If you’re looking for a quick escape from Bangalore’s chaos, Skandagiri Hills might be exactly what you need. Known locally as Kalavara Durga and sitting close to Nandi Hills, this sunrise trek has a mix of rocky paths, forest patches, and a view that makes the climb totally worth it.
Many trekkers start before dawn or even spend the night under the stars to catch that first burst of sunlight over the valleys. Skandagiri Hills also has a bit of history to it, Tipu Sultan once built a fort here, though now only a few broken walls remain while two old temples still stand strong. In this blog, I’ll share what makes the trek special and why it’s worth visiting.
Skandagiri Highlights
Once you climb to the top, you will get a 360-degree view of the surrounding four ‘Giris', villages, towns, and forests, which is a magnificent sight.
There are not many hikes that allow you to climb through steep rocks, leap off boulders, and gain height from a muddy track, but you can get all three at Skandagiri Hills Karnataka, which is really close to Bangalore.
At the top of Skandagiri Hills, you will find a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, but the temple's appealing architecture will catch your attention on the Skandagiri trek as well!
You will appreciate the ruins of the walls, carved pillars and stones of an ancient fort, just before you reach the summit, where you will feel as if you are travelling back to the 18th century, before Skandagiri Fort began to bustle with life.
Skandagiri is also famous for twists and turns to predict new adventures that take place at sunrise, which begins after sundown and lasts until the light breaches through a wonderful and magical sunrise experience.
Skandagiri is only about 60 km from Bengaluru, which makes it a great hike for beginner trekkers and seasoned trekkers all year long as well. The Skandagiri trek distance is approximately 4 km (one-way), and it has an altitude of almost 1,450 meters.
Skandagiri Hills Height
Skandagiri hills reach a height of around 1450 m (4757-4760 ft) above sea level. Skandagiri hills are best known as one of the trekking locations about 60-70 km away from Bangalore, Karnataka, in the district of Chikkaballapur.
Elevation: The height of the peak is approximately 1450 meters or 4757-4760 feet.
Location: The hill is located about 60–70 km north of Bangalore in the village of Kalavara.
Skandagiri Hills Timings
Hiking in Skandagiri hills can be done during the day (6:30 am-1:30 PM), or even at night (around 10:00 pm-6:00 am) if you want to experience the sunrise. For the Skandagiri trek time during the day, you need to report to the forest checkpost by 9:30 am or earlier because the hike begins at 6:30 am and ends at 1:30 pm. The night hike begins around midnight, so you can watch the sunrise from the summit.
Best Time To Visit Skandagiri
April through June and November through March are the best times to visit Skandagiri. The weather is generally nice, and the hilltop is treated to the ambient colours of nature. While the hilltop experiences rain from July to October, you will want to avoid visiting Skandagiri during this time.
How To Reach Skandagiri
There are multiple routes and ways to reach Skandagiri Hills.
Bangalore is the closest airport to Skandagiri hills, which is roughly 60 km away. You could also take a bus run by KSRTC that travels back and forth between Bangalore and Skandagiri regularly.
The bus will drop you off at Chikballapur, which is the final destination. From there, you can take a leisurely walk to Skandagiri hills, or you can get an auto to drop you off at the base of the foothills, which is a 15-minute ride. If you decided to walk, it could take you 45 minutes.
Places to Visit near Skandagiri
Apart from enjoying treks and trails, there are multiple places to visit near the Skandagiri Hills that you can enjoy. Given below are some of them:
1. Grover Zampa vineyards:
If you like to classify yourself as a wine enthusiast, this is where you would want to go. Located about 40 km North of Bangalore, the vineyards are an expanse of 410 acres and are an opportunity to see the elaborate wineries, do wine tasting, and enjoy lunch buffets.
2. Nandi Hills:
You will need to spend about 3 to 4 hours of your time at the picturesque Adventure Point. While you are here, you must either watch the sunrise or sunset from the spot. Located about 60 km away from Bangalore, you will get to see, while you are here, the Nandi Durga fort, a special horticulture garden, there are temples near Nandi Hill like Nandi temple, and a special Shiva Parvati temple. The hilltop is also very well known among cyclists because of its height and trails.
3. Ghati Subramanya:
This is a popular religious destination and is located a few kilometres from Skandagiri. The temple is affiliated with the deities Lord Subramanya and Lord Lakshmi Narasimha. These two deities attract large pilgrim crowds, due to the idols being made of one piece and with the deities facing opposite directions to each other, east-west. It is popular with devotees during Brahmarathotsava.
4. Nrityagram:
This is an unknown historical destination located roughly 50 km away from Skandagiri. It's known as a dance village near Bangalore, and it worships dancers. Teachers from all over India come to the place to train in many of the regional or traditional dance forms that you will find in this country (Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi).
Essential Tips for the Skandagiri
Visiting Skandagiri during the monsoon season is not among the best times. Wet roads and trails can make it incredibly exhausting and difficult to stay on your feet. The more slippery trail sections create a significant challenge for hikers.
Always ensure that you bring sufficient drinking water with you to prevent dehydration.
Use clothing and footwear that are comfortable to prevent discomfort.
Since this is a long trek, you should be physically prepared for it. Exercise and stretching a few days before the hike may be useful.
If your trek is at night, make sure you have a sufficient amount of torches and batteries, which will be extremely useful.
Conclusion
The Hills have a mix of rocky trails, quiet forest paths, and old ruins scattered around the peak, giving the place both a calm and slightly ancient vibe. The trek starts from Papagni Mutt and goes up to what remains of the fort once linked to Tipu Sultan, though now it’s mostly broken walls and stones covered in moss. The Skandagiri Hills climb isn’t very tough, but night hikes usually need permits and basic gear like lights and water. The views at sunrise spread across nearby hills and villages, making it a popular weekend plan for people around Bangalore. For a short trip that blends nature and history, the Skandagiri trek fits well without needing much travel.
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