Varlakonda Fort

Varlakonda small village situated on the NH 7, on the highway till the village of Varlakonda is reached. On the left, one can sight the Hill with some fortifications on it . Take a left turn and drive for about half a kilometer.There is a small temple on the top and some old ruins. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama. Although climb is easy, Initial climb is Steep. Its a less explored and unknown to public.Be ware of Monkeys!

Nearest Places to explore: Devanahalli Fort, Nandi Hills

Distance from Bangalore : 75 kms

Trek Distance: 2kms ( one way)

Trek Level : Easy

Time : 45 mins Ascend

Source: The Travel Reminiscenes: Varlakonda Fort

This is another amazing Biking cum trek happened. A awesome ride and the memories.

These moments are very hard to explain, the happiness and the feeling with it only felt by visiting. Now why waiting plan your another adventure. 

Horagina Betta Night Trekking

Horagina Betta Night Trek was another memorable trek.
Source: The Travel Reminiscence: Horagina Betta Night Trekking

Horagina Betta also known as Brahmagiri, 65 kms from Bangalore is one of the major hillocks on route to the Nandi Hill Mountain.Horagina Betta has been rarely visited by trekkers. The peak has a very beautiful Lord Shani-Eshwara temple. The evergreen forest patch on top of the hill being a favored wintering location for many migrant species of warblers, flycatchers and thrushes. Due to the presence of Nandi Hills which is a popular tourist destination. Horagina Betta has been rarely visited by trekkers.I have mentioned 2 options for trek. If it is night trek since vehicles are not allowed to enter nandi checkpost better to take 2nd option. If it’s a day trek one can take option 1. There no vehicle parking in option 1 but bikes can be parked nearby. But option 2 has unofficial parking place.     

Trek Ways: Two Options to Ascend!

1. Nandi hills road junction where we can find board of Shani-Eshwara temple (1hr).

2. Can start from Gangothri hotel. (2 -3 Hrs)

What we did: While ascending we took Second option and while returning in morning we came by First option.

Campfire: Can be done near Shani-Eshwara temple. 

Shelter: There are two open rooms if its rainy or cold near temple.    

Be Aware of: Can encounter Small snakes, Insects, Scorpions etc in the night.

Carry : Snacks, Water, energy food etc.Must take torch for night trek

Route: Bangalore - Chikkaballapur - Nandi Hills Cross -(4 kms) towards Nandi Hills .

Difficulty level: Moderate

Google Map: "Trail to Nandi One" Please follow the this you will reach the top.

View Point : 500 mts above temple, Take steps to go to view point.

Read More: The Travel Reminiscence: Horagina Betta Night Trekking

Heggunda Hill

Source: The Travel Reminiscenes: Heggunda Hill

Heggunda is the massive rocky hill, Ramadevara Betta, crowned by a Rama temple on the top. Heggunda (earlier called Pokkunda) was an important city during the Hoysala period (12th Century).The iron railings installed all the way to the top provide adequate support and comfort for the city dweller long used to the elevator. Atop the hill is a small temple of Sri Rama with a tall stone pillar installed in front. It is said that Rama's sacrificial horse was tied to this post by his sons Lava and Kusha.There is temple on the foothills. After walking for 10 mins you will find Anjaneya temple, take left from there which leads to small pond and the steps with railings to reach the top.

How to Reach:

Bangalore --- Yeshwanthpur --- Dobbespet -> Right turn under the flyover leads to 

Heggunda

Nearest Place of interest : DD Hills, Mandargiri hills, Nijagal Betta.

Best Time to Visit: All Seasons.

Coordinates:   13°16'51"N   77°15'27"E

Parking: Park in village near temple.

Permission: Not required.

More Read on  The Travel Reminiscenes: Heggunda Hill

Kabbaladurga Night Trekking

Source: The Travel Reminiscenes: Kabbaladurga Night Trekking:

Kabbaladurga is another monolith near Bangalore located about 80 kms away. Its one of the 9 durga's around Bangalore.The peak is home to the temple of Goddess Kabbalamma and had derived its name from the temple and the ruins of a fort at the peak. It is green, rocky and serene.Although the fort is in ruins now, the temple is still visited by the villagers around.The view from the top is absolutely breath-taking and perfect for trekkers and climbing enthusiasts. Overall, the trek was moderately difficult.Kabbaladurga looks daunting from the start of this trek. The inclines are very steep and there is no support. One has to climb rocky surfaces, grab the rough edges and carefully place every step. After about 100m, there are a few carved steps leading to a supporting rod. The inclines get steeper, to 60 degrees, and the trek becomes a strenuous climb.  Frequent breaks are taken. The midway point is reached on a small flat terrain. This is a welcome respite with a strong breeze and amazing views of the village. The last and final stretch is a true test of nerves and brawn. There are no more carved steps and one has to be resourceful. The smooth surface of the monolith has to be climbed, looking for suitable placements for hands and legs.



How to Reach:

Driving down from Bangalore on the Kanakapura Road will take approximately 2-3 hours depending on the time of travel. Reach Kanakapura (50 kms) and Sathanur (a further 20 kms). From Sathanur, a diversion to the right goes to Kabbala village.

Accommodation: Carry own tent.

Essentials: Food Pack, water, stove, medication, warm clothing.

Transportation: Own vehicle.

Difficulty Level: Moderately Difficult

Trek Start Point: From Temple Base to Hill base nearly 1km.

