The fascinating Hidlumane Falls is a series of cascading falls that offers a refreshing sight to the viewers. The waterfall flows as a series of 6 or 7 falls, each a beautiful sight in its own right. The interesting part about these falls is that each of these falls is hidden from one another and each seems to be more enthralling than the last one you see. But the most amazing one among them is the one that is the most secluded and is situated at the top of the cascade.
The beautiful waterfall is situated under the Shimoga district of Karnataka and is located within the Mookambika reserve forest at the base of the Kodachadri hills of the Western Ghats.
Photographer Ramesh JS
The charm of Hidlumane Falls
The milky white water rushing down against a background of rocks and greenery is a sight to behold. The one at the topmost level drops down to a natural pool below. The water in this pool is not very deep and visitors can enjoy a bath in the cool water of the falls at any time of the year except the monsoon season.
However, during the rainy season the current in the water is quite strong and can sweep away anyone who dares to venture into the water for a bath or a swim.
The view from the top of the waterfall is indeed a magnificent sight. The engulfing greenery of Western Ghats and the stillness of the surroundings enhance the beauty of the spot. The silence of the forest is broken by the noise of the waterfall that can be heard from quite a distance during the monsoon season.
Trekking to Hidlumane Falls
The trekking route to the Hidlumane Falls is an adventurous one. The trek involves crossing over steep hills and dense forest. There are two trek routes to reach the waterfall – one starts from the Nittur village and the other starts from the Kodachadri peak. Both the routes offer a refreshing sight to the visitors.
The part of the trek that passes through the thick forest area is the most interesting one. The greenery of the forest and the chirping of various birds make for a nice trip. Trekkers can also have a glimpse of some beautiful and colourful birds. However, the one thing that seems to draw the attention of most trekkers on the forest trail is the plenty of dead wood that has been shaped in a very unusual way.
Some of these woods have been shaped by termites that have eaten into the wood and, in the process, have given a lovely shape to the wood. But the trail also involves crossing large and small rocks.
The trail becomes difficult during the monsoon season as the rocks turn slippery due to the rainfall. There are thorny plants as well that needs to be avoided on the trail.
Best time to visit Hidlumane Falls
The best time to visit the waterfall is during the post monsoon season i.e., September to January. During these months the waterfall flows down with increased velocity due to the increased volume of water and offers a refreshing sight to the visitors.
Information for visitors
There is a small shop in the village near the forest that sells essential items that may be required during the trek like bottles of water, light snacks, etc. There is also a house near the shop that serves food to visitors but it takes a couple of hours for the food to be served.
The way to the waterfall can be confusing for first time visitors and a guide may prove to be quite helpful for the trek. Local guides are available for helping the tourists to reach the waterfall.
During the monsoon season the trek route becomes slippery and inundated with leeches. Hence, trekking becomes difficult. Carrying salt and lime comes handy against the leeches.
It is best to leave the waterfall before evening descends as the place is isolated.
Nearby tourist attractions
There are several places located in the areas surrounding the waterfall that attract tourists who embark on the journey to explore the beauty of the Hidlumane Falls. A few such tourist attractions are:
Kodachadri Peak: Kodachadri Peak is famous for the views it offers of sunrises and sunsets. The peak can be reached by trekking from the Hidlumane Falls. The lush green Kodachadri hills are great for trekking. The summit is an excellent spot from where one can see the Arabian Sea on a clear day. The most interesting part of visiting the peak is to observe the sun going down into the Arabian Sea at sunset. The calm environs and the surrounding beauty create a surreal atmosphere for the visitors.
Mookambika National Park: The Mookambika National Park spreads across the Kodachadri Hills. The Mookambika National Park is a reserve of a wide variety of flora and fauna. Several endangered species of birds, animals and trees can be found inside the national park. The Mookambika National Park also houses more than 60 rare species of medicinal herbs and plants.
Sarvajna Peetha: The Sarvajna Peetha is located on the Kodachadri peak. It is a small temple like structure that has great religious significance attached to it. It is believed that the place was visited by Shankaracharya during his long spiritual journey. The Sarvajna Peetha is also known as the Shankarapeetham and is a very popular attraction among believers and followers of Shankaracharya.
Mookambika temple: Mookambika temple is an ancient temple located in Kollur. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati. It is believed that the Mookambika Temple is the only temple built by Parashurama in respect of Goddess Parvati. The historical temple is a popular destination for religious tourists.
Arasinagundi Falls: The Arasinagundi Falls is a beautiful waterfall located within the dense forests of Western Ghats and can be found at the bottom of Kodachadri Hills near Dhalli village. The greenery of the forest, the calm environment and the rushing water attract people to Arasinagundi Falls. The trek to the falls is an exciting part of the journey and trekkers can enjoy the charm of the forests of Western Ghats while trekking up to the falls.
How to reach Hidlumane Falls
Hidlumanr Falls is situated near Kodachadri and can be reached by several means of transport from various parts of Karnataka and beyond.
By Air
The nearest airport is located at Mangalore. There are buses and taxis available from Mangalore Airport to reach Kollur. From Kollur one can take a bus or hire private vehicles to reach till Nittur village and then proceed to the waterfall.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is the Kundapura Railway Station. From there one can hire jeeps to reach Kodachadri and then proceed to the waterfall.
By Road
There are frequent buses from Bangalore and some other parts of the state to Kollur and Kodachadri. From these two places there are bus services till Nittur village. From Nittur village visitors can hire private vehicles to reach near the falls. For the trekking enthusiasts the trek can also start from Kodachadri or Nittur.
Also See:
- Other Water falls in Karnataka
- Dams in Karnataka
- Rivers in Karnataka
- Trekking in Karnataka
- About Shimoga