Tourist places in Shivamogga district
Explore waterfalls, hills, wildlife spots, temples, forts, dams and other places across Shivamogga district — several sit right along the routes Malnad Yatra already tracks, so we've linked those in on each page. Distances are approximate; confirm locally before you set out.
Waterfall
Jog Falls
India's second-highest plunge waterfall, on the Sharavati River
About 30 km from Sagara, 60 km from Shivamogga
Dabbe Falls
A 110 m forest waterfall near Hosagadde, reached by a steep descent through the Western Ghats
About 35 km from Sagara, on the Sagara–Bhatkal road
Hidlumane Falls
A waterfall on the Kodachadri trekking trail, inside the Mookambika reserve forest
On the Nittur–Kodachadri trekking route
Kunchikal Falls
India's tallest waterfall, 455 m, deep in restricted forest near Hulikal
Near Nidagodu village / Masthikatte, Hosanagara taluk
Talasi Abbi Falls
An offbeat, lightly documented waterfall in the Hosanagara forest belt
Hosanagara taluk
Bheemeshwara Theertha
A cave shrine to Shiva set beside a waterfall, deep in the Sharavathi valley
About 65–70 km from Sagara, near Jog Falls
Hill & Trek
Kodachadri
A 1,343 m sacred peak above the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary
About 30 km from Hosanagara via Nittur
Kundadri
A rocky Jain pilgrimage hill just off the Thirthahalli–Agumbe road
About 20 km from Thirthahalli, 12 km from Agumbe
Kudajadri Hills
A forested stretch of the Kodachadri range, sometimes used as another name for Kodachadri itself
Same general area as Kodachadri, near Nittur
Agumbe
A rainforest village on the Western Ghats ridge, known for its sunset viewpoint and king cobra research station
About 90 km from Shivamogga city, on the Thirthahalli–Udupi road
Wildlife
Sakrebailu Elephant Camp
A Forest Department elephant camp on the Tunga, right on the Thirthahalli–Shivamogga road
About 14 km from Shivamogga, on the Shivamogga–Thirthahalli road
Tiger and Lion Safari, Shimoga
A 200-hectare jeep safari park 10 km from Shivamogga on the Sagara road
About 10 km from Shivamogga, on the Shivamogga–Sagara road
Gudavi Bird Sanctuary
A 73-hectare lake sanctuary in Soraba taluk, host to over 200 bird species each monsoon
About 15 km from Soraba town, 38 km from Sagara
River & Lake
Sharavati River
The river that carves Jog Falls, rising near Thirthahalli and ending at the Arabian Sea
Rises near Ambutirtha, Thirthahalli taluk
Mattur
The “Sanskrit village” on the Tunga River, a few km from Shivamogga
About 4–5 km from Shivamogga
Mahishi Beach
A quiet river beach on the Tunga, 3 km off the Shivamogga–Thirthahalli highway
About 3 km off Malur, on the Shivamogga–Thirthahalli highway
Hosanagara Hanging Bridge
A pedestrian suspension bridge over the Varada River, popular for a short scenic walk
About 47 km from Sagara, close to Hosanagara town
Honnemaradu
A backwater adventure hub on the Sharavathi reservoir, known for kayaking, coracle rides and camping
About 28 km from Sagara town
Fort & Temple
Keladi
A 16th-century temple town, first capital of the Keladi Nayakas, 8 km from Sagara
About 8 km from Sagara
Nagara Fort
The ruined 17th-century Bidanur fort, final capital of the Keladi Nayakas
About 17 km from Hosanagara, 36 km from Thirthahalli
Kuppalli Kavimane
The ancestral home of poet Kuvempu, preserved as a memorial museum in his native village
About 18 km from Thirthahalli town
Kedareswara Temple, Balligavi
A 12th-century Hoysala-style triple shrine in a village once known as a centre of learning
About 28 km from Shikaripura town
Udutadi
The birthplace of the 12th-century poet-saint Akka Mahadevi, with a memorial temple and old fort remains
About 15 km from Shikaripura town
Ninasam Theatre, Heggodu
A theatre and film institution in a small Malnad village, running since 1949
About 10 km from Sagara town
Varadahalli
Sri Sridhara Swami Ashram, a spiritual retreat in the forested hills near Sagara
About 6 km from Sagara town
Bale Padmavati Temple
A Digambara Jain pilgrimage temple dedicated to Goddess Padmavati, at Vadambailu village
About 20 km from Hosanagara town
Chandragutti
A hilltop cave temple to Goddess Renukamba, drawing large crowds during its spring fair
About 16 km from Soraba town, 40 km from Sagara
Sigandur Chowdeshwari Temple
A temple to Goddess Chowdeshwari on the Sharavathi backwaters, reached by a short ferry ride
About 45 km from Sagara town
Humcha Padmavati Temple
An 8th-century Jain pilgrimage centre at Hombuja, once the capital of the Santara dynasty
About 20 km from Hosanagara town
Mrugavadhe
A temple near Thirthahalli tied to the legend of Parashurama's hunt
About 26 km from Thirthahalli town
Kavale Durga Fort
A ruined 16th-century Keladi Nayaka hill fort with sweeping Western Ghats views
About 20 km from Thirthahalli town
Dam & Reservoir
Bhadra River Project Dam
A 1965 multipurpose dam on the Bhadra River, on the Bhadravati–Tarikere border
About 65 km from Shivamogga, near Lakkavalli
Linganamakki Dam
The 1964 dam that decides how much water reaches Jog Falls
About 9 km from Jog Falls, near Kargal village
BRP Dam
Local short name for the Bhadra River Project Dam at Lakkavalli
Same location as the Bhadra River Project Dam entry on this list
Tunga Anicut Dam
A diversion dam on the Tunga at Gajanur, inside Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary
About 12 km from Shivamogga, on the Shivamogga–Thirthahalli road
Gajanur Dam
The Tunga River dam supplying Shivamogga's drinking water, on the Thirthahalli road
About 12 km from Shivamogga
Savehaklu Dam
A geometric reservoir on the Chakra River, known for its square-edged embankments and misty reflections
About 95 km from Shivamogga city, near Hosanagara