Discover the Top 10 Spectacular Treks Near Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Karnataka's capital and thriving tech hub is not only renowned for its IT expertise but also for its breathtaking natural beauty. This bustling metropolis is surrounded by numerous charming trekking destinations that provide the ideal escape from the chaos of the city. These top 10 treks near Bengaluru are sure to leave you spellbound, whether you're a seasoned trekker or a nature lover looking for a weekend adventure.

1. Skandagiri (Kalavara Durga): About 70 kilometers from Bengaluru, is a popular destination for night/early morning treks because of the stunning sunrise views from the hilltop. To reach the ancient fort ruins atop this picturesque hill, embark on an exciting journey through rugged terrain and thick forests. This trek comes under the Karnataka forest department and is a paid trek. Click here for more details. 

Skandagiri Hill

Sunrise View - Skandagiri

The Grand Sunrise - Skandagiri

2. Nandi Hills: Renowned for its scenic beauty and historical significance, Nandi Hills is a short trek located just 60 kilometers from Bengaluru. Witness the majestic sunrise, explore ancient forts and temples, and enjoy panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape.

Nandi Hills 

Entrance to Nandidurga

Kalyani inside Bhoganandeshwara temple Complex, Nandi

3. Ramadevara Betta: Famous as the shooting location of the iconic movie "Sholay," Ramanagara is an ideal destination for rock climbing and trekking enthusiasts. This rocky terrain, situated around 50 kilometers from Bengaluru, boasts impressive hill formations that offer thrilling challenges and breathtaking views.

Ramadevara Betta 

A Bird's Eye View of Temple and Temple Pond - Ramadevara Betta

Indian Vulture At Ramadevara Betta 

4. Savandurga: The largest monolithic hill in Asia, Savandurga, can be found about 60 kilometers from Bengaluru. Take on a risky and difficult trek to reach this majestic peak, which offers stunning views of the surrounding forests and tranquil Manchinabele Dam. This trek comes under the Karnataka forest department and is a paid trek. Click here for more details.

Waterfalls at Savanadurga during Monsoon 

Manchinabele Back Waters 

5. Anthargange: Just a short drive from Bengaluru, Anthargange is a unique trekking destination known for its volcanic rock formations and cave exploration opportunities. Embark on a night trek to witness the surreal beauty of the starlit sky and try your hand at cave exploration amidst these intriguing geological wonders. This trek comes under the Karnataka forest department and is a paid trek. Click here for more details.

Antharagange Hill Range Kolar

Natural Water Pond 

Mesmerizing Sunset 

6. Channarayanadurga: Channarayanadurga is a less-known trekking destination about 100 kilometers from Bengaluru that provides a tranquil experience. To reach the hilltop, where a historic fort awaits, trek through picturesque trails that wind through lush greenery and rocky terrain. Take in the peace and quiet of this unusual hike while taking in panoramic views of the landscape that surrounds you.

Channarayanadurga Fort

A Colony

Fortifications of Channarayanadurga 

7. Kabbaladurga: Kabbaladurga is a less-known trekking destination about 80 kilometers from Bengaluru that provides a peaceful escape from the city. The trek takes you through streams, rocky terrain, and lush green forests before reaching a mesmerizing hilltop with an ancient temple.

Kabbaladurga 

Temple Atop Kabbaladurga

Ruined Mansion Atop Kabbaladurga

8. Makalidurga: Makalidurga is the ideal weekend getaway for adventurers because it is tucked away among the picturesque surroundings. The 60-kilometer trek to this hill fort from Bengaluru offers a moderate climb, panoramic views, and the chance to spot a variety of wildlife. This trek comes under the Karnataka forest department and is a paid trek. Click here for more details.

Temple Atop Makalidurga

Makalidurga Fort Wall 

Makalidurga Hill 

9. Shivagange: Shivagange is a sacred hill and a popular pilgrimage destination about 50 kilometers from Bengaluru. Along the way, you'll pass through a series of steps, ancient shrines, and natural springs to reach the top, where you can take in breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Shivagange Fort

Nandi Atop Shivagange Hill 

10. Hutridurga: This trekking destination offers a peaceful and serene experience. Located around 60 kilometers from Bengaluru, Hutridurga features a beautiful hill fort with remnants of an ancient civilization. The trek involves traversing through scenic trails, dense vegetation, and a historic fort, providing a refreshing retreat for nature lovers.

Aerial View of Huthridurga 

Temple Atop Huthridurga

A Misty Morning at Huthridurga

Tips and Caution for Trekking: While embarking on these treks near Bengaluru, it's essential to keep a few tips and cautions in mind to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience:

1. Plan and investigate: Gather information about the trek, including the distance, level of difficulty, weather, and required permits, before setting out. Inform someone about your trekking plans and plan your itinerary.

2. Wear the right clothes and shoes: Pick out clothes that are comfortable and appropriate for the weather. To avoid injuries, wear sturdy trekking shoes with ankle support and good grip.

3. Carry the essentials: A first aid kit, a map or GPS device, a headlamp or flashlight, a raincoat or poncho, and sunscreen lotion should all be included. In addition, bring snacks that are high in energy.

4. Trek together: It's best to go on a hike with a group or at least one friend. Safety, companionship, and emergency assistance are all guaranteed by this.

5. Follow the signs and trail markers: Respect any signs or warnings along the way, stick to the paths that have been marked, and follow trail markers. Accidents and getting lost can result from deviating from the trail.

