Weekend Escape Series · 6 min read · 8 Oct 2026

Bangalore → Chikmagalur Weekend Escape

Distance: ~245 km one-way

Drive Time: 5-6 hours

Fuel Cost: ₹1,700-1,900 one-way

Best Time: September-February

Chikmagalur is where coffee first took root in India, and a weekend here is mostly misty estate mornings, winding hill roads, and very good filter coffee. With Mullayanagiri, Karnataka's highest peak, and two UNESCO-listed Hoysala temples nearby, there is plenty to fill two days.

Getting there

Bangalore → Kunigal → Hassan on NH75, then Hassan → Belur → Chikmagalur. Taking the Belur road lets you stop at the temples on the way in. KSRTC buses run overnight from Bangalore and take around 6 hours.

Day 1: Belur, Halebidu, and the estates

•Leave early and stop at Belur's Chennakeshava temple and Halebidu's Hoysaleswara temple, 16 km apart and part of the UNESCO-listed Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas
•Check in to a coffee estate homestay by mid-afternoon
•Take a plantation walk with your host to see how coffee goes from cherry to cup
•Sunset at Hirekolale Lake, just outside town

Day 2: Mullayanagiri and the waterfalls

•Drive up to Mullayanagiri (about 1,930 m) at sunrise and climb the steps to the summit temple
•Continue along the ridge to Baba Budangiri
•Take a jeep down the rough estate track to Jhari Falls, or visit Hebbe Falls via Kemmangundi if you have time
•Visit the Coffee Board's museum in town and buy fresh beans before heading home

Where to stay

Coffee estate homestays are the reason to come, and the best ones include home-cooked Malnad meals. They book out on weekends, so reserve early. Chikmagalur town has budget hotels, and there are resorts along the road towards Mullayanagiri.

What to eat

•Akki rotti and chutney for breakfast at your homestay
•Malnad-style meals: kadubu, bamboo shoot curries, and spicy chicken or pork
•Filter coffee everywhere, made from estate beans
•Benne dosa and other Karnataka staples at stops in Hassan on the way

Good to know

•Vehicle access on the Mullayanagiri–Baba Budangiri road is regulated on busy weekends, sometimes with time slots or bookings. Check current rules before you go.
•The road to Mullayanagiri is narrow with sharp bends. Avoid driving it after dark.
•The monsoon, from June to September, brings fog, leeches, and occasional landslides. Pack leech socks if you plan to trek.
•Network coverage is patchy on many estates, so download offline maps