Top 15 : Best night treks in Karnataka

Best night treks in Karnataka

 

Best night treks in Karnataka: The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Discovering nature at your own pace and set out to new heights to accomplish is a satisfactory and rejuvenating feeling.

Trekking, a walk through nature, is a recreational activity that has tremendous benefits and takeaways. The journey of trekking across the blissful trails of nature is also a path to self-discovery and is proven to clear all the blocks in an individual’s mind making them much more aware and calm.

The calmness that nature offers is also beneficial in gaining perspective. Adding to these are the numerous health benefits that emerge out of regular trekking and hiking.

What’s better than a trek under the scorching heat is walking under a blanket of stars accompanied by the silence of the night on night treks. Night climbs although they sound scary are definitely worth an experience.

Karnataka, being one of the very few states has vivid varieties of night trek trails to offer to hike enthusiasts. Here are a few night treks that will leave travelers spellbound and mesmerized.

 

1.Skandagiri Night Trek

Of the ‘Panchagiris’ that are located in the Chikkabalapur district in the outskirts of the IT city Bangalore, Skandagiri has earned its spot in the list of most famous weekend getaway destinations in Karnataka due to various reasons like its scenic views, picture-perfect sunrise, and the treks that this trail has to offer to the adventurous lot out there.

The night trek at Skandagiri offers the hikers a panoramic view of the hills under the star-lit sky. Gazing the sky at night while moving towards the peak of the hill which also has such beauty to offer is what one looks for in a trekking trail.

With the trek usually commencing after sunset, the walk under the moon with a light wind blowing in your hair, this trail is all about soaking it all in.

Starting from sunset and going on to watching the sunrise amidst the foggy mountains with luscious greenery around, the Skandagiri night trek is definitely an enthralling experience to hold by.

Location: 70kms from Bangalore, Chikabalapur District, Karnataka.

 

2.Ramangara Night Trek

The Ramanagara night trek is well known for its rock climbing and is of the most sought after and famous rock climbing destinations in South India and is located in Ramnagara which is also widely known as the Silk City.

This place is famously known for its huge rocks and boulders. The Ramagiri hills have also gained its fame as the famous movie Sholay was shot with the following hill’s background.

The night trek begins from the Ramadevara Betta in Ramanagara at midnight moving through the dense forest of Ramagiri, eventually reaching the peak which offers a panoramic view of the city with the city lights on one side and the darkness of the forest on the other side.

This trail has some challenging rock climbs in store and although challenging, is an enriching experience.

Location:50kms from Bangalore, Karnataka

 

3.Narayana Giri Night Trek

At a distance of about 20kms from the district of Ramangara, standing as tall as 3800ft is the lesser-known Narayan Giri hills.

The small Lakshmi Narasimha temple which is only open during the weekends is one of the many interesting things that one can explore along the trail of the hills. Adventure lovers looking for a short getaway should definitely explore this destination.

The night trek at Narayan Giri mostly begins post-sunset where the path enters the deep forests of Jalamangala. Many wildlife species and birds can be spotted along the way.

This is one of the very few night trekking destinations that also have many adventure sports like kayaking, rappelling offered by the Manchanbele water activities.

On reaching the top, one can pay prayers to the Lakshmi Narasimha temple situated at the hilltop and can witness the remains of the fortress of Jalamangala over the brim of sunrise.

Location: 70kms from Bangalore, Karnataka.

 

4.Antargange Night Trek

A perfect mix of thrill, and excitement, the Antargange Night Trek is a perfect example of the amalgamation of trekking and cave exploration.

This is an ideal destination for trekking and adventure lovers as Antargange hill is a cluster of beautiful rocky hills and the daunting caves here add to the thrilling experience. The 3km trek takes the visitors back to medieval times and is a perfect experience for rock climbers.

The Antargange night trek is considered one of the most fun night trek trails as it is a combination of trekking and adventure activities.

As the night trek begins mostly around dusk, it gives the trekkers a chance to explore the whole area and reaching the top to the most beautiful sunrise at a height of 1226 feet above sea level. If you’re lucky, you might spot a few wild mammal friends along the way to the top as well.

Location:67 km from Bangalore, Kolar District, Karnataka.

