Challenging climb for the views

Structure at the top

Location: Skandagiri Peak, Chikkaballapura
To get there: From Bangalore towards Hyderabad past the airport
Distance: Apprx 60km. 
Trail type: Easy hard mud, Rocky with some boulders.
Facilities: Toilets, Forest guards
Map: Skandagiri Peak Start point 

Date: Sep 19th, 2022

We planned this trek as preparation for our Sandakphu trek in the Himalayas. It fitted the requirement as it was moderate, close by, and required some climbing and effort testing our fitness levels. The trek can be done only by booking with the Karnataka Eco Tourism who will give permission to take the trail as well as provide a guide to the top.

Facilities at the start point

On the trail

Our group of 12 across 4 families, met at the parking place, Papagni Mutt where there is ample organized parking place. However, it was quite full on the day we went, so better to get there early. From there, it's about 200 or so meters to the trek starting point where there are toilets and the guide will meet you.

Bouldering for fun!

The trek itself was fairly easy if you are reasonably fit and do not have any physical issues. Otherwise, you may find the ascent and the rocky trail in some parts a bit tough. With suitable rests and proper pacing, its still doable. We did stop at couple of places for refreshments and let the kids do some bouldering which they enjoyed. The views are speactacular as always and we can see Nandi Hills from the top. There is an old abandoned temple on a a large granite boulder with remnants of a fort like compound all around. We rested and picniced there. Our birding was quite limited on the trek and the only highlight is we spotted Blue Rock Thrush at the top.

Descent was quick and we all enoyed a well deserved and  rejuvenating tender coconut at the bottom.

As always when on this trail, leave only your footmarks and take only photographs,

Some images that were taken on the trek  (and the ones inserted into this blog (c) Prasanna)

Ebird checklist of the trek.