A Complete Guide to the Chinaga Betta Trek

Outskirts of Tumakuru town is known for its greenery, lakes and rugged hills and Chinaga Betta is one such trekking spot nested in heart of Thimlapura. Just a 2-hrs drive from center of Bengaluru district, it is a quick climb to two distinct summits. Although there are a few slightly steep sections, you can manage it without much difficulty.

The trail begins in a quiet eucalyptus plantation, and within the next hour, you'll reach first peak namely Bandara, a huge flat ridge. From Bandara, you see beautiful aerial views of the entire Thimlapura forest and surrounding vegetation, lakes and the villages. From there, the trail gently climbs through thick forest, leading up to the final climb to Kambada Kallu.

This final climb is on a steep boulder that opens up to a sprawling 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding forest area of Thimlapura and Devarayana Durga. You see lush green fields, lakes and the rolling hills of Sigikoppal Betta, Doddabanda Betta, Pandavara Betta and Ramdevarabetta.

And because you experience all of this in just about 2-3 hours of easy-moderate trekking, Chinaga Betta is a quick getaway that you can look forward to over any weekend.

Trek Snapshots:

• Duration: Half-day
• Distance from Bengaluru: 80 km
• Highest Altitude: 4121 ft
• Total Trek Distance: 4.3 km (both-ways)
• Base: Torana Anjaneya Swami Temple, near Tumkur
• Permits: Aranya Vihaara Website (under Tumkur District Treks)
  Go through this article for the steps involved in applying for permits
  

Can beginners attempt the Chinaga Betta Trek?  The Chinaga Betta Trek is a perfect trek for fit beginners. The only stretch which might be slightly adventurous will be the last boulder climb to Kambada Kallu, but there would be a forest guard who will guide you in ascending the boulder, and there will be a supporting rope to provide stability. Even if you decide to skip the last boulder, you have enough to enjoy the serene surrounding in the entire trail. To sum things up, it is a short, rewarding trek, can be wrapped up quickly in 2-3 hours and is a safe choice for beginners. 

➤What to Watch out for

1) The Bandara Flat:

Situated at a height of 3800 ft, Bandara is a huge flat boulder ridge almost about 500mx300m in dimesnion. You get a beautiful view of the surrounding of lush green fields, lakes, thick forest area of Thimlapura and Devarayanadurga Forest. The route to Bandara also provides a beautiful viewpoints. You can spend some time at this spot and enjoy the serenity and calmness.

2) Kambada Kallu

Situated at a height of 4121 feet, Kambada Kallu provides a panoramic 360 degree of Nandi Hills and Skandagiri. Thrilling part of Kambada Kallu is the final climb of a steep rock about 4-5 meters height with few small openings to rest your feet. The forest guard who accompanies you to top of the trek will guide you in venturing the steep rock, and also for a rope is tied from top to support you in climb.

3) The Forest Sections

As Chinaga Betta is situated in Thimlapura forest, the trek route includes both coarse and dense forest. The trail has rich flora including tall trees and bushes. The forest consists of Eucalyptus Trees, bamboo thickets, grasslands, and rocky outcrops, providing a variety of habitats for different bird species. Some common birds spotted here include junglefowl, bulbuls, warblers, sunbirds, and peacocks. The area provides a thrilling sounds of birds, making the experience wonderful. Even though consists of wild Animals, spotting wild animals is rarity, once in a while you may spot a Deer.

4) Swandenahalli Lake

Situated about 2km from Chinaga Betta point Swandenahalli Lake provides a mesmerizing experience. The lake falls on the way to Chinaga Betta, so it is advised to spend sometime near the lake on return. The lake looks stunning with few mountains in the background, and you can hear charming sound of peacocks from all directions. If you are lucky you may be able to spot them also.

➤ Suggested Itinerary

Chinaga Betta is a short trek and a forest guard would accompany you. The trek is open only early morning. It is suggested to report at trek starting point between 6:00 am to 6:30 am. If you are going to be delayed please inform the trek guard through the contact number shared on Aranya Vihar Website and request him to start late.