 

5.Kunti Betta Night Trek

Standing out as one of the most beautiful sunrise treks is the Kunti Betta Night Trek, located in the Mandya District of Karnataka. It comprises two rocky hills that are situated at the height of 2882 feet above sea level.

One can catch the glimpse of the serene and misty lake of Pandavapura once reaching the top of the hill.

The experience of trekking at night at the Kunti betta is a memorable one as the trekkers walk on the path at night with the moonlight lighting the path up.

Adding to this is the reward that comes up in the morning over the horizon slowly discarding the darkness of night and giving rise to a beautiful sunrise unraveling the huge fields of sugarcane and rice located at the foot of the hills.

A popular location among the trekkers, this definitely tingles the adventure bone in all its visitors.

Location: 123kms from Bangalore, Mandya District, Karnataka.

 

6.Savandurga Night Trek

Bordered by two twin boulders namely Karigudda and Biligudda, Savandurga is Asia’s biggest monolith and is situated at a height of 1226 meters above sea level.

The hills mostly comprise the remains of a fort that served as a prison. It also is called Savinadurga as the fort of death due to its steep formation.

The night trek at Savandurga comes with a lot of thrill and excitement. The 5km trek, being a moderate one starts from the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple and is surrounded by dense forests all around.

Ascending up the view, one will find some rocky boulders through the trail reaching the panoramic view of the remains of the fort on one side and the soothing Manchanabele Lake on the other, making the view picture-perfect.

Location:60kms from Bangalore, Karnataka.

 

7.Biikal Rangana Swamy Betta Night Trek

Although there are many night treks in Karnataka that offer you a challenge, the Bilikal Rangana Swamy Betta trek is one of a kind.

The hill located at a height of 3780 feet above sea level is usually climbed to celebrate a festival at the Ranganatha Swamy temple located on top. The surrounding is abundantly filled with thick forests and huge boulders.

The trekking activity is mostly conducted at night as preferred by the participants and the presence of the moon and the stars makes the whole journey a beautiful one.

The 5km trek starts with being easy for the first half a kilometer gradually trailing through the forest throwing the trekkers into steep slopes and high rocks to climb at times. If one’s lucky, some sights of animals like elephants, deer can also be found on the way.

This journey filled with blind curves and unexpected rocky obstacles is the one to put your fitness to the test.

Location: 76.5 km from Bangalore, Karnataka.

 

8.Makalidurga Night trek

Unlike every other trekking destination, Makalidurga night trek, a beginner-friendly trek is a vintage classic. The Makalidurga fort stands at a height of 1117 meters on a granite hillock and is surrounded by a chain of hills close to Ghat Subramanya. The hill is densely covered with grasslands and is a rocky one to climb.

The 7 km trek, begins in vintage style as the base camp is neither a temple nor a spot in the town but is the town’s railway station. Although there are other base camps to this night trek, the former one is considered to offer the most thrilling experience.

The trek begins in the middle of a dark night, and the path filled with rocks and a hint of greenery take the trekkers up to the top.

The top of the hill offers a triple view- with the shiva temple being the center of the view, the western side covered by the beautiful lake, and the east giving rise to the sun over the Makalidurga fort. This picturesque view is definitely the one to look out for.

Location:55kms from Bangalore, Karnataka.

 

9.Madhugiri Night Trek

Filled with steep slopes and the fresh smell of the flora and fauna around, The Madhugiri hill is located in the small town of Tumkur and stands at an altitude of 1250 meters above sea level.

This peak is also considered the second largest monolith peak in Asia after the Savandurga hills. The name Madhugiri, translating to  ‘Honey Hills’ is called so due to the occupation of the bee swarms on the fort.

The trek unlike most night treks begins later afternoon and then through the night takes the hikers to the top and the steep slopes of the hill take you to a fort dedicated to Hyder Ali.

This fort comprises of entrances- Antaralada Bagilu, Diddi Bagilu, and Mysore Gate that lead the way from the hill to the temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. Adding to the dense woods around is the intricate architecture of the fort that follows the trail all the way to the top.

Location:100kms from Bangalore, Karnataka.

 

10.Kabbala Durga Night Trek

If there’s a trek that tingles the dare-devil in you, the Kabbala Durga trek is definitely one of them. The monolith hillock with a magnificent height of 3600 feet is one of the most enthralling experiences to live.

