Kabbaladurga Trek: The Grind Is Real | Chapter 210 (Oct 18, 2025)

Place: Kabbaladurga trek

Distance: 100kms x 2 = 200kms

Directions: Bangalore > Bidadi > Channpatna > Kabbaladurga > Kanakpura > Bangalore

Krew: Madhu (Bande) > Anwar (Sharief bhai) > Karthik (Sp)

Bikes: Enfield >Pulsar                                                                                  

Previous Visit: Rayakottai fort trek

Budget: Rs 290/head

IN LESS THAN 50 WORDS:

Alright, this trip was more than just a trek. Kabbaldurga tests your internal being and your will to survive. Going alone is one thing; going as a group is something else. And yeah, with all the steps being carved out, etc., for public safety, we took the old school route up and pulled off a banger!!

INTRO & PLAN:

It had been a week since the Rayakottai chapter. Hands were itchy already. And with the Diwali holidays on the horizon, I had planned to execute 1 or 2 more trips to catch up on 2025. Usually Kabblu is the place I visit alone on my birthdays for resetting my being. But this time had the best 2 (wait 3) companions.  It was Anwar and Madhu on the confirmed list. And we were set to GO.

TIME: 22:00 (17/10/2025)

   

ASSEMBLE & LEAVE:

Yeah, I was up at 02:45am.  Called Anwar, who had to come from  Attibele and come over to my place and leave his bike. Madhu, on the previous day, had confirmed that he would be at Kanakpura and join us at the base of the hillock directly. So it was Anwar and me from Bangalore.  As I waited for Anwar sitting outside the home, I was shocked to see the flock of cars and bikes heading out of Bangalore. Insane it was. Anyway, once Anwar arrived, we said tata to Bangalore.

TIME: 06:00

RIDE 1: (Bangalore– Ramngara – Channpatna - Kabbaldurga)

This was a 100km one-way ride on Mysore Road. As we left Bangalore, it started drizzling. I had second thoughts about Kabblu being a good option on a rainy day. But kept riding. The darkness still prevailed, and with the rains, it was tough, so we moved out at a slow pace. But then again, "if you don't ride in rain, you don't ride", right?  We pulled over at our regular breakfast at Bidadi for some nice breakfast.

TIME: 06:00

After a great breakfast, the slight light had made its way. The air was still cold, we hopped onto the bike again and made our way to Ramnagar. Upon hitting Ramnagar, the old Mysore presented itself, and a different side of me awoke. The bike more or less took over the riding part, and we chatted our way to reach Channapatna. From Channapatna, we took a left turn, and the country roads were bliss. It was a complete canopy ride, with the trees welcoming us on both sides and sheltering us from the sun.  We made it to Kabblu where Madhu was already waiting for us. It was time to CLIMB.

TIME: 07:00

KABBALDURGA TREK:

Well, it took us about an hour to reach the top. I knew it would be more difficult compared to their previous treks for both Madhu and Anwar. The idea was to maintain a slow speed and keep going. As before, I have divided the trek into the following sections:

i) Initial stretch

ii) 3 point stretch

iii) Viper stretch

iv) Final Stretch

So ready? Yeah this was a calm yet crazy trek, keep up with me here!

i) Initial stretch:

Trust me, this is never straightforward as it navigates through a forest. This is the easiest stretch, but the stretch where I always goof-up. I mean it is fun, but not always. Even after visiting this hillock many times, i made a micro-mistake where i strayed off a clearly visible pathway, talking and narrating stories haha :P

ii) 3 point stretch:

This was shaking you up from within and really tests your stamina. Well, there were the steps that had been carved out. But even that kinda pulls u out of your body. But like always, we took the old school route, climbing it free style. But something special awaited us on this one. The dog that had accompanied me last year showed up and immediately recognised me. We hugged, and it was such a special moment. (Kabbaladurga 2024 chapter) Oh yea, as far as the stretch goes, cautiously but continuously we're grinding our way to the top with a break in between.

iii) Viper stretch:

After the grueling 3-point stretch, there was the viper stretch. Call this cause, it resembles a mega boa that had passed through the grass. This is not difficult, but the inclination is steep. We made it through this pass without any hassles.

iv) Final stretch:

The final stretch consists of tricky spots and a lot of steps. We consciously avoided the steps as they are more draining. Climbing free style, avoiding stepping on flowing water from the top. We ground our way to the top. 

