Sakleshpur Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 2-3 days

Best Time: October to March, May-June Read More

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Also Refered As:

Sakaleshpur

"Poor Man's Ooty"

Sakleshpur Tourism

Sakleshpur is a popular yet offbeat hill station in Karnataka flanked by the Western Ghats. There is something for everyone, from the dense rainforest, hiking trails, historical temples and an old fort, mountain peaks and waterfalls. Whether its the significant agricultural products or the discovery of a jyotirlinga by the Hoysalas, the quaint town of Sakleshpur earned its name rightly as it is no less verdant than Ooty.

For history buffs and architecture enthusiasts, Sakleshpur has the celebrated Manjarabad Fort which tells the tale of Tipu Sultan and the Bettada Bhairaveshwara Prasanna Temple along with Pandavar Gudda which has the significance of the Pandavas staying here during exile.

With mountains come the excellent opportunity for moderately easy treks that take a few hours to reach the summits like the Agni Gudda, Jenukal Gudda, Ombattu Gudda and Pandavar Gudda.

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Etymology

The story behind the name of this hill station is very intriguing. Between the 10th and the 14th century, this region was ruled by the Hoysalas. During their reign a broken Shivalingam was found and it was named Sakleshwara. After this incident the neighboring villages started calling this place Sakleshpur and the name stuck. Another story tells that the place was also called “sakala aishwaryagalindaa kudida pura”.

Tips For Visiting Sakleshpur

1. Since the region is immune to rainfall, do not forget to pack umbrellas and raincoat.

2. Avoid wearing fancy footwear instead wear comfortable shoes because you will have to walk a lot.

Flora and Fauna

Boasting of rich biodiversity, Sakleshpur is home to many plants and animals including some of the endemic and endangered species. This place is one of the 18 most diverse spots in the world when it comes to flora and fauna. Elephants, deers, king cobras, tigers, Kadave are some of the animals that can be stopped easily. The reddish-orange pagoda flower which is locally called Ratha Pushpa is a beautiful flower that can be seen hanging from the trees in bunches.

Trekking in Sakleshpur

Since Sakleshpur is a hill station what better activity to indulge in than trekking? This hill station is the best place for trekkers since it provides with ample trekking routes, both long and short.

1. The Green Route Trek

The one you must visit is “The Green Route Trek”. It is situated on railway tracks and is 56 km long starting from Sakleshpur to Kukke Subrahmanya. On the way you will not only encounter lush green trees and plants but 58 tunnels, 109 bridges and 25 waterfalls. But a prior permission from the Forest Department is important. There are various homestays on this trekking route to relax.

2. Bisle Ghat Trek

A trek amidst this ghat which is replete with flora and fauna will leave you enchanted. During the the possibility of a tiger or a king cobra passing by you is high. The trek is full of flourishing trees adorned with colourful flowers.

3. Ombattu Gudda Trek

Ombattu Gudda which translates to nine hills is an amalgamation of nine bumps that completes to form a mountain.the rocky surface and the rugged terrain of this place makes it an enthralling spot to trek. The mountain is an an elevation of 971 meters and the view from top is impeccable.

Best Time to Visit Sakleshpur

How to Reach Sakleshpur

How to Reach Overview

Sakleshpur is accessed through road and rail. In fact, it is recommended that you drive there are the roads are very scenic as you drive through winding roads with coffee estates on both sides. Sakleshpur has its own railway station and is connected to all the major cities in Karnataka. The nearest airport is in Mangalore, located at a distance of 130 km. From here there are many buses going to and from Mangalore as well. There are also buses going to Bangalore that is 220 km away. 

How to reach Sakleshpur by flight

The nearest airport is Mangalore International Airport at 130 km from Sakleshpur. This airport has flights going to many major Indian cities and a few Gulf countries. But Bangalore International Airport is also 220 km away and flies to all major Indian cities and many international destinations as well.

How to reach Sakleshpur by road

You can also rent cars or take your own cars to reach Sakleshpur. From Bangalore, the distance that needs to be covered to reach Sakleshpur is 221 km and from Mangalore, it is 130 km. The roads are free of potholes and easy to drive on. The road to Sakleshpur is stunning with coffee plantations flaking both the sides of the road and there are many small coffee kiosks by the road to keep you fresh. 

How to reach Sakleshpur by train

The nearest railway station is the Sakleshpur Railway Station located at a mere distance of 2 km from the hill station. It connects to many towns and cities in Karnataka. 

How to reach Sakleshpur by bus

There are many buses at regular intervals run by KSRTC bus service which connect major cities like Bangalore, Mangalore, Mysore and Hassan to name a few. Since this is closer to many cities in Karnataka, this is the most preferred mode of transport here as it is also cheap. 

Local transport in Sakleshpur

As most of the attractions in Sakleshpur are close to the bus stand of the town, bus services can be among the most affordable options. Although the train service is limited to Hassan Junction and only two trains ruin daily, visitors can first reach Hassan by train and then take a rented car or taxi to reach Sakleshpur. You can either drive your own car through the small hill station of Sakleshpur or take a private cab service.

If you are not skilled enough to drive in mountainous roads, it is better to check out the private car services provided by Nivalink and Sri Satyanarayana Transport. Air-conditioned cars are available and some of the common cars used for transportation are Toyota Innova and Maruti Swift Dzire.

Sakleshpur Photos

Sakleshpur
Sri Sakleshwara Swamy Temple, Mangalore
Scenic View of Manjehalli Waterfalls
Agni Gudda Hill - Also Ideal for Trekking

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photos

FAQs on Sakleshpur

What is famous about Sakleshpur?

Biodiversity at Bisle Reserve Forest, architecture of Manjarabad Fort, rath yatra at Sri Sakleshwara Swamy Temple

What is not so good about Sakleshpur?

Monsoon showers followed by roads getting closed due to fallen trees, almost no water in the falls during summer

What is the best time to visit Sakleshpur?

The best time to visit Sakleshpur is during the cooler months of October and March. During peak winter, the temperature comes down to 15° C while in peak summer, the temperature rises as much as 35° C. If you want to have a budget trip, the best time is between October and March as this is the shoulder season when the cost of hotels or homestays is low. 
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What is the best way to reach Sakleshpur?

Sakleshpur is accessed through road and rail. In fact, it is recommended that you drive there are the roads are very scenic as you drive through winding roads with coffee estates on both sides. Sakleshpur has its own railway station and is connected to all the major cities in Karnataka. The nearest airport is in Mangalore, located at a distance of 130 km. From here there are many buses going to and from Mangalore as well. There are also buses going to Bangalore that is 220 km away. 
Read More

What are the things to do in Sakleshpur?

The top things to do in Sakleshpur are Manjarabad Fort, Sakleshwara Temple, Bisle Reserve Forest, Agni Gudda Hill, Manjehalli Waterfalls, Kukke Subramanya Temple. You can see all the places to visit in Sakleshpur here

What are the places near Sakleshpur?

The top places near to Sakleshpur are Coorg which is 58 km from Sakleshpur, Chikmagalur which is located 40 km from Sakleshpur, Halebid which is located 37 km from Sakleshpur, Kudremukh which is located 61 km from Sakleshpur, Wayanad which is located 141 km from Sakleshpur

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