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

179) Bhairavadurga Fort Trek: (15/9/2019)

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: