Annapoorneshwari Temple, Horanadu

At about 1,894 m the second-highest peak in Karnataka, a "horse-face"-shaped summit in the Kudremukh National Park; a permit-controlled day trek crosses rolling shola grassland and streams to the top.

A 14th-century temple in the Sringeri math complex blending Hoysala and Vijayanagara styles, famous for its twelve zodiac pillars set so that sunlight falls on the pillar of the solar month, and for its finely carved outer walls.

The temple of goddess Sharadamba at Sringeri, seat of the Sharada Peetham — the first of the four mathas founded by Adi Shankaracharya — on the bank of the Tunga river; a major centre of learning and pilgrimage.

A tiger reserve on the Bhadra river around Muthodi, its dry and moist deciduous forest sheltering tigers, elephants, gaur, sambar and rich birdlife; jeep safaris run from the Muthodi range.

A waterfall inside the Kudremukh National Park, reached down a long flight of steps, dropping around 30 m into a rocky pool amid rainforest; also known as Soojipara.

A broad tiered waterfall of about 40 feet in forest above Kigga, 15.6 km by road from Sringeri, reached by around fifty laid steps from a car park. People bathe at the base in moderate flow, but it is loose boulders and slick rock — not a paddling pool.

A calm irrigation lake ringed by coffee hills a few kilometres from Chikkamagaluru town, a popular spot for sunset views over the water with the Baba Budan range behind.

At about 1,930 m the highest peak in Karnataka, a grassy summit of the Baba Budan range near Chikkamagaluru topped by a small Shiva shrine (Mullappa Swamy); a motorable road climbs to a saddle, from where a short stepped path leads to the top and sweeping Western Ghats views.

One of the largest lakes in Karnataka, a centuries-old tank below the Baba Budan hills near Sakharayapatna, ringed by farmland and hills — a quiet birding and sunset spot.

A 45-metre cascade beside the living Kalhatti Veerabhadreshwara Temple on the road below Kemmanagundi. Karnataka Tourism places it 10 km from the hill station; wet rock becomes hazardous during strong flow.

A sacred mountain range north of Chikkamagaluru named after the Sufi saint Baba Budan, credited with first bringing coffee to India; its cave shrine (the Dattatreya Peetha) is revered by Hindus and Muslims alike, and the ridge has grassy trails and viewpoints.

A thin, sacred cascade on the Baba Budangiri slopes where pilgrims stand in the spray, believed to have healing powers; reached by a short walk down steps from the road near the Dattatreya shrine.