Karnataka is very well-known for the many spectacular waterfalls it houses. If visited during the right season, they are a sight to behold. There is a huge list of waterfalls in the Western ghats, but here you will find the few that we have personally visited.
Jog Falls
Originating from the River Sharavathi, this is one of the most famous falls in the Western Ghats. Also known as Gerosoppa falls, this water body is located in the district of Shimoga.
Distance from Bangalore: 400 kilometers.
Accommodation: Cheap no frills accommodation is available here from Rs 800 onwards.
Best time to visit: Aug-Jan.
Little known fact: Jog falls is used for hydroelectricity and can generate 6700000 W of power.
Iruppu Falls
One of the most famous waterfalls in the district of Kodagu, Iruppu falls forms from the river Lakshmana Tirtha, in Virajpet. The falls is surrounded by a forest trail that leads to the Brahmagiri range.
Distance from Bangalore: 300 kilometres.
Accommodation: Plenty of homestays available in Coorg from Rs 1000/- onwards.
Best time to visit: Monsoons.
Little known fact: Legends say that Rama and Lakshmana passed this route on their search for Sita. A tired Rama asked his brother to fetch him some water to quench his thirst and Lakshaman shot an arrow into the Bhramagiri range and that bought about the Lakshmana Thirtha river.
Abbey Falls
Abbey Falls is in Kodagu, in the Western Ghats in Karnataka. The pristine water from the falls has a calming effect on tourists.
Distance from Bangalore: 300 kilometres.
Accommodation: Plenty of homestays available in Coorg from Rs 1000/- onwards.
Best time to visit: Monsoons.
Dudhsagar Falls
Located enroute to Goa, the falls offers a scenic backdrop to a railway track. It is one of India’s tallest waterfalls and forms the border between Karnataka and Goa. The source of the falls is the Mandovi river in Goa.
Distance from Bangalore: 548 kilometres.
Accommodation: The nearest accommodation available is in Panjim, which is 60 kilometeres away. There is no availability of fresh drinking water or clean rest room facilities anywhere in the vicinity of the falls including at the rail stop.
Best time to visit: Monsoons.
Little known fact: The picturesque falls was a shoot location for a scene from the film Chennai express.
Mallali Falls
Mallali falls is situated in Kodagu district at the foothills of the Pushpagiri mountains. The river source is the Kumaradhara River. The roads to the falls are terrible and cars can get damaged on their way there.
Distance from Bangalore: 265 kilometeres.
Accomodation: Plenty of home stays and hotels around Coorg.
Best time to visit: Pre-monsoons.
Little known fact: The Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in which the falls resides has been proposed to be included as a World heritage site.
Unchalli Falls
Unchalli falls is in the Sirsi district in Uttara Kannada. These falls cascade from a height of 170 feet and is created by the river Aghanashini. Trekkers love this spot since it is full of steep tracks, deep gorges and rare flora.
Distance from Bangalore: 443 kilometres.
Accomodation: There are plenty of hotels and guesthousess in Sirsi and Yellapur that can help a weary traveller.
Best time to visit: Pre-monsoons and monsoons.
Little known fact: Unchalli falls is also known as Lushington falls. It was named after a British District collector, J.D. Lushington, who discovered the falls in 1845.
Balmuri Falls
Balmuri falls is located on the way to Krishna Raja Sagar dam. The falls is man-made and is created by the dam. It is a well-known picnic spot, too.
Distance from Bangalore: 139 kilometres.
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Accommodation: There are plenty of places to stay in and around Mysore which is 16 kilometers away.
Little known fact: The falls have plenty of whirlpools that have claimed many unsuspecting lives.
Kadambi Falls
Falling from the height of 30 feet, the Kadambi falls is located inside the Kudremukh National Park in Chikmangaluru. The majestic fall is a stunning sight to behold with lush greenery all around.
Distance from Bangalore: 331 kilometers.
Accommodation: Visitors can stay at Kuduremukh, which offers a wide range of stay options.
Best time to visit: Pre-monsoons and monsoons.
Barkana Falls
Barkana Falls is situated near Balehalli forest area, in the Agumbe village, Shimoga. The falls cascade from the height of 850 feet. It finds its origins from the River Seetha.
Distance from Bangalore: 382 kilometres.
Accomodation: Agumbe and Shimoga have plenty of stay options.
Best time to visit: The fall offer a sight to behold during the monsoons.
Little know fact: Barkana Falls is one of the prime sources of hydroelectricity in Karnataka as the water is used to power a hydroelectric system. The village of Agumbe, where the falls are situated, is said to have received the highest level of rainfall in Karnataka.