• Chinaga Betta is approximately 80 KM from Bangalore. We suggest starting early from Bangalore, at around 4.15 AM.
• Reach the Trek Start Point by 6:00 AM
• A forest guard will accompany you through the trek. PoC Contact: +91- 9482774652
  Please call only after you have booked your permits and not before that. Go through the linked article if you are confused about how to Obtain permits from the Aaranya Vihara Website.
  
  Pro-Tip: If you wish to start the trek before 6:00 AM, you can call the Forest Department PoC and share your permits with him one day in advance.‬‬
• Start the trek by 6:30 AM and target reaching the first peak Bandara by 7:10 am
• Spend about 20 minutes enjoying the scenic surrounding on the top of Bandara
• Start from Bandara to Kambada Kallu around 7:35 and reach the top by 8:00
• Spend about 20 minutes on top of Kambada Kallu and start your descent. The entire descent should not take more than an hour.
• On the way back take a stop at Swandenahalli Katte, a serene lake where you can hear wailing calls of peacock and enjoy the view of lake with hills in the backdrop.
• Head back to Bangalore, we suggest to have breakfast on the way at Pavithra Idli Hotel for an authentic culinary experience
• Return to Bangalore by 1:30 PM

➤ Detailed Trail Information

The trail to the Chinaga Betta takes you into the Thimlapura Wildlife Sanctuary. You trek through eucalyptus plantations, rocky open patches and dense forest before reaching the top of Kambada Kallu.

The trek can be divided into 2 Sections:

1. Trek Start Point to Bandara Betta: 1.4 km | 40 mins
2. Bandara Betta to Kambada Kallu: 750 m | 30 mins

Section I: Trek Start Point to Bandara Betta

Trek Distance: 1.4 km
Trek Duration: 40 mins

• The trail starts from Torana Anjaneya Swamy Temple
• Walk along a stretch of tar road followed by mud road.
• Pass a artificial waterbody on the right of the trail, followed by the Rangaswamy Temple and Doddayya Asana temple. 
• After the Doddayya Asana Temple, ascend through a semi dense Eucalyptus forest
• There is a short steep section but can be managed with a bit of effort.
• The stretch has few places where you can stop and turn around for view of the beautiful surroundings. In one of the view points you get a beautiful view of the Doddayya Asana Temple from top hidden inside lush green forest.
• After walking about 1.4 km you will reach top of Banadara Betta.
• Enjoy the scenic lush green surrounding filled with thick forests, lakes and view of Kambada Kallu.

Section II: Bandara Betta to Kambada Kallu

Trek Distance: 750 m
Trek Duration: 30 mins

• After spending some time at Banadara Betta start for Kambada Kallu.
• The route takes you through a thick Eucalyptus forest.
• In between the trail you will need to pass through narrow passage between 2 boulders and finally after walking about 750 meters you will reach the base of Kambada Kallu.
• The final step would involve ascending a steep rock along a very steep slope.
• The rock has narrow openings to keep your feet, and a rope for support. The forest guard who would accompany for the trek will also assist you in ascending the rock.
• Once you reach the top, enjoy the views before retracing your way back to the trek starting point.

➤ Best Time to do the Chinaga Betta Trek

The Chinaga Betta Trek is accessible through-out the year. But the trek offers a lush green surrounding during monsoons and soon after monsoon, hence we recommend July to September as the best time to do the trek. During this time the surrounding would offer a lush green view, which would be very serene to your eyes. Few patches of trek are on boulder and may be bit slippery during heavy rains, but still manageable.

In case you want to avoid the rains, it would be recommended to do the trek between October and January as the rains would have subdued by this time. If you are bird watcher winter anytime between December to January would be recommended, and during Winter you would get a clear sky view also. 

The trek involves walking through few open patches, extreme summers can take a toll on you. If you are planning to take the trek in Summers, it is recommended to start trek early morning and aim for sunrise hike.

