Trekking sites around Bangalore .. (facebook.com)

Trekking is the new fad amongst the young crowd in Bangalore. Its not only the IT or BPO professional who spend their weekend trekking seeking to be closer to nature and explore the untapped locations, but now we see a lot of college crowd also de-stressing themselves by going to trekking trips. Trekking is also considered a good team building activity and many of the corporate stress on having trekking activity for building the cohesion in their teams.

Short treks during the weekends is quite popular. Recently night treks is also gaining momentum. Which ever it is trekking is a good team exercise and keeps one to be close to nature. So go ahead and plan your next trekking tour. Here is a guide to all the trekking destinations close to Bangalore.

1. Antargange: Roughly 75 kms away ,very close to Kolar. Great for trekking & cave exploration. The volcanic rock formations, exciting caves and numerous fresh water springs attracted innumerable adventure enthusiasts.

Activities: Rock Climbing, Rappelling, High rope traverse, Cave Exploration, Sunset Trekking, Mountain trekking & Camping.

Food: Nearby city of Kolar has good restaurants for your starving tummy

Travel Mode:  Reach Kolar by train or Bus then take auto rickshaw to reach the foothills of Antargange.

Route: Bangalore – Kolar – Antaragange

2. Rangaswamy Betta: Also called Bilikal Betta lies in Kanakapura Taluk of Bangalore Rural District. Its around 70 odd kms  from Bangalore. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Rangaswamy at the peak and it takes 90-120 minutes to reach the top.

Food: Hotels are available at Harohalli which is 15kms away.

Travel Mode:  Reach Harohalli by KSRTC bus or other private travels. From there few KSRTC buses are available to Koonala Dodd from where the trek route statrs.

Route: Bangalore – Kanakapura Road – Harohalli – Dodda Maralawadi – Koonala Doddi  – Rangaswamy Betta.

3. Ramanagaram: 50 kms from Bangalore and featured in the famous  Sholay film Ramanagaram is a well known camping sites. Located in a valley surrounded by numerous monoliths, there are lots of hilllocks to be trekked at Ramnagaram.

Activities: Trekking, Rock climbing, rappelling and camping

Food: Good hotels are present in Ramanagaram

Travel Mode: Ramanagaram is well connected both by rail and road from Bangalore.

Route: Bangalore – Bidadi- Ramanagaram.

Trek Length: Two to three hours.

4. Nijagalbetta betta/ Siddarbetta: Located at 55kms from bangalore on Tumkur highway is this interesting hillock of ruined temples, forts, caves and striking rock formations. After Dobbaspet are a set of two petrol bunks on your right. Nijagal Betta is right opposite these bunks. There are many unexplored archeological ruins near Nijagalbetta.

Activities: Trekking.

Food: Hotels at Nelamangala and Dobbaspet

Travel Mode: KSRTC or private buses are available to Dobbaspet; Hire local transport to the foot of the hill.

Route: Bangalore – Tumkur Road – Dobbaspet

5. Muttati: Just 100 kms away from Bangalore and on the banks of the river Cauvery. One can also opt for the trek from "Bhimeshwari to Sangama" along the river Cauvery.  The river offers both adventure and scenic beauty for nature lovers. On this stretch one can find the Cauvery Fishing and Nature Camp, Galibore and Doddamakali. However it is dangerous to swim in the waters at Muthathi.

Activities: Trekking, Camping, Rafting (Seasonal), Rappelling, Obstacle River Crossing, Coracle ride

Food: Hotels are available at Kanakapura. Beverages & water available at Muttati

Travel Mode: From Bangalore KSRTC and private buses are available to Sathanur. From Sathanur private buses are available to Muthathi, but not very frequent. The best method is to drive down by your own vehicle.