TIME: 08:00

TOP:

As we reached the top, I told Anwar and Madhu to keep aware of the recovery rate of their breath and body. Trust me, it is surreal at this place. As soon as we reach the top, the bodies magically calm down. As though the entire stretch was a test of some sort.  First we paid respect to the Kabblu temple and then we crashed behind the Shiva temple. Where the dog, came and rest amidst us.

We slept at the top, without speaking much, imbibing the natural sounds. Whoo! it was such a refresher, trust me. As we could sense the clouds slowly hovering around and the air getting heavier, we decided to head back as we didn't want to get stranded on this hillock with the rains slashing down. 

TIME: 09:00

TREK DOWN:

Trek down was a fun one. It always tests the knees a lot. As we began the trek down, we cruised through the final stretch and viper stretch in a matter of 10 minutes. After which, during the 3-pointer, we looked for an alternative route and then descended in the steepest phase. Being calm and cautious, we pulled it off to get our feet back on solid muddy ground. What-a rush it was! But very satisfying.

TIME: 10:00

RIDE 2: (Kabbaldurga – Kanakpura -Bangalore)

This was a 100 km ride back, but took the Kanakpura road this time, completing a small good circuit. As we got down from Kabblu had a Sting to shoot up energies. And then we took off via Sathnur towards Kanakpura. It had been a while since riding on this baby, and it felt good. We pulled over at Kanakpura and thanked Madhu for making it. Post which Anwar and I zoomed towards Bangalore and more specifically Blue Wings haha. Had a light drink and finished our lunch, and made it to our respective homes.

TIME: 12:00 (reaching Bangalore)

CONCLUSION:

" this was a excellent and to be frank tough ones considering the route we took. Kabblu never dissapoints to shake us up. But Madhu and Anwar pushed beyond their boundaries, overcame their fears while getting down and pulled off this BANGER of a trip"

Until next time, Cia \m/ (oh yeah, the third being was the Kabblu dog!, here we go)

⬅️ 209) Rayakottai trek 211) Channarayana Durga Trek ➡️

Follow us on Insta
📸 Follow @theloapers_90

Gundal Dam Ride: Slush, Riots, and Burning Tires Adventure | Chapter 178 (Sep 4, 2019)

Place: Gundal Dam

Distance: 150kms x 2 = 300kms

Directions: Bangalore > Kanakpura > Mallavali > Kollegala > Gundal Dam

Krew: Dileep (Koof) > Ashok (Momz)  > Karthik (Sp)

Bikes: Enfield > Pulsar                                                                   

Previous Visit: Ganalu Falls & Shivanasamudra

Budget: Rs 540/head

IN LESS THAN 50 WORDS:

One crazy unexplored places around Bangalore. But the day of the trip was chaotic there were riots in Kanakpura and Ramnagar region due to the arrest of DKS. We had ride through slushy fields and get away from the mob and the burning tyres. One of those trips where we felt so much resistance to reach the place, one we reached it, all things fell in place and smoothness followed to the end.

INTRO & PLAN:

As koof had come from Nagpur for semester end holidays, we had met few times at Laxmi and then we decided to finish of the JD during a trip. Hence we first planned a ride to Gandikota and then we decided to head to Gundal Dam and finish the JD at Buyyandoddi with some fish fries.

TIME: 22:00 (29/8/2019)

ASSEMBLE & LEAVE:

Yeah I was up by 5AM, did a few push-ups and sit ups, all the physical training had kept me pretty good shape. Koof came to my home and parked his bike, we both took off on my bike to meet Momz at PES NICE toll. After formal greetings, we took off via the NICE road towards Kanakpura road.  

