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10 waterfalls in Karnataka not to be missed

Karnataka state is blessed with over fifty waterfalls mostly in the lush green forests of Western Ghats.
Jog falls (Rocket-Rani streams)
Jog falls (Rocket-Rani streams)
Here are some of the spectacular waterfalls which I could recall.

10. Vibhuthi falls, Uttara Kannada
Vibhuthi falls are very less explored by tourists. This tranquil multi-level cascading waterfalls can be reached by a 2 km (around 20 mins trek) trail through the thick forest cover.
Vibhuti falls during peak summer (Mar-2011)
Vibhuti falls during peak summer (Mar-2011)
Type: multi-level cascade
Height: 31 m (101 ft)
River: Lakshmana Tirtha River
Best time to visit: post monsoons (Oct-Mar), although waterfalls are running through the year
More details: CLICK HERE

9. Jhari falls/Dabdabe Falls/buttermilk falls, Chikmangalur

Dabdabe falls is a triple cascading waterfall nestled within thick forest cover where the sun can hardly reach.
The waterfalls are very close to nature with its immensely beautiful triple cascade over the steep rocks.
The virgin water stream flowing through the forest fall from a height of about 25 m over steep rocks forming a triple cascade, which makes it immensely beautiful. Getting a dip under the waterfalls can be a very chilling experience. There are no changing rooms here, so be prepared to get dry under the sun.

How to reach: About 23km from Chickmangalur towards BB hills is a deviation after Honnammana Halla Waterfalls, one should hire a jeep from the main road to reach the waterfalls.

Dabdabe or Buttermilk falls (May end-2016)
Dabdabe or Buttermilk falls (May end-2016)
Type: Triple cascading waterfalls
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Best time to visit: post monsoons (Oct-Feb), although waterfalls are running through the year
More details: CLICK HERE

8. Sirimane falls, Chikmangalur
It is about 15 km from Sringeri. The water here is very clean and is very safe to play in water. The falls see a lot of crowd and is not a deserted one. From the parking lot it is about 10 mins short trek through the well-paved steps.

Type: cascading waterfalls
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Best time to visit: post monsoons (Oct-Feb), although waterfalls are running through the year
More details: CLICK HERE

7. Abbey falls, Coorg
Abbey falls is a small but beautiful waterfalls located inside the private coffee estates of Coorg. Popular among tourists due to its vicinity to Madikeri. At the falls tourists are not allowed to get into the water.
Abbey falls, June-2012
Abbey falls, June-2012
Type: cascading waterfalls
Height: 21 m (70 ft)
River: tributary of Kaveri river
Best time to visit: during monsoons and post monsoons, Jul-Feb
More details: CLICK HERE

6. Sathodi falls, Uttara Kannada
Sathodi Falls is one of the fascinating waterfalls of Uttara Kannada district, located near Kallaramarane Ghat 32 km from Yellapur .
The falls can be reached over a 2 km (20 mins) trek through the thick forest cover, which might be very difficult in rains as it is very slippery.
Sathodi falls during peak summer (End of Mar-2011)
Sathodi falls during peak summer (End of Mar-2011)
Type: cascading waterfalls
Height: 15 m(49.2 ft)
River: tributary of Kali River
Best time to visit: post monsoons Oct-Feb, although water flows through the year
More details: CLICK HERE

5. Mallalli falls, Coorg
Mallalli falls is 40 km from Madikeri. The falls can be reached after a 2 km trek and later descending about a thousand steps down to reach the foot of the upper Mallalli falls. The place is very remote, so visit in large groups.
Upper and lower Mallalli falls (Christmas-2011)
Upper and lower Mallalli falls (Christmas-2011)
Type: Two drop cascading waterfalls
Height: 60 m (200 ft)
River: Kumaradhara river
Best time to visit: post monsoons Oct-Feb, although water flows through the year
More details: CLICK HERE

4. Magod falls, UK
Magod falls is where the river Bedti falls from a height of nearly 200m in two steps.
The falls is actually very far from the view point. But the valley down the falls is gorgeous. Best time to visit Magod falls is after heavy monsoons where you can witness the power of the Mother Nature with the water flow.
Magod falls during peak summer (End of Mar-2011)
Magod falls during peak summer (End of Mar-2011)
Type: Two drop cascading waterfalls
Height: 198 m (650 ft)
River: Bedti river
Best time to visit: during monsoons and post monsoons, Jul-Feb. Although water flows through the year.
More details: CLICK HERE

3. Irruppu falls, Coorg
Kodagu has to offer many clean waterfalls right from the virgin forests of western ghats, one such is the Iruppu Falls, reachable with a small and easy trek of 1 km.
The cascading waterfalls slides from an height of 170 ft over the rocks in many drops which makes it more beautiful. Best thing about this falls is we can actually play in the water and sit below the falls.

Type: cascading waterfalls
Height: 52 m (170 ft)
River: Lakshmana Tirtha River
Best time to visit: post monsoons during Oct-Feb
More details: CLICK HERE

2. Shivanasamudra falls, Mandya
Shivanasamudra falls is located in Mandya district about 139km from Bangalore.
River Kaveri splits into two parts to form two waterfalls, Bharachukki and Gaganachukki at a distance of few km to each other, together called as Shivanasamudra falls.
Bharachukki falls is a segmented waterfall broken into multiple channels spread across over 300 m in width before dropping, resulting in at-least five side by side waterfalls.

Gaganachukki being more violent in water-flow and is at a much higher altitude compared to the Bharachukki.
Bharachukki falls (first two segments) - during Aug-2011
Bharachukki falls (first two segments) - during Aug-2011
Gaganachukki falls, during Aug-2011
Gaganachukki falls, during Aug-2011
Type: Segmented waterfalls
Height: 98 m (322 ft)
River: Kaveri river
Best time to visit: during monsoons and post monsoons, Jul-Feb
More details: CLICK HERE


 1. Jog falls, Shivamogga
Sharavati River falls from a whopping height of 960 ft split into four parts as Raja, Roarer, Rocket and Rani together called as the Jog falls. With a 253m (830 ft) drop through raja, it makes Jog falls the second-highest plunge waterfall in India.

The spectacular views from here cannot be described in words; one should experience it to feel this nature's marvel.
Spectacular views of the Jog falls through half way to the base. (Sep-2016)
Spectacular views of the Jog falls through half way to the base. (Sep-2016)
Gowrishankara falls, which also falls from an height similar to Jog falls about 960ft. (Sep-2016)
Gowrishankara falls, which also falls from an height similar to Jog falls about 960ft. (Sep-2016)
Type: Segmented, Plunge waterfalls
Height: Total height 290 m (960 ft), Longest drop 253m (830 ft)
River: Sharavati River
Best time to visit: during peak monsoons (Aug-Sep)
More details: CLICK HERE

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