Best Places To Visit In Madikeri – “The Misty City of Karnataka”

If you wish to take a hill station tour to the Southern side of India, Madikeri would be an ideal destination situated in the state of Karnataka. The hills and mountain ranges of the town are formed by the majestic Western Ghats. Apart from the hill station’s prominence, the history of the place is also quite significant.

The royal past of the town has laid unerasable landmarks and expressions in the area. Buddhist pilgrimage locations can also be spotted in the location. The hilly landscape of the town has also gifted it with white cascades of waterfalls, a cooling climate, and many more.

The agricultural splendidness of the town is also remarkable when talking about the tourism of the place. The orchards and plantations are worth visiting on your trip to the town. Adventure tourists can also find their interests in the hilly landscape of the city. Here are some of the best destinations in the town you will enjoy on the trip to Madikeri. 

Places To Visit In Madikeri

Mandalpatti

Being a hill station town, destinations with plenty of adventure tourism and viewpoints are a must-have. Mandalpatti in Madikeri is one among them. You can indulge in a variety of adventure activities, most importantly trekking. Another important thing you shouldn’t miss out on in the location is the viewpoints in the hills of Mandalpatti.

You can enjoy panoramic views from its viewpoints and this would be the best nature experience possible in the town. In order to reach the location of the Mandalpatti hills, you need to travel an average of 25-30km from the city center of Madikeri. This region was an offbeat destination during the earlier days.

But now tourism is quite active in the area with a lot of activities and engagements. Since the location of the hills is far away from the town center, a feeling of tranquillity and meditation would wrap you in the place. Backpackers are also seen plenty in the hills chilling their peaceful time in the mesmerizing landscape. 

Madikeri Fort

This is among the must places to visit in Madikeri if you are fascinated by the royal past and heritage side of the town. As the name suggests, this was the main fort of the town during the period of the reign of royal powers in the town. Mercara fort is the other name of the fort. Mudduraja was the royal authority who ordered the construction of the fort.

The time of construction of the fort according to the historic record available is the 17^th century. The palace of the then-king Mudduraja was also inside the fort of Madikeri. During colonial times, the fort went under renovation two times. Additions were also brought into the structure during these times.

The clock tower and the portico are part of these additions that were brought in by these rounds of renovations. Now the fort is also functional as the office accommodating the Deputy Commissioner. Don’t forget to visit the Virabhadra temple inside the fort. 

Tadiandamol Peak

When it comes to the entire hills and peaks in the town of Madikeri, the Tadiandamol peak is the highest. The name of the peak is also pronounced as “Thandiyandamol”. Considering the peaks in Karnataka, the peak has also got the third highest position. Mullayyanagiri and Kudremukha come in the first and second positions respectively.

1748m is the elevation of the Tadiandamol peak. The shola forests found abundantly in the area are one of the best sights to enjoy in the location. The peak and the forests are all part of the Western Ghats region.

Trekking is also a considerable activity in the location of the peak. Even if the peak is the highest in the Madikeri area, the difficulty levels in ascending the peak are only moderate, so if you are interested in such adventure activities, this would be a chilling experience in the town. A minimum of one day is required to complete the trek of the peak. 

Abbey Falls

This is one of the spectacular places to visit in Madikeri if you love waterfalls. If you are traveling along with your family, the Madikeri waterfalls region would be the best to spend some quality time. Visiting the area of Abbey falls would not just let you enjoy the beauty of the cascade, but its surrounding areas are the best to enjoy the spectacular views and enjoy the beauty of nature.

The rich biodiversity and vegetation of the area are also perfect if you can enjoy the sights of exotic organisms that are peculiar to the region. Since there are a lot of coffee plantations surrounding the region of Abbey Falls, your olfactory receptors would be feasted with the best possible aromas in the town of Madikeri.

There are also a lot of spice plantations nearby the waterfalls. So that you can also consider visiting them if agriculture and its methodologies are your cups of tea. The surroundings of the waterfalls can give you the best serene experience for sure. 

Dubare Reserve Forest and Elephant Camp

A not to be missed places to visit in Madikeri, the Dubare Reserve Forest and Elephant Camp in the town of Madikeri are the ideal locations where you can visit if you would like to feel the richness of the Western Ghats region on the go. Moreover, to satisfy the flourishing tourism around the region, a lot of adventure activities are also set up here.

So a visit to the place in the town of Madikeri can satisfy the adventure buff as well as a nature and biodiversity enthusiast inside you. You will also have the chance to witness the life and daily routine of the elephants in the camp. Enjoying their bathing scenes and playtime would be one of the best relaxing and rejoicing times in your entire Madikeri visit.

A wildlife safari is another best option you can try from the location. You will get to see and explore a bunch of treasured wildlife in the reserved area of the forest. A coracle boat ride is also possible from the location. 

Raja’s Seat

This is a signature tourist attraction you will come across in the city of Madikeri. Stuart Hill is the exact location where you can see this magnificent structure of Raja’s Seat. This seat is basically a viewpoint constructed to watch and observe the entire town of Madikeri, its beauty and charm at a stretch.

The translated meaning of this viewpoint is “the seat of the kings”. The atmosphere and surroundings of the place are quite calm and cool making the visit an unforgettable experience.

The place got its name during the period of royal reign in the town of Madikeri when the kings used to visit this location to indulge in the beauty of their city. The sunset and sunrise seen from the location of Raja’s seat are also the best and that is why a lot of tourist crowds are seen in the place during the golden hours of the day. 