TIME: 07:30

RIDE 1: (Bangalore – Kanakpura – Malavalli – Kollegala – Gundal Dam)

This would have to be one of the most resistance filled yet fun ride. Every moment, our radar was full on alert. As we exited the NICE road, there were cops all around the place sending back 4-wheelers. We thought it might subdue as we proceeded out of town, and we could have never been more wrong. We fuelled up our bikes fearing the petrol bunks might close down. As we proceeded the weather chilled down but the smell of smoke in air could be felt throughout. As we were aproachin Kanakpura, my mouth started watering thinking of the yummy Masala Dose at Vasu hotel, but then there stood a mob of 20-30 people setting fire to buses and tyres and there was absolute chaos all around the place. Keeping a safe distance, we asked a few local auto drivers for alternate routes and then proceeded through villages and re-joined the main road after a few kilometres.

Breathing a sigh of relief we continued for a 5-10kms and there was the second mob blocking the road with a fallen tree and setting fire to it. So we took another deviation through the fields, but as it had rained, our bikes got stuck in the slushy mud and we had some fun removing it out and helping others who took the detour following us.

Finally after the ruckus, and shoes completely smeared with slush, we came out of the villages, it was actually very much fun absorbing the ambience of villages rather than blindly riding on highways. Anyway, as we entered the pipeline road, we were able to cover some distance, but at a slow pace. Then we heard at Sathnur both the main Kanakpura road and the Pipeline road had been block by a mob, this was quite frustrating. When we encountered the mob, who were still beginning to set fire to tyres and shit, I decided to give an unsual twist, went straight to the fellow who was setting the fire and asked him the best route to Kollegala. This took him aback, Momz was confused and so was that poor chap. Knowing where all the strikes were happening, he politely told us the best route. Thanking him we proceeded to reach Halaguru for some much deserved breakfast.

TIME:10:15 

Sitting inside as we began our breakfast the shutters were closed as the mob had begun striking outside, we thought of the option of visiting any nearby place and returning or somehow reaching Gundal staying at Kollegala overnight and returning back the next day.

The ride after Halaguru became peaceful as we entered the Mandya District. No signs of any riots, hence we cruised along a bit fast to make up for the lost time. Saying a big hi to Shivnasamudra we cruised into Kollegala. Proceeding from Kolegala, it was time to test our memories of the route to Gundal.  Getting every turn right, remembering the solar farms, chicken farms we made it to Gundal in one piece.

TIME: 12:00

GUNDAL DAM:

Riding on top of the bund was a pure joy. The view you get to the left is simply breath taking. We decided to go and inspect the Travellers bungalow on top and then return for a dip in the waters. We reached the top of the bungalow and the view from here is simply magnificent. Taking the contact details of the Government officials, we thought we would swim first and then decide whether to stay or move back to Bangalore.

As we rode back towards the bund, the sight in front of us shook us. The right side of the bund was completely invisible with fog and rain and the winds were blowing towards us. As we proceeded hardly 5mins, down came the showers. We still rode on top of the bund and parked our bikes and rested for a few mins near the gates.

Then we decided either way we were getting into the waters, so doesn’t matter much if we get drenched. We parked our bikes on the bund and one foot into the water, koof came running back, we started laughing. Then I took a turn and then I came running back. Before momz could enter we pushed into the waters :P

The water was freaking cold and the skies were playing all along. Few moments of sun and few moments of rain. One point of time half of the reservoir was sunny and the other half was raining. It was simply crazy! After about 30mins in water we decided to head back out and return back to Bangalore on the same day keeping our fingers crossed. We called up the Buyyandoddi Fish place and requested them to keep 5-6fishes aside as we would be dropping by.

