Backdoor Climb to Nandi Hills

Location: Nandi Hills

To get there: From Bangalore towards Hyderabad past the airport

Distance: Apprx 50km. 

Date: 2nd July 2022

Trail type: Mostly (90%) manually created stone steps.

Facilities: Some roadside eateries at the trailhead where you can park also.

Map: Start point 

I had never really trekked up Nandi Hills in the numerous times I have gone there since my early childhood. We always drove up and if it was for birding we would just stop along the way at suitable birding points and do most of the wonderful Nandi birding at the top like we did on this trip in 2009. However, this time when a friend invited me to come along on a trek to reach the top via a backside trail, it was quite intriguing and I tagged along eagerly. 

We reached the start point around 6.30am. The trailhead has some parking along the road leading up to it. A lot of vendors selling the usual roadside snacks, if you are up for it, are set up here. We had our packed breakfast and chose to start out without any delay. However, kids had their own schedule and we stopped within 15mins for our first round of treats! There are plenty of spots along the way to stop, take in the views, and have a picnic. We did that around 45 mins into the trek. The trail itself is not very long and we reached the top near the Nursery or Temple pond area in just over an hour. We then spent an hour there taking the bus to the Tipu Drop Point and then back. Climbing down was uneventful and quick and we were back in our cars by 9.30 heading back to Bangalore.

Overall an easy climb that you can do as an alternative to going by the busy main road to Nandi Hills and you get some great views and a workout as a bonus! Briding was very poor as the weather was cloudy and rainy some of the time. 

As always, take only pictures and leave only footprints. Do not leave behind any trash on the trails.

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.