Kote Betta

This is yet another mountain peak in the town of Madikeri. Reaching the top of the peak can be quite difficult especially if you are a beginner at trekking. However, if you would like to go to the base of the peak, there is a motorable road available till there. But only two-wheelers would get access to the road.

This place and the peak are best known for their spectacular sunsets. Moreover, viewpoints are also seen at the peak where you will be amazed by the beauty and elegance of the lush green views around you. You can also visit a Shiva Temple at the peak only if you are a male. There are entry restrictions for females in the temple.

The soothing vibes that the place can shower on your soul are matchless and worth experiencing at least once in your lifetime. If you are staying near Madikeri town, it is better to start your journey early in the morning to experience the best out of this place. 

Cauvery Nisargadhama

Apart from the hilly landscapes, the nature of Madikeri has got something more to offer to the tourists visiting the town. Cauvery Nisargadhama is one among them. This is a delta found in the city of Madikeri. But in popular terms, the location is known as an island. The delta is formed by the Kaveri river flowing through the town.

You need to travel a total distance of 29km in order to reach the destination of the delta. This is one of the most delightful nature visits possible on your trip to the town of Madikeri. Locals and tourists are equally found in the location. Families form the majority in the category of visitors in the location.

You can consider the place as an ideal location to have a picnic time with your loved ones. Beautiful cottages found on the riverside and the aromatic sandalwood trees are some of the specialties of the place. 

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Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary

As the name suggests, this is a wildlife sanctuary that you can include in the list of places to visit in Madikeri. Kumarahalli is the exact location of this sanctuary. Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the 21 wildlife sanctuaries found in the state of Karnataka. Exotic varieties of bird species are one of the prominent features of the sanctuary.

Many of the species of birds and organisms found in the location of the sanctuary belong to the endangered list and this itself accentuates the importance of the sanctuary in the wildlife concern of the planet. You can also climb the peak of Pushpagiri on the visit if you are more into the adventure side of it.

1987 is the year of the establishment of this wildlife sanctuary. The vibe of wilderness is one of the best things you will be able to feel from the visit to the peak and the sanctuary. Viewpoints in the peak region of the hills are also breathtaking so if you have the fitness level to ascend the peak, you will never be disappointed. 

Golden Temple

This is the pilgrimage among the places to visit in Madikeri. Golden Temple is one of the inevitable tourist locations in the city of Madikeri. This is a Buddhist monastery where you will be hit entirely by a different vibe and feeling. Kushalnagar is the exact location of the monastery.

You need to travel a total of 34km from the center of Madikeri to reach the location. The monastery can be enjoyed by everyone even if you are a believer or not. All you have to own is a taste for aesthetic structures and constructions. The beauty and charm of the monastery are spellbound that you won’t be able to stop staring at it.

The location of the monastery is where you can find the highest number of Tibetan Buddhist settlers after Dharamshala in India. So the culture, tradition, and lifestyle of this place in South India will never feel like the typical south. 

Brahmagiri Hill Trek

If you are a trek lover, Brahmagiri Hill Trek is among the places to visit in Madikeri. Manchalli is the exact location of the hills. The popularity of the trek has come from its beginner-friendly trekking experience. In most cases, if you would like to enjoy the best scenic views, the difficulty levels of the trekking would also be greater.

But unlike such typical cases, the beauty of the views possible from this relatively easier trek will steal your heart forever. 1295 m is the measured elevation of the Brahmagiri hills. Talacauvery temple is also nearby the location of the hills. Steps are also available if you wish to trek to the peak of the hills.

Remember to reach the starting point of the trek as early as possible. The gates will be open to visitors from 10 in the morning to 4 in the evening. There are a total of 750 steps in the trekking route to reach the peak point. 

Iruppu Falls

This waterfall in Karnataka is one of the most loved tourist attractions in the town of Madikeri. The cascade reaches the ground from an altitude of around, 170feet. The falls are located in the Brahmagiri hills ranges of Madikeri. The freshwater waterfall and the scenic visuals around the falls are some of the beauteous visuals to enjoy in your Madikeri vacation.

Bathing and playing with the fresh chilling water of the falls are also some of the engaging and relaxing activities possible in the location. Targeting the purpose of tourism, authorities have built metal platforms right under the falls in some of the safest areas. So that it is possible to spend some joyous time in the water.

However, be careful enough while playing and be extra cautious during the monsoon months of the year when an extra flow is expected. Another special feature of the falls is that it borders the district of Wayanad in the state of Kerala. 

Chelavara Falls

Another spectacular location for waterfall lovers visiting the town of Madikeri. The waterfall of Chelavara is formed by the Cauvery river. A stream originating from one of the tributaries of Cauvery flows and forms the waterfall of Chelavara. Cheyyandane village is the proper location for the falls. The total elevation of the falls is measured as 150 feet.

You can have a joyous picnic experience with your dear ones in the location of the falls. In order to reach the location, you also need to trek an average of 250 meters. A rock in the shape of a tortoise is also one of the popular tourist attractions found in the region of Chelavara falls.

Coffee plantations and lush green surroundings make the visit to the falls an enchanting experience in your Madikeri vacation. The best time to visit the falls is during the monsoon months of the year. 

Best Time To Visit Madikeri

July-September

How To Reach Madikeri?

Nearest Airport

Mysore Domestic Airport

Nearest Railway Station

Subrahmanya RD (SBHR)

Conclusion

A calming and blissful hill station vacation is possible on the southern side of the country. Buddhist pilgrimages and locations of historic significance are the other best places to visit in Madikeri.

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