TIME:13:30

RIDE 2: (Gundal dam – Kollegala – Mallavali – Buyyanadoddi – Kanakpura - Bangalore)

The ride back was a flat 150kms, but with an awesome stop at Buyyanadoddi. As we left Gundal we knew we had burnt a lot of our time navigating the detours. Hence we sped up and as we did, down came the rains. It was not as intense as last time but nevertheless heavy, but we didn’t want to get stranded 15km away from Buyyandoddi and couldn’t rain as in the Ganalu falls trip, so we pulled over, buckled up, kept all phones inside and rode in the rain. Like they say “if you don’t ride in the rain, then you don’t ride!” but things eventually cleared up and taking a deviation from Halaguru, we stopped at a small bar nearby picking some sides, we sat at Buyyandoddi for the next 1.5hours as the rain picked up, the temperatures plummeted, the fish was piping hot and down it went in one smooth go!

Once we left Buyyandoddi, we knew we had few precious minutes of sunlight. The entire Mysore road was closed due to the riots. .Kanakpura road is dangerous after sunset. Hence, we had to make full use of the sunlight which was available then. So we rode at good pace pretty much non-stop, cruising past Kanakpura, finally about 15km from Bangalore we pulled over for a leak and then as the sunset in deep, we entered the NICE road and reached back home for some good Golgappas.

TIME: 19:30

CONCLUSION:

“This was one crazy chapter, i mean considering the intensity of the ride. We had to constantly make PLAN B,C,D .. and it went on. The angry mob is never nice thing to encounter on a trip. But we kept options open and pulled the chapter off. “

Until next time, Cia \m/

PICASA ALBUM:

MAPS:

⬅️ 177. Ganalu falls and Shivanasamudra 179. Bhairavadurga trek ➡️

Follow us on Insta
📸 Follow @theloapers_90

Ganalu Falls Ride: Insane, Epic Monsoon Ride Challenge | Chapter 177 (Aug 21, 2019)

Place: Ganalu Falls & Shivanasamudra

Distance: 150 x 2 = 300km

Directions: Bangalore > Bidadi > Channpatna > Sathnur > Halagaru > Ganalu > Shivanasamudra

Krew: Chinmay (Big Show) > Ashok (Moms > Karthik (Sp)

Bikes: Pulsar > Enfield                                                                   

Previous Visit: Shivagange – Into the clouds

Budget: Rs 508/head

IN LESS THAN 50 WORDS:                                                  

This was one crazy trip, the main highlight of the trip was the insane ride back in on of the heaviest rains seen on our road trips. Ganalu falls was in our radar since some years, but had never had manged to tick it off!

INTRO & PLAN:

With waters being released from KRS dam and rain showers every day in Bangalore, thought it had been quite some time since we did a ride in heavy rains. So with only one objective in mind – “to ride in heavy rains” we set ourselves. Chinmay & Moms were the two on confirmed list. So, with no concrete place in mind we decided to meet at Bidadi and then decide.

TIME: 22:00 (19/8/2019)

ASSEMBLE & LEAVE:

Yeah, I was up at 4AM, did a few push-ups & sit-ups. After a sip of coffee I left home towards Bidadi. This was 30km ride and boy Mysore road had changed a lot, but nevertheless had that charm it had since we first set foot on it back in 2009. Pulled over at Bidadi for some yummy breakfast.

TIME: 07:30

RIDE 1: (Bidadi – Kabbaladurga – Halguru – Ganalu Falls)

Once we finished our breakfast, we cruised along at a decent pace on Mysore road. Since it was a weekday, the traffic was somewhat less. After reaching Channpatna, we took the country roads towards Sathnur. The temperatures turned down, the air became pleasant and oxygen rich and greenery flooded both sides of the road pleasing our eyes. We slowed down enjoying every bit of the surroundings. It was not long before we spotted, or did we spot? We could see on outline of the mighty Kabbaladurga totally shrouded in mist. She looked somewhat mystic and scary at the same time. Saying a big hi to my favourite hillock, we took a 30mins break in the fields nearby.

We joined the Kanakpura road as we reached Sathnur and continued towards Halaguru. At Halaguru we pulled over at a bakery and bought some coffee chocolates, honey cake, jamoon, lolly-pop and you know why :P

     

Asking the locals for direction we deviated from the Kanakpura road and the off-roading began. Once the deviation to muthathi was past us, the ride turned into a really chilling one. We saw a board which said “You are entering forest premises” But no guards, the roads were muddy and filled with gravels and stones, the vegetation on either side started turning thicker and thicker, not a soul around. Finally we spotted the rocky stones and we knew we were at Ganalu falls in the middle of absolute wilderness.

