Beyond the City Lights: Sunrise Treks Around Bangalore

1. Skandagiri Trek

Kalavara Durga, Skandagiri, is among the most famous trekking sites near Bangalore, Karnataka. The trekking site is at around 70 km distance from the city. Trekking at the site is a bewildering experience for nature and adventure enthusiasts. Trekking at the site leads one through the landscape, the forest cover, and the boulder fields and culminates with good panoramic views at the summit level. Famous for being moderately difficult but a short hike, Skandagiri is paradise for both novice and professional climbers. The hike is highly sought after for the sunrise scenery, where the hikers are treated to the scenery with the landscape shrouded in the golden light of the sunrise.

History of Skandagiri Trek

Skandagiri also boasts a good history, and its history dates back to ancient times. The fort at the top of Skandagiri has been reported to have been built during the time of the Vijayanagara Empire rule. The fort came into the hands of other soldiers at a later point in time, and some of the structures on the hilltop were discovered to be dating from around the 17th century. "Skandagiri" is named after Lord Skanda, alternatively called Kartikeya, a mythological figure in Hindu mythology. Skandagiri, as local tradition has it, was a place of spiritual practice and meditation, and the location continues to draw pilgrims and trekkers in roughly equal numbers.

Points of Interest Around Skandagiri Trek

• Nandi Hills: Located around 10 km from Skandagiri, Nandi Hills is another picturesque destination famous for its old fort and scenery. It's a suitable destination to visit after finishing the trek at Skandagiri.

• Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple: This old Lord Shiva temple, close to the base of Nandi hill, is a work of art and a serene haven.

• Devarayanadurga: Hill fort near Tumkur, with excellent trekking routes and wide views over the countryside. It's extremely offbeat, ideal for someone who would rather stay away from all the crowds.

• Chintamani: A Small town and a glimpse of life in Karnataka rural villages, a must-visit for someone who is willing to experience local community life.

Best Time to Travel Skandagiri Trek

• Summer (April to June): Horrible weather makes a hike less suitable. Trekking would be tiring and uncomfortable

• Monsoon (June to September): Trails get slippery and unsafe to walk on. Rains are quite heavy, thereby making the trek unsafe

How to Reach Skandagiri

• By Road: It is accessed by road from Bangalore directly and therefore is extremely well connected by private car, taxi, or bus. Bangalore road distance is around 70 km, and the road journey is around 1.5 to 2 hours.

• By Train: The Nearest railway station to it is Chikballapur railway station, 10 km. Hire an auto-rickshaw or a cab to walk on foot.

• By Airport: Nearest airport is Bangalore's Kempegowda International Airport, 70 km away. Take a cab from the airport to Skandagiri.

2. Nandi Hills Trek

Nandi Hills, approximately 60 kilometres from Bangalore, is one of the most happening trekking spots around the city. Nandi Hills is an ideal combination of landscape view, history, and a simple trek. Nandi Hills trek to the summit offers excellent vistas of the green horizon, old temples, and a panoramic sunrise view over the landscape. Nandi Hills is the ideal trekking destination for novice and intermediate-level trekkers since it is a very small but highly rewarding trek.

History of Nandi Hills Trek

Nandi Hills is of very high historical importance. It used to be a summer palace of a Vijayanagara Empire king, and the remains of ancient fort ruins and ancient temple ruins are all over. And then there is the Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple, an ancient Hindu temple of Lord Shiva, at the hilltop, the end point of the trek. The hilltop also has remnants of old forts and was a military camp of Tippu Sultan. The hill is named according to the temple and identification with Nandi (bull), which is generally accepted to be the vahana of Lord Shiva.

Locations to Visit around Nandi Hills Trek

• Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple: A temple at the foot of Nandi hills, renowned for stunning architecture and beautiful carvings. It is a place of worship and a resting spot before or after a climb.

• Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace: The palace at the hilltop offers historical information and chilling views of the area. It indicates the reign period of Tipu Sultan.

• Nandi Hills Viewpoint: A crowded one of the viewpoints close to the top, with sunrise and valley views. It's a favourite among nature lovers and photographers.

• Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple: Another of the temples on the higher side of Nandi Hills, this time dedicated to Lord Shiva, with peaceful surroundings that enhance the spirituality of the hike.

Best Time to Visit: Nandi Hills Trek

• October to March: Cold weather and warm, thus the climb is not challenging. Clear sky for a sunrise view from the viewpoint and clear sight from the opposite side of the hills.

• Summer (April-June): High temperatures, hence the hike is not suitable, especially during the day. Morning hikes are best avoided to avoid the heat.

