Located 7 KM from Z Point and 65 KM from Chikmagalur, Hebbe Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Karnataka. Situated inside the Bhadra wildlife sanctuary, it is one of the best places to visit while you’re in Chikmagalur. Hebbe Fall is a perfect place for those looking to escape from daily life and wants to spend an amazing time in the lap of nature. The surrounding forest and pleasant smell of coffee create a wonderful atmosphere to visit this amazing creation of nature. Along with the beauty of the fall, the journey to the waterfall itself is mesmerizing as the way to the waterfall is surrounded by dense forest and plants of coffee. And the bumpy Jeep ride till the fall makes the journey more awesome.
Hebbe Fall is created by the water of the mountains. It falls down from a height of 168 meters which creates two parts of Hebbe Falls – Dodda Hebbe the big fall and Chikka Hebbe the small fall.
There is a pool at the bottom of the fall where you can swim and play in the water. As the water comes from the mountains then it is believed that herbs get mixed inside the fall water and can help to cure all types of skin diseases. Therefore, taking a bath inside the water of Hebbe Falls is quite popular among tourists.
- Location – Chikkamagaluru District, Kesavinamane, Karnataka 577131
- Height – 551 Feet
- Entry Fee – Free
- Water Source – Bhadra River and Water of Mountains
- Entry Fees – No
- Timings – 6 AM to 6 PM
- Jeep Prices – 3200 INR Per Jeep (6 to 8 People) / 400 Per Person
- Time Needed to Explore – 2 to 3 Hours
- Mobile Connectivity – Low
How to reach Hebbe Falls?
Hebbe fall is located around 65 Km from Chikmagalur and 4 KM from Kemmanagundi, in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. You need to take the bus or hire a cab from Chikmagalur to reach the base point of the waterfall. From there are two options to reach the falls one is by renting a Jeep from the forest department and another is trekking down to the Falls.
Jeep Ride
To reach the fall you need to hire a jeep from the forest counter that charges you around 3200 INR per jeep including return (6 to 8 people). So it’s good to hire the jeep in a group that will cost you 400 INR per person. The price is fixed and can’t be bargained. The 13 KM bumpy jeep ride is full of scenic views and adventure as the way is muddy and surrounded by the coffee plants. The view throughout the ride is wonderful. After the 13 KM jeep ride you need to cover a short trail of around 1 KM to reach the fall that will take around 20 minutes. This beautiful short stretch is full of mud, dense forest and river. There are river crossings at 3 places that make it adventurous. Ropes are tied across the river for support so it is completely safe.
Trekking
Trekking is another option to reach the fall. Karnataka Horticulture Department guest house is often used as the starting point for this adventurous trail that is 10 KM away from the fall. While trekking you can follow the electric wiring fence to reach the endpoint as there is no signboard on the trail and it is easy to get lost at several points. There is a temple of Chowdeshwari Mahashakthi Devathe on the route of the trek. This is the last point where you can spot locals. After that, you need to trek on your own. During monsoon, the trail gets muddy and clouded with fog after heavy rains. So it is recommended to avoid trekking during monsoon.
Best time to visit
September to March is the best time to visit Hebbe fall as during these months the path is good and the weather stays pleasant to enjoy the surroundings. Try to skip the monsoon season due to slippery paths, heavy fog and leeches bite.
Travel Tips
- The path to reach the fall can be wet and slippery so it’s good to bring waterproof shoes for trekking.
- Wear full-length pants and shirts.
- If you’re traveling in the monsoon then it is advisable to cover your entire body as the leeches become active in monsoon season.
- Be prepared for trekking as you need to take 20 minutes of walks to reach the fall after the 13 KM jeep ride.
- Don’t forget to bring shampoo and saltwater to avoid leeches.
- Do carry water bottles.
- If you’re getting wet then there is no place for changing the clothes, especially for women.
- Don’t throw plastic and garbage. It is our responsibility to keep such places clean and green so everyone can enjoy this beautiful creation for a long-long time.
- Private vehicles are not allowed inside the gate. Hiring the jeeps or trekking are the only options to reach the fall.
- Jeep charges 3200 INR per jeep (6 to 8 people) so it’s good to hire a jeep in a group to reduce per head cost.
- Since the waterfall is located in a dense forest so it is obvious to get low mobile connectivity.
Things To Do
Trekking – Surrounded by coffee plantations, Hebbe Falls offer plenty of opportunity for trekking enthusiasts. Also, you can enjoy the 10 KM trek which takes you to the base of the falls. Traversing through the dense jungle during this trek you can watch the rare plants of spices. The trek can be a bit slippery and muddy. Crossing rivers with the help of rope would be the highlight of this trek. But once you reach the top of the hill you can easily spot wild animals like elephants, deer, and other animals.
Swimming – Falling from a height of 168 meters, Hebbe Falls forms a natural pool at the bottom which is perfect for swimming. After taking a long 10 KM trek a dip inside the waterfall will take all your tiredness away. Also, it is believed that the water of the falls is infused with various kinds of herbs so taking a dip inside the water would help to cure your skin diseases.
Photography – Hebbe Falls is heaven for passionate photographers like me, who love taking pictures of nature including rare plants, birds, wild animals and falling water. The region around the falls has many wonderful spots for instagrammable pictures.
Seek Blessings at Chowdeshwari Mahashakthi Devathe Temple – The trekking route to the falls is home to Chowdeshwari Mahashakthi Devathe temple where locals do prayers and take a holy bath in the nearby pond. So, don’t forget to seek the blessings of Devi. There you can see many small streams and ponds.
Bumpy Jeep Ride – If you’re fond of off-roading then don’t miss out on the bumpy Jeep ride which takes you to the base of the falls. This one-hour drive passes through the private estates, & bumpy trails and gives you amazing views of dense forest. These government-operated jeeps could cost you around 3200 INR for a group of 6 to 8 people.
Places To Visit Near Hebbe Falls
Z Point (7 KM)
Z point is one of the best short treks in Karnataka to get picture-perfect views of western ghat peaks. After visiting Hebbe falls in the morning it is good to visit Z point to see the spectacular sunset.
Kalhatti Fall (14 KM)
Situated in the complex of Veerabhara temple, Kalhatti is another beautiful waterfall located near Hebbe falls. The famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva makes it one of the best places to visit in Chikmagalur. It is a famous pilgrimage destination for devotees of Lord Shiva. Along with pilgrims, this place is quite famous among tourists and photographers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is Hebbe Falls safe for swimming?
Yes, Hebbe falls is safe for swimming. There you can spot many people taking bath inside the natural pool. But it is important to exercise caution and follow safety measures while doing so.
Q2: How long does it take to trek to Hebbe Falls?
It takes around 3-4 hours to complete the trek to Hebbe Falls, depending on your pace and fitness level.