Popular weekend trips from Bangalore by road are Nandi Hills (60 km), Shivanasamudra Falls (135 km), Mysore (145 km), Yelagiri (160 km), Hogenakkal (180 km), Yercaud (230 km), Chikmagalur (245 km), Coorg (250 km) and Ooty (270 km).
Quick list with distances
| Place | Approx. distance | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Nandi Hills | 60 km | Sunrise above the clouds |
| Shivanasamudra Falls | 135 km | Twin waterfalls (Gaganachukki, Bharachukki) |
| Mysore | 145 km | Palace, Chamundi Hills, Brindavan Gardens |
| Yelagiri | 160 km | Quiet hill station in Tamil Nadu |
| Hogenakkal | 180 km | Coracle rides on the Kaveri |
| Yercaud | 230 km | Budget hill station near Salem |
| Chikmagalur | 245 km | Coffee estates, Mullayanagiri peak |
| Coorg | 250 km | Coffee country, waterfalls |
| Ooty | 270 km | Queen of hill stations |
Mysore in a day
Leave early to see Srirangapatna on the way, then Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills and the Mysore Zoo, with the Brindavan Gardens fountains in the evening. On Sundays and festival nights the palace is lit up with nearly 100,000 bulbs.
Hill weekends
Coorg and Chikmagalur are the coffee hills of Karnataka; Ooty is a longer drive through Bandipur and Mudumalai forests, which are closed to traffic at night. Read our Coorg guide and Ooty guide.
Into Tamil Nadu: Hogenakkal, Yelagiri, Yercaud
Crossing into Tamil Nadu via Hosur opens up Hogenakkal (coracle rides and the “Niagara of India”), Yelagiri and Yercaud. Taxis from Karnataka pay an inter-state permit, added at actual cost.