Place: Bhairavadurga
trek
Distance: 60kms x 2 =
120kms
Directions: Bangalore
> Nelamangala > Solur > Bhairavadurga
Krew: Avinash (Buddha) > Karthik
(Sp)
Bikes: Pulsar
Previous
Visit: Gundal Dam
Budget: Rs 425/head
IN
LESS THAN 50 WORDS:
Alright, Bhairavadurga is the
craziest among the Navadurgas. (Kabbaladurga, Makalidurga, Savandurga,
Huthridurga, Huliyardurga, Nandidurga, Devarayanadurga, Channarayanadurga) We
have visited this hillock twice and considering climbing up and down, all the 4
times the routes taken were different. And the tradition of this place is you
gotta carry some scars back on your body. Bhairavadurga is just 10-15km from
Shivagange.
INTRO &
PLAN:
As far as planning goes, had to catch up with Avi as it had been few
months since we both met. Hence I thought a trek followed by a nice lunch at
some dhaba would be ideal scenario. First we thought of riding to Chitradurga
and then returning to a dhaba on Tumkur road. But then finally we decided to go
Bhairavadurga as it was close by and also we could spend a lot more time at the
dhaba.
TIME: 22:00 (14/9/2019)
ASSEMBLE
& LEAVE:
Yeah I was up at 04:30, did a few push
ups & situps, had a cup of coffee and sat back for some time trying think
whether Bhairavadurga was the right choice. Before too many thoughts could
creep into my head, took the bike keys and left my home at about 5:30AM. Picked
up Avi from BTM and we left Bangalore via Tumkur road.
TIME: 07:30
RIDE 1:
(Bangalore – Nelamangala – Solur - Bhairavadurga)
This was 60km easy ride to
Bhairavadurga as most of it was on highways. As we left Bangalore, we cruised
along at a decent pace amidst the traffic filled roads of Sunday. Lot of super
bikes were zooming in full flow and we just stuck to our lanes and kept
chatting all along the way. Heading into the Hassan road we pulled over at
Annaporneshwari hotel just after Solur for some good breakfast.
TIME: 07:15
The weather was giving us mixed vibes, as it seemed it could pour at any
moment. Bhairavadurga is not one such places to be stranded incase of a
downpour. Once the dosas, vade and rice bath arrived we dived right into it
forgetting about the weather.
After I must say an unusually heavy breakfast we hopped onto our bikes
and proceeded. Asking the locals for directions, we took the right, right turn
from the main road and we could spot the mighty hillock afar.
Bhairavadurga looks quite menacing from afar due to its steep ridges.
Last time the climb up was one of the riskiest done till date, so I wanted to
take the forest route and then proceed to climb from the opposite side of the
hillock.
We pulled over another few times and finally we parked our bikes at home
and requested them to take care of the bike and with the goat’s spirit awake,
we were set for the hike.
TIME:08:30
BHAIRAVADURGA
TREK:
The trek as such was another jewel as we got lost both while climbing up
and way back down. This hillock I tell you, is so confusing and it makes sure
you are left with scars on your body. But truly a magnificent trek and have to
prepare for steep ascents on a good gripping stone surface.
HIKE UP:
We entered the trek trail via the forest route, which I was sure was the
easier one. But as it was the rainy season, the grass had grown to a good
height and it was quite difficult to find the actual pathway. Making our way
through the vegetation with difficulty we got onto the rock. And I puzzled to
find it equally steep as the other side.
But Avi was a natural at climbing and we were making good progress even
though the ascent was getting steeper. Carefully reading the cracks and resting
in between when needed we made it to a point where we could spot the top. Here
we rested for a good 10-15mins just looking at Shivagange and finally proceeded
to reach the top.
TIME: 10:00
TOP:
We spent about 1.5hours on the top. Once we reached the top, we explored
the place, showed Avi the route we had taken last time. And once we settled
down, we had some JD and then put on some Bob Marley songs and started
jumping around. Then once it began to get real cloudy we decided to head back
down.
TIME: 11:30
DESCENSION:
The trek back down was equally crazy. As we began the descent, I wanted
to take us back through the forest route which was both exciting and a bit less
steep. But any guesses what happened? The entry point was sealed off by a huge
shrub, and finding itself was only difficult. But once we found, we were in
another world completely.
Dark, narrow passage with thorny shrubs all around you, and did I
mention Kuddur forests are known for bears. Yeah! With thorny bushes all around
a lot of deep bruises started developing on our hands, blood oozing out of
hands and arms is never a good sign during a trek. And we said screw it and just sat and finished off the rest of the juice and once a sense of calmness
flooded our heads we proceeded easy, step by step and made it out of forest and
we reached flat land. We found the correct path back to the home where we had parked
our bikes, thanking the dwellers we took off with a very satisfied feeling and
a very hungry belly.
TIME: 13:00
RIDE 2: (
Kuddur – Solur – Nelamangala – Bangalore)
The ride back was simple, we both were hungry and Chandu dhaba was
closed. But the golden find during the Shivagange trip – Whitty dhaba was on
the cards. Cruising along the highway at a decent pace we made to Whitty dhaba
for some awesome lunch.
TIME: 13:45
After the lunch, we took from the dhaba took the NICE road and proceeded
towards to BTM to drop Avi. After dropping Avi back, reached back home in one
piece.
TIME: 16:45
PICASA ALBUM:
MAPS:
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