The Complete Guide to Muthurayaswamy Betta Trek

The Muthurayaswamy Betta Trek is a hidden gem. It is almost unknown and unheard of among local trekking circles. Yet, it holds a big bag of surprises waiting to be discovered.

Situated adjacent to the popular Handi Gundi Betta, Muthurayaswamy Betta hardly gets noticed.

The trek is on a barren hillock except for the sparse vegetation on the rocks. Views from the top are breathtaking, to say the least. The summit opens to unparalleled views of all the major hillocks around Ramanagara and a birds-eye view of the whole town itself!

In the post-monsoon season, one can also witness a waterfall located amidst the hillock. The waterfall drains into an adjacent lake and so, it forms another mini waterfall.

This trek is short so it can be done by fit beginners. Nevertheless, it just might test your skills even if you are an experienced trekker.

And this is a trek we’ve documented in great detail to help you do it on your own. Drop in the comments if you need any help! 

➤ Table of Contents

Just like you, we love trekking! And this is a trek we’ve documented in great detail to help you do it on your own. Drop-in comments at the end of the page if you need any help!  You will get all the information required to do the Muthurayaswamy Betta Trek on your own.

To navigate through the documentation easily, use this section of the Table of Contents.

• What to Watch out for
• Trail Information
• GPX File for the trek
• Best Season to do the trek
• Difficult Sections
• How to Reach the base of the trek
• Things to Take for the trek
• Frequently Asked Questions about the trek
• Nearby Places to Visit after the trek

➤ What to Watch Out For

1. Breathtaking View from the summit

Standing at a height of 916 metres, the view from the peak is stunning to witness. Moreover, a 360-degree view of all the major hillocks in and around the town of Ramanagara is presented before one’s eyes.

2. A hidden waterfall in the monsoon/post monsoon months

The waterfall is hidden from plain view. In fact, the gushing sound of water is not even audible unless one is keen to look for it. Water flow can be high during the monsoon or immediately post-monsoon for one to enjoy. On the other hand, being a seasonal waterfall, there will hardly be any trace of a waterfall during the summer months.

3. Adjacent lake with a mini waterfall

The water from the waterfall drains into an adjacent lake. A check dam is built at one end of the lake for overflow. This is a good place to rest after the trek. Dip your feet in the water after the hard day’s trek.

During the monsoon months, one must tread through a mango orchard to get to the base because the lake overflows and floods the road that leads to the base of the hillock.

➤ Trail Information

Muthurayaswamy Betta Trek, although a short one, can be divided into the following sections:

1. Trek from the Base of the hillock to the temple
2. Trek from the temple to the top
3. Section 3 is an alternate trail that goes straight from the base to the summit

Section I: Base  to Muthurayaswamy temple

Trek distance: 250 metres
Trek Duration: 10 minutes
GPS Coordinates of Base:  12°42’24.78″N 77°18’42.97″E
GPS Coordinates of Muthurayaswamy temple:  12°42’20.08″N 77°18’46.52″E

Reaching the Muthurayaswamy temple from the base is straightforward. There is a scenic lake right next to the base which will serve as your landmark and give your trek the perfect start.

From the base, there are rock cut steps that go right up to the temple. The slope is easy, and the ascent is gradual until the temple.

The temple is visible from the base of the hillock and shouldn’t be much of a concern to locate.

You could find villagers at the temple if you visit early in the mornings.

|Tip: You can scramble through the mango plantation on your left to reach the base of the hillock because the base of the hill might be flooded during the monsoon/ post-monsoon season.

Section 2: Muthurayasamy Temple to Summit

Trek Distance: 1 km
Trek Duration: 40 minutes
GPS Coordinates of Muthurayaswamy temple 12°42’20.08″N 77°18’46.52″E
GPS Coordinates of the summit: 12°42’33.45″N 77°18’35.35″E

There is no specific trail from the temple. Just continue straight up the hill until you reach the summit.

Keep to the right side of the hill because to the left, there is a lot of vegetation which can get tricky to manoeuvre.

The trail is steep starting from the temple for about 15 minutes until you reach a kind of flat.

Be careful of thorny shrubs along the way. But of course, look out for the hidden waterfall that can be spotted during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons between the wild shrubbery.

After this point, the slope is a little less aggressive. Eventually, you will reach another flat with tall grass in between. Continue further after you cross the grassy patch till you reach a flagstaff.

Head straight after the flagstaff to reach the summit which is hardly 10 more minutes from this point.

Explore the summit and enjoy the 360-degree view of all the surrounding hillocks!

Section 3: Getting back to the base

Follow the same trail back to reach the base. Alternatively, you can choose to take the direct trail that does not deviate from the temple as shown in Section 3 of the trail map.

Use the Google map or GPX file to reach the base of the trek. 

➤ GPX File for the Muthurayaswamy Betta Trek

We go to great lengths to ensure you have a safe trek. So here’s a GPX file of the trail to help you navigate without getting lost.

GET GPX FILE

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➤ Best Season to do the Muthurayaswamy Betta Trek

The trek is open throughout the year. But certainly, the best season to do the trek is post monsoons when the adjacent lake is brimming with water.

It is not advisable to trek during the monsoons. Since the trek is completely on a barren rock, the route will be slippery.

➤ Difficult sections on the Muthurayaswamy Betta Trek

The Muthurayaswamy Betta trek is of moderate difficulty.

The elevation is around 60 degrees at some stretches. These stretches act as fodder for adventurous souls. The surface of the rock is rough which should give you a good grip.

However, it is not advisable to trek during the rains as the terrain can get slippery. With the terrain being steep, there are chances of a fall.

Make sure you wear proper trekking shoes.

Getting to the waterfall can be tricky. You will have to get down from the temple and cross a few steep sections. These sections are slippery.

