Located in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu, Hogenakkal falls is about 180 kms from Bengaluru and the journey takes ~3.5 hours. The falls can be quite majestic when the river Cauvery is in full flow. Unfortunately, this is generally not the case. The river forks into several branches and while the height is no more than 20m, the breadth is wide. Fair bit of greenery around.
Area near Hogenakkal falls, Tamil Nadu 
Hogenakkal falls, Tamil Nadu
Coracle rides are very popular here and takes you closer to the Falls. Do make sure you put on the life jacket for your own safety. And if the coracle does not have life jackets, find one that has!
Hogenakkal is a good picnic spot but the overall infrastructure and cleanliness certainly requires improvement. And I guess so does the attitude of visitors! You don’t really feel like walking around certain stretches and even the water in few places looks dirty. While eating, do watch out for monkeys!
If there is heavy discharge and the river is overflowing, the approach to the falls can be closed. So do check once before driving all the way, especially just after monsoon. Can get crowded during weekends and holidays. Also can get a bit hot post noon.
Restaurants
Did not find any decent restaurants in the area. But you will find few on the highway.
Road condition
Best to take NH 44 via Kirishnagiri to Dharmapuri and take the bypass to Hoganekkal. Longer route but comfortable drive. Alternatively, take a deviation after Attibele to Thally, Denkanikottai, Anchetty and Hogenakkal. Generally, the road is in good condition.
