Into the clouds: Chikmangalur with Sharath
Chikmangalur is a tranquil hill station about 250 km from Bangalore. This popular hill station is filled with breathtaking sights and also it is renowned for Mullayanagiri, the highest peak of Karnataka. The route is relatively simple. Follow the Bangalore-Mangalore highway till Hassan and then head straight to Belur road till you reach Chikmagalur. The route offers all kinds of driving pleasures ranging from expressways to sharp hairpin bends on hilly roads and boy it is fun!
You have excellent places to stop over if you are driving in Western Ghats between Chikmagalur to Mangalore. Kottigehara is one such hamlet. You will definitely fall in love with the roads once you start your ride towards Kalasa from Kottigehaara. The 30+ kilometer stretch from Kottigehaara towards Kalasa will be in your memory for a very long time. The never ending coffee estates, sky touching trees and roads with curves and bends and lush green nature will impress you for sure.
Mudigere is one of the towns and taluk headquarters of Chikmagalur district. This little town is surrounded by the coffee plantations. Mudigere is a beautiful place with the natural diversity coming under the 8 hot-spots of the world. The amazing natural beauty of this place attracts Kannada film directors to shoot the Kannada movies in Mudigere.
Malaya Marutha forest resort is next to Mudigere Taluk. This resort also has a nature therapy spa which is a bit expensive but the small spa has its own natural ambience.
The waterfalls
Probably the main attraction of the resort is 2–3 waterfalls around it. One is exactly beside the resort while the other two are located downstream where the resort personnel normally arrange for a barefoot trek. Beware, if you are afraid of leeches, as there is no shortage of that.
What are the top 5 places to see?
- Kudremukh National Park
- Baba Budangiri
- Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
- Mulyanagiri
- Hebbe Falls
What are the best places to treat your taste-buds with?
- Town canteen
- Coffee Barn Cafe
- The Estate Cafe
The local cuisine that you will find here is the “Malanadu” cuisine. It is known for its richness and spice. Dishes like the Akki Roti, kakadu, and many more treats that are prepared with coconut milk are the local delicacy. You should also try momos in Tibetan colony, Kushalnagar and Mudigere. Chikmagalur is also called as ‘Land of Coffee’, well known for the coffee plantations and production.
This place offers decent offbeat experience for 2–3 days. The stay tends to feel longer than usual due to absence of mobile network coverage and helps you connect better with the nature.
