The
Kodagu region has several of trekking trails. Simply
follow the mountain paths dotted with little shtines
- some beside waterfalls, and others on the banks of
rivers. Interesting trails include one in the Brahmagiri
Range where a trail leads from the lruppu Falls to the
Brahmagiri Peak. Another trail leads to Pushpagiri (1712m),
Kodagu's second highest peak, through the village of
Heggademane north of Madikeri. The best season to trek
between October and rhe beginning of February.
ANGLING
Th e Masheer, Asia's premier sporting
fish and the prize catch for all committed anglers,
is the pride and joy of the Cauvery. Here, intrepid
anglers wait day and night in anticipation of their
catch.
At the Cauvery
Fishing Camp run by Jungle Lodges and Resorts, avid fishing
enthusiasts and nature lovers can soak in the tranquil
environs and also grab a whiff of adventure. Besides the
thrill of fishing, there are other activities for 'the
inspired ones like trekking, river rafting, coracle riding
and amateur fishing.
PARAGLIDING
Paragliding
is a truly Zen experience, To experience the exhilaration
and euphoria of paragliding, head for Nandi Hills. The
beautiful airstrip set in 1 sq km of tall wild grass
close to Bangalore's Hebbal Lake is the focus of aerosports
like parasailing and microlight flying.
The Sharavati
River makes a spectacular drop of 810ft. in four distinct
cascades - known locally as Raja, Rani, Rover, and Rocket
- to create the highest falls in Asia - Jog Falls.
When the sluice gates of the upstream Linganamakki Dam
are closed, it is worth taking a walk right down to
the bottom of the gorge.
Unchalli Falls
A
5km trek from Heggame, a dreamy hamlet in Uttara Kannada
district brings you to the picturesque Unchalli Falls
which is about 400km from Bangalore. These falls are
also known as Lushington Falls, after a former British
District Collector, who first discovered the falls
and Keppa Joga because of the deafening sound they
make.
Magod Falls
The Bedthi
River takes two distinct leaps to hurtle from a height
of 650ft. into a rocky ravine as the Magod Falls. Located
80km from Karwar, the thickly wooded country side, the
roar of the gushing water and the beautiful views combine
to make this an idyllic spot for choice outings.
An
8km trek from Kemmangundi along a steep and narrow path
leads to the Hebbe Falls. Surrounded by dense forests
and coffee plantations, the cascade drops from a height
of 250ft. to form Dodda Hebbe (Big Falls) and Chikka
Hebbe (Small Falls). A dip in the herb-infused water
here is believed to be remarkably refreshing.
Shivasamudram Falls
.
Shivasamudram
Falls is near a tiny island-town 65km east of Mysore. The
forests provide a startlingly calm setting for the Cauvery
River as it plummets from a height of 75m into a deep, rocky
gorge to form two picturesque falls, Barachukki and Gaganachukki.
When the Cauvery is in spate, watching the river crash into
a cloud of foaming spray can be an exhilarating experience.
This is also the site of Asia's first hydroelectric project
established in 1902
About
9km from Madikeri, in the midst of private coffee
and spice estates, Abbey Falls offers a splendid backdrop
for picnics. The falls make a sudden and dramatic
appearance amid stocky coffee bushes and tall trees
entwined with pepper vines, before they join
the Cauvery River downstream. The ideal time to visit
the falls is during the monsoon.
Iruppu Falls
Adjoining
the Rajiv Gandhi National Park in Nagarhole, 260 km
from Bangalore, lruppu Falls, present a stunning sight
during the monsoon. The falls plunge 170ft. in two distinct
stages before flowing as Lakshmana Theertha (Sacred
River of Lakshmana.) A forest trail leads from these
falls to the Brahmagiri Peak in Southern Kodagu.
Kalhatti Falls
Kalhatti Falls
start at the top of the Chandra Drona Hill, from a height
of 45m to flow before the Veerabhadreshwara Temple dedicated
to Lord Shiva. Situated 10km from Kemmangundi, Kalahatti is
about 250 km form Bangalore.
Lalguli Falls
Lalguli Falls
are located 15km north of Yellapur in Uttara Kannada District.
Here, the Kali River creates a grand spectacle tumbling from
a height of about 250ft. in a series of picturesque rapids
of varying heights.
About 32km from Yellapur, several
streams converge near Kallaramane Ghat, and plunge from a height
of 15m to create the magnificient Sathodi Falls, locally known
as the "Mini-Niagara of Uttara Kannada District".
