A Complete Guide to the Kaiwara Betta Trek

Trekking in Chikkaballabpura is usually tied to well-known hills like Skandagiri or Nandi. But tucked away near the small pilgrim town of Kaiwara is Kaiwara Betta. It takes you to a hill-top fort and offers sweeping views of the quaint temple town but without the crowds. Barely an hour and a half from Bengaluru, it is as easy to reach as the popular treks in the region. Yet it remains refreshingly offbeat.

The hike starts from the edge of Kaiwara town, skirting small shrines and open scrubland/ Then it climbs gently over granite slabs. As you climb, wide vistas of rolling plains show up through scattered boulders and hardy trees. Higher up, the path twists between rocky outcrops to a broad summit. It is crowned by the weathered remains of a Kempegowda-Era fort—broken walls, watchpoints, and crumbling gateways that hint at its forgotten history.

From the top, the 360-degree views open up in every direction. It's a broad horizon, spanning from the Shathashrunga Hills to the distant Nandi and Skandagiri peaks. Below you, the farmlands of Chikkaballapura spread like a map below.

In just two to three hours of relaxed trekking, Kaiwara Betta rewards you with a blend of history, mythology, and breathtaking views. A perfect half-day hike easily accessible from Bangalore.

Trek Snapshots:

Duration: Half-day
Distance from Bengaluru: 75 km
Highest Altitude: 4180 ft
Total Trek Distance: 4 km (both-ways)
Base: Shri Shri Shri Yoginarayana Yatindhrara Tapovana Arch
Permits: Aranya Vihaara Website (under Chikkaballapur District Treks)
Go through this article for the steps involved in applying for permits

Can beginners attempt the Kaiwara Betta Trek? The Kaiwara Betta Trek is an ideal beginner-friendly trail, perfect for those who are new to trekking. It offers a surprising amount of variety — from short forest patches to fort ruins and small waterbodies at the top, in just 2-3 hours of Easy-Moderate Trekking. If you’re looking to introduce children to trekking and the outdoors, the Kaiwara Betta Trek is one of the best places you can go to.

Table of Content:

What to Watch out for
Suggested Itinerary
Detailed Trail Information
Best Time to do the Kaiwara Betta Trek
How to reach the Kaiwara Betta Trek
FAQ
Places to Visit after the Kaiwara Betta Trek
Other treks in the region

➤What to Watch out for

1) The Forest Walk:

As you go deeper into the Kaiwara Betta trek, you enter a beautiful forest section. The trail passes through tall peepal trees and stretches of bamboo groves. Sunlight filters through the thick canopy in patches, creating a soft, green light on the trail. If you are in season, bright flowers—red, orange, yellow, and purple—dot the forest floor. Birds skitter amongst the branches, while insects buzz near the ground. The forest is also alive with little elements like geckos, toads, and butterflies. The mix of plants and animals makes this section unique and visually rich. On lucky days, you can even spot peacocks in this forest section.

2) Butterflies on the Trek:

If you are doing this trek in early monsoon, butterflies are everywhere once you leave the Tapovan Park. From Blue Tigers to Scarlet Tigers, it's a beautiful splash of colours against the green backdrop. Sometimes, you’ll spot several butterflies resting on the same branch—a simple, mesmerizing sight that stops you in your tracks.

3) The Windy Top:

Once you reach the Kaiwara Top, the trail leads you to a high, rugged boulder. Here, the winds are powerful enough to actually sweep you off your feet. Standing at this vantage point, you can feel its raw force of nature as the wind whips around you, carrying voices and leaves away into the distance. You also get a beautiful view of Chintamani town from here. If you start early, you can catch a beautiful sunrise from the top.

➤ Suggested Itinerary

Kaiwara Betta is a short and scenic trek located about 70 km from Bangalore. It's best to start early in the morning to enjoy sunrise views, capture visuals, and avoid mid-day heat.

Kaiwara Betta is approximately 70 KM from Bangalore.
We suggest starting early from Bangalore at 4:30 AM.
Reach the Kaiwara Base by 6:15 AM to freshen up and sign in at the forest gate.
Start the trek to Kaiwara Betta Peak by 6:30 AM.
Plan to reach the peak by 9 AM and spend some time at the top. Explore the fort ruins, small waterbodies and soak in the views.
Begin your descent by 10 AM.
You should be back at the base by 11:30 AM, freshen up. There's a washroom available near the trek starting point.
Start your journey back to Bangalore by 12 noon. You should be back easily by 3 PM, factoring in time for a lunch break on the way back.

➤ Detailed Trail Information

The trail to the Kaiwara Betta takes you through a short forest section and rocky open patches before reaching ancient fort ruins and small waterbodies at the top.

The trek can be divided into 3 Sections:

Trek Start Point to Shiva Statue: 900 m | 50 mins
Shiva Statue to Viewpoint: 520 m | 30 mins
Viewpoint to Kaiwara Betta Top: 500 m | 30 mins

Section I: Trek Start Point to Shiva Statue

Trek Distance: 900 m
Trek Duration: 50 mins

The trek starts through a beautifully manicured garden of the Tapovan
In 300 m, take a left on to the Ashwayuja Marg
Around the 500 m mark, you'll cross the Baba Temple. If you want to freshen up, take a right and you'll find washrooms
The main trail continues leftwards and starts ascending gradually through a forest section
In the next 150 m, you'll reach a Shiva Statue.

