17 Best Treks Near Bangalore You Shouldn't Miss This Monsoon

Not many people know that the India Hikes office is based in Bangalore. So we keep heading out on weekends, we keep going on treks to document them, to experience them and come back and share them with the world of trekkers. 

Our teams have gone much beyond the popular Kumara Parvata, Kudremukh, Tadiandamol, Skandagiri — those have all been done and overdone. We know they're beautiful, but there are so many other treks in and around Bangalore that you can do. So I'm sharing those with you today. I'm not sharing one or two treks, I'm sharing 17 treks with you today. So I hope it covers 17 weekends of yours.

Now out of these, we don't run all of these treks, of course — we have just documented them for you to do them on your own. 

You'll find very detailed documentation for all of them, like how to reach the base camp, how to get permits for the trek, why do the trek, and with a nice gallery of the trek so you can see whether you like the trek or not. 

So just head over to the documentation, pack your bag and head out on the trek.

Day Treks from Bangalore

I'll start with day treks that you can cover within a day from Bangalore, which means you can start from your home early in the morning, and be back before evening.

1. Harihara Betta Trek (Doddaballapura)

This is a trek near Dodballapura, which is north of Bangalore. And it's a quick and simple day trek. 

There are two lovely things about this trek. One is that there is a small temple with a big courtyard around 5–10 minutes into the trek, where you can actually have a nice breakfast sitting under a tree. And then from there onwards, it's an ascent to Harihara Betta. 

If you're fit, you can easily wrap this up in 25–30 minutes. But I would suggest taking it slow because you’ll have very nice views. 

It is very suitable for families with children, since we take many school children there. So it's a very nice trek, and it would top of my list.

2. Horagina Betta (Doddaballapura)

This is also in the Dodballapura region. And what you'll love about this trek is that there is a big eucalyptus grove that you're walking through. It also has a lovely canopy that you walk under — very short sections, but you'll still really like them. If you go in the post-monsoon season, it is lush green with lots of berries and flowers blooming. 

Again, a very short one that you can do quickly and come back within a day.

3. Channarayana Durga (Tumkur)

This trek is in Tumkur. Lots of trekkers do this trek with Indiahikes, but you can also do it on your own. 

“Durga” means fort. This is a beautiful trek that takes you to a fort at the top, where you can actually see a lot of ruins. There's also a nice reservoir, which you can sit beside for a long time. 

The only thing is that there are a lot of big boulders on this trek. So if it's raining, it becomes very slippery and you have to be careful.

4. Minchukallu Betta (Tumkur)

Another trek in the Tumkur region is the Minchukallu Betta. This is also very close to Channarayana Durga, almost a few minutes apart when you're driving from one to another. 

You start this trek in between farmlands. You'll see a lot of canals, especially after rains that you can walk through sometimes. The view is similar to Channarayana Durga — but Minchukallu Betta is slightly easier than that. 

So you can choose to combine both the treks, or if you're taking children along, you can do just Minchukallu Betta and come back. I'll leave that to you.

5. Ramadevara Betta (Tumkur)

Next on my list is a trek that our Indiahikes Trekking Club members recently documented — the Ramdevara Betta Trek. This is also in the Tumkur region and makes for a beautiful outing, especially if you want to introduce children to trekking. 

What makes this trek stand out is the bamboo forest you walk through — it’s not something you’ll find on most treks near Bangalore. And when you reach the top, you’re rewarded with a lovely little lake and an open plateau. So within just a few hours of trekking, you get forests, bamboo sections, and a waterbody at the summit. 

It has quite a bit going on for a short day trek, and it’s definitely one I’d recommend trying near Tumkur.

6. Bidirukatte (Ramnagara)

This one is near Ramnagara, a region known for its dramatic rocky hills — the same ones where Sholay was shot. Bidirukatte is a trek our team explored recently, and it turned out to be quite a gem. 

