The bewitching beauty of Abbey falls
![]( "Roaring water: Abbey Falls in Kodagu draws tourists all through the year. File photo")
Driving nine kilometres uphill from Madikeri, we reached a place of scenic beauty.
Adjacent to the end of the road where vehicles were parked, stood a vast enclosure called Red-Fern, well guarded by thick barbed wire. We alighted a flight of long, meandering steps to a spot where our attention was captured by the ferocity of the water leaping into the valley below. We ambled across a springy wire-rope bridge, climbed a rocky rugged slope before a downward glide led us to a pool of water below.
The flowing crystal clear water from above, seemed like a glassy sheet falling from the craggy slope; its tiny droplets splashing to form a cloud of mist which attracted the notice of all the visitors. This spot is Abbey Falls, once called Jesse Falls in honour of the daughter of the first Chaplain of Mercara (Madikeri's name under the British regime as per the annals of history).
One of Karnataka's almost perennial waterfalls, the bewitching beauty of Abbey Falls draws visitors from far and wide. Falling from a height of 70 ft, the pearly white water gushes out as a stream, so pure and limpid, that none can resist the temptation of cupping hands and gulping down a few handfuls or dipping one's feet in for a while. The rocks lying strewn at the source of the stream add to the beauty of the area.
Further away, the stream swells into a broad river, intriguing the ardent traveller with its rambling course through the valley. We craned out necks as far as possible to see the river crawl onto the lap of the Kettey Betta mountain which overlooks the front of the falls. The river is said to run some 30 km through ravines and gorges before reaching the Harangi dam near Kushalnagar. Hardly any of the visitors leave without a few pictures of this attractive scene stored safe in their cameras.
We climb slowly during our ascent back up the steps, but this time our attention is drawn by the thick growth of coffee plants, cardamom and pepper creepers interspersed with the tall trees around us. People who visit the falls are also transfixed by the picturesque sylvan surroundings.
The fee to enter Red Fern was about Rs 10 per head, inclusive of parking on the day we visited. The sole eatery at the falls serves only hot tea despite the numerous coffee bushes surrounding it. No visitor can leave without the thought of re-visiting Red Fern and we bid a reluctant adieu to Abbey Falls. While visiting Kodagu, Abbey Falls is a must-see!
Driving nine kilometres uphill from Madikeri, we reached a place of scenic beauty.Adjacent to the end of the road where vehicles were parked, stood a vast enclosure called Red-Fern, well guarded by thick barbed wire. We alighted a flight of long, meandering steps to a spot where our attention was captured by the ferocity of the water leaping into the valley below. We ambled across a springy wire-rope bridge, climbed a rocky rugged slope before a downward glide led us to a pool of water below.
The flowing crystal clear water from above, seemed like a glassy sheet falling from the craggy slope; its tiny droplets splashing to form a cloud of mist which attracted the notice of all the visitors. This spot is Abbey Falls, once called Jesse Falls in honour of the daughter of the first Chaplain of Mercara (Madikeri's name under the British regime as per the annals of history).
One of Karnataka's almost perennial waterfalls, the bewitching beauty of Abbey Falls draws visitors from far and wide. Falling from a height of 70 ft, the pearly white water gushes out as a stream, so pure and limpid, that none can resist the temptation of cupping hands and gulping down a few handfuls or dipping one's feet in for a while. The rocks lying strewn at the source of the stream add to the beauty of the area.
Further away, the stream swells into a broad river, intriguing the ardent traveller with its rambling course through the valley. We craned out necks as far as possible to see the river crawl onto the lap of the Kettey Betta mountain which overlooks the front of the falls. The river is said to run some 30 km through ravines and gorges before reaching the Harangi dam near Kushalnagar. Hardly any of the visitors leave without a few pictures of this attractive scene stored safe in their cameras.
We climb slowly during our ascent back up the steps, but this time our attention is drawn by the thick growth of coffee plants, cardamom and pepper creepers interspersed with the tall trees around us. People who visit the falls are also transfixed by the picturesque sylvan surroundings.
The fee to enter Red Fern was about Rs 10 per head, inclusive of parking on the day we visited. The sole eatery at the falls serves only hot tea despite the numerous coffee bushes surrounding it. No visitor can leave without the thought of re-visiting Red Fern and we bid a reluctant adieu to Abbey Falls. While visiting Kodagu, Abbey Falls is a must-see!