From rock climbing to walking on a nature trail to ancient temple hopping, there are a host of options for travellers seeking the thrill of adventure and history near the IT city of Bengaluru. This too, is within a distance of 100 kilometres, making them ideal places for impromptu trips on the odd Sunday.
The Skandagiri Hills are located just 60 km away from the city of Bengaluru, in the district of Chikballapur. The place can prove to be a near-perfect getaway for adventure junkies and nature lovers alike. Tourism to the enticing Skandagiri Hills is available year-round.
Nonetheless, the winter months of November through January are the ideal times to visit Skandagiri because of the magnificent vistas of the surrounding hills and greenery at sunrise. Trekking is another way to enjoy the hills through the summer months. Skandigiri happens to be an easy trek and can be enjoyed by all healthy adults and children.
Beginning in Papagni Mutt, the trail leads to the summit, where the remains of an 18th-century fort is situated. This old fort was under the rule of Tipu Sultan and later the British as a military outpost.
The Skandagiri trail offers a mix of nature’s beauty through its breathtaking views, wonderful rock formations and vegetation, and history through the fort and the ancient temples, one of which is located at the summit.
Getting There
The Skandagiri Hills can be reached via road by bus, car, or motorcycle. The place can also be reached through the mode of railways. From Majestic Bus Station to Chikballapur Bus Station, beyond which point Papagni Mutt can be reached via auto.
From Majestic Railway Station to Chikballapur Railway Station, after which there is an auto-rickshaw. The ride can be taken towards Papagni Mutt.
This forest patch is a gem hidden in plain sight. Nestled away from the mad rush of the IT city, it is a mere 20 kilometres away from Bangalore in the Ramanagara district. Turahalli is a popular spot for cyclists, nature lovers, mountaineering enthusiasts, birders and more. The forest has many trails for cycling, walking, running, birding, and rock climbing.
Turahalli forests are an ideal location for leisure pursuits as well. In the mornings, people come here for yoga and other recreational activities. Aside from all of these, one can come here just to see the breathtaking sunrise from any of its hillocks that overlook the entire stretch of Bangalore, providing panoramic views that are sure to mesmerise visitors.
It is recommended that the forest be visited in the daytime as it happens to be a reserve forest with restricted entry.
Getting There: The place can be reached easily by public transportation or personal vehicle; however, only cycles are allowed inside the forest.
Nandi Hills, also known as Nandidurga or Nandi Betta, is a popular hill fortress just a short drive from Bangalore. This quaint hill station is a popular location for watching the sunrise and sunset as it provides panoramic views from its perch at 1478 meters above sea level.
A spot for peaceful seclusion from the city's bustle and stunning views of the sunrise, Nandi Hills is also of historical importance, having once served as a fortress for Tipu Sultan. The hills are known for their wide variety of flora and a great location for birdwatching, especially during the migratory season.
Nandi Hills is also home to two ancient temples reflecting the region’s rich cultural heritage. Don’t forget to take in the cliff views from Tipu’s Drop and walk down history in the ruins of Tipu’s summer palace. It is placed at an elevation of 1,478 metres above sea level, making it the ideal hangout spot for witnessing a sunrise or sunset.
The best time to visit Nandi Hills is between September to February.
The distance by road between Bangalore and it is just 57 kilometres. The most popular method of transportation is by a personal vehicle or cab, which takes 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the traffic.
There are several buses connecting Nandi Hills to Bangalore as well. The nearest railway is the Chikballapur Railway Station.
Ramanagara, famously known as the Sholay Hills, is the perfect destination for a one-day weekend getaway if you’re residing in Bangalore. This scenic hill spot is renowned as the location for the filming of the iconic Bollywood movie ‘Sholay’. The rocky hills in the region are still referred to as Sholay Hills because of the movie's enormous success. Enthusiasts of the movie journey to Ramnagara, almost as a pilgrimage.
Nestled amidst rocky outcrops and lush greenery, Ramanagara has a unique landscape of granitic hills and valleys, making it a preferred destination for rock climbing and rappelling. There are two ancient temples on the hillside, which also make for a cultural experience. Camping and bonfires under the night sky are other activities for travellers to indulge in. A sky full of stars can be witnessed here on no-moon days.
The filming of Gabbar Singh's eerie rocky mansion in the 1975 cult classic “Sholay” took place in Ramanagara, which is located just 50 km away from Bangalore.
Getting There
The quickest method to get to Ramanagar is via rail, which departs from Bangalore. This is a brief halt for all the main trains that travel between Bangalore and Mysore. Nonetheless, you may always take a bus from Bangalore if travelling by rail doesn’t sit well with you. Regular buses travel the Bangalore-Mysore highway, and the drive to Ramanagar takes less than two hours.
Another way to reach Ramanagara is via road through a personal vehicle or a taxi. Biking to the location can be exceptionally fun due to the scenery en route.
Kolar is a city of historical importance, steeped in ancient cultural significance, this city is famous for its illustrious past, ancient temples, and now-defunct gold mining sites.
Temples such as the Someshwara Temple and Kolaramma Temple, dating back to the Chola period, showcase the stunning Dravidian style of architecture with their ornate and intricately carved facades. The city is dotted with other such temples, such as Kotilingeshwara temple, Kurudmale Ganesha temple, and Antharagange Temple, making this a place of religious significance. Antharagange in the region is also famous for its volcanic caves and natural springs, making it a popular destination for trekkers.
Kolar is well known for its dairy industry, contributing significantly to the milk supply in the region as the biggest milk producer in South India. This is also famous for the South Silk saris and Biryani.
The city housed the world’s biggest active gold mines before it was shut down in 2001. The location also became the obvious choice for the dusty gold mining sets of the eponymous and widely popular Kannada movie KGF.
Many buses from Bangalore go to Kolar daily. Buses can be availed from the Majestic Bus Station in Bengaluru. Travellers can reach the Kolar Railway Station by taking a train from the Majestic Bus Station in Bengaluru.
The city can be reached by a personal vehicle or private taxi in about 2 hours. The nearest airport to Kolar is the Kempegowda International Airport, which is around 66.7 km away.