About Yana
Hidden in the dense Sahyadri rainforest of Uttara Kannada, Yana is a pair of black crystalline karst limestone outcrops — Bhairaveshwara Shikhara (390 ft) and Mohini Shikhara (300 ft). They've been pilgrimage sites for centuries and protected geological wonders since.
A 1.5 km forest trail brings you to the base of the rocks. At the foot of Bhairaveshwara Shikhara is a small cave shrine with a Shiva linga, where water from a natural spring drops from the ceiling onto the deity year-round.
Top things to do
- Yana caves trek — easy 3 km round-trip, mostly forest path with a few rocky steps.
- Bhairaveshwara cave darshan — visit the linga shrine inside the karst monolith.
- Combine with Vibhooti waterfall — a 10 km drive away, just as scenic.
- Magod / Sathodi falls add-on for a full Sahyadri waterfall day.
How to reach Yana
- From Gokarna — 50 km (≈1h 45m) by road via Kumta & Sirsi.
- From Sirsi — 40 km (≈1h 30m) on a winding ghat road through the rainforest.
- From Honnavar — 70 km (≈2h 15m).
The road ends at a parking area. From there it's a 1.5 km flat-to-gentle-uphill trail to the rocks. Decent shoes and a refillable water bottle are all you need.
Best time to visit
October to early March is ideal — the trail is dry, leech-free and the cave shrine is accessible. June–September the forest is at its lushest but slippery, with leeches; the cave shrine remains open but is harder to reach.