Route: Bangalore – Kanakapura (55 km) – Sathanur (35) – Muttati (10)

6. Savanadurga: It is a hill barely 60kms away from bangalore,close to Magadi town. It is the biggest monolith in Asia. It is actually made up of two giant hills – Karigudda and Biligudda, separated by a deep valley. As they are named Karigudda (Black hill) is full of vegetation whereas Biligudda (White hill) is completely barren.

Activities: Trekking, Camping

Food: No hotel available here. Advised to carry your own food.

Travel Mode: Take KSRTC or private buses to reach the Ramanagaram road junction before Magadi town. Take Bus toward Ramanagaram and alight at Nayaknapalya. Autos available from Nayaknapalya to Savanadurga. Better to take your vehicle.

Route : Bangalore – Magadi – Naykanapalya – Savanadurga.

7. Huthridurga/ Doddabetta: loated15 kms ahead of Magadi, its an abandoned fort with magnificent ramparts.  It is situated off the Kunigal-Magadi state highway.

Activities: Trekking, Camping

Food: No hotel available here. Advised to carry your own food.

Travel Mode: Take KSRTC or private buses to reach the Magadi Few private vehicle available to  Santhe Halli . However its better to take your vehicle.

Route : Bangalore – Magadi – Kunigal Road- Santhe Halli – Doddabetta.

8. Huliyurdurga: It is located in the Kunigal taluk of Tumkur at 80 kms from Banglore. It an be reached on Tumkur road of Magadi road. However its loser on Madagi road. The hills has a unique inverted cup shape. One can spot the ruins of granaries, durbar halls built by the then Magadi chief Kempe Gowda. It is said that this place got its name from all the tigers which used be around

Activities: Trekking

Food: No hotel available here. Advised to carry your own food. Some food options at Magadi

Travel Mode: Bus Facilities are available every 30 minutes from City Bus Stand to Huliyurudurga.  Regular buses ply from Magadi and Kunigal.

Route 1 : Bangalore – Magadi – Huliyurdurga

Route 2: Bangalore – Nelamangala – Kunigal – Huliyurdurga

9. Hemagiri Betta & Kumbi Betta: This hill is adjacent to Huliyurdurga, at a distance of hardly 2 kms is Hemagiri. Hemagiri jaatre is very famous. At Kumbi betta there is a fort built by Kempegowda, which is in ruins

Activities: Trekking

Food: No hotel available here. Advised to carry your own food. Some food options at Magadi

Travel Mode: Bus Facilities are available every 30 minutes from City Bus Stand to Huliyurudurga.  Regular buses ply from Magadi and Kunigal.

Route 1 : Bangalore – Magadi – Huliyurdurga – Hemagiri

Route 2: Bangalore – Nelamangala – Kunigal – Huliyurdurga – Hemagiri

10. Kaivara: Located 80 km from Bangalore, Kaivarais the place where Bheema is said to have killed the demon Bakasura, disguised as a Brahmin. On top of the hill is a temple dedicated to Bheema. There are various other temples including one Ambaji Durga cave temples, 7 km from Kaivara

Activities: Trekking & Camping

Food: No hotel available here. The Narayanappa Ashram serves free lunch for pilgrims in the afternoon.

Travel Mode: KSRTC buses are available alight at Kaivara cross. From there autos are available to reach Kaivara town(3 kms).

Route : Bangalore – Kaivara Cross– Kaivara

11. Shivagange: This is another hillock close to dobbaspet on Bangalore-Tumkur highway. Its known for its series of temples on the way uphill and a temple atop too. Just 60 kms from Bangalore on the national highways, this place is known for its Shiva temple and the sacred water also called Gange. The second lap of journey after the temple to the summit is very steep and is guided with steel railings.

Activities: Trekking, pilgrimage

Food: No hotel available here. Advised to carry your own food though some small hotel can be spotted at Dobaspet.

Travel Mode: Take KSRTC or private buses to reach the Dobaspet on Tumkur Highways. Cover the next 8kms to the foothill in auto.

Route : Bangalore – Nelamangala- Dabaspet – Shivagange.

