Chikmagalur is situated at a height of 3,400ft, in the Sahyadri Mountains of Western Ghats in the district of Chikmagalur in the  state of Karnataka, India. Situated about 251 kms from Bangalore, the Chandradrona Parvatha or Baba budan Hills provide a picturesque backdrop to this tranquil town. Chikmagalur is set in a sylvan setting with hills, valleys, streams, coffee and pepper plantations and rivers like Bhadra, Tunga, Nethravathi, Hemavathi, and Vedavathi, having their sources in the hills around. Chikmagalur has the distinction of being the first region in India where a coffee plantation was started with coffee seeds brought all the way from Mecca.

The Kodanda-Ramaswamy temple, a fine example of Hoysala architecture, dedicated to Lord Rama, is one of the most famous landmarks in Chikmagalur and a point any travel plan to visit this region should include  the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Cathedral is another place worth visiting.  To the north of the town looms the Ratnagiri Bore, a small hill which has now been made into a garden called Mahatma Gandhi Park. Mullayanagiri, the highest peak in Karnataka, can be seen from Ratnagiri Bore. There are numerous temples and shrines that reveal the rich architectural heritage that Chikmagalur possesses. The Chennakeshaya temple in Marle, constructed around 1150 AD is situated 12 kms from Chikmagalur.

The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary lying north- west of Chikmagalur is home to a large variety of animals and birds like Gaur, Chital, Sambar, elephants and tigers. Rising to a height of 1434 metres above sea level, Kemmanagundi Hill is a beautiful hill station which has many beautiful waterfalls near it like the Kemmangundi Falls, the Hebba Falls and the Kalhathi Falls Lying 95 kms south-west of Chikmagalur, is Kudremukh Hills, which overlook the Arabian Sea. Seemingly untouched by civilization, it is an enchanting place with its hills, valleys, caves and rich flora and fauna.