Biligundlu Cauvery River Trek

Trek and Camp along the banks of the Cauvery River

Trek Difficulty

Easy

Trek Duration

2 days

Highest Altitude

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Suitable For

All Age Groups

Trek and Camp along the banks of the Cauvery River

Imagine stepping out of your tent and seeing the silvery waters of the River Cauvery. Scan the surroundings, and you'll see lovely forests teeming with bird life. The cherry on top is trekking beside this river throughout the day.

This is not an experience that's easy to get in our country. Either you don't have such luxuries or you don't get permits.

But at Indiahikes, we are always on the lookout for treks that offer a variety of experiences or a unique experience that trekkers don’t get to experience anywhere else. The Biligundlu Cauvery River trek is a combination of both. It’s a special trek for many reasons.

Throughout the trek, you trek alongside the banks of the Cauvery River under the shade of acacia trees. At any point on the trek, you are about 100-150 metres away from the river. The uniqueness of these acacia trees is they usually grow tall, forming a canopy over your head, and the trail primarily has red soil throughout. It almost feels like nature has laid a red carpet for you to trek on!

Within the short 8 km trek, the vegetation changes from dry deciduous forests to shades of greenery. This shift is so abrupt, that you can’t help but wonder how is this even possible!
Another interesting fact is that you trek on the border of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The Cauvery River, which accompanies you throughout, divides the two states. While you technically trek in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka is just one river crossing away!

As you start thinking there can’t be more the trail can offer, comes the campsite where you stay for the day. It’s right on the bank of the Cauvery River! As dusk sets in, the sight of evening sunlight reflecting on the river and the birds making their way home is the one that stays with you for a long time. Akshay Kevin, who was part of the exploration, says “The tree next to the campsite is home to a wide variety of birds. Having done several treks in southern India, on that particular tree, I found at least 10 different colourful birds that I had never seen before.”

What is more exciting is that you get to experience all this just over a weekend, about 4 hours away from Bangalore. So the moment we explored the trek, we knew we had a winner. We can’t wait to let you all experience this gem.

This trek is in official partnership with the Tamil Nadu Wilderness Experiences Corporation (TNWEC).

Biligundlu Cauvery River Trek

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on any trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a surface experience.

Use this section to learn about the Biligundlu Cauvery River Trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into putting down this content for you. Don’t miss the ‘Frequently Asked Questions' section.

Drive from Hosur to Biligundlu village. Trek to Rasimanal River Camp.

Drive Distance (From Hosur to Biligundlu): 80 km | Drive Duration: 3 hours | Trek Distance: 7.6 km | Trek Duration: 4 to 5 hours

Arrive at Hosur Station on your own. The drive from Hosur to Biligundlu takes about 2 hours without any breaks. You drive through a few towns before entering the village lanes. The last stretch to Biligundlu is through very remote roads.

Biligundlu is a small village with less than 80 families staying there. Most of the people living here are occupied with farming. Your trek starts here.

Start your trek by navigating through the lanes towards the west. You will go through the village houses, a few shops, the church, and then follow a trail towards the outskirts of the village leading to the forest section.

Biligundlu is a small village with less than 80 families staying there. Most of the people living here are occupied with farming. Your trek starts here.

The walk now leads through the forest trail. This forest is very unique compared to what you might have in mind. It is the Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Scrub Forest.

The setting is similar to something you might have seen on television about the African Savannahs. There are short bushes, and long, thick grasses, with a majority of acacia trees. In between lies a nice, wide mud trail for trekkers to walk through.

About 1.2 km from the start of the trek, you get your first sight of the Cauvery River and the sandbanks. If you are lucky enough, then you will spot the Indian Grey Hornbills flying around their nests.

In fact, keep your senses open and observe as you trek. The entire trail is a paradise for bird watching and spotting many different species.

Trek further on the trail for the next 1 km to come across the first big clearing with good shade. Big tamarind trees surround this section, and the dry riverbed, which flows with water to the main river during the monsoon season's peak, is just in front.

A gradual climb from the river bed takes you next to a blue structure with a white cross. The villagers of the region use this as a graveyard. The trek stays similar in terms of altitude gain. It's pretty much a flat walk through the forest zone.

The forest is a mix of both dry deciduous forest and semi-evergreen forest. About 1.5 kilometres into your trek, you start spotting silvery trees. Keep a lookout for the birds flying around, the insects, and the flora of this region. These are very unique and interesting to observe.

After another 800 meters of trekking, you come across stone markers similar to cairns, indicating you are close to the campsite of Rasimanal. From here, the campsite is just about 500 meters away, where you can see electric fencing done by the forest checkpost.

The forest checkpost has a watch tower and a building for the forest guard to stay in. You will see the green-coloured building surrounded by a fence. The fence protects against wild animals or elephants who can come to drink the water from the river.

The whole setting at this Rasimanal campsite is a surreal experience. You get to camp on the sandbanks of the river while the famous Cauvery River is gurgling and meandering through the rocks. Take time to go around the campsite. Explore the region and take in the views, the sound of the river flowing, and all the birds chirping around.

Note and for information purposes: If you continue further on the trail from Rasimanal, the trek gets more challenging. It takes you through sections with big boulders to be traversed and trekking for a long distance. Our exploration team continued to recce until Ugeniyam, the only exit point. This was around 18.5 km of trek one way from Biligundlu to Ugeniyam.