• Monsoon (June-September): Heavy rain falls in the area, and the trails are slippery and unsafe to hike. on not safe to trek because it is not a safe environment.

How to Reach Nandi Hills

• By Road: Nandi Hills is also well connected by road well with Bangalore. It would take about 1.5 to 2 hours from the city by road. You can drive or take a cab and drive down to the base of the hill.

• By Train: The nearest railway station is Chikballapur, 10 km. Taxi or auto drive from the train station to the foothill of Nandi Hills is available.

• By Airport: The closest airport is Kempegowda International Airport, 35 km. The taxi ride from the airport to Nandi Hills is available.

3. Savandurga Trek

Savandurga, 60 km from Bangalore, is Asia's biggest monolithic rock and a highly sought trekking spot in Karnataka. The trek to the summit of Savandurga provides a bird eye view of the hills, forests, and lakes surrounding. The sight from the hilltop provides a bird's eye view of the surrounding landscape of the hill and thus a single favourite among tourists and nature lovers alike. The trek does not feature a rough ride with a bumpy terrain and a steep climb to hills, and thus is highly suitable for experienced travellers as well as for those who desire some adventure. History of Savandurga Trek

History of Savandurga

The hill was named after ancient Savandi or Savantidevi, who is the presiding deity here, and has been of historical significance because it is strategically located. The hill was also once a fort, and there are ruins of an ancient fort at the top of the hill, too. According to history, the fort was built by the kings of the Vijayanagara dynasty. The hill is also religious as Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is located at the foot of the hill. The temple and history make the trekking trail culturally significant.

Tourist attractions around the Savandurga Trek

• Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple: This temple, situated near the base of Savandurga Hill, is a Narasimha temple and a sacred religious site for devotees. It is a nice place to relax before or after trekking.

• Bheemeshwari: Bheemeshwari, 30 km away from Savandurga, is particularly renowned for the coracle ride, adventure activities, and nature walk. It's relaxing to do after trekking.

• Manchanabele Dam: It is 10 km away from it and offers good scenery to see, and is a good picnic place and a nature walk place. Water sports are arranged by the dam for the tourists.

• Ramanagaram: Renowned for its rocky landscape, Ramanagaram is located 20 km away from Savandurga and offers other trekking places such as Ramadevara Betta, which contains the renowned shooting location of the film "Sholay".

Best Time to Visit Savandurga Trek

• October to March: The weather is nice and well-suited for trekking in the open. It is best time to be able to view open vistas at the top and move around without the frustration of the sun.

• Summer (April to June): The Weather gets tougher, and the weather condition for trekking gets bad. You need to take early morning treks in an attempt to avoid the scorching sun of the day.

• Monsoon (June to September): Heavy rains make the road slippery and accident-prone. Not a good time for trekking since the track will be slippery and risky.

How to Reach Savandurga

• By Road: It is readily accessible by road from Bangalore. It is 60 km from Bangalore, and it can be accessed by road in 1.5 to 2 hours. Drive on the Bangalore-Magadi Road (NH 48) and follow directions to reach near the base of Savandurga Hill.

• By Train: The Nearest station to Savandurga is Magadi (approximately 10 km from there). From here, you can go to the foot of the hill by cab or auto-rickshaw.

• By Airport: The nearest airport is Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore, approximately 60 km. You can go to Savandurga by cab or public transport.

4. Ramanagara Trek

Ramanagara, 50 km from Bangalore, is also a trekker's and nature lover's spot. Ramadevara Betta is the most popular among the trekking trails in the "City of Seven Hills." The landscape includes giant rock formations, which create a small range of hills and ideal for rock climbing and trekking. The landscape is picturesque, with rock outcrops, thick forest cover, and valleys, and spectacular panoramic landscapes. Ramanagaram is also famous because of its connection with the Bollywood movie Sholay, where some of the film's scenes were shot here.

History of Ramanagaram Trek

Ramanagaram has been historically significant based on rock formation and because of its connection with some of the different dynasties. The region is said to be under the control of the Vijayanagara Empire and is highly connected with the Ramadevara Betta legend. It is said to have been formed in memory of Lord Rama, who was present at the location when he was exiled. There is also cultural importance in the region, as there are sufficient temples and religious places available around the region. The trekking trail takes one back into the past, so it is a cultural tour and an adventure.

Places To Visit Around Ramanagaram Trek

• Ramadevara Betta: The most visited trekking spot in Ramanagaram, this hill provides a smooth trek with a bird's eye view of the landscape. It's a sun-rise spot and provides an opportunity to learn rock climbing.