The trek is close to 2.3 km both ways. Elevation gain is close to 230 meters within a span of one kilometre.

Since the trek is straightforward, there is no chance of losing your way.

➤ How to Reach Muthurayaswamy Betta Trek

The Muthurayaswamy Betta trek starts from the end of the Siddlukallu Kere road in Hunsanahalli.

This is about 8kms from the main town of Ramanagara. Being close to the main town, it is easily accessible by auto.

Use the Google map or GPX file to reach the base of the trek. 

Reaching Muthurayaswamy Betta by your own vehicle

If you are planning on reaching the base of the hill using your own vehicle from Bangalore, you can use this link to help set up navigation in google maps.

For a more detailed explanation, read through the information below.

Firstly, take the Bangalore-Mysore highway from Bangalore. Cross Bidadi to reach Ramanagara.

Then, at the main Ramanagara signal, next to the Police headquarters on your left, take the left onto Mahatma Gandhi road. Follow the road, and cross the Ramanagara railway station to reach Muduwadi road.

Continue on this road for 5.5kms until you reach Hunasanahalli Gram Panchayat. After that, take a left onto Hunsanahalli thop road. Next, after about 850 metres, take the left onto Sidlukallu Kere road.

Finally, continue for 300 metres to reach your destination. you will see the lake on your right which is your starting point.

Reaching Muthurayaswamy Betta by Public Transport System

The base village is easy to reach compared to other base villages on most of the treks. Approximately by 8 am, you can reach Hunasanahalli by bus from Bangalore.

Go through the details here: There are many buses from Bangalore to Ramanagara that can be booked online at the KSRTC website.

From the bus stand take an auto to reach Hunasanahalli Gram Panchayat which should not cost more than 100 rupees.

By train: Alternatively, one can reach Ramanagara by train from Bangalore and then, take an auto to Hunasanahalli Gram Panchayat from the railway station.

Most of the trains between Bangalore and Mysore halt at Ramanagara.

ProtipThe Hubli Mysore Express starts from KSR Bangalore station at 6 AM and reaches Ramanagara by 6:45 AM.

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➤ Things to Take on Muthurayaswamy Trek

• Basic First Aid kit*
• Identity Card
• Cap/ Scarf/ Bandana & Sunglasses
• Water (Minimum two litres)
• Lemon and salt OR Electrolyte Powder/Drink (Electoral/Gatorade/Glucon D, etc.)
• High-calorie snacks (Nuts & dry fruits, a home-baked cake, etc.)
• Safety Pins, Rubber bands & Whistle (Useful in emergencies.)
• Quick Dry T-shirts are preferable over cotton tees.
• Poncho, only during monsoons
• Plastic sheet to wrap electronic devices, only during monsoons
• Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
• Optional: Trekking poles

❖ First Aid Kit:

• Scissor
• Band-aids (Regular & Waterproof)
• Analgesic spray (Relispray, Volini, etc.)
• Antiseptic Liquid (Savlon, Dettol etc.)
• Antiseptic powder (Povidone-Iodine based powders like Cipladine, Savlon, etc.)
• Cotton roll & Bandage
• Crepe Bandage
• 1-inch wide medical tape (paper or cloth.)
• Micropore tape
• Tablet for motion sickness (Avomine), Acidity (Gelusil, Digene, etc.).
• Mild pain relief tablet (Crocin)

| Note: Always consult a doctor before taking any medicine.

➤ Frequently Asked Questions about Muthurayaswamy Betta Trek

1. Permission and Camping on the Muthurayaswamy Betta trek

You do not need any permission for the trek.

2.  Stay Options near Muthurayaswamy Betta Trek

If you want to stay overnight, there are quite a few options before the starting point of the trek. You have a few Airbnbs, homestays and even a few resorts as options.

The two famous ones are the Shilhaandara Resort and the Hill View Resort.

ProtipCombine this trek with a visit to Ramadevara betta.

3. Timings on the Muthurayaswamy Betta Trek

There are no time restrictions, however, it is advisable to return before dark.

4. Food and Water sources on the Muthurayaswamy Betta Trek

Food: Ramanagara has many restaurant options for food.

For water sources:  There are no water sources on the hike. It’s best to carry your own bottle filled with water.

|Tip: You can have breakfast at Kamat Lokaruchi, one of the famous restaurants in Ramanagara before you leave for the hike and afterwards, you can get back in time to savour lunch at the same place.

5. Emergency contacts for Muthurayaswamy Betta Trek

Hospital:  Rotary BGS Global Hospital (Contact Number – +918027271555) and Ramakrishna Hospital (Contact Number – +919742772424) are the nearest hospitals.
Both these hospitals are about 8 kilometres away from the Hunasanahalli.

Police Station: Ramanagara Town Police station (+919480802845, 080-27271230) and Ramanagara Rural  Police Station (+919480802848, 080-27271321) are the nearest police stations to the Muthurayaswamy Betta Trek.

Ramanagara Forest Department: In case of any emergency, you can contact the forest office of the Ramanagara Range Forest office.

ERSS: For any kind of emergency help, you can contact the Pan-India Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) number- 112

6. ATMs and Networks on the trek

ATMs: The closest town Ramanagara has many ATMs.

Mobile Networks: Being very close to the town of Ramanagara, the mobile network is good all through the trek.

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➤ Places to Visit After the Muthurayaswamy Trek

1. Ramadevara Betta: Ramadevara betta is one of the popular hikes around. If you start early in the morning, you can witness the endangered Indian vultures nesting in the adjacent vulture sanctuary

2. Kunagalu Betta: Kunagalu betta is situated in the adjoining village of Kunagalu. An easy hike that can be done with kids.

➤ Trek Contribution

Trek documented by: Prem Kumar and Lisha Charly

Author: Prem Kumar