Located in the Shimoga district of Karnataka, Agumbe is a tiny village often referred to as the "Cherrapunji of South India". This biodiversity-rich region highest rainfall in south India and the second highest annual rainfall in India. Visiting Agumbe is an enriching experience as this hill station and picturesque beauty coupled with trekking trails and gushing rainfalls. It is one of the last surviving lowland rainforests. This beautiful place served as the setting for India's very famous fictional town Malgudi in the TV serial Malgudi Days. Agumbe is famously known for the breathtaking sunsets over the Arabian Sea that can be witnessed from this region.
Distance from Mangalore: 104 km
Kundadari is a place for trekkers, situated about 12 km from Thirthahalli. A paradise for trekking lovers, it offers a good trail with a Kundadri Hill which is huge single rock formation and many protrusions.
Distance from Mangalore: 116 km
Known For : Baba Budangiri Mullayanagiri Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
If you love the aroma of freshly brewed coffee in the mornings, you are going to love Chikmagalur, which has a perpetual fragrance of coffee lingering in the air. Very famously known as the ‘Coffee Land of Karnataka’, Chikmagalur is situated in the foothills of the Mullayangiri Range in Karnataka and stands at an altitude of 3400 feet. Famous for its tall mountains, lush green forests and its tranquil environment (apart from its coffee production), Chikmagalur is a very popular hill station near Mangalore and is a quaint getaway from the busy life of the city.
Distance from Mangalore: 149 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Abbey Falls Mandalpatti Raja's Seat
Located amidst imposing mountains in Karnataka with a perpetually misty landscape, Coorg is the place to be for all nature lovers. This popular coffee producing hill station near Mangalore is not only popular for its beautiful green hills and the streams cutting right through them. It also stands as a popular destination because of its culture and people. The Kodavas, a local clan specialising in martial arts, are especially notable for their keen hospitality.
Distance from Mangalore: 137 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : BRT Wildlife Sanctuary Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Adventure Activities
The Biligiriranga hills, or the BR Hill as they are better known, are a bit of heaven between the Western and the Eastern Ghats, with a wonderful floral diversity and a vast variety of fauna as well. This hill station near Mangalore is in rich natural beauty and is home to a number of exotic animals and birds, and one can spend the most enjoyable times here spotting these.
Distance from Mangalore: 340 km
Best Time: April to October
Known For : Hebbe Falls Kalahatti Falls Z Point
A hill station near Mangalore of widespread views and scents of beautiful gardens, Kemmanagundi or KR hills, homes the tallest peak of Karnataka, Mullayanagiri.
Distance from Mangalore: 200 km
Best Time: September to May
In the Sahyadri Hills of North Karnataka, is located a quaint hills station near Mangalore with beauty that casts a spell and hills to appeal to the direst trekkers. Tucked in between one of the richest biodiversity centers of the world, Yana is a small hill station with immense beauty enough to captivate any soul that lays eyes on it. A small village located just 140 km from Hubli; Yana is famous as a center of adventure, wildlife and religion hence proving to be the perfect getaway destination.
Distance from Mangalore: 258 km
Known For : Hoysala Temples at Mosale Shettihalli Church Bhagwan Bahubali Statue
Hassan is located 187kms from Bangalore lying in the Malnad and Maidan districts of Karnataka. The city derives its name from its presiding deity Goddess Hassanamba which in Kannada language mean 'Smiling mother'. Owing to it's ancient structures and monuments, this city is often called as the temple -architecture capital of Karnataka.
Distance from Mangalore: 171 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Kodachadri Jog Falls Agumbe
With nature in its full bloom, the town of Shimoga has been home to several great dynasties and kingdoms. Steeped in rich heritage and culture, this main city of Shimoga District derives its name from the words 'Shiv-Mukha' implying 'Face of Lord Shiva'. Pleasant weather, beautiful rolling hills, a profusion of areca nuts and an endless list of attractions have made this place a must for enthusiastic vacation makers.
Distance from Mangalore: 191 km
Best Time: July to December
Known For : Edakkal Caves Banasura Sagar Dam Chembra Peak
Replete with enchanting waterfalls, historical caves, comfortable resorts and homestays, this popular town is famous for its spice plantations and wildlife. Among the prettiest hill stations near Mangalore, Wayanad has a multitude of options for its visitors. A great place to spot wild elephants, cool breeze, beautiful scenery, Wayanad is guaranteed to please your travel senses. Overall, a perfect weekend idea from the cities of South India.
Distance from Mangalore: 257 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Manjarabad Fort Sakleshwara Temple Bisle Reserve Forest
The popular yet less-crowded hill station in Karnataka flanked by the Western Ghats is Sakleshpur where there is something for everyone, from dense rainforest to derelict railway tracks for hiking, from historical temples to age-old fort and from mountain peaks to waterfalls.
Distance from Mangalore: 130 km
Best Time: October to March, May-June
Known For : BRT Wildlife Sanctuary Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Adventure Activities
The Biligiriranga hills, or the BR Hill as they are better known, are a bit of heaven between the Western and the Eastern Ghats, with a wonderful floral diversity and a vast variety of fauna as well.
Distance from Mangalore: 340 km
Best Time: April to October
Kodachadri Hills serve as a stunning backdrop of evergreen forests to the town of Maravanthe. Located in the Western Ghats at a height of 4411 feet above the sea level, they also proves to be one of the good trekking trails, beginning at the South Kanara Forest.
Distance from Mangalore: 163 km
Which of these numerous hill stations near Mangalore do you think is the best? Let us know in the comments below!