Malnad

Malnad (Malenaadu) is a region of southern India. It lies on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats or Sahyadri range. The ridgeline of the Western Ghats forms the western boundary of the region. The flatlands, or Maidan region of the Deccan lies to the east. Kodagu (Coorg) region lies to the south. To the west, between the Ghats and the Arabian Sea, lies the Tulu Nadu region of the Malabar coast. Malnad covers portions of Shimoga, Chikmagalur, and Hassan districts.

The hills of Malnad are mostly forested, and coffee is grown in great abundance. Balehonnur and Thannodi are towns in the coffee-growing region. Mullaiyanagiri , at 6,317 feet, is the highest peak in Karnataka. Kemmangundi at 4,702 feet above sea level, is a popular hill station, and was a favorite retreat of Mysore's former Maharaja Krishnarajendra Wodeyar . Kalhatti Falls, 10 km from Kemmangundi, has a drop of 122 meters. Gangamoola peak, 10 km from the town of Kudremukh , is revered as the source of the Bhadra , Nethravathi and Tunga rivers.

The Western Ghats are an area of great biodiversity, and is one of Conservation International 's biodiversity hotspots. Bhadra Game Sanctuary in Muthodi is one of India's Project Tiger sanctuaries.