What to expect
Highlights
- The twin black karst rock spires.
- The Shiva cave shrine at the base.
- The forest walk through rich Sahyadri greenery.
Yana
Yana is famous for two towering spires of black crystalline karst rock — the Bhairaveshwara Shikhara and the smaller Mohini Shikhara — rising abruptly from dense Sahyadri forest, among the most unusual rock formations in the Western Ghats.
Practical guide
Plan Yana
Typetrek
Nearest baseSirsi
Best timeOctober to February
Time needed2 to 3 hours including the walk
EntryFree or nominal
Nearest town/baseSirsi
DistrictUttara Kannada
Place typetrek
Time needed2 to 3 hours including the walk.
Yana is famous for two towering spires of black crystalline karst rock — the Bhairaveshwara Shikhara and the smaller Mohini Shikhara — rising abruptly from dense Sahyadri forest, among the most unusual rock formations in the Western Ghats.
A cave shrine to Shiva at the base of the Bhairaveshwara rock makes it a pilgrimage site as well as a trekking and nature spot, reached by a forest walk.
Trek facts
Yana — at a glance
TimingsDaylight; forest walk
Best timeOctober to February; wet and leechy just post-monsoon
Entry: Free or nominal
Getting here
How to reach Yana
~40 km from Sirsi, ~25 km from Kumta; drive to trailhead + ~30-min walk
Footwear off at the shrine, shoes for the walk; watch for leeches after rain.
Getting there
How to visit
- ~40 km from Sirsi and ~25 km from Kumta; drive to the trailhead, then a forest walk of ~30 minutes to the rocks.
- Wear good shoes for the walk; it can be slippery and leech-prone after rain — carry water and go in daylight.
Distance by road
- Panaji (Goa)100 km
- Hubballi165 km
- Udupi175 km
- Mangaluru270 km
- Bengaluru500 km
Road km to Uttara Kannada; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.
Timing
Best time
October to February; the forest is lush just after the monsoon but wet and leechy.
Weather in YanaSeasonal guide
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Visitor notes
- A forest trail to a pilgrimage rock — footwear off at the shrine, wear shoes for the walk, and watch for leeches after rain.
Safety
Good to know
On the map
Where Yana is
Photos
Yana in pictures
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Good to know
Yana — frequently asked
When is the best time to visit Yana?
October to February; the forest is lush just after the monsoon but wet and leechy.
What are the entry fee and timings at Yana?
Entry: Free or nominal. Timings: Daylight; forest walk. Fees and timings are indicative — confirm on site before you travel.
How do I reach Yana?
~40 km from Sirsi and ~25 km from Kumta; drive to the trailhead, then a forest walk of ~30 minutes to the rocks. Wear good shoes for the walk; it can be slippery and leech-prone after rain — carry water and go in daylight.
How much time do I need for Yana?
2 to 3 hours including the walk.
What else is near Yana?
Nearby you can pair Vibhooti Falls (1.9 km), Manjuguni Venkataramana Temple (11.1 km), Benne Hole Falls (11.4 km), Mirjan Fort (19.5 km).
Read next
More stories, legends & guides from Uttara Kannada
Image credits
- Yana:Photos Worldwide, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons · CC0