Hidlumane falls - (10 km)
Hidlumane falls is a series of cascading falls with about 6 or 7 falls one after another. The beauty of these falls is that each of these falls are hidden from one another and they get better and better as you go up the cascade, culminating in a magnificient fall which is as secluded a waterfall as you can imagine! As we had gone in the monsoons, going up the cascade was anything but easy. The path was treacherously slippery with leeches feasting on you at every step. As we reached the main falls, the excitement was palpable as we began indulging.
Nagara (Bidanur) Fort (15 km)
Bidanur Fort, A small fort belonging to Keladi dynasty of 17th century, partially deteriorated and being restored. The Bidanur fort is located adjacent to Nagara town, in Hosanagara taluk of Shimoga district. The fort is not that big (Compared to Golconda fort, Agra Fort, Bidar Fort etc, probably has a carpet area similar to Bekal Fort) but nevertheless big enough to defend a small royal family. There're no remains of a palace-Only a small foundation which is identified as “Durbar Hall” of Shivappa Nayaka.
There is a dry well, few tiny caves like structures which were probably meant for safe exit of royal family in case of invasion, and several watch posts. The fort walls had collapsed/damaged at several places and are being reconstructed using red brick. Though it is on an elevated ground and one can get an excellent view of several miles in all directions, the fort is not located on any hill, which is a usual practice while constructing forts. One can see western ghat few miles from this place.
Varadahalli - Shridharashrama (45km)
The name varadahalli is also known as Varadpur and Varadalli is located in the state of Karnataka near (within 4-5 Miles) Sagar, in Shimoga District. If you take your route towards Jogfalls from Sagar, you need to turn left from the main road to Varadalli. This place is a sacred place in the Sahyadri ranges where the greatest of sages like Maharshi Agastya and Maharshi Veda Vyas had done their sadhana thousands of years ago.Maharshi Vyas had established a temple of the Goddess Jagdamba which is still there. There is also the cave where maharshi Veda Vyas used to meditate in solitude.
Mandagadde and Sakkarebailu (100 km)
This is one of the few bird sanctuaries in the Malnad region of the Karnataka. A small island is formed by the flowing river Tunga and every year, three species of migratory birds take shelter on the leafless trees found here: the median egret, the little cormorant and the darter. During the peak season in August, the total number of birds in the sanctuary is estimated at 5000. A watchtower has been erected for viewing these winged visitors. Boating arrangements for closer viewing of the nesting birds have also been made by the Forest Department.
The Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary of Karnataka is the natural habitat of varied species of local as well as migratory birds. The Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is covered by a dense forest with river Tunga flowing through it. There is a beautiful island where three types of migratory birds namely median egret, darter and the cormorant nests. These avian species club around the branches of the trees which gives a spectacular sight from far. The sanctuary has many leafless trees which become a heaven for migratory birds between July and October.
Sakkarebailu is elephant training camp. Early in the morning elephants come to bath and drink water from the stream.