What to expect
Highlights
- The twin black karst rock spires.
- The Shiva cave shrine at the base.
- The forest walk through rich Sahyadri greenery.
Yana
Yana is famous for two towering spires of black crystalline karst rock — the Bhairaveshwara Shikhara and the smaller Mohini Shikhara — rising abruptly from dense Sahyadri forest, among the most unusual rock formations in the Western Ghats.
Practical guide
Plan Yana
Typetrek
Nearest baseSirsi
Best timeOctober to February
Time needed2 to 3 hours including the walk
EntryFree or nominal
Nearest town/baseSirsi
DistrictUttara Kannada
Place typetrek
Time needed2 to 3 hours including the walk.
Yana is famous for two towering spires of black crystalline karst rock — the Bhairaveshwara Shikhara and the smaller Mohini Shikhara — rising abruptly from dense Sahyadri forest, among the most unusual rock formations in the Western Ghats.
A cave shrine to Shiva at the base of the Bhairaveshwara rock makes it a pilgrimage site as well as a trekking and nature spot, reached by a forest walk.
Trek facts
Yana — at a glance
TimingsDaylight; forest walk
Best timeOctober to February; wet and leechy just post-monsoon
Entry: Free or nominal
Getting there: ~40 km from Sirsi, ~25 km from Kumta; drive to trailhead + ~30-min walk
Footwear off at the shrine, shoes for the walk; watch for leeches after rain.
Getting there
How to visit
- ~40 km from Sirsi and ~25 km from Kumta; drive to the trailhead, then a forest walk of ~30 minutes to the rocks.
- Wear good shoes for the walk; it can be slippery and leech-prone after rain — carry water and go in daylight.
Distance by road
- Panaji (Goa)100 km
- Hubballi165 km
- Udupi175 km
- Mangaluru270 km
- Bengaluru500 km
Road km to Uttara Kannada; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.
Timing
Best time
October to February; the forest is lush just after the monsoon but wet and leechy.
Weather in YanaSeasonal guide
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Visitor notes
- A forest trail to a pilgrimage rock — footwear off at the shrine, wear shoes for the walk, and watch for leeches after rain.
Safety
Good to know
On the map
Where Yana is
Good to know
Yana — frequently asked
When is the best time to visit Yana?
October to February; the forest is lush just after the monsoon but wet and leechy.
What are the entry fee and timings at Yana?
Entry: Free or nominal. Timings: Daylight; forest walk. Fees and timings are indicative — confirm on site before you travel.
How do I reach Yana?
~40 km from Sirsi and ~25 km from Kumta; drive to the trailhead, then a forest walk of ~30 minutes to the rocks. Wear good shoes for the walk; it can be slippery and leech-prone after rain — carry water and go in daylight.
How much time do I need for Yana?
2 to 3 hours including the walk.
What else is near Yana?
Nearby you can pair Mirjan Fort (19.5 km), Paradise Beach (25.9 km), Half Moon Beach (26.6 km), Om Beach (27.1 km).
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- Yana:Photos Worldwide, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons · CC0