12. Devarayandurga: This is another hill range in Dobaspet and just 70kms from Bangalore. It is more known for its famous Lakshmi Narashimha temple. It is surrounded by a series of hills called the DD hills. Ramadevarabetta is easily trekkable.

Activities: Trekking, Camping

Food: Snack available. Advised to carry your own food though some small hotel can be spotted at Dobaspet.

Travel Mode: Take KSRTC or private buses to reach the Dobaspet on Tumkur Highways. Cover the next few kilometers to the foothill in auto.

Route : Bangalore – Nelamangala- Dabaspet – Devarayandurga.

13. Madhugiri: This is a lovely tooth shaped hills and second largest monolith in Asia. The interesting part here is the rock dome, atop which stands a fort of Hyder Ali. There are a series of doorways leading to the top and the climb is steep & challenging.On the top is ruined Gopalakrishna temple.

Activities: Trekking, Camping

Food: Snack available. Advised to carry your own food.

Travel Mode: Take KSRTC or private buses are available to reach Madhugiri.

Route : Bangalore – Nelamangala – Dobaspet – Koratagere – Madhugiri

14. Kuntibetta: Located 100 km from Bengaluru, Kuntibetta near Mysore and very close to Padavpura.    The place is rich in history & heritage. It is said the Pandavas ended their exile of 14 years in Pandavapura and hence the name. It is believed that Bheema slayed Bhakasura, the demon at this place. Kuntibetta has two hills and the one of them is also called Bhimanabetta.

Activities: Trekking, Camping

Food: No hotel available here. You can grab some food at hotels in Mandhya.

Travel Mode: Pandavapura is well connected by road and railways. You could get private buses from Mandhya to reach Pandavapura. From here take an auto to reach foothill

Route: Bangalore – Mandhya- Pandavapura – Kuntibetta .

15. Makkalidurga: It is 45kms away from Bangalore after Dodda Ballapur. Makkalidurga, also known as Gunjur Hill, is situated at Makalidurga village, 12 km from Ghati Subramanya. The Makali fort stands atop a huge granite hillock, huddled up amidst the chains of mountains. There is a temple of lord Shiva in the fort.

Activities: Trekking, Rappelling & bird watching

Food: No hotel available here. You can grab some food, tea and snack at Doddabalapur.

Travel Mode: Doddabalapur is well connected by road from Bangalore. From here take an auto to reach foothill

Route: Bangalore – Doddabalapur – Makkalidurga.

16. Jalamangala(Narayangiri) is about 75 km from Bangalore, is an idyllic weekend getaway near Ramnagaram, Jalamangala is known for its massive rocky hill known as Narayanagiri.The hill is adventurous as it has more to offer than the one we have spoken till now. It has temple fort, ponds, caves to explore and rest and a lush green shrubby forest nurturing wild animals & dangerous reptiles. To add more the climb is also very steep with step like carved to help the trekker uphill. The railing along these steps motivate the tired trekkers to take few more steps and land on the table top plateau.

Activities: Trekking & Camping

Food: Good hotels at Ramnagaram. Either stop to fill your craving tummies or pack some from Ramnagaram

Travel Mode: Ramnagaram on Mysore highway is well connected by road and railway from Bangalore. From here take an auto/private buses to reach Jalamangala.

Route: Bangalore – Ramnagaram- Jalamangala.

17. Kabbaladurga/Kabbalu Hills: is a hillock  70 kms away from Bangalore. The peak is home to the temple of Goddess Kabbalamma and had derived its name from the temple. Also one can see the ruins of a fort at the peak. It is green, rocky and serene. The view from the top is absolutely breath-taking, with the shadow of the clouds making patterns on the surface of the Earth. Perfect for new trekkers and climbing enthusiasts.

Activities: Trekking & Camping

Food: Some hotels at Ramnagar or Kanakapura depending on the route you wish to take.

Travel Mode: From Bangalore KSRTC and private buses are available to Sathanur.

