Pavagada Fort- Hidden Gem

Pavagada Fort is one of the forgotten fort around Bangalore, most of the trek and travel enthusiast people don't go here probably because its far from Bangalore (180km) and less direct connectivity to the place. The fort is architectural marvel that needs high attention to preserve. It is a photographer’s muse, an architect’s inspiration, a trekker’s delight and a rock climber’s Mecca. The Shanimahatma Temple in Pavagada town is famous and attracts devotees from far-off places. Tiny lanes next to the Temple lead to the foothills of Pavagada Fort. These streets are not well maintained. The stink of human waste, piles of plastic, destroyed interiors of the enclosures, and broken fort walls indicate the lack of maintenance and human apathy towards it. If one ignores all that, a two-hour-long trek will take you to the two large towers situated at the top of the Fort. With seven levels of fortification and a secret tunnel for the king to escape, it only contributes to the fact that the Fort was fully war-ready. The complex also houses a mosque, a pond and a massive bunker that gets ample sunlight. The architectural marvels are visible as you trek up to the top of the Fort. The sturdy Fort is in a better condition holding evidence to the indigenous engineering skills of the period. The Fort is said to have witnessed many royal battles. The trail to the top goes through large entrances, stairs and rocky patches with enough resting places. This makes the trek tolerable even when the temperature soars in summer. Halfway through, there is a small Hanuman Temple. Offerings at the Temple suggest that the locals visit the Temple regularly. Once at the top of the hill the cool breeze will only help you to explore around. Courtesy: Deccan Herald

How to Reach : Bangalore-- Yelahanka-- Penukonda- Pavagada

Near by places: Madhugiri Fort, Nidagal Fort, Penukonda

Permission : As of now Not required

Steps : Yes

Climbing time : 1.30 Hrs

Parking: Near temple at the base

Level: Easy to Moderate

Things to Carry: Water, Food and all necessary

Lodge: Vijaya Deluxe Lodge, which is located heart of the city, Rs.400 for 2 bedroom non ac and non TV and Rs.600 for 2 bedroom non-ac and TV. The front office of the lodge is very good and also rooms are neat and clean.
Ph: 9964103484,08136-245317
There are couple of lodges around like Hotel Gayathri Comforts and one more. Vijaya deluxe is cheap and best.

Channagiri Hill Trek

Channagiri Hills is in channapura village which is located near nandi hills, Around 60kms from Bengaluru.Its around 1300 to 1400 mts above sea level. The nandi hills range has many hiking opportunities around. Most of th times its always green an covered with mist. The Channagiri trek trail is almost covered with shrubs, has many boulders around and water bodies flowing all the way from the top of the hill.Heard there are 2 ways to the hill. We started from Channapura village, there is a one more way from sultanpet as well, comparitively sultanpet trail is easy.The mesmerizing views of Nandi hills range, the chirruping of birds, chilling breeze, slippery rocks, mindblowing waterfalls made trekking more interesting and restless. There are few small falls on the way to the peak as it was a rainy season. Weekend usually crowded with local village and town people. Better to be in the group trek. The huge waterfalls is on the middle way of the peak which quite scary and majestic. There are few hidden small waterfalls which can be explored if interested. Suitable care to be taken incase trekking during rainy season as the rocks are slippery , also terrain is very diverse ,it could be very dangerous. From the lake to trek base is almost 20 mins walk inside the grapeyards and paddy lands. From Greenery to waterfalls, Ruins to rocky lands, It was a package of everything in one!!.

Look For : Cave temple well before the top, Hanuman temple at the peak, Kalyani at the top, Few ruins around, Blue pond near the start of actual trek.

How to Reach : Bangalore-- Ranicroos-- Kuduvathi- Channapura Village

Near by places: Horagina Betta, Kaurava Kunda,Skandagiri

Permission : As of now Not required

Steps : No

Climbing time : Ascend-3 hrs(8-9 kms both ways)

Parking: Near the channapura village river

Level: Moderate to Difficult

Things to Carry: Water, Food and all necessary things.

There are many trekking organisation which could plan a weekend trek or somemore adventure activities. Few of them to name are Nomadify, Madventures. Look out their space for more details and packages.

Avani Ride and Trek

Avani is famous for the Sita temple situated on a hill. This temple is one of the few temples dedicated to Sitadevi in India. It is also known as the Gaya of the south and has ancient temples known as the Ramalingeshwara, Lakshmaneshwara, Bharateshwara and Shatrugneshwara, dating back to the period of the Nolamba Dynasty. It has been told that Sitadevi gave birth to her twin children Lava-Kusha here. Even today the room where Sita gave birth to her children exists.The war between Sri Rama and his sons Lava & Kusha was happened in this village. The place is very near (About 9 km) to Mulabaagilu  in Kolar District.

How to Reach : Bangalore-- Hosakote-- Kolar-- Avani Hill

Near by places: Anthargange, Kotilingeshwara

Permission : Not required

Steps : There are steps in the middle of trek

Climbing time : 2 hrs

Parking: At the base , Near the temple

Level: Easy

Things to Carry: Water, Food and all necessary things

Medigeshi Fort Trek

Medigeshi is a historical place having a well built rocky fort on top of the hill, and has seen many battles during its peak of your success, Its named after local tribal chief of yore, Nagga Reddi, because his wife’s hair touched her ankles (Medi – ankle, Kesha – hair). Most of the fort walls remain even today, though its ruins. Medigeshi is a part of Madhugiri Taluk, in Tumkur District. This trek could be done along with Madhugiri trek in a separate day. There are 4 stages marked in trek as there the 4 wall entries.

How to Reach : Bangalore-- Dabaspete-- Madhugiri-- Medigeshi

Near by places: Madhugiri Fort, Channarayanadurga Fort, DD Hills

Permission : Not required

Steps : There are steps in the middle of trek

Climbing time : 2 hrs

Parking: At the base , Near the temple

Level: Moderate to Difficult

Things to Carry: Water, Food and all necessary things

Channarayanadurga Trek- A Navadurga

Channarayana Durga is a fortress close Madhugiri around 100km from Bengaluru. Fort is constructed by local king(Paalegaara) Chikkappa Gowda, who was ruling the Madhugiri and surrounding places. it later fell under the control of Marathas. Be that as it may, in consequent years control of the post changed a few times amongst Marathas and Mysore Wodeyers. The British assumed control over the stronghold amid third Mysore war and after that relinquished it.

How to Reach : Bangalore-Dabaspete-Urdigere-Koratagere-Channarayana Durga

Near by Places: Medigeshi Fort, Madhugiri Fort, Siddarbetta Trek

Permission : Not required

Steps : No

Climbing time : 2 hrs

Parking: In the village

Level: Moderate

Things to Carry: Water, Snacks available at the village shop.