Malenadu (or Malnad) is a geographical region in the state of Karnataka, India. It covers the western and eastern slopes of the Western Ghats mountain range and is roughly 100 km (62 mi) in width. It includes the districts of Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Udupi, Belagavi, Dakshina Kannada, Hassan, Kodagu. The region experiences heavy annual rainfall of 1,000–3,800 millimetres (39–150 inches); most notably, the village of Agumbe in the region, receives the highest annual rainfall in Karnataka of 10,000 millimetres (390 inches).

This region of the state experiences unique infrastructure challenges due to settlement patterns, sparse population, topography, dense forest, and numerous rivulets. Villages in the Malenadu are scattered throughout remote areas. To encourage development in the area, the Area Development Board was created in 1991 to implement necessary projects.^{[citation needed]}

The districts initially covering the region were Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Uttara Kannada, Kodagu, and Hassan. Agumbe, Chikmagalur, Yana, Dandeli, Sirsi, Yellapur, and the historical region of Banavasi all belong to Malenadu.

The origin of the term Malenadu is unclear, as the word Male in Kannada can have two different meanings depending on pronunciation. Malē (without the retroflex 'ḷ') means ‘mountain,’ and when combined with Nadu (‘land’), it gives the meaning ‘mountainous land,’ reflecting the region’s terrain. With the retroflex 'ḷ', however, Maḷē means ‘rain,’ and thus Malenadu also suggests ‘rainy land,’ a fitting description of the region’s high rainfall.

Presently, the Development Board operates in part or all of 13 districts of the state, and comprises 65 Assembly constituencies and 61 taluks:

True to its name Malenadu, the region is endowed with abundant hills and plenty of rainfall. The region comprises 13 districts spanning a broadly sub-coastal North-South axis, and is a prominent section of the Western Ghats. The Western Ghats are pivotal to the climate and seasons across India. The Sahyadri ranges (another name of the Western Ghats) block the rain-bearing South-West monsoon winds from the Arabian Sea, resulting in heavy rainfall along the western windward side and coastal Karnataka; and forming a rain shadow region on the eastern leeward side. Hills, heavy rainfall, rich sub-tropical forests and rivers flowing down the mountains are the defining geographical features. Temperatures in Malenadu remain moderate throughout the year. Summer temperatures remain within 35 °C (95 °F). Winters are mild and pleasant, while the monsoon months between June and September are a time of torrential rains, crossing 3,000 millimetres (120 in) in many stations.

Malnad has some of the highest mountain peaks in Karnataka. Mullayyanagiri located in the Chandra Drona ranges of the Western Ghats of Chikmagalur Taluk at a height of 1,925 metres (6,316 ft), is the highest peak in Karnataka. Kodachadri, Kodagu (Coorg) are hill-stations in the region. Kemmannugundi, Kudremukh with distinctive horse-face shape, Kalhattagiri, Rudragiri, and Devarammannagudda are other significant mountain peaks also known for their scenic treks across high grasslands.

Apart from the well-known Jog Falls (Gersoppa), Mallalli Falls in the Pushpagiri range, Mookanamane Falls (or Mookana Mane Falls) near Sakleshpur, Abbey Falls near Madikeri in Coorg, Chelavara Falls (also called Embepare): near the Tadiandamol Peak, Irupu Falls in the Brahmagiri range, Unchalli Falls, (or Lushington Falls, or Keppa Joga) near Sirsi, the spectacular 200 ft Magod Falls near Yallapur, Devaragundi Falls near Thodikana, Jhari Falls (Buttermilk Falls) and the Hebbe Falls in Chikmagalur, and Kapilatirtha are some of the other known and visited waterfalls in Malnad.