Minchukallu Betta Trek

Minchukallu betta is a massive hill, located around 85 km from Bangalore. Not so popular among trekkers, this was once a three-stage fortified hill. The ruins of the fort wall and temple are some wonders to think about when you are trekking here.

The trek starts from Masanipalya village, 18 km away from Tumkur. You can also approach the hilllock from Hoskote of Tumkur region.

Do refer to our previous sections on how best to reach the location.

It is an easy trek. These sections are anticipated to be of moderate difficulty:

• Initial steep section from the base of the hill, for about 20 to 30 mins
• Steps section 10 mins before the summit, for about 10 mins

Since the majority of the trek is on boulders / granite, it becomes quite slippery during and immediately after rain. It is advised not to trek the hill during such treacherous conditions.

Although the trek can be done throughout the year in all seasons, the rock surfaces get quite slippery in monsoon. If it is just a passing rain, the rocks dry up quite quickly. So, please time your ascent and descent accordingly. Wait for rain to clear before embarking on the trek.

The village adjacent to the hill does not have any hotels or lodges. Indiahikes groups have a southern base camp about 10 mins from the village where tents are pitched during active days. However, if you are doing the trek on your own, it is best to plan this as a single day trek and head back in the evening. The nearest town where some accommodation can be found is Koratagere, which is about 12 km, 20 min drive away from the hill. It is highly recommended NOT to camp on top of the hill or in the village outskirts as it is not safe. The area is frequented by bears.

There is consistent network connectivity throughout the trek from all major mobile operators - Jio, Airtel, BSNL, Vodafone.

There are certain steep boulder sections on the trek which are slightly technical. Hence we recommend NOT to take children below 5 years on this trek. There are also no fresh water sources on the trek and medical emergency response is also limited if at all any.  

This is not a long trek and a fit person can complete it even if above 55 years of age. Please take note that there are steep sections on the trek which shall put pressure on knees and ankles. Please speak to an Indiahikes team member if in doubt before finalizing.

There are no washrooms or toilets throughout the trek. In an emergency, there are a few sections inside the fort walls which are secluded and with some bush cover. However be extra careful of the thorny bushes if you venture in. We strongly recommend keeping the entire trail clean and it is best to relieve yourself before starting the trail.

There is no entry fee or permission needed for the trek.

Camping on the top is not allowed. It is a short trek and can be completed in half a day.

You don’t have any stay options in Masanipalya. 

However, Tumkur is just 18 km away and you have quite a few hotels as an option. Check out the link to know more.

This is a day trek and takes about 4 hours to complete.

Start your trek early in the morning around 7 AM. It can get very tiring otherwise, as there are no shades throughout. The weather becomes very humid and the rocks get heated up as the sun rises.

Food: There are no hotels or shops in Masanipalya. If you want to take packed food, it’s best to take it from Tumkur. There are many hotels in Tumkur. But make sure to carry your own tiffin boxes and not to use disposable containers.

Water: There are no water sources on the trek. Make sure to carry at least 2 litres of water per person.

Koratagere Government Hospital is the nearest hospital on the trek which is around 10 km away.

Koratagere Police Station is the nearest police station on the trek which is around 11 km away. 

In case of emergency, contact Assistant Forest Officer Office, Koratagere.

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

Madhugiri Fort Trek

The Madhugiri Fort Trek is one of the most popular treks around Bangalore. This trek is to the second-largest monolith in Asia. The highlight is the fort which stands atop the rockdome. From the peak, you get the best views of the Thimmalapura Forest range.

Channarayana Durga

Channarayana Durga, a perfect destination for a day hike, lies in the Tumkur district of Karnataka.  This fort is situated on a hill at a height of 3734 feet

There are three stages of the fort, the lower portion is covered with steep rocks, and the upper portion contains a pond that is filled with water and thick vegetation. The middle section is damaged and dug up by the treasure hunters over the years, in their quest to find any hidden treasure that may have escaped the hands of the various rulers.

You might as well do some treasure hunting while you trek and irrespective of whether or not you find anything; this experience is sure, a trekker’s treasure!

Siddara Betta

Siddara Betta in Kannada means ‘Hill of Saints’. It is one of the most popular places to visit around Madhugiri.

This is an appealing hike for Trekkers and Pilgrims. The pilgrims come to visit the Shrine of Lord Shiva at the top of the hill. There is also an ashram situated at the base.

The rocky trail and the caves add a lot of thrill to the climb. The route from the caves has uneven rocks and boulders, allowing only a single person to cross at a time.  Exploring the caves is a cherry on the cake, as the view from the peak is equally rewarding as it is surrounded by the lush greens of the Devanarayana Durga Forest.

We recommend you follow a fitness routine 5 times a week (combination of walks, stair climbing and stretching).

By the time your trek starts, you should be able to walk 5 km between 50-60 minutes comfortably. Ideally, closer to 50 minutes.

Trekking is a sport that primarily uses your lungs, your core, and your lower body.  To reach this fitness, there are just two things to work on - your cardiovascular endurance and your muscle strength. Being fit will help you enjoy the trek and will keep you safe.

Weeks 1 - 4:

1. Walking

- Week 1: Keep the distance of your walk to just 2 km

- Week 2: Keep the distance of your walk to just 3 km

- Week 3: Keep the distance of your walk to just 4 km

- Week 4: Keep the distance of your walk to 5 km

1. Stair Climbing: When you climb stairs, target for at least 10 floors (20 stairs per floor), and repeat it for 2 sets.
2. Stretching: Keep stretching everyday. This video will help you with stretching: https://youtu.be/IDjWoSPV6ok

Take your rest days seriously, and rest. Your body recovers quickly when you rest.

Weeks 5 - 8:

- Once you can comfortably walk 5 km, the following weeks are focused on building speed.

- Everyday, walk 5 km with an intention to finish within 50-60 minutes. Do not worry if you are not there yet. You will get there by the end of Week 8.

- Once a week, go for 10 km walk at a stretch. This will help build your endurance. Do not worry about the time you take to cover this distance.

- Continue with stair climbing and stretching.

Important Note: If you are not a regular runner, do not start running all of a sudden.

Three things happen when you are not fit:

1. You do not enjoy the trek
2. You struggle to be a part of the team
3. You miss out on a deep transformative experience that trekking can offer

Good part is, it’s not difficult. All you need to do is start following the fitness routine 45-60 days before the trek begins. 

We are here to help you in this fitness journey. Just start slow and as long as you are committed and consistent with your routine, you are in for an unforgettable trek experience.

Yes, we do have parking facilities at the basecamp. You are welcome to come in your car/ bike.
However, you will park your vehicle about 300 meters away from the actual base. Indiahikes cannot take responsibility for the safety of your vehicle.
We have been running this trek since 2022. Our trekker's vehicles have remained completely safe at the parking space. We have not encountered any untoward incidence regarding the same.