• Bheemeshwari: Bheemeshwari, 30 km from Ramanagaram, is a scenic spot for fishing, camping, and other adventure sports such as coracle riding. It's a peaceful abode in nature.

• SRS Temple: Adjacent to Ramanagaram stands the Sri Revana Siddeshwara Temple, a pilgrim temple of Lord Shiva, and the vista is panoramic.

• Channarayana Durga: At 50 km from Ramanagaram comes this hill fort, a trek option, an old ruin and abode of history buffs.

• Muthyala Maduvu (Pearl Valley): Falls and valley close to Ramanagaram, 40 km, postcard-perfect view and ideal to relax after a trek.

Best Time to Visit Ramanagaram Trek

• October to March: Nice hiking weather, pleasant climate and clear sky for a clearer view from the top. Early morning hikes are nice in the case of the opening season.

• Summer (April to June): There isn't proper hot weather in the case of a day hike. Early morning hikes are best with the anticipation of escaping the heat of the day.

• Monsoon (June to September): Heavy rains lubricate the road, which then becomes slippery over rocky trails. It is best to avoid trekking during the monsoon.

How to get to Ramanagaram

• Road: Ramanagaram is fairly well connected by road from Bangalore. It is about 50 kilometres from the city, and a trip there would take 1.5 to 2 hours. You can drive via Bangalore-Mysore Road (NH 275) or the NICE Road to Ramanagaram.

• By Train: Frequent train connectivity of Ramanagaram Railway Station to Bangalore and other towns. Taxi or autorickshaw facility at the railway station to trekking trailheads.

• By Airport: Nearest Kempegowda International Airport to this trekking trail, i.e., approximately 60 km distance. Taxi rental facility to Ramanagaram from the airport.

5. Kabbaladurga Trek

Kabbaladurga is one of the offbeat yet interesting trekking destinations that is situated about 70 kilometres from Bangalore, in the Chikkaballapur district. The hill is renowned for its stunning beauty and serene ambience, and it offers a moderately challenging to challenging trek that offers the trekking enthusiasts stunning vistas of the surrounding hills, valleys, and forests. The trek is undertaken on rock paths, thick thorny shrubs, and streams, and therefore it's a great tour for trekkers and nature enthusiasts. The peak of the Kabbala Durga has a small temple of Lord Srinivasa, and thus gives a spiritual flavour to the trek too. History of Kabbala Durga Trek

History of Kabbaladurga

The crown is taken care of by the Sri Srinivasa Swamy Temple, a very old temple that has been there for a few centuries and a very crowded pilgrim destination. The temple is controlled by Lord Srinivasa, and local pilgrims come to the temple on religious grounds. The fortifications at the top also suggest that Kabbala Durga would have been a military outpost, which would have been utilised during the Vijayanagara Empire era. The hill has been named after the village of Kabbala below, and the word "Durga" is the name of the fort or fortress at the top.

Places to Visit near Kabbaladurga Trek

• Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple: A Shiva temple around 40 km away in Nandi Hills is especially famous for its beautiful architecture and peaceful surroundings.

• Nandi Hills: Popular getaway around 40 km from Kabbala Durga, Nandi Hills is renowned for its scenery, temples, and thick history.

• Bheemeshwari: Some 30 km from here, Bheemeshwari is famous for adventure sports like coracle riding, fishing, and nature walking. Situated on the River Kaveri and a peaceful haven, it's the destination to be.

• Channarayana Durga: Channarayana Durga is some 40 km from Kabbala Durga, and the traditional trek path with the hill fort and the remains available is a fascinating place for adventurers as well as history buffs.

Best Time to Visit Kabbaladurga Trek

• October to March: Comfortable weather during these months makes the trek suitable. Proper temperature and clear sky provide clear visibility and a smooth trek.

• Summer (April to June): Temperatures are typically hot, and the hike is not comfortable. Morning hikes in the early morning are recommended to avoid the heat.

• Monsoon (June to September): The Region sees moderate rainfall, and trails become slippery and dangerous. It is advised that one does not hike during the monsoon season as the trails become slushy and dangerous.

How to Reach Kabbaladurga

• By Road: It's a very comfortable road trip from Bangalore to Kabbala Durga. It's 70 km, and the drive would be a 2-2.5 hour drive. You can drive on Kanakapura Road (NH 209), and trekking will begin at the base at the spot near Kabbala village.

• Train: The nearest railway station is Channarayana Durga, 15 km from Kabbala Durga. A taxi or auto-rickshaw from the railway station to the trek site is available.

• Airport: The nearest airport is Kempegowda International Airport of Bangalore, about 70 km away. A private car or taxi can be hired from the airport to the foot of Kabbala Durga.

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