Along the way, you’ll pass by five or six serene ponds, which is something you rarely see on a single trek. There are also the ruins of an ancient temple — quite a bit of it still intact — which adds a lovely historic charm. 

If you’re into photography, or you have small children around 3 or 4 years old who you want to introduce to trekking, Bidirukatte is a great choice.

7. Kunagalu Betta aka "Puppy Betta" (Ramnagara)

Another trek in the Ramnagara region — and one that’s a favourite at Indiahikes — is Kunagalu Betta. We affectionately call it Puppy Betta because the rock face looks like a puppy’s snout (at least to us!). 

This is what I would call a baby trek — a very easy one — where the trail is wide and takes you through a forest, and then into cave-like rock formations. You actually walk through a little cave, where trees are growing out of the rocks, and then climb up to a shrine at the top. 

All of this in just about an hour or so. It’s a wonderful trek to introduce children to the outdoors, and we love it at Indiahikes — I think you’ll enjoy it too.

8. Pyramid Hills (Shivanasamudra region)

The last on my list of day treks is Pyramid Hills — a hidden gem that not many know of. This trek begins from inside a private property called Kalvari Camp, and you’ll need to get permission from them to access the trail. But once you're in, you’ll see why it’s worth it. 

The trail leads to two pyramid-shaped hills — a smaller one and a bigger one. You can choose to do either or both, depending on the time you have. The views are stunning, as you’re in the Shivanasamudra region, and from the top, the surrounding landscape opens up beautifully. 

If you’re up for a slightly longer drive (around 2–3 hours from Bangalore), this makes for a fantastic day hike.

Longer Treks with Overnight Travel

Now I'm moving on to treks that need a bit more travel. These are treks where you’ll most likely have to travel overnight to the base and possibly travel back overnight as well. But they’re still day treks — which means you’ll have to start early in the morning and finish by evening. That’s because camping is no longer permitted in most forest regions of Karnataka.

All of these are documented in detail on our website — from how to get permits to how to reach the base, plus GPX files and photo galleries. So consider this a starting point to explore further.

9. Bandaje Falls (Chikmagalur)

First up is the Bandaje trek — which is actually an extension of the Ballalarayana Durga trail in the Chikmagalur region. 

This is a beautiful grassland trek that feels almost like walking through Ali or Bedni Bugyal in Uttarakhand. The highlight is that you trek all the way to the snout of the Bandaje waterfall — and it’s quite a sight. The water plunges into a deep valley and the drop is sheer — so I wouldn’t recommend going too close to the edge. 

But for the sweeping views, the meadows, and that final waterfall reward, Bandaje is a must-do.

10. Ettina Bhuja (Chikmagalur)

Next is the Ettina Bhuja trek — “ettina bhuja” literally means the shoulder of an ox, and you’ll see why when you look at the shape of the peak. 

It’s a very beginner-friendly trek in the Chikmagalur region. The trail is fairly easy, except for the last short stretch where you have to scramble up the ‘shoulder’. But once you're at the top, you’ll be greeted with rolling hills and the charm of the Western Ghats. 

It’s a good weekend trek to do if you’re looking for something light but scenic.

11. Kurinjal Peak (Kudremukh Range)

This one’s in the Kudremukh region, but surprisingly not many trekkers head here. Kurinjal gives you almost everything that Kudremukh offers — lush forests, sweeping meadows, rolling hills — but with far fewer people around. 

It’s a relatively easy climb and ideal if you’re looking to experience the beauty of Kudremukh without the crowd. A bit underrated, but absolutely worth your time.

12. Gangadikal Peak

Another lesser-known trail in the Kudremukh range is the Gangadikal trek. 

The big highlight here is the view from the top — you see the stunning blue backwaters of the Lakhya Dam nestled amidst the hills. No other trek in this region gives you this kind of view. 

It’s not a difficult trek, and you can wrap it up in 3–4 hours. But that one view of the backwaters makes it special.

