Kemmangundi Hill Station

Kemmangundi is a hill station in the Baba Budan Giri Range of the Western Ghats in Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka, at about 1,434 metres elevation. Developed as the summer retreat of Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, it is known for its forested slopes, manicured gardens, and viewpoints. The station serves as a base for visiting Z Point, Hebbe Falls and Kalhatti Falls, offering cool climate, trekking trails and panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys.

Visitors can expect a forested hill station with cool climate, ornamental gardens including the Rose Garden, and viewpoints overlooking valleys and the Western Ghats. The area includes the Raj Bhavan guest house, trekking trails to Z Point for sunrise and sunset views, and access routes to Hebbe Falls and Kalhatti Falls. Surroundings are hilly with dense forests, coffee plantations and grassy slopes, with basic visitor facilities and opportunities for sightseeing, nature walks and photography.

Developed as the summer retreat of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV of Mysore in the early 20th century, who built the Raj Bhavan guest house and laid out ornamental gardens. Later handed over to the Government of Karnataka, it has continued as a prominent hill station in the Baba Budan Giri range.

Located in the Baba Budan Giri hills, an area historically associated with early coffee cultivation in India, Kemmangundi is valued as a leisure retreat and trekking base within the Western Ghats cultural landscape, known for its gardens and hill-station heritage.