201) Bhairavadurga Fort Trek: (11/5/2024)

Place: Bhairavadurga trek

Distance: 60kms x 2 = 120kms

Directions: Bangalore > Nelamangala > Solur > Bhairavadurga

Krew: Dilip (Koof) > Karthik (Sp)

Bikes: Pulsar                                                                                                   

Previous Visit: Huthridurga trek

Budget: Rs 250/head  

IN LESS THAN 50 WORDS:

Wow, this was a fantastic trek to the craziest of Navadurgas – Bhairavadurga. The climb is steep and challenging, A few stretches are very risky but without risk, it’s not fun either, right? So yeah, this was one kickass trek which we enjoyed a lot!

INTRO & PLAN:

It had been a week since my return from Nashik. And was ready, we had narrowed down the plan to some hillock towards Madhugiri. But then Koof had a hectic week and wanted to go someplace close. Hence late night on the previous day we decided it would be the hillock that would send shivers down one’s spine – Bhairavadurga.

TIME: 22:00 (10/5/2024)

ASSEMBLE & LEAVE:

Yeah, I was awake by 3 am. Stretched out a little, sipped some coffee was all set to go. I left my place at 5:30 am and picked up Koof.  We had seen this roadside idly and dose stall near DVG petrol bunk since last two time. We decided to finish off breakfast in Bangalore itself.  The shop opens at 3:30 am and closes at 6:30 am and the food was decent but yeah it will be crowded. We spent about 20 mins at this place and left Bangalore.

TIME: 06:30

RIDE 1: (Bangalore – Nelamangala – Solur - Bhairavadurga)

This was about a 60 km easy ride. As we left from Bangalore it was easy cruising until just before Nelamangala. We ran into a massive traffic jam, which extended to a few kilometers, but thankfully it was slowly moving. The reason was a bad road patch which had given away due to rains. Post this jam, we cruised well and took a deviation after Solur, and without any assistance from Google Maps enquiring with people we reached the base of the hillock.  We requested some locals to look after the bikes and helmets as we began the trek.

TIME: 08:00

BHAIRAVADURGA TREK:

This is one of the most challenging and beautiful treks. We did not want to get stranded as monsoons had started. We took about 60 mins to climb with sufficient breaks. So here I have divided the trek into three phases, so keep up with me here!

a.      i. Initial forest

b.      ii. Steep climb

c.       iii. Final ascent

Initial Forest:

This is the tricky part considering one can get lost easily. Once we spotted the hillock, we knew which phase of the rock to climb. Keeping that as an anchor we wandered on the peripheries of the forest and then decided to enter it once we felt comfortable and watching signs of water flow from the hilltop.

As we entered the forest, there was dead silence with only insects chirping and peacocks cawing. The dried grass was strong, and it took some effort to wade through them. Locking our sights on the initial rock phase, we made it through the forest in about. 15 mins.

TIME: 08:15

  

Steep Ascent:

Okay, this phase requires skill and is challenging but at the same time most enjoyable. As we started, the rock phase offered good grip but was very steep. Carefully reading for cracks we played each step cautiously and proceeded inch by inch to reach what we call as the “crazy ascent”, here trust me, it gets almost vertical, and the grip also falters. Hence one has to be doubly careful. Koof went ahead, and I stayed back, and we pushed through this phase to reach the fort wall.

TIME: 09:00

Final Ascent:

The final ascent is an easy one. We rested at the fort wall for some time and then pushed step by step. This phase is also challenging but not as risky as the previous one. It took us about 15 minutes to complete this phase and reach the top.

TIME: 09:15

TOP:

We spend about 45 minutes at the top. We searched for a nice spot and laid down. It was windy and uplifting. Watching the clouds hovering in the sky, we dozed off for about 30 minutes. Then once we got up, had some water and chocolates. We stretched out a little and decided to head back down. The residual feeling of the trek up was still lingering. The more challenging the climb, the more is the feel.

TIME: 10:15

DESCENSION:

The trek back was easy and took 30-45 minutes to reach the bottom. We made it to the fort wall and this time finding the route back to the forest was not difficult as most of the grass was burnt out. Once into the forest, it was an easy descent. The pathway was clear and Koof was wondering, how he repeatedly fell here during our last visit.  Reaching down was not the problem now, finding back the route that led to the place where we had parked our bikes. We plucked a few mangos and kept them in the bag before finding the path that eventually led to the bike.

TIME: 10:45

  

RIDE 2: ( Kuddur – Solur – Nelamangala – Bangalore)

The ride back was simple. Off late after each trek, having a “sting” has become mandatory. Good rush it gives. Madhu said he could join in for a sitting if it was in RR Nagar. So RR Nagar it was, we crashed in at a local bar before heading home.

TIME: 12:15