➤ How to Reach the Chinaga Betta Trek

The Chinaga Betta Trek starts at Torana Anjaneya Swamy temple. The nearest village to Trek starting point is Swandenahalli in Karnataka Tumakuru district which is situated about 4km from the trek starting point. The trek is situated in Thimlapura Wildlife Sanctuary

Note: Due to road constructions and repair the trek may start few hundred meters before the start point, the forest guard will be available at the trek start point to guide you. The GPX file from the Aranya Vihara website is unmarked and doesn’t give a detailed description of the trek route. 

How to Reach Chinaga Betta from Bangalore by Car

• The trek starts from Torana anjaneya swamy temple, which is easily accessible by road.
• The drive from Bangalore to the starting point is around 80 km via NH 48 (Bangalore–Tumakuru Highway) and takes around 2 hours.
• You can use this Google Map Link for easy navigation.
• Parking spaces are available at trek start point, and generally a forest guard would be always available at trek start point. Mostly it is safe to part your car at the trek starting point.
  

How to Reach Chinaga Betta from Bangalore by Public Transport

To get to the trek by public transport, first reach Tumkur. You can take either by a bus or a train.

Reaching Tumkur by Bus:

• Take any KSRTC bus heading to Tumakuru.
• You don’t need to take a bus only to Tumakuru — buses going to Chitradurga, Shivamogga, or Davanagere from Bangalore also stop at Tumkur.
• Board from Majestic Bus Stand or the Goraguntepalya Bus Stop.
• Tickets can be booked online through KSRTC or private operators like Red Bus.

Reaching Tumkur by Train:

• Take the Bengaluru City–Hosapete Passenger Train (Train No. 56519).
• It departs daily from KSR Bengaluru (Majestic) at 5:00 AM and reaches Tumkur by 6:15 AM.
• Tickets can be booked on the IRCTC website or bought directly at the station.
  

From Tumkur– bus stop or railway station– the trek starting point is about 15 km away. You can take an auto. Autos charge anything between Rs. 300-400, which can be shared between 3-4 members. Alternatively, you can reach Swandenahalli by taking a bus from Tumkur (Route no 210) which is about 4km from the trek starting point and walking the remaining part. Autos may not be available from Swandenahalli.

For your return journey to Bangalore from Tumkur, take a bus from the same bus stop, or catch passenger train (Train No. 66572) back. The train departs Tumkur at 11:15 AM and reaches KSR Bengaluru by 12:25 PM. If you want to spend bit more time in nearby areas you can take train number 66568 which starts from Tumkur at 3:35 pm and reaches KST Bengaluru around 4:44 pm.

➤ Frequently Asked Questions about the Chinaga Betta Trek

1. Is there any permission required to do the Chinaga Betta Trek?

Yes. You need to obtain permits from Aranya Vihaara to do this trek. Go through this article for a detailed guide on how to book permits through Aranya Vihaara.

2. How difficult is the Chinaga Betta Trek?

The Chinaga Betta trek is medium level difficulty trek. They are few steep ascents, and the last rock climb to top of Kambada Kallu will provide satisfaction to adventure seekers. The forest guard who accompanies you to top of the trek will guide you in doing the final stretch of rock climb. In general trek can be done by fit beginners as it is a short distance trek of about total 4.3 km both ways.

3. Are there any food stalls and water sources on the Chinaga Betta Trek ?

There are no food stalls on this Trek. It is recommended to carry enough water with you (2 liters). You will get water source during beginning of trek near the temples. But there are no further water sources along the way as well. 

4. What is the distance of the Chinaga Betta Trek from Bangalore?

Chinaga Betta Trek, is about 80 km from center of Bangalore (MG Road), is accessible by both private and public transportation.

5. Can I do the Chinaga Betta Trek alone?

No. Forest Department Guides are a must for the trek. They will join your team at the trek starting point. You need to reach trek starting point by 6:30 am, in case you are planning to start about an hour later or earlier, it is recommended to inform the forest officer by calling the contact number provided in our Suggested Itinerary Section.

