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Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (Muthodi)
38 kms northwest, this sanctuary is a must-see for wildlife enthusiasts. Gaur, Chital, Sambar, Elephants and Tigers are some of the wildlife found here. The sanctuary takes its name from the river Bhadra, its lifeline. Popularly known as Muthodi Wildlife Sanctuary, after the village on its periphery, it is a great place to sight the ferocious tiger, observe the Indian bison, hear the strange calls of the striped hyena, and see the rare flying lizard glide amidst the huge trees. The southern part of the sanctuary is rich in birds, butterflies and reptiles. More than 250 species of bird life, many of which are endemic to the Western Ghats, are spotted here.

Kemmanagundi
55 kms north of Chikmagalur, this is a scenic hill station, situated on the Baba Budan range at a height of 1,434 m. 8 kms from Kemmanagundi are the Hebbe Falls where the water gushes down from a height of 168 m in two stages. The Kalhatti Falls are 10 kms from Kemmanagundi. The water here cascades down a height of 122 m. There is also a local temple here, constructed in a gap between rocks.

Kudremukh
95 kms southwest of Chikmagalur is the secluded hill station of Kudremukh. Situated 1894 m above sea level, the Kudremukh hills overlook the Arabian Sea and are chained to one another with deep valleys and steep precipices. There is rich flora and fauna here, waiting to be discovered. Caves asking to be explored. Ruins and traces of old civilizations inviting a study. Lovely, unspoiled places to camp. Can any trekker resist Kudremukh? This place is also rich in iron-ore deposits.

Mullaiyangiri
The highest point is 'Mullaiyangiri' - 1900 m & has 3 caves, sanctified by 3 sages & containing their icons & tombs. A sacred centre, 'Seethala Mallikarjuna' near a cave, and a mutt lend the place a mystic touch. Near Baba Budangiri peak are the 3 famous waterfalls - Gada Theertha, Kamana Theertha and Nellikayi Theertha.

Hebbe Falls
This beautiful waterfall is over 10 kms away from the famous hill station, Kemmangundi. Here water streams down from a height of 168 meters in two stages to form Dodda Hebbe (Big Falls) and Chikka Hebbe (Small Falls).

Kallathigiri Falls
Just 10 kms away from Kemmangundi is Kallahathigiri Falls, also known as Kalahasti falls. Water cascades down from the top of the Chandra Drona hill from a height of 122 meters amidst fascinating scenery. There is an old Veerabhadra temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, constructed in a gap between rocks. This temple can be approached after crossing the waterfall.

Inam Dattatreya Peetha (28 km)
The Inam Dattatreya Peetha, nestled in the Baba Budangiri hills, is a revered shrine for both Hindus and Muslims. A laterite cave here is believed to have sheltered, at different times, both Guru Dattatreya and the Muslim saint Hazrat Dada Hayath Mir Khalandar, sent to India by Prophet Mohammed. Muslims celebrate urs at the site three days every year in the month of Rabi-ul-Avval, the third month of the Islamic calendar while Hindu devotees observe Dattatreya Jayanti every year during Kartik Poornima celebrations.

Sringeri (90 km)
Regarded as one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimages in South India, Sringeri was the abode of Shankaracharya, the great 9th century philosopher and social reformer. The exquisitely sculptured Vidyashankara Temple overlooking the Tunga River, houses the Vidyatirtha-linga and is a synthesis of Dravidian and Hoysala temple architecture.

Belur-Halebid
The Hoysala temple towns of Belur and Halebid, have some of the most magnificent temples in India. These temples have become rich repositories of ancient Hindu cul-ture, with several thousands of visitors from all over India and overseas coming to wit-ness their intricate and distinctive architectural style. Belur was once the capital of a powerful empire on the banks of River Yagachi, now called the Banaras of the South, aka Dakshina Varanasi. Belur's main temple, Chennakeshava (dedicated to Lord Krishna and set in a compound with several smaller temples and a pond), was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 AD to celebrate Hoysala military victories. It took over a hundred years to complete and its architecture is foreign to the prevailing Hoysala style of the 12 th century - it is exceptionally large (about 100-ft high) and its decoration very lavish (with a magnificent gateway tower - gopuram) in Dravidian style. It is delicate in its filigree work, with the added attraction of bracketed figures of celestial dancers, called Madanikas and exclusive to Belur, and an innumerable variety of intricate pillars. Contrary to Indian tradition, these Hoysala sculptors signed their work at this temple.

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