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Located in the Western Ghats in the state of Karnataka, Horanadu is a placid town well known for its divine importance as well as stunning natural beauty. The main draw is the Sri Annapoorneshwari Temple dedicated to the goddess of food, which attracts tons of devotees every year. On the other hand, there are many other fascinating places to visit near Horanadu which are rich in culture, adventure and beauty. Each of the nearby places also offers a different side of attraction ranging from old buildings to green forests.
10 Places To Visit Near Horanadu
Let us explore both the famous and the unexplored places to visit near Horanadu that enhance the beauty of it and the adventure that it offers:
1. Ballalarayana Durga
Photo: Sngmsh8666 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Ballalarayana Durga is an ancient Fort located about 34 km from Horanadu in the beautiful Western Ghats of Karnataka. This is an old fort that was constructed way back in the 17th century by Hoysala King Veera Ballala I and reveals the glorious past of the region. The journey to the fort starts from Kalabhairaveshwara Temple surrounded by beautiful forests and splendid views. The most attractive feature is the Bandaje Falls, a huge waterfall located nearly a thousand feet below the fort.
Location: Ballalarayana Durga, Chikmagalur District, Karnataka
Distance From Horanadu: 34 km
Best Time To Visit: July to March (monsoon season for waterfalls)
2. Kalaseshwara Temple
Photo: Vikramkkl / Wikimedia Commons
Kalaseshwara Temple is one of the most important temples in the town of Kalasa, which is 8 km away from Horanadu. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is of historical and religious importance; it is said to be built by Sage Agastya himself. The temple has a unique architectural design that is shaped like a pot and is located along the banks of Bhadra River which is also scenic and green.
Location: Kalasa, Chikmagalur District, Karnataka
Distance From Horanadu: 8 km
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Timings: 6:30 AM – 9:30 PM
3. Kudremukh National Park
Photo: Amol.Gaitonde / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Kudremukh National Park, situated in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka, covers an incredible area of 600 square kilometres filled with spectacular terrain and rich wildlife. The western ghats, where this park is located, has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is one of the most biological hotspots in the world. It also has rich fauna with species such as lion-tailed macaques, tigers, leopards, and several species of deer that are under threat of extinction.
Location: Chikmagalur District, Karnataka
Distance From Horanadu: Approximately 55 km
Best Time To Visit: June to February
Entry Fee: ₹ 200 for Indian adults; ₹1000 for foreign nationals
Activities: Trekking, wildlife watching, and photography
4. Soormane Falls
Photo: solarisgir / Wikimedia Commons
Soormane Falls is a picturesque place situated within the Kudremukh National Park almost 15 km from the Horanadu town. This beautiful fall acts like an ornament to the hills and is conspicuous during the rainy season when the torrents pour down the rocky flanks. While on the way to Soormane Falls visitors will enjoy the rich wildlife and the colourful scenery all around as the path involves trekking.
Location: Kudremukh National Park, Karnataka
Distance From Horanadu: Approximately 15 km
Best Time To Visit: June to September (monsoon season for full flow)
Activities: Trekking, photography, picnicking
5. Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Pixabay / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Western Ghats, Karnataka, and is very large covering an area of 314.25 sq km. The sanctuary is located around the famous Someshwara temple, which is also the name of the presiding deity. The sanctuary comprises lush evergreen tropical wet forests, semi-evergreen forests, and moist deciduous forests, making it rich in biodiversity. The sanctuary is home to several wildlife, for example, Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, lion-tailed monkeys, Indian elephants, and so forth.
Location: Udupi & Shivamogga districts, Karnataka
Distance From Horanadu: Approximately 60 km
Best Time To Visit: November to April
Entry Fee: ₹200 for adults; ₹100 for children
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
6. Ramagiri Hill
Photo: AriaFilm / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Ramagiri Hill, also known as Ramagiri Betta, is an alluring trekking spot located in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka, about 40 km from Horanadu. This hill is famous because of its breathtaking views, rocky surface, and abundant greenery that attracts many adventure seekers and nature lovers. The trek to Ramagiri Hill is of easy to moderate grade and there are well-marked trails in the precarious hilly region that pass through dense forests and rocky paths.
Location: Ramagiri Hill, Chikmagalur District, Karnataka
Distance From Horanadu: Approximately 40 km
Best Time To Visit: October to March (post-monsoon for lush greenery)
7. Sringeri
Photo: Calvinkrishy /Wikimedia Commons
Located within Chikmagalur district in Karnataka, the picturesque town of Sringeri is on the banks of the Tunga River. It is most famous for the Sri Sharadamba temple which was built by the great philosopher and saint Adi Shankaracharya in the year 800 AD. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Sharada, who symbolises knowledge and wisdom and has an exquisite golden idol that draws thousands of pilgrims every year.
Location: Sringeri, Chikmagalur District, Karnataka
Distance From Horanadu: Approximately 60 km
Best Time To Visit: October to March
8. Thirthahalli
Photo: Manjeshpv / Wikimedia Commons
Thirthahalli is a small yet captivating town that sits pretty in the Western Ghat region of Shimoga district in Karnataka, where natural beauty meets culture. Situated on the banks of river Tunga, Thirthahalli acts as a base for adventurists heading towards the enchanting Western Ghats, making this place a favourite for nature lovers as well as adventure seekers. The town has many historical temples, one of them being an ancient Rama Thirtha temple which is dedicated to Lord Rama and draws an influx of devotees.
Location: Shimoga District, Karnataka
Distance From Horanadu: Approximately 50 km
Best Time To Visit: October to March (for pleasant weather)
Activities: Trekking, temple visits, photography, and enjoying local cuisine
9. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Pixabay/ Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, which is situated in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka state, is a very beautiful natural reserve about 490 square kilometres in area. The Bhadra sanctuary, which was created in 1951 and was declared a Project Tiger reserve in 1998, is very famous for its scenic beautiful landscapes enriched with diverse greenery and hilly terrains with the flowing Bhadra river inside the sanctuary. The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary shelters a wide variety of fauna such as tigers, leopards, gaurs, elephants, numerous species of deer, etc.
Distance From Horanadu: Approximately 37 km
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Entry Fee: ₹200 for adults; ₹100 for children
Timings: Daily from 6:30 AM – 6 PM
Activities: Jeep safaris, birdwatching, trekking, and boating on the Bhadra River
10. Hirekolale Lake
Photo: Kashishsehgal / Wikimedia Commons
Hirekolale Lake is a beautiful lake situated at a distance of 10 km approx from Chikmagalur, Karnataka. This beautiful lake is situated at the base of Mullayanagiri hills and was built to supply drinking water and irrigation for the adjacent areas. The lake has thick greenery all around and provides a wonderful sight of the western ghats which is immensely appealing to people who enjoy nature as well as taking pictures. The peaceful atmosphere at Hirekolale Lake is ideal for going for lazy strolls, family outings and clicking beautiful pictures of the sunset.
Location: Hirekolale Lake, Chikmagalur, Karnataka
Distance From Horanadu: 45 km
Best Time To Visit: September to March (pleasant weather)
Timings: Open 24 hours
Horanadu provides a great platform for tourists visiting religious and scenic attractions in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. Given the mix of cultures and various things to do, a trip to the places to visit near Horanadu assures one of the experiences that will be fondly remembered in the years to come. Plan your trip with TripXL and immerse yourself in these amazing places of India.
Cover Photo: Hari K Patibanda / Wikimedia Commons