13. Valikunja (Kudremukh Range)

If you're looking for a bit of a challenge, the Valikunja trek should be on your radar. Also in the Kudremukh range, this one takes you through thick, untouched forests for a good stretch. And just when you think it’s never-ending, the trail opens up to reveal expansive meadows and hill views stretching out to the horizon. 

It’s a trek with a bit of everything — dense forest, open landscapes, and a bit of a climb. Great if you want to push yourself just a little more.

14. Narasimha Parvatha (Kudremukh Range)

This one is for the more adventurous. Narasimha Parvatha is one of the toughest treks in the Kudremukh range — not just because of the climb, but also because the forest is dense, with multiple stream crossings. 

The trail isn’t always easy to spot, and you’ll need a guide with you. But the experience is unmatched — wild, raw, and rewarding. The views from the top can easily rival Kudremukh’s, and you’ll have fewer people around.

 If you’ve done a few treks before and are ready for something more offbeat, this is the one.

15. Coorg Nelji Hill

This is a trek that we run at Indiahikes. It’s not something you can access openly since it starts from a private property where we stay. 

But the experience is well worth it. You stay at a beautiful homestay tucked in the middle of a coffee plantation, and from there, you climb to the top of Nelji Hill. The trail winds through Coorg’s thick forests, and the views from the top are stunning. It’s not too difficult, and the homestay experience adds a lovely cultural touch to your weekend. 

If you’re looking for a comfortable trek with good food, warm hospitality, and great views, this one is perfect.

16. Nishani Motte (Coorg)

Next on the list is Nishani Motte — a more well-known trek in the Brahmagiri range. What’s unique about this one is the ridge walk. You actually walk along a narrow ridge with gorgeous views on both sides — something that’s rare in South India. 

Depending on when you go, the landscape changes — lush green after the monsoon, golden during autumn. It’s a straightforward trek, but that ridge section is something you’ll remember for a long time. Definitely worth adding to your list.

17. Doddabetta + Abbewari Falls

This is a trek our club members recently documented, and it’s a fantastic alternative to the popular Kumara Parvatha. The highlight here is that you’re constantly in the shadow of the Kumara hills — you’ll see Sesha Parvata, Kumara Parvata and more, all along the trail. 

You can choose to just climb to Dodda Betta and return, or extend it to reach the Abbey Vari Waterfall. The waterfall is a refreshing reward after the trek — perfect to cool off. The best part is you get similar views to Kumara Parvata without the strenuous climb. It’s a hidden gem, and one we were really happy to document.

18. Brahmagiri Trek (Bonus)

And finally, I’ve saved one of the best for last — the Brahmagiri trek. This one left a strong impression on all our documenters. 

It’s a very raw, untouched trail deep inside the forest land. You’ll feel the presence of wildlife here, with signs like elephant dung and pug marks clearly visible. In fact, some of our team members even spotted elephants, so you must take a local guide who knows the area well. 

It’s a tough climb to the summit, but the views from the top — endless layers of hills rolling into the horizon — make every bit of effort worth it. If you’ve done a few treks before and want to experience something more remote and wild, Brahmagiri is a must-do.

That brings me to the end of this list. It was a long list — I was actually sitting, referring to my book — because there are so many treks to explore. And this is still just 10% of the treks we have in and around Karnataka. So if you're a trekker in and around Bangalore, I hope you find this useful, and I hope it covers many of your weekends.

We have these treks documented in detail, so go through them, take the GPX files, get the permissions the right way and then go about it. We don't want any safety hazards in the mountains. We want you to trek safely and sustainably. So I hope this article gives you a peek into that.

I'll be back with a lot more treks soon. But if you have done any other treks in Karnataka which is not on this list and you have loved them, please drop in a comment below or write to me at tws@indiahikes.com. 

We'd love to go and document those treks as well — maybe you can join us in the documentation too. :)