One Day Trek to Kalwarbetta (Skandagiri) - 20th June 2009 - Bangalore, India

About Kalwarbetta:
Kalwarbetta, 68 Kms from Bangalore is one the hill forts amongst the Nandi Hill ranges. The dilapidated walls of Tipu's fort can be found today on steep Kalwarbetta (Skandagiri), near the village of Kalwara. History says this was a small but strong hill fort. It surrendered to British troops on 19 October 1791. It remained in British hands until the peace treaty of 1792, which concluded of the third Anglo-Mysore war.

This is a tedious trek as the hill is precipitous and high. The trek starts from the Papagni Temple at the foothills of Kalwara village. The fortress of Kalwarbetta is in full sight throughout the walk uphill. This steep and fantastic trek through a maze of dense shrub is highly intriguing. Kalwarbetta is a teaser. Just as you reach the fort wall contended that you have topped the hill, you see another ring of fort. No sooner you reach there; you will find another majestic fort wall waiting to be conquered. There are six such series of stonewalls protecting an abandoned temple on the hilltop.

There are 2 caves, one starts from the base and as per locals, leads to the temple at peak and another one is somewhere midway which is about 30 feet only. Both are yet unexplored, especially the first one. Local say that there are pythons in the caves and had galloped their goats at times. Supposedly, there are 6 Samadhi in that cave.


Distance From Bangalore: 68 km

Route: Bangalore - Chikkaballapur - Mudenhalli - Kalwara Village - Papagni Mutt /Temple.

Difficulty level: Simple but very exhausting.

Tentative Schedule:
20th June 2009
07:00AM – 1st Pickup from Symphony Theater, MG Road.
07:30AM – 2nd Pickup from Mekari Circle.
08:00AM - 3rd Pickup from Hebbal flyover (Hyderabad road), Pack lunch on the way.
10:00AM - Reach Kalwara halli. Start trek
01:00PM – Reach the peak, Lunch, rest, explore.
04:00PM – Start climbing down.
06:00PM – Depart to Bangalore
08:00PM – Reach Bangalore

To Carry:
- Personal medication (if any)
- Day bag back
- Water bottles (enough to carry at least 2 liters of water)
- A torch with new batteries. (must in case of emergency)
- Energy Food (Chocolate bars, flavored milk, Electrolyte drinks - Glucon-D, etc).
- Rain gear.
- Camera.

Registration & more info:
http://bmcindia.org/events/kalwarbetta-skandagiri-trek.htm