Tucked amidst the western ghats and coffee plantation, Coorg is blessed with some of the scenic waterfalls in the country including Abbey falls, Iruppu falls, Mallalli falls, Nilakandi falls, Kote Abbey falls, Onti falls, Abbimatta falls, Devaragundi falls and Devarakolli falls. Each waterfall has its own charm, some are best to take a refreshing bath, some are known for hidden nature and some of them are famous as popular tourist attractions in Coorg.
Planning a Coorg itinerary can’t be complete without including the waterfalls. So, here we bring the best waterfalls in Coorg that you simply cannot miss. Get ready to be mesmerized by the beauty of nature and let the sound of the falling water soothe your soul.
Best Waterfalls In Coorg
1. Abbey Falls
Set amidst the coffee plantations, Abbey Falls is the most popular tourist attraction in Coorg. Cascading down from a height of 70 feet inside a natural pool against a big rock is the scene right out of paradise. The water of the falls comes from the Kaveri River which is considered one of the most sacred rivers in Hinduism.
There is a hanging bridge right opposite the falls which provides the best view of the abbey falls. So, be ready with your camera to capture its mesmerizing beauty. The region around the falls is perfect for picnics. You can easily spend the afternoon relaxing and exploring its beautiful surrounding. And if you’re an adventure lover like me then go trekking and find unknown places.
- Best time to visit – Monsoon(June to September) is the best time to visit Abbey Falls when the waterfalls are at their peak and surrounding greenery is at its most vibrant.
- Entry Fees – 15 INR
2. Mallalli Falls
Cascading down from the height of 120 feet in the middle of Pushpagiri Hill, Mallalli Falls is the most captivating waterfall in Coorg. The milky water of the falls comes from the Kumarahara River which takes an extreme turn of 1000 meters before submerging into the Arabian Sea.
Along with the stunning beauty of the falls the surrounding landscape is truly a magical sight. The heavenly beauty of Mallalli Falls is rated as the best in Karnataka. And the best way to visit the fall is through trekking. Traversing through the beauty of Pushpagiri hills while following the soothing sound of falling water is make your effort worthwhile.
- Location – Kumarahalli, Karnataka (67 KM)
- Best time to visit – June to September is the best time to visit Mallali Falls.
- How to reach – There are 2 ways to reach the falls – trekking or taking the bumpy jeep ride. The concrete steps are built around the mountainside which is around 2 to 3 KM long. The whole trek is very beautiful and filled with an abundance of flora & fauna. And if you don’t want to trek then a bumpy jeep ride is another option to reach the falls. Enjoy a jeep ride along with rugged roads with the sound of gushing water is sure to give you goosebumps.
3. Iruppu Falls, Brahmagiri
Bordering the Wayanad district of Kerala, Iruppu Falls is the most alluring waterfall in Coorg. This 170 feet tall waterfall not only allures tourists but also pilgrims as it is one of the most sacred places to visit in Coorg. According to the legends, when Rama and Lakshman passed through the region while they looked at goddess Sita then to quench the thirst of Rama, Lakshman shot an arrow into the mountain and brought down the river Lakshmana Theertha. Therefore, the water of the falls is considered to wash away all sins.
Just 500 meters down there is a temple named Rameshwara which pulls thousands of pilgrims on the occasion of Shivaratri.
Along with mythological significance, this temple is best for nature lovers. Surrounded by the stunning beauty of Brahmagiri hills, the natural beauty of this falls gives you the feel of heaven.
- Location – Brahmagiri Range, Kurchi
- Entry Fee – 50 INR
- Best time to visit – June to September is the best time to visit Iruppu falls.
- How to reach – After buying the entry ticket near Rameshwara temple you need to take a small hike of 20 to 30 minutes to reach the falls. There is no direct bus to reach the base of the falls, first, you need to take a bus to the place called Srimangala and from there hire a private vehicle which leaves you at the base of the falls.
4. Chelavara Falls
Tucked amidst the aroma of coffee plantations, Chelevara Falls is formed by the tributary of the Kaveri River. Situated at the foothills of the Tadiandamol mountain, this 150-foot falls cascade down from the rock which resembles a tortoise.
Unlike other waterfalls in Coorg, Chelavara Falls is offbeat enough to enjoy a peaceful time in the lap of mother nature. But you can’t swim in the pool of this falls as the pool is deceptively deep and several accidents happens in the past. And you can see many warning signs on the way to reach the falls.