Located among the stunning widespread rock slopes of the Kanakapura hills, it is one of the best treks Karnataka has to offer.

The destination is home to the goddess Kaballamma and to a ruined fort, this 8km long trek is not just an average climb.

The trek is filled with slopy and rough pathways and scatters of steep rocks found at regular intervals, this journey to the top of the hill pays off with a magical view at the peak.

Trekking along the silent night, one can watch the stars peeking through the clouds and enjoy the calm atmosphere.

Location:80kms from Bangalore, Karnataka.

 

11.Kaurava Kunda Night Trek

Kaurava Kunda is an immensely enchanting and beautiful trek and yet an unknown destination located in the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka.

Its name is derived from the mythological text of Mahabharatha and is a combination of the Kauravas and Pandavas. For someone seeking peace and seclusion, this is the place to go.

The grassy hilltop is at a height of 250 meters and is a tricky one to climb up to. Popular for its night treks, the hilltop can be reached through sandy steps through the grassland and is slippery especially during the night times, making the trek more than just an easy one to conquer.

The night trek leads to the sunrise at the peak of the hill with the sunrays unleashing the beautiful panoramic view of the Chikkaballapur district.

Location:75kms from Bangalore, Karnataka.

 

12.Shivagange Night trek

Shivagange, which translates to  Shiv’s Gange is also famously known as Dakshin Kashi is a tourist spot with utmost religious significance. Located in the quaint village of Dobbspet, this destination is visited by adventure seekers looking for a refreshing getaway.

The sacred mountain is shaped in the form of a Shivalinga and a spring flows down thereby giving its name.

Trekking is the most popular activity enjoyed by visitors coming to this place and with the option of night trekking at the Shivagange hills, the thrill factor is said to double up.

The trek is relatively easy and can be completed without any complications. On the way to the top of the hill, one is bound to come across several devotional stops in the form of temples and the 8km long trek ends with a rejuvenating bonfire on the hilltop while the trekkers await the mystical sunrise.

Location:56kms from Bangalore, Karnataka.

 

13.Achhalu Betta Night Trek

For someone looking out for an unexplored trekking site for a weekend getaway, Achhalu is one of the best places to take an experience back home.

The thrilling night trek leading to the sunrise at the top of the peak is a memory that’ll definitely last long in everyone’s minds.

The trek to the top of the Achhalu Betta is enriching and is bound to revitalize and fill your soul with passion.

The trek on the top followed by a bonfire through the cold night can be the perfect getaway from the hush of the busy moving metropolitan lifestyle one is used to.

Location: 75 km from Bangalore, Karnataka.

 

14.SRS hills Night Trek

Sri Revanna Siddeshwara Betta, mostly known as SRS hills is a popular trekking and rock climbing destination located in the outskirts of Bangalore.

The trek is also accompanied by a wide variety of water sport activities and is a perfect spot to spend some quality time with friends and family.

The night trek at the SRS hills is as satisfying as the morning trekking although the former is what is mostly preferred. This is because of the perfect view that the night trek has in store for the visitors and the additional advantage of cool breeze and calm surroundings.

Away from all the pollution is the rocky hills that the night takes pleasure is accompanied by a bonfire at the top of the hill. With the sunrise at the top, the trekkers capture the most pleasing view which makes the climb a worthy one.

Location:49kms from Bangalore, Karnataka.

 

15.Kumara Parvatha

Among the western ghats lies the most daunting hills of Kumara Parvatha near Kukke Subramanya.

This trek is considered the second most difficult trek in the South of India. The trek is definitely not an average one and requires prior preparation.

Beginning at the holy Kukke Subramanya temple, the 28km long trail is one of a kind and can be physically and mentally challenging.

Starting off in the morning, the trail encompasses various clear streams and rocky and uneven paths that lead to the first stop being the Bhattara mane.

This place offers accommodation for all the hikers as the leftover part of the trail cannot be covered on the same day as it was begun.

After spending a few hours in Bhattara mane, the night trek begins at 3 and takes a trail through the steep mountains, and finally leads you to the top of the mountain.

The top of Kumara Parvatha is best described as a combination of mystical clouds dispersed like cotton that clears up with wind leading to a memorable view.

Location:257 km from Bangalore, Karnataka.