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These places surrounding Hyderabad are an extension of the city's regal history and tradition.
These spots provide a welcome reprieve from the fast pace of daily life and are ideal for creating memories with family and loved ones. When you want to spend some time away from the city, you may arrange a short trip to one of these locations, which include the Ananthagiri Hills, Singur Dam in Medak, Rachakonda Fort, and Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Yadadri.
Ananthagiri Hills is popular with both nature lovers and adventure seekers. It is one of the most popular picnic areas around Hyderabad, being only 100 km from the capital city.
It is the state's oldest inhabited hill town, teeming with ancient caverns, temples, and mediaeval forts. The hill station with its scenic beauty and historical attractions is ideal for a family road trip. The Musi River originates on Ananthagiri Hill, which is located along the eastern ghat.
Trekking and canoeing are popular adventure sports in the area. You can also seek blessings from Lord Vishnu at the 400-year-old Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
By road, the route goes through Mehdipatnam, Chilkur, and Vikarabad. You may follow the Outer Ring Road (ORR) till you reach Chevella Road, then turn left and continue straight until you reach Ananthagiri Hills. Alternatively, you can take a train from Hyderabad to Vikarabad, which runs five times a day and takes about an hour to reach. The nearest railway station to Ananthagiri Hills is Vikarabad, which is about 6 km away.
Yadagirigutta/Yadadri is a well-known Hindu pilgrimage site around 100 km from Hyderabad. The majestic temple is dedicated to Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and is situated on a hillside.
Lord Vishnu followers hold tremendous regard for the temple. It is one of the most popular temples to visit near Hyderabad due to its gorgeous architecture and tranquil environment. The golden Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Vishnu that adorns the temple adds to its splendour.
Regular trains run between Hyderabad and Secunderabad to Yadadri, with a trip time of roughly an hour and thirty minutes. Train schedules and rates may be found on the Indian Railways website. When you arrive at Yadadri, take a cab to the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, which is around 3 km from the station.
Singur Dam, an irrigation and power generating project on the River Manjeera, is about 100 km from Hyderabad. It is also a national wildlife reserve with a deep reservoir that provides natural habitat for water birds and crocodiles.
The dam provides breathtaking views of the surrounding area and is a nature lover's heaven. From October to February, migratory birds converge to the reservoir, providing a great show for bird enthusiasts. It is one of the most popular picnic areas around Hyderabad.
You can take the line 47121 train from Bharatnagar to Lingampalli, which is about 27 minutes, and then take a taxi from Lingampalli to Singur Dam, which is about an hour and thirty-six minutes. The total distance is about 94 km and the total travel time is about two hours.
Rachakonda Fort is a Hindu architectural masterpiece from the 14th century that is just 100 km from the city of Hyderabad.
The fort was built under the supervision of Recherla Singama Nayak of the Padma Nayaka dynasty, who was the ruler of Rachakonda Fort at the time. The Rachakonda Fort is a fortified bastion made of huge stones that were not mortared together.
Trekking in the hills surrounding the fort provides wonderful panoramic views of the surroundings. The area has 2.5 million-year-old rocks as well as the remnants of a well-planned ancient Hindu town. It is an excellent picnic and exploring location, especially for history aficionados.
One way is to take the Hyderabad – Vijayawada highway and turn right at Choutuppal. From there, you can follow the signboards leading to Rachakonda Fort. Another option is to take the Nagarjuna Sagar Highway and take a diversion from Ibrahimpatnam. This route is shorter and takes about an hour to reach the fort. However, this route may not have clear signboards and you may need to ask the locals for directions.
Narsapur Forest is one of the most intriguing wildlife destinations to visit outside of Hyderabad. It is only about 50 km from Hyderabad and is a popular tourist destination for wildlife and adventure aficionados.
It is situated in a rocky area that is densely forested with lush foliage. Hike in the forest with companions or join trekking groups organised by local clubs. The forest, which covers an area of 30 square kilometres, is home to local fauna such as monkeys, butterflies, and birds.
A charming lake in the middle of the woodland adds to the beauty of the forest. During the monsoon season, turtles may be seen swimming in the lake. Rock climbing, bird viewing, and walking through the forest are all enjoyable activities that provide a break from the routine of everyday life.
You can take the Hyderabad Metro Rail from any station in the city to Miyapur station, which is the last stop on the Red Line. From there, you can hire a taxi or an Ola/Uber cab to take you to Narsapur Forest. The subway ride will cost you around INR 50 per person and might take around an hour and thirty minutes.
You can drive your own car or rent one from a car rental service in Hyderabad. The fastest route is to take the NH 65 and then turn left onto the Narsapur Road. The driving distance is about 48 km, and the travel time will be around an hour, depending on the traffic. You will need to pay a toll fee of INR 30 at the Patancheru toll plaza.