Time to Ascend and Descend : Overall 4 hrs. (2hrs+ 2hrs)

Nearby places to explore: Munneshwara Betta Trekking, Maribetta Day Trek, Karadi Betta Night Trek

Devarayanadurga (DD Hills)

Source: The Travel Reminiscenes: Devarayanadurga (DD Hills):

Devarayanadurga is a hill which is situated in Tumkur and has two popular temples, the Yoganarasimha and Bhoganarasimha and is a popular destination. The place is a favorite with both pilgrims as well as mountain climbers. The hills with lush green trees on all sides make the climbing a lot enjoyable. The place was originally known as Anebiddasari then as Jadakana Durga after a chief named Jadaka and finally as Devarayanadurga after its capture by Mysore king Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar. On the hilltop are perched two popular Devarayanadurga Temples, the Yoganarasimha and the Bhoganarasimha Temples. These temples are visited by pilgrims all through the year. The Bhoganarasimha is at the base of the hill while the Yoga Narasimha is perched at the top of the hill. Devarayanadurga located 65 kilometers from Bangalore. The nearest railway station is at Tumkur and the area also has excellent bus connections.



How to Reach:
Bangalore --- Yeshwanthpur --- Dobbespet -> Right turn under the flyover leads to Devarayandurga.

Nearest Places: Siddaganga mutt, Siddara Betta, Mandargiri hills, Nijagal Betta.

Best Time to Visit: All Seasons.

Food Available near both temples.

Namada Chilume: 

En route to Devarayana durga is a place located called Namada Chilume( the Spring of Tilaka/Nama) at the base of the hill road leading to Tumkur. Tilaka or Nama or Pundraka is a ritual mark on the forehead, of sandalwood paste, coloured earth or vermilion. Based on the Puranas it is believed that Sri Rama during Vanavas(exhile to forest) on his way to Lanka halted here. He wanted to apply Nama or Tilaka on his forehead, not finding water anywhere around to wet the “nAma, he shot an arrow into the ground, and a spring sprang and thus the name (Rama)-nAmada chilume. The spring can be still seen, the water comes out from a small hole throughout the year and never dries up.


Deer Park

There is a Deer Park in the vicinity of the Namada Chilume,There many spotted deer taken care by the forest department. One can enjoy the un-polluted greenery and fresh air of the Namada Chilume. It is good try for one day trip.  One needs to carry their own water and food, though there are small shops around.

Mandargiri Trek

Source: The Travel Reminiscenes: Mandargiri Trek: 

Mandharagiri (Basadi betta), is a picturesque small hillock with jain temple near tumkur. Located opposite to Bangalore-Tumkur highway and 65 km away from bangalore, you can see an entrance arch in the main road stating the name 'Mandaragiri' and going by this way you can reach to a small village, Panditanahalli. Little distance from this place leads you to the bottom of the hill.You can park you vehicles at the bottom of Basadi Betta, and you can see a Mutt nearby.  Ensure that to get the keys of the temple from the priest in case he is not coming with you towards top. Once you reach top of the hill after climbing 435 steps, you are welcomed by the main door of the temple. After entering the main door now you are in a huge courtyard in the midst of four temples, two temples are dedicated to Bhagawan Chandranatha and one each one for Parshwanatha as well as Suparshwanatha. The idols are simple but wonderful. You can spend a while at Basadi Betta; rest and get pleasure from the cool breeze blowing via the many aisles of the mantapas. The far-away hills as well as the rocky landscape with small puddles present a lovely view. There is one more surprise when you open the rare door of the temple complex. You can see a beautiful lake called Mydala Kere down below the hill.

How to Reach :

Bangalore --- Dabaspet -- after 10km take right turn near Arch -- Mandargiri base.

Near by places: Mydala kere, Devarayanadurga (DD Hills), Madhugiri, Nijagalbetta Trekking.

Permission : Not required

Steps : Yes

Climbing time : 15 mins Max

Photo Courtesy : Mohan 

Other Places : Rayyakottai Trek  Revanasiddeshwara Betta

Revanasiddeshwara Betta/ SRS Hills Trek

Source: The Travel Reminiscenes: Revanasiddeshwara Betta/ SRS Hills Trek:

SRS Betta is consists of a massive Monolithic Stone surrounded by beautiful hilly region and located equi distance from Ramanagar, Channapatna and Kanakapura. Revanasiddeshwara Betta, a hill in ramanagara, 62 kms from Bangalore (Bengaluru) city and rising 3066 feet above sea level,The route to the top of Revanasiddeshwara Betta is extremely simple and does not require much physical agility. Beginning at the foot of the hill, where the entrance arch to the Renukamba Temple is, you follow the slabs of stone that have been laid out for visitors. These will lead you to wider steps that have been carved in the rock surface. They are easy to climb and because of their width, they present several opportunities for the tired to sit and rest a while. Revanasiddeshwara Betta is conveniently accessible, with autos plying right up to its foothills, and local buses connecting it to nearby towns and cities. There are chathras and lodges at the base. There is a road that goes to the middle of the hill and rest of the journey must be covered on foot. Be aware of monkeys.Can be found easily in google maps.

How to reach:

Bangalore --- Ramanagara bus stand --- Signal left turn --- SRS Hills.

Distance from Bangalore: 65km one way.

Climbing time: 30mins max

Parking Fees : 5rs

Nearest Places for Trek : HandiGundi Betta, Ramangara Betta Trek, KuntiBetta Night Trek