The Thurahalli Forest, or Thurahalli Park, is dry and deciduous. It lies around 20 km from Bengaluru off Kanakapura Road. This place is 13 km from Banashankari and can be overseen from the nice road. Vehicles have been banned from entering the park; however, it has turned out to be a hot spot for cyclists. It has a nice view and a small Shani temple on top of a rocky hill. As of today, it is said that Bengaluru has its only surviving forest, Thurahalli forest. Rocks in the forest provide one of the very few outdoor bouldering opportunities to the city residents and have multiple established routes.
Also, this is one of the notable trekking places near bangalore, which can be visited during the day and at night. Undertaking a trek on the trail up the hill on a night of full moon is one of the adventurous things that you can do at Turahalli forest. At the top of the mountain, the display of natural beauty around you will be an enchantment to cherish!
The majority of the trees are eucalyptus. The orchids (Habenaria roxburghii) bloom during August, giving a brilliant white colour to contrast the green of the forest. The rocky terrains are great for lianas, the most common being Opilia menace. They bloom during the summer. These are mostly located on the Northern edge of the forest, surrounded by figs (Ficus tinctoria), nearly-mara (Syzygium cumin) and rocks. The most common herb is the Byttneria herbacea. It flowers throughout the year. The flowers here attract many beetles. The legumes of Indigofera Karnataka are seen.
It has the last surviving forest in Bengaluru. The forest is slowly being encroached upon. The forest has also been a place where garbage is dumped illegally , which impacts wildlife . A lot of forest fires have taken place here in the summers. The local and natural set fires have damaged some species of flora that dwell here. BBMP has opened a sewage treatment plant near the forest. Other related issues are poaching and illegal land clearing for farming . Within the past years, residents have taken some initiatives to clean up and prevent further encroachment and dumping of waste in the forest.
Turahalli offers some of the best biking trails. It is also among the few places within the city that provide natural rock climbing , along with Avathi and Raogodlu. The rocks are granite, coming in different sizes and shapes. Many climbers practice here regularly in preparation for local or international competitions.
It is a treasure trove of natural beauty, adventure, and cultural experiences lying close to Bangalore. Accessibility to the destination, coupled with an outdoor activity range and a peaceful environment, makes it suitable for day trips, family outings, or solo adventures. Be it trekking in the forest, having a picnic with friends, or merely basking in the scenery, Turahalli calls out to you to go ahead and explore and bond with nature.
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The best time to visit Turahalli forest is between April and June and between November and March. During this time, the weather is quite pleasant, and the atmosphere turns into a lovely display of ambient colours. From July to October, the hilltop witnesses the rainy season, which must be avoided when visiting Turahalli Forest.
The monsoon season is not one of the best times to visit Turahalli forest. The wet roads and slippery trails make it very tiresome and difficult to stay afoot, and the terrain can be a major problem to traverse.
Always carry enough water with you to avoid incidents of dehydration.
Ensure you wear comfortable clothes and footwear to avoid unease.
Since the trail is long, ensure you are physically fit to undertake the trek. Exercising and stretching activities a few days before the trek might be helpful.
For a night trek, make sure that you are equipped with adequate torches and batteries, which will be very useful.
From Bangalore, it is around 25 KM and takes 45 min to 1 hour, depending on the traffic. From Mysore around 130KM about 2.5 to 3hrs
BMTC buses are run from different parts of Bangalore, such as Banashankari and Jayanagar , towards Kanakapura.
From the nearest bus stop, you will have to take an auto-rickshaw or another bus to reach Turahalli.
For biking enthusiasts, the route to Turahalli is a popular day trip. A scenic ride through the surrounding landscapes and roads.
You can take a train to Bangalore City Junction, and from there, you can either use public transport or take a taxi to reach Turahalli.
The nearest airport is Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore. After landing, hire a taxi or use ride-sharing apps to get to Turahalli.
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