Route1: Bangalore – Ramnagar – Channapatna(31)– Sathanur  – Kabbalu Hills(2).

Route 2: Banglaore – Kanakapura(20) – Sathanur – Kabbalu Hills(2).

18. Skandagiri/ Kalavara Betta:  It is an ancient mountain fortress located approximately 70 km from Bangalore close to Chikkaballapura. Skandagiri is one of the hill in the Nandi Hill ranges and has the forts of Tipu Sulthan. Tippu used the fort as a military base in his fierce fight against the British. Skandagiri is a teaser. Just as you reach the fort wall content that you have topped the hill, you see another ring of fort. There are six such series of stonewalls protecting an abandoned ancient temple on the hilltop

Activities: Trekking & Camping

Food: Advised to carry your own food. Some food options are available at Chickballapur.

Travel Mode: Chikbalapura is well conneted by road from Bangalore. Foothill is 3km away from Chickballapur

Route: Bangalore – Devenahalli- Chikbalapura – Kalawara village(3).

19. Mekedatu/ Karighatta: It is situated at a distance of 98 km from Bangalore and located on Mysore Road near Srirangapatna. The trek is amazing and involves a walk beside the Kaveri river to explore the lush green tropical forests, small hillocks, caves and cascading rivers. Sangama to Mekedatu is a popular route for trekking here.

Activities: Trekking

Food: Srirangapatna & Mandhya have some hotel.

Travel Mode: Srirangapatna is well connected by road from Bangalore. From here hire a auto to reach Mekedatu..

Route: Bangalore – Srirangapatna- Chikbalapura – Mekedatu.

20. Channagiri : At 56 Kms from Bengaluru, it is one of the five hills of the Nandi Hill ranges. The Nandi hills range has views across the plains and ideal for hiking. Channagiri hill is densely covered with shrubs.

Activities: Trekking & Camping

Food: Some hotels at Doddabalapur.

Travel Mode: Doddabalapur is well connected by road from Bangalore. From here there are a few buses to reach Sadhu Math village.

Route: Bangalore – Doddabalapur – Sadhu Math Village.

21. Jaramadagu Waterfalls: The breathtaking waterfalls that leaves the onlookers spell-bound is located in the forest area which is about 14 kms away. It lies amidst the five mountains of Nandhi hills range- Nandagiri, Skandagiri, Brahmagiri, Divyagiri and Vishnugiri. Jaramadagu water falls at the height of 90 feet. It is 80 kms from Bangalore

Activities: Trekking

Food: Advised to carry your own food

Travel Mode: Chikbalapura is well connected by road from Bangalore. From here there are a few buses to reach Sadhu Math village.

Route: Bangalore – Devenahalli- Chikbalapura – Jangmarapanhalli Village- Jarmadagu falls.

Other info from www.bangalorecaptured.com

Top 10 treks around Bangalore

An essential part of the Deccan Plateau and the IT Hub of India is the city of Bangalore. While most of Bangalore has flat lands and concrete jungles, there are places around Bangalore with rugged terrain and lush jungles. In short, there are places around Bangalore which are just ideal for adventure and a lot of fun.

Trekking is always a fun experience, whether done alone, or with your entire team. The rugged terrain and lush topology of Deccan Plateau mean there are several exciting trekking trails close to Bangalore. If you are looking for a trekking adventure close to Bangalore, there are 10 of the best treks close to the city.