Day 2

Trek back to Biligundlu from the river campsite. Drive back from Biligundlu to Hosur Railway Station.

Trek Distance: 8 km | Trek Duration: 4-5 hours | Drive Distance (From Biligundlu to Hosur): 80 km | Drive Duration: 2.5 hours

Get up early in the morning and watch the sunrise. You will be treated to some beautiful experiences and memories while watching the change of colors, the dawn chorus of the birds.

After spending enough time and having some experiences at the river, you need to return to the same route you took the previous day.

Trek to the village of Biligundlu. At a leisurely pace, it would take around 4 hours of trekking. You can take the vehicle from here and head back to Hosur.

Get up early in the morning and watch the sunrise. You will be treated to some beautiful experiences and memories while watching the change of colors, the dawn chorus of the birds.

After spending enough time and having some experiences at the river, you need to return to the same route you took the previous day.

Trek to the village of Biligundlu. At a leisurely pace, it would take around 4 hours of trekking. You can take the vehicle from here and head back to Hosur.

Lunch can be either during your drive to Hosur or after reaching Hosur.

With enough buffer time, plan your return journey or book tickets after 5 to 6 pm.

Day 1

These are documents required for legal purposes by Indiahikes and the forest department. Without any of these, you will not be allowed to trek.

Original and photocopy of government photo identity card. Anything such as a driver’s license, Aadhar card, passport will do. This is required by the forest department for your identification.
Disclaimer certificate. This is a legal requirement. Download the PDF, read carefully and sign it. This must be handed over to your Trek Leader during registration at the base camp - Download PDF
Medical certificate. There are two sections in this. The first part must be filled by a practising doctor. The second part must be filled by you. Without the medical certificate the forest department will not issue permissions for your trek. It is also a requirement by Indiahikes - Download PDF

| Pro Tip: Keep important documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet.

PRO TIPS

Given that this is just a one-night outdoor program, with very comfortable weather, we advise you to travel light.

Here’s a list of things you must bring along with you:

A 20L backpack – A small comfortable backpack will suffice.
2 t-shirts – Expect to get sweaty, you will need a change of clothes after your trek
An extra pair of trekking pants – Avoid shorts at all costs, there are thorns along all the trails.
Shoes with good grip – Even sports shoes will work, as long as they have a good grip
Crocs/Sandles - These will be helpful around the campsite or for walking after your trek gets over.
One fleece/jacket
Rainwear (Rain Jacket/Poncho)
Headlamp/LED Torch (with extra batteries)
Sun cap
Sunglasses
2 pairs of socks
Trekking Pole
Two 1 litre bottles (reusable)
Your lunch box, mug, and spoon
A small toilet kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, small soap, a small moisturiser, lip balm, roll-on deodorant, sunscreen, light towel, toilet paper, hand sanitizer)
Insect repellant
Plastic Covers

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medicine unless you have consulted your trek leader.

Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is a paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever, mild pain
Avomine (4 tablets): Carry this especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Pop one half hour before the start of your road journey.
Combiflam (5 tablets): Take a combiflam if you get a sudden twist of the leg or a muscle strain. It is a pain reliever. It also contains paracetamol.
Digene (4 tablets): Take it if you feel the food that you’ve taken is undigested. Alert your trek leader immediately. It could be a sign of AMS.
ORS (6 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually mid day when you are in the middle of your trek. It replenishes essential salts lost while trekking. Tip: It also makes cold water easier to drink.
Knee Brace (optional): Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known issues of knee pain.

Our trek leaders carry a medical kit with them which also consists of Life Saving Drugs. If there is an emergency our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines listed here.

The Biligundlu Cauvery River Trek is close to 16 km long. Since you are going and coming back on the same route, each day involves trekking for 8 km.

The initial trek is through the quaint lanes of the village of Biligundlu and then goes through the mixed forest section. The trail is flat and fairly straightforward, without much ascent or descent.

The Biligundlu Cauvery River Trek lies in the Denkanikottai forest range in the Krishnagiri district, about 80 kilometres from Hosur City.

The trek goes along the borders of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

It is situated on the North-western side of the famous Hogenakkal Falls.

This trek has been brought out with the collaboration of the Tourism and Forest Department.

So unless you get permits to do this trek, you will not be allowed to trek in the restricted parts of the sanctuary.

The temperatures during the trek will be pleasant. The majority of the region is covered with shade and a canopy of trees.

The maximum temperature during the day can go up to 30 degrees around Hosur City. In the forest section of Biligundlu, it would be 1-2 degrees cooler. It is good to carry an umbrella with you on the trek.

You will be trekking in one T-shirt and one pair of trekking pants. You need to come prepared for the occasional rain.

The trek will be closed during March, April due to the peak summer season.

Biligundlu Cauvery River Trek is home to smaller mammals like wild dogs or foxes. The sanctuary is also home to a few sloth bears, leopards, and wild boars, which are not usually seen on the trekking routes that are designed. Apart from these, you do not have any other wild animals.

The sanctuary has a variety of species of birds, insects, spiders, and other living forms to keep you excited and entertained while spotting.

Yes, this trek is good for those who are over 6 years old. There is no limit, as such, for the larger age bracket. If you are fit and have a good active lifestyle, then this is a good trek to go for.

Yes, we will arrange shared vehicles for trekkers to pick you up at 5 AM from the Hosur Railway Station and drop you back at the same location after the trek is done on the next day. The cost, however, needs to be shared and paid directly to the drivers.