6. Respect wildlife and nature: Carry your trash and respect the environment to leave no trace behind. Feeding or otherwise disturbing wildlife should be avoided at all costs.

7. Be cautious when it comes to the weather: Before you go hiking, check the weather forecast. Due to the potential for danger, avoid trekking during storms, severe weather, or periods of heavy rain.

8. Take breaks and pace yourself: Trek at a pace that works for you and your fitness level. Regular breaks are a good way to rest, rehydrate, and take in the scenery.

9. Keep an open mind and alert: Particularly when trekking in remote areas, be aware of your surroundings. Steep ascents and descents, slick surfaces, and loose rocks should be avoided.

10. Trek safely and by the rules: Respect and adhere to any particular regulations established by trekking organizers or local authorities. During your trek, be respectful of the communities and local culture.

Take a memorable trekking journey to these stunning locations to escape Bengaluru's urban chaos. The top ten treks near Bengaluru offer a perfect combination of natural beauty and adrenaline-pumping experiences, including ancient ruins, monolithic hills, breathtaking views, and thrilling adventures. So, don your boots, get outside, and get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure just a short distance from the lively city. Have fun hiking! Also, let us know how many of these treks you have already done below in the comments section. 

Sunrise Trek - Veerabhadradurga Fort

The Golden Dawn

Veerabhadradurga Hill Fort 

Our quest to complete the ‘Baramahal’ or the ‘12 Forts’ took us to our next destination, “Virabhadradurga/Veerabhadradurga”. Our first task was to get the location of this fort since not much information regarding the same was available on net or elsewhere. However a few months ago, while glancing through g-maps, we accidentally came across the coordinates of this place. At our next possible outing, we decided to check this place out and reached here without any difficulty. Our concern now was to find out the right hill amongst the many hills around on which the fort was located. The first hill looked quite inviting and we wanted to inquire about the route to the top. The local person, who stopped by to respond gave us the correct location of the hill-fort we were in search of. We reached the place and inquired for the trek route from the locals present around. On getting the required information, we parked our vehicle and started the trek. 

The First Gateway to Veerabhadradurga Fort

Sri Kote Anjaneya Swamy

The trek was pretty straight forward with steps laid all along. The route was comparatively clean due to the regular movement of people. The fort of Veerabhadradurga is 7 tiered, with much of its fortification and gateways still intact. There is a beautiful rock carving of Sri Anjaneya Swamy between the second and the third gateway, which is still under worship by the locals. The second gateway opens into a small plateau where minor agricultural activities are undertaken by the locals. The third and fourth gateways are more for the purpose of defense and devoid of any other structures. The fifth gateway opens into a bigger plateau area. 

The Engulfed Fort Walls 

Intact Fortifications

After crossing the fifth gateway and trekking for a while, our eyes were greeted by two ancient temples, one dedicated to Sri Veerabhadra Swamy and the other dedicated to Sri Chennakeshava Swamy. The temple dedicated to Sri Chennakeshava Swamy is a grand structure, but sadly is in a ruined state now. There were no signs of any efforts towards its restoration. Although both the temples were built under the rule of the Palegars, it is very difficult to ascertain who built them and when.

The Fifth Gateway 

Sri Chennakeshava Swamy Devasthana

The Royal Chieftain's Residence 

As this fort is one amongst the 12 forts constituting the Baramahal, its association with the Channapatna Palegar Sri Jagadeva Raya cannot be ruled out. However, strangely, a local legend goes on to say that Sri Jagadeva Raya who was then a vassal king under Tippu, jumped into the natural spring well present in the fort premises along with his wealth when Tippu was defeated by the British and the fort was about to be captured. It is believed that the spring is very deep and is difficult to ascertain the depth of it. Hence the wealth was never found. Such folklore was documented by the British and spread across many places. This natural spring well is called Rama Lakshmi Jonai (Jonai: natural spring). 

Rama Lakshmi Jonai (Spring) 

Sri Kote Anjaneya Swamy 

Team G Square 

Rama Lakshmi Jonai, a beautiful and serene natural spring well is situated about a 100 meters from the temples. Water here was clean and clear. We spent some time here and decided to explore the top-most tier of the fort. We had to cross the sixth gateway and the route was a bit slippery due to drizzle and the up slope of the hill. We reached the top of the fort (we assumed this was the top most point) and spent some time here enjoying the scenic views and wondered how beautiful it would be to view the sunrise from here.

The Rock-Cut Steps 

Way to Heaven 

The 7th Gateway 

Top Most Tier of Fort Wall 

The Top most Point of The Fort 

The View 

Me 

Coincidentally, a few months later, on the 1st of January 2023 we decided to redo this trek to witness the sunrise. The picturesque sunrise was worth every effort taken by us to reach the hill-top in the early hours of the morning. There was another small peak visible from the sixth gateway, apparently the highest point of the hill which we had missed during our last trek. We managed to complete this peak and reach the highest point this time. This fort is also known by other names such as ‘Itikalldurga’ and ‘Sendirayanadurga’.

The Gang

The Early Risers 

The Sun Rise 

At the base of Veerabhadradurga is a grand temple dedicated to Sri Chennakeshava Swamy which is fully functional. Thus another fort from the Baramahal was captured by us! 

The Harvest 

References: 

1. Madras State Gazetteer - Salem

Related Posts:

1. Udedurgam Fort 

2. Forts of Karnataka 

3. Sunrise trek to Huthridurga