1. Savandurga- This is one of the few trekking trails close to Bangalore where a night trek is possible. Savandurga, about 65 km from Bangalore, is a huge monolith comprised of two peaks- Karigudda and Billigudda. The former is a more technical peak and largely unexplored. In order to take this trek, you need special permission from the authorities. On the other hand, the latter is easier and well marked out. If you are a beginner, stick to Billigudda. It offers an adventurous experience whilst keeping it relatively safe and simple.
2. Nandi Hills- A small hill station located close to the city is Nandi Hills. The verdant greenery of the place will immediately mesmerize you with its beauty. While the place stands out for its tranquility and calm, it is also a well known destination for trekking. There are quite a few trekking trails in Nandi Hills to choose from, each moderately tough in difficult level. Most of the trekking trails are blessed with lush flora which is a nice change from the high rises and concrete of the city.
3. Jogigunde- Another little hamlet situated very close to Bangalore is Agumbe. It was in Agumbe that the famed tele-series Malgudi Days was shot. One of the highlights of Agumbe is the Jogigunde Falls. You can take a trek to these stunning waterfalls and be rewarded with a gorgeous view. The trek to the falls is a little tough, since it is a very narrow path of about 1 km that you have to tread. However, if you remain attentive enough, you should be able to traverse it without any difficulty. Just to be on the safer side, avoid this trek during the monsoon season when the trail can become wet and slippery.
4. Vanakebe Falls- It is not just Jogigunde which is the highlight of Agumbe. There is Vanakebe Falls too, situated 0.5 km from the village's bus station. Like Jogigunde, Vanakebe Falls are stunning too, and offer you an amazing view. The trek to the falls takes about an hour or so. Compared to Jogigunde, Vanakebe Falls trek is relatively simpler. However, it is always advisable to avoid trekking here during the rainy season. For one, the lush foliage can be breeding ground for leeches during the rainy months.
5. Skandagiri- If you are looking for a really quick and easy trek close to the city, consider the Skandagiri Peak. It is located merely 60 km from the city. The trek to the top of the peak and back can be done in less than four hours, which makes it an ideal one day outing near Bangalore. Skandagiri Peak has a ruined fort and the ruins of a temple as well. Historical evidence suggests that the fort once belonged to Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore. The fort is in shambles and so is the temple close by, but the gorgeous views you get from the top more than make up for it.
6. Kodachadri- With a height of a little more than 3000 feet above sea level, Kodachadri peaks is one of the highest peaks of the region. It is believed that Kodachadri Summit was once the meditating ground for Guru Shankracharya. The trek to the top of the peak is relatively easy. There are a few waterfalls along the way which just add to the beauty of this trekking trail. The trek to the top and back can easily take around 6 hours, which makes it a slightly exhausting experience. However, camp for a while at the top and you will be replenished with loads of energy.
7. Anthargange- Sometimes, a quick burst of energy is all you need to find your focus and motivation. For that quick burst, head to Anthargange, about an hour's drive from Bangalore. It is a really short trekking trail, which can be done in less than an hour. However, the trail is a little rugged, which makes it strenuous and energy expending. Apart from trekking, there is cave exploration and rock climbing to be done here too. Anthargange makes for a nice destination for team outings as well as individual adventure tours.
8. Ranganatha Swamy Betta- In India, often, trekking trails and pilgrimage go hand in hand. Ranganatha Swamy Betta is another example of that. The peak has a temple dedicated to a God by the same name. It is frequented by thousands of devotees round the year. Of course, you have to trek to the top, which makes it a nice trekking destination close to Bangalore. The 4 km trek isn't really difficult, but still exciting enough.
9. Ramdevara Betta- There is nothing like rock climbing and rappelling to give those muscles a nice workout. One of the best destinations close to Bangalore for rock climbing and rappelling is Ramnagar. It is a small village with plenty of natural granite rock formations. For the best adventure experience in Ramnagar, try the trek to the top of Ramdevara Betta. It is a high enough hill which offers quite a challenge. If you are really in a mood to push it, trek to the top and then rappel down the hill.
10. Karighatta Trek- Karighatta is a nice trekking trail located in Mekedattu, a one day getaway from Bangalore. The trail is located a little more than 100 km from Bangalore. The trek is of moderate difficulty level, which means it tests you without really exhausting you. Try this trek, and if you are in the mood for some more adventure, try kayaking in River Kaveri too. Mekedattu is a nice destination for a quick adventure getaway close to Bangalore.