The Lesser Known Astonishing Waterfalls to be reached through Trekking in Western Ghats of Karnataka

Hidlu Mane falls: - These are the waterfalls set amidst the dense forests and mountain peaks of Kodachadri in Mookambika Wild Life Sanctuary in Western Ghats. They are a series of 5 to 6 cascading waterfalls each falling from 50 to 70 feet. The entire cascade of the falls from 1 to 6 can be trekked and few stretches are steep and dangerous also. The falls is located near Bellakka village near Nittur and are 15 kms from Kollur. The falls is 150 feet high and this also has a natural pond in which one can swim easily in non-monsoon seasons. This secluded waterfalls can only be reached through trekking and has two routes from which it can be reached. One route is from Nittur and the other is you can take a Kodachadri trek route also. The entire trekking route offers you an awesome mixture of Flora and Fauna along with the best sites of dense canopy and meadows to behold.

Koosalli Falls: - The waterfalls are also called as Kusalli, Abbigudde, Abbigundi, Gudanagundi and Boorlagundi Falls. These waterfalls are also a group pf cascading falls which flow down deep into the bottom from a height of 380 feet. This magnificent waterfall is located in a deep forest near Koosalli village, from where the trek starts to the water fall and is 5 km trek one way to the falls and easily takes 2 hrs to reach there. The trek is difficult due to the rocky forest areas which has to be passed through all the way from Koosalli (village from where Koosalli waterfalls can be reached).

Kudumari/Chaktikal Waterfalls: - This waterfall is also located in the same area where the Koosalli falls are located and is another 2kms far from Koosalli fall and is located in a village called Chaktikal and the waterfall is also named after the village. This waterfall springs over from 300 feet and this is also breath-taking and similarly beautiful as Koosalli waterfalls. But the trek to this waterfall is arduous and long as you have to cross all the way from Koosalli till Chaktikal in a forest area. This can be mixed up with Koosalli waterfall visit if you are physically fit.

Onake Abbi Waterfalls: - Named after a long pole which is used to grind species, the cliff from which the waterfall gushes stands tall like an Onake. This waterfall is one of the tallest waterfalls that can be seen on the Western Ghats belt with a height of 450-500 feet and can only be reached through trekking of 5 to 6 kms one way. The evergreen forest on the way is really breath-taking and animals like Sambhar, mouse deer, and civet cat can be spotted sometimes. The water falls into a natural pool at the bottom where one can take a quick dip in water, but need to be careful in monsoon about the force of the water which gushes down the fall. The last point where you can buy some food is at the Agumbe bus stand.

Barkana Waterfalls: - This is located 10 kms from Agumbe in Shimoga district and leaps down from a height of 259 feet and has a place in top 10 highest waterfalls of India. This is also a prime source of hydroelectricity in Karnataka. The name Barkana is derived from ‘Barka’ means Mouse Deer referred to in the region. The trek to the waterfall is bit tricky due to the dense forest and also the steep tracks in a regular interval you find on the way. This waterfall is quiet famous in the region of Agumbe than many other falls and is also sometimes closed to entry due for safety reasons. One has to get down at the Barkana road on the route from Agumbe to Sringeri and then trek the remaining miles to the waterfalls.

Kudlu Theertha Waterfalls: - This is also spelt as Koodlu Theertha Waterfalls and also called as Sita falls and is located amidst the jungles of Western Ghats in Udupi district in a village called Hebri. This waterfall falls from a height of 126 feet directly into a natural pond below. It is also believed that the pond is holy as many sages performed penance many years ago in this place. There is also one more small falls above this called as Manga Theertha, which can’t be reached due to sheer steepness and the name is given as only monkeys can reach to this point.

Shivaganga Waterfalls: - This is a spectacular waterfall set amidst the luscious green forests around in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. The river Sonda here falls from a height of 74 metres. A Ganesha temple can be found near the waterfalls which is situated in a small island called Ganeshpal Island which is also one of the attractions nearby. The trek to the waterfall is adventurous and a great one to go on. The pond below is very huge and also not suggested to swim here in the water as it is deep due to the huge volume of water that leaps down the river.

Shirley Waterfalls: - Also called as Shirale or Shirle waterfalls. This waterfalls is located in the Yellapur taluk in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. The ghat area is Arabail ghat which has this waterfall hidden. Many tourists and travellers are unaware about this falls till date and one has to trek down a muddy road of 4 kms to reach the falls. This beautiful cascaded waterfall plunges from a height of 100 metres. Even this falls is not suggested to swim along as there are huge boulders around the natural pond below. It is a private falls set amidst the Areca plantation and has an entry fee of 10 rs per head. One can also hire a jeep to the falls.