TIME: 10:45

GANALU FALLS:

We were slightly disappointed and confused as to why there was not much water. But the place was just perfect, totally in the middle of the forest with no humans for kilometres together. We started making our way down the rocks. The descent was steep and on sharp edged rocks. Cautiously negotiating each step, we explored the place and found a nice place to sit and light some stuff.

We spent 1.5hours joking, laughing our asses off and remembering college days and various other incidents. Finally we decided to leave as it had begun to drizzle and we didn’t want to get stranded on the rocks in rain as we had left our shoes near the bike.

After reaching the bikes, we took off towards Shivanasumdra totally in goom mode.

SHIVANASAMUDRA:

Shivanasaudra consists of two falls Gaganachukki & Barachukki. As the waters were in full flow in both the falls, people were prohibited to go near the falls. Hence only see the falls, admire it and return was the plan. We covered both the falls in about an hour as we were totally afloat. We had some tomato masala, nippat masala, churmuri and cane juice as snacks as we had plans to eat Buyyondoddi Fish Dry. 

TIME:14:50

RIDE 2: (Shivanasamudra – Mallavalli – Sathnur – Channpatna – Bangalore)

This was the rain ride and the highlight of this chapter. As we left Barachukki we were still feeling afloat. About 15kms prior to Malavalli we witnessed a sight that got us thumping and pumping but at the same time sent chill down our spines. We were riding in sun and warm winds, ahead was thick, black clouds all over the sky. We knew it, we were in for some buffalo mode riding.

We pulled over at Malavali, with all thick clouds all above is and winds were chilling and icy cold. We put all our phones into a zip cover, called up the Buyyondaddi fish guy and asked him to keep 4-6 fishes aside and we looked at each other and we were set for the rain ride.

    

As we began the rain came down mercilessly, it was so heavy there were no bikes on road. We cruised along at a decent pace until a point where wind speeds also started picking up, now this was dangerous and we took a call to pull over for some time for some tea. The rain falling down in full speed on the asbestos sheet above was rattling our ears deaf. Had never seen such intensity of rains.

After some light tea, we took off and as we rode on once my shoe, socks and undies all had drenched in rain, there was nothing to lose all we could do was keep calm, ride and most importantly enjoy it after all that was the whole purpose of this chapter. 

Even though the rain intensified, we kept a decent pace of 60-70’s gliding through the blanket of falling waters from the skies. Such a joy it was! As we reached Sathnur the rains decreased. We pulled over infront of Kabbaladurga once again for a small breather. Called up the Fish guy and told him we would not be able to make it and promised him a return soon.

We decided to re-join Mysore road as it was the safe option considering the on setting darkness. We re-joined back at Channpatna and pulled over for a second tea stop as we had skipped lunch.

Ride back from Channpatna was descent, as we approached Bangalore, we took the NICE road and exited near College and stood there was 15-20mins still shivering from the cold but what a great feeling it was.

TIME: 19:30

   

The TWO incidents :

As I reached back home, camera had stopped functioning. I realised at Channpatna I had taken out the camera and put it my waterproof jackets pocket and then forgot to close the zip of the pocket :P. Kept the camera in a bag of rice and sealed it tight. And lo behold, on the next day morning it was working fine. Chinmay had lost his ring, and we didn’t know when and where, the rain ride had kept us focussed and it was quite disappointing. Once he reached home, he also found the ring in his pocket which we had searched earlier.

Sometimes everything just sets right by itself. It was quite strange two incidents I thought worth mentioning. Guess the rains were happy with us withstanding their onslaught.

Until next time, Cia \m/

MAPS:

FULL ALBUM:

⬅️ 176. Shivagange Trek 178. Gundal dam ➡️

Follow us on Insta
📸 Follow @theloapers_90