Here’s a detailed overview of the Agumbe Ghat, one of Karnataka’s most iconic and scenic ghat sections — often called the “Cherrapunji of South India” due to its heavy monsoons and lush rainforest landscape:

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🏞️ Agumbe Ghat Overview

• Location: Connects Udupi district (coast) with Shivamogga district (interior Malenadu)
• Highway: State Highway 65 (SH-65)
• Connects: Udupi / Manipal ↔ Agumbe ↔ Thirthahalli / Shivamogga
• Length of Ghat: ~16 km
• Number of Hairpin Bends: 11 sharp curves

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🚗 How to Reach Agumbe Ghat

✅ From Udupi / Manipal / Mangaluru (West side)

• Route: Udupi → Hebri → Agumbe Ghat → Thirthahalli
• Distance:
  • Udupi to Agumbe: ~55 km
  • Mangaluru to Agumbe: ~110 km
• Approx Time: 1.5–2.5 hours

✅ From Thirthahalli / Shivamogga (East side)

• Route: Shivamogga → Thirthahalli → Agumbe Ghat → Hebri
• Distance:
  • Shivamogga to Agumbe: ~90 km
• Approx Time: ~2.5 hours

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🌿 Why is Agumbe Ghat Special?

Feature	Details
Rainfall	~7,600 mm/year — among the highest in India
Rainforests	Dense evergreen forest of the Western Ghats
Wildlife	Home to the King Cobra, Malabar civet, hornbills, etc.
Sunset Point	Famous Agumbe Sunset View Point on top of the ghat
Cultural Note	Village featured in Malgudi Days TV series (filmed here)

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🌄 Places to Visit Around Agumbe Ghat

Place	Description
Agumbe Sunset View Point	On the ghat summit, overlooks the Arabian Sea on clear days.
Barkana Falls	Among the highest waterfalls in India (~850 ft), deep inside forest.
Onake Abbi Falls	A short trek from Agumbe; scenic and less crowded.
Kundadri Hill	Jain heritage site with panoramic views, ~20 km away.
Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary	On the western side of the ghat near Hebri.

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⚠️ Challenges and Travel Tips

Concern	Travel Tip
Steep curves	11 sharp bends – drive slowly, especially downhill
Monsoon season	June–Sept: landslides and slippery roads common
Night driving	Avoid at night — poor visibility, wildlife crossing
Petrol stations	Last pumps in Hebri or Thirthahalli — fill up before climbing
Phone network	Weak/absent in forest sections

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🧭 Quick Summary Table

Feature	Details
Ghat Road	SH-65
Hairpin Bends	11
Length	~16 km
Highest Point	~825 m above sea level
Main Towns Nearby	Agumbe, Hebri, Thirthahalli
Best Time to Visit	October to March (pleasant, clear views)

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🚍 Transport Options

• Buses: KSRTC buses operate from Udupi and Shivamogga to Agumbe (limited frequency).
• Nearest Railway Stations:
  • Udupi Station (on Konkan Railway) – 55 km
• Nearest Airport:
  • Mangalore International Airport (IXE) – ~110 km

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🧳 Ideal For:

• Nature lovers & rainforest explorers 🌳
• Herpetologists (king cobra capital!) 🐍
• Road trippers & bikers 🏍️
• Sunset chasers 🌄
• Photographers & filmmakers 🎥