Section II: Shiva Statue to Viewpoint

Trek Distance: 520 m
Trek Duration: 30 mins

From the Shiva Statue, the main trail to Kaiwara Betta branches off rightwards. You can take a detour along the leftward diversion to experience a beautiful spectacle of butterflies.
For another 200 m, the trail then climbs through the forest
Then you turn a right and arrive on a shoulder ridge leading to the top of Kaiwara Betta
In just 200 m after getting onto this ridge, there is a short but steep rocky section that you need to negotiate
After the steep section, a gradual ascend over the next 150 m brings you to a beautiful open viewpoint. You get a sweeping view of the entire region including the Bheema Bakasura Betta.

Section III: Viewpoint to Kaiwara Betta Top

Trek Distance: 500 m
Trek Duration: 30 mins

The trail continues to ascend gradually and in the next 300 m you will reach the entry point of a dilapidated Kempegowda-Era Hill Fort
Explore the fort and the small rain-fed waterbodies at the top before starting your descent.

➤ Best Time to do the Kaiwara Betta Trek

The Kaiwara Betta Trek is open throughout the year, but the ideal time to visit is from September to February.

During Monsoon the region turns lush and green, trekking during peak monsoon is not advisable. The trails can become overgrown and the rock faces get slippery. Safety and visibility can be a concern.

Winter is the best time for the trek. The weather remains cool and pleasant. Clear blue skies and refreshing air make this period perfect for hiking.

In Summers, the forest section is still manageable but you eventually trek for a considerable distance without shade. If you are planning to do this trek in Summer, plan it as a sunrise trek.

➤ How to Reach the Kaiwara Betta Trek

The Kaiwara Betta trek starts at Shri Shri Shri Yoginarayana Yatindhrara Tapovana located in Kaiwara Ghavi Rd, Kaiwara, Karnataka. This is located around 8 KM from Chintamani Town and about 30 KM from Chikkaballapura.

How to Reach Kaiwara Betta from Bangalore by Car

The Kaiwara Betta Trek Starting Point is easily accessible by road.
There are two routes to reach the starting point from Bengaluru.
You can either take the route via Hosakote: Bengaluru – Hosakote – H Cross – Kaiwara.
Else, you can also choose to drive via Devenahalli: Bengaluru – Devenhalli – H Cross – Kaiwara
Both the routes take about 1.5 hours to 2.25 hours based on where you start from Bengaluru.
There is a free bike and car parking near the Arch Gate.

How to Reach Kaiwara Betta from Bangalore by Public Transport

To get to the trek by public transport, the closest access point would be Kaiwara Cross.

Reaching Kaiwara Cross by Bus:

KSRTC bus runs every hour from Bengaluru to Chintamani
All buses headed to Chintamani passes over Kaiwara Cross.
Board buses from Majestic Bus Stand or the Tin factory Bus Stop.
Tickets can be purchased offline when you board the buses.

From Kaiwara Cross– The trek starting point is about 4.4 km away. You can either walk or take an auto. Autos charge anything between Rs. 100-200, which can be shared between 3-4 members.

➤ Frequently Asked Questions about the Kaiwara Betta Trek

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

The Kaiwara Betta Trek is an ideal beginner-friendly trail, perfect for those who are new to trekking. It offers a surprising amount of variety — from short forest patches to fort ruins and small waterbodies at the top, in just 2-3 hours of Easy-Moderate Trekking. If you’re looking to introduce children to trekking and the outdoors, the Kaiwara Betta Trek is one of the best places you can go to.

3. Are there any food stalls and water sources on the Kaiwara 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 Kaiwara Betta Trek from Bangalore?

Kaiwara Betta Trek, is about 75 km from Bangalore. It is accessible by both private and public transportation.

5. Can I do the Kaiwara Betta Trek alone?

Yes. Guides are not mandatory for this trek. Once you have booked the permits online, you can do the trek on your own.

➤ Places to Visit After the Kaiwara Betta Trek

Thathayya Cave (1.8km): A serene cave believed to be the meditation spot of the saint Thathayya. It's a peaceful place for quiet reflection and offers a spiritual vibe.
Kailasagiri Hills (9.2km): A scenic hilltop with panoramic views and spiritual significance. The site features statues and temples depicting stories from Hindu mythology.
Shri Bheemalingeshwara Swami Temple (400m): An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, believed to be installed by Bheema from the Mahabharata. It's known for its calm atmosphere and spiritual energy.
Shri Amaranarayana Swami Temple (1.1km): A historic temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu with stunning Dravidian architecture. Pilgrims and tourists alike visit for blessings and peace.

➤ Other Treks in the Region

Ambaji Durga Trek (12.5km): A moderate-level trek leading to a small temple atop the hill. Ideal for those seeking adventure with scenic valley views.
Skandagiri Hills (38.8km): Famous for its night trek and sunrise views, this hill offers a misty, surreal experience. A must-visit for trekking enthusiasts.