- Location – Cheyyandane Village, Chelavara
- Best time to visit – Monsoon
- How to reach – The waterfall is located 17 KM from Virajpet. You can drive a personal vehicle to Chelavara. The road to reach the falls is very scenic passing through the rural region of Coorg. After parking the vehicle you need to take a small trek to reach the falls.
5. Kote Abbey Falls
The smaller version of the famous Abbey Falls, Kote Abbey Falls is an offbeat waterfall situated in Mandalpatti. Unlike Abbey Falls, Kote Abbey Falls is perfect to take bath. It’s a hidden waterfall so you can expect low crowds and more cleanliness at this place.
Due to its tranquil nature, this waterfall is a perfect place to spend ME time amidst nature with the chirping of birds. Thrill seekers can trek around the falls to explore unknown places.
- Location – 8 KM from Mandalpatti – 25 KM from Madikeri
- Best time to visit – Mid July to mid September
- How to reach – After reaching the Mandalpatti you have to take 20 to 25 minuted bumpy jeep ride to reach the falls.
6. Honey Valley Nilakandi Falls
Situated amidst the 75 acres of private coffee, cardamom and pepper plantation somewhere in the Thadiyandamol range, Nilakandi Falls gives you a wonderful experience. This waterfall belongs to Honey Valley Resort which is one of the most picturesque places to stay in Coorg.
This is one of the waterfalls in Coorg where you can see the source of the falls. A trek of 4 KM from the waterfall takes you to the source of the falls which is a lake.
- Location – Yevakapadi, Karnataka
- Best time to visit – Monsoon season
- How to reach – To reach the fall you need to take a small trek that starts from a dry pond that is 1 KM away from the Honey Valley resort.
7. Onti Falls
Located 50 KM away from the Coorg, Onti Falls is a less explored gem in Coorg. The waterfall is visible from quite a distance. The thundering sound of falling water would excite any adventure lover.
Nestled deep into the forest, Onti Falls is accessible only via a small trek. The tranquil surroundings make it a serene spot to relax and unwind.
- Best time to visit – July to September (monsoon season)
- How to reach – From Kakkabe, the falls are about 6 km away and the journey takes around 30 minutes. There is no public transportation available to the falls.
8. Abbimatta Falls
Coorg is filled with many hidden gems but Abbimatta Falls is one of the most beautiful & less-explored places. Away from modern society, tucked amidst the paddy fields, coffee estates and thick forest, Abbimatta Falls is not known by many people. It is a seasonal waterfall and can be seen on the way to Mallalli Falls (16 KM). Jumping from a height of 100 meters, the view from the top of the falls is mesmerizing enough to engage you for hours.
There is a well-built path to reach the top of the falls. And there is a small temple is located on the way to reach the falls. The region around the falls has many exciting trails that would be challenging for trekking lovers.
If you’re meant to spend some peaceful time there then it is recommended to bring snacks and drinks as it is an isolated place so you’ll not find any hotels and shops near the falls.
- Location – Near Somwarpet, Abbimatta road
- Best time to visit – Monsoon (July to September)
9. Devaragundi Falls
The meaning of Devaragundi Falls is God’s Pool and the magical beauty of this place truly means it. Surrounded by thick vegetation, this waterfall is perfect to sit around and soak the natural beauty. The best part of this falls is it way to reach which traverses through the jungle and gives you the feeling that you’re close to nature.
Note – Taking a bath inside the pool of the waterfall is prohibited as the depth of the pool is unknown and the water is considered holy because it is used for the temple’s daily pooja.
- Distance from Coorg – 60 KM
- How to reach – There are 2 ways to reach one is by taking a 1 KM trek and another is by taking a bumpy jeep ride which is available near the Thodikana temple.
10. Devarakolli Falls
Situated just 16 KM from the Coorg bus stand, Devarakolli is a seasonal waterfall fed by rain. The waterfall is surrounded by dense forest and is perfect to enjoy a peaceful time while listening to the melody of falling water.
If you love adventure then you can take a trek that traverses through the jungle to reach the falls. Overall, it is the best waterfall for those who love raw natural beauty, dense forest and a peaceful environment.
- Best time to visit – Monsoon (June to September).
Conclusion
With this list of the best waterfalls in Coorg, you will easily explore the natural beauty of Kodagu. And if you need any assistance in planning your trip, be sure to check out the various tours and packages offered by some of the most trusted travel brands including Viator.com, Booking.com and Agoda. These tours will not only ensure a hassle-free trip but also provide an enriching experience that you will cherish for a lifetime. So, pack your bags and get ready to explore the best waterfalls in Coorg with us!