➤ Places to Visit After the Chinaga Betta Trek

1. Swandenhalli Katte: On the way to Chinaga Betta just 2km before trekking starting point. It is a serene lake where you can hear lot of peacock hustling. Together with peacock hustling and view of the lake with background of few mountains gives a serene feeling. Recommended to spend some time at this place on way back from the trek. 
2. Mandargiri Hills: Located at about 20km distance from Chinaga Betta, it falls on the way to Chinaga betta if you are going from Bangalore. On top of the hill is situated a Jain temple, tomb of the hill is in shape of peacock feather. You get beautiful view of lush green surroundings and lakes from top of the hill. You can reach top of the hill with well laid steps (about 450 steps).
3. Amani Kere: As the name suggests this is a peaceful, picturesque waterbody located near Tumkur district, about 13.1 km away from Trek starting point. If you are going to Chinga Betta from Bangalore, this water body will just a small diversion after crossing Tumkur. At the entry of lake there is a park named AmaniKere park. This is nice place to have a stroll and relax with additional optional for water sports like boating and kayaking. As per local beliefs the lake has been built hundreds of years ago, possibly by the rule of chieftains or kings in the area who had an appreciation for water harvesting and sustainable use. The lake has been part of the local ecosystem for generations and has provided water for irrigation, livestock, and household purposes. For more details about lake refer to this writeup.
4. Pavithra Idli Hotel:  If you are planning Chinaga Betta as a Sunrise Trek, you cannot miss out on having breakfast at Pavithra Idli Hotel, located just 13.7 km away from the Trek Start Point. It is a famous breakfast joint known for authentic thatte idli and perfectly prepared dosa. You can enjoy the breakfast over here on your way back to Bangalore.
5. Ancient Shri Vidyashankara Temple: About 16.5km from Chinaga Betta is this Shivalaya located in the midst of Devarayanadurga forest. It was built by Irugappa Nayaka a Palegar ruling in this region under the Vijayanagara kings. The temple's ambience is very serene and it is believed that this place once had a Gurukula and hence the Shivalinga is called Vidyashankara. The temple has a vast Pradakshina patha, a Nandi Mantapa in the middle and two more temples dedicated to Parvati and Ganapathi. This temple was in its ruins before TVS company renovated it in its original style in 2004.
6. Namada Chilume: It is a sacred spring believed to have been created by Lord Rama, where the water is believed to never dry up. Just about 14.7 km from the Chinaga Betta Trek starting point, Namada Chilume has a Deer Park, a medicinal plant nursery, and walking trails marked through the Devarayanadurga State Forest Reserve.
7. Jayamangali Blackback Conservation Reserve: If you have some time at hand, do not miss out on visiting the Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve, about 57 km from Chinaga Betta Trek. It hosts Karnataka’s largest of the Near Threatened Blackbuck species and is an ideal place for wildlife enthusiasts.
8. Sree Siddaganga Math: It is an ancient ashram established by Sree Gosala Siddeshwara Swamiji in 15th century A.D. Hosting everything from parks, schools and student hostels to sprawling exhibition halls, the Math has been developed into a much-visited pilgrimage. Gokula Goshale, situated behind the Mutt premises, is just about 13 km from the Chinaga Betta Trek starting point.

➤ Other Treks in the Region

1. Doddbande Betta, Pandavara Betta and Aramanekallu Betta: Located about 8km, 6km and around 12km respectively from Chinaga Betta trek, these are ideal spots for adventure seekers. As the trail of these treks is not well defined and the starting point itself are not easy to find out. But you get some lush green panoramic views of of the landscape from the top. These treks are not listed in Aranya Vihara website, and it is recommended to contact Tumakuru Forest office before venturing into them as they are part of the reserved forest.
2. Ramdevarabetta Trek: Just 19 km from Chinaga Betta, lies the Ramdevarabetta which takes you to a forgotten hill fort of Tumkur. Please obtain permission from Aranya Vihara Website before going on this trek. You can also refer to our detailed documentation for complete information on this trek.

➤ Trek Contribution

Trek documented and written by Indiahikes Trekking Club Member, Anil Yekkala and Justin Anthony as part of the Great Backyard Trail Documentation Challenge, where trekkers from around the country come together to contribute information on quick day-hikes out of popular cities or tourist destinations. This is aimed at growing awareness about quick hiking routes in India by making information about them more accessibile.

Banner Image by Justin Anthony