summer retreat of Tipu Sultan. Nandi Hills was popular with the British too who built bungalows and laid out gardens here. Today, this place is a famous picnic spot with a fort, sprawling lawns, hotels, tourist bungalows and two ancient temples, dedicated to the Lord Shiva. The stone fortress on the hill is of special interest to students of history. The hills offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside from Tipu’s drop, a 600 m high cliff-face. Today, this place is a favourite spot among Bangaloreans to spend their weekends. The 1478-m high Nandi Hills is the originating point of many rivers.

Nandi Hills, Karnataka

Kemman Gudi

Kemman Gudi, Karnataka

Kemman Gudi is situated in the Tarikere Taluk of Chikmaglur district of Karnataka, about 257 kms from Bangalore and 120 kms from the famous Jofg Falls. This picturesque hamlet is also known as the K R Hills, after the Wodeyar king Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, who made this place as his favourite summer camp. Kemman Gudi is situated on the Baba-Budan range at a height of 1,434 m and an ideal place to get away from the heat, dust and crowd of the cities. This place is not as famous as the Nandi Hills, but is exceptionally beautiful.

Biligirirangana Hills

Biligirirangana Hills, also known as the B R Hills is a pleasant hill station, located about 120 kms from Mysore and 247 kms from Bangalore. The Biligirirangana range of hills is picturesquely situated between the Cauvery and the Tungabhadra rivers. This hill stretches from north to south for about 16 kms and surrounded by deciduous trees. The B R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is located near these hills where various types of plants, birds, reptiles and wild animals can be seen. This hill station takes its name from the Biligiriranganaswamy Temple that is situated right on top of the hill, at an altitude of 5,091 feet above sea level.

Kudremukh

Kudremukh, the horse-face hill station is situated about 95 kms south-west of Chikmaglur town. This hill station is known so due to the unique horse-face shape of the Kudremukh Peak. Kudremukh is a secluded hill station, which retains much of its pristine, natural beauty. Kudremukh overlooks the Arabian Sea, and its broad hills are chained to one another with deep valleys and steep precipices. Sylvan green forests enriched by mighty rivers, grassy slopes, cascades and rare orchids provide a wonderful setting for trekking. Kudremukh is also rich in iron ore deposits.

Kudremukh, Karnataka

Madikeri / Coorg

Madikeri, Coorg Hill Station, Karnataka

Madikeri is a picturesque, charming town situated at a height of over 5,000 feet (1,525 m) above sea level. Madikeri, also known as Mercara is the district headquarters and capital of the Coorg district in Karnataka. Coorg, originally known as Kodaimalenadu means the dense forest on steep hill. This small hill station is also referred as the Scotland of India and set in the heart of exotic coffee growing country. This town offers plenty of attractions to the tourists like lovely walks, wonderful views of the sea, and historic fort and a palace. Coorg is famous for its picturesque tea and coffee estates, misty hills, lush green forest,

mountain streams, orange groves, undulating streets, breathtaking views and its beautiful people with their martial spirit combined with graceful manners. Some of the important places to visit around Madikeri are Madikeri Fort - 19th century fort houses a temple, a chapel, prison and a small museum, Raja seat - a well maintained garden and offers beautiful sunset, Nagarhole National Park, Abbi Falls - a beautiful waterfall, Bhaga Mandala, Nisargadhama and Tala Kaveri - the birth place of river Kaveri, is an astoundingly beautiful place which is surrounded by mountains. Madikeri can be visited throughout the year as the weather is very pleasant, except in the monsoons.

Chikmagalur

Chikmagalur district takes its name from the Chikmagalur, the headquarter town. Chikmagalur literally means younger daughter's town. According to the legends, Chikmagalur was given as a dowry to the younger daughter of Rukmangada, the legendary chief of Sakrepatna. Chikmagalur is located in a lush valley south of the Babu-Budan range. The district houses fascinating monuments of all religions like the Kondadarama Temple, the Jamia Mosque and the St. Joseph's Cathedral. Hiremagalur is another part of the town that was also given to the elder daughter. Hiremagalur which is now a part of Chikmagalur town has an Ishwara Temple with a 1.22 metre high, intriguing figure of Jademuni. The temple also houses a Yoopastambha, believed to be installed by King Janamejaya, during his serpent sacrifice. An ancient fort and its moat are the other places of interest. Certain ancient inscriptions reveal that these two places were originally known as Kiriya-magalu and Piriya-magalu.

Gangamoola Hills

The Gangamoola Hills is situated in the Samse Taluk of Chikmagalur district. The Gangamoola hill is surrounded by thick forests and three mighty rivers, the Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravathi were originated here. A Goddess Bhagavathi shrine and a Varaha image, 1.8 metres high, within a cave, are the main tourist attractions of this region. The cave is inaccessible during the monsoon.