Temples, hills, and nature at its finest – Sakleshpur is a hill station in the Hassan district of Karnataka that offers all that and more. A weekend getaway to this green haven comes highly recommended especially when you want to give the cityscape a break. Nothing like being stuck in misty mountains with never ending views right? We've curated the ultimate guide for you to check out the top places and sights to visit in Sakleshpur. These are some of the things you must do when you are in this gem in the Western Ghats.
The Only Ultimate Guide To Things To Do In Sakleshpur, A Wester Ghats Gem
How To Get To Sakleshpur
If you are planning on driving down to Sakleshpur, then it's about 220 kilometres from Bangalore or about 4 hours. You can also take the train from Yeshwanthpur Junction and KSR and the journey is anywhere between 3 to 4 hours. There are weekly and daily trains available. If you intend to fly, the closest airport is Mangalore Airport which is about 140 kilometres away and takes about 3.5 hours to reach Sakleshpur by road. There are private buses and government that ply from Bangalore to Sakleshpur as well.
Manjarabad Fort
The star attraction of Sakleshpur is this star-shaped fort atop a hillock. It's known for its unique shape and was built by Tipu Sultan. The fort is located 3,000 metres above sea level and the views are spectacular. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Arabian Sea. Read more about Manjarabad Fort here.
Bisle Ghat
Bisle Ghat is surrounded by the Western Ghats and the views are simply mesmerising. It's one of the popular biking routes as well. The Ghat is known for its reserve forest and mountain ranges, and there's a pretty scenic trekking trail too. The Bisle Ghat Viewpoint is one of the popular spots. From here, on a clear day or when the fog cover slowly disappears, you'll see the magnificent view of not one, but three mountain ranges – Yenikallu Betta, Doddabetta and Pushpagiri, and Kumaraparvatha – and the green haven.
Manjehalli Waterfalls
Beneath the Pushpagiri mountain range is the scenic Manhehalli waterfall. During busy tourist season (monsoon time) this is a popular picnic spot with many folks even indulging in taking a quick dip in the pool below the waterfalls. The waterfalls are about 20 feet high and surrounded by lush jungle, so really, you've got yourself a solid picnic spot.
Hadlu Waterfall
Another popular waterfall in Sakleshpur, to get to Hadlu Waterfalls, one must trek through a plantation and a forest. It's a popular waterfall to trek to. Picnic isn't quite possible here but you can definitely cool yourself off and even drink the water from the falls.
Sri Sakleshwara Swamy Temple
The 11th-century temple is a fine example of the Hoysala empire and its architecture. The hill station gets its name from the temple and the main presiding deity is the massive statue of the Hindu god Shiva. Since the temple is by the banks of River Hemvathi, the whole place has a serene look.
Railway Trek Sakleshpur
If you are into trekking, definitely take the Green Route or Railway Trek that starts from Donigal Rail Station and ends at Yedakumeri Station. The trek will have you going through tunnels and bridges, with the vista featuring nature, waterfalls, and forest.
Jenukallu Gudda
Jenukallu Gudda is the second-highest peak in Karnataka and is located about 40-odd kilometres from Sakleshpur. It's quite a challenging trek that will have you going through three mountains and narrow trails. But it's all worth it for the views, the air, and just being atop so high. Experienced guides and treks are there so it's best recommended to do it in a group.
