A 360-Degree View And Underground Temples: All Just 2 Hours Away At This Trekking Trail

If you are looking for a spot of adventure without having to leave Bangalore, set GPS to Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta. It’s just a two-hour drive and promises brilliant views and a bit of history.

For the adrenaline junkie, the avid trekker, and those always looking for an excuse to make a quick road trip, Bangalore’s backyard offers plenty. Just open Google Maps and set GPS to Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta. Known as The White Hills or Bilikal Betta in Kannada, the trekking trail is located about two hours from the city in Kanakpura. Owing to the annual festival that happens atop the hill, there’s a trekking trail of sorts that’s been created. This trekking trail has been rated easy to moderate by most trekking clubs and trekkers who frequent this place.

We hear it’s the perfect trail for those who are trekking for the first time as a lot of it is a level path. The hilltop is covered with shrubs, short trees, and bushes, as you climb, you will see the vegetation thickening. There are steep stretches where even the most experienced trekker would recommend you going on all fours. Along the trail, there are plenty of pitstops for you to catch your breath and admire the surroundings. It’s all green and shrubby as far as the eye can see. 

Once you have navigated and reached the summit which is at about 1500 m above sea level, you’ve got yourself flat ground to lie down on after puffing your way up. If you are planning on a picnic, this is the ideal spot to set up. Just remember to clean up once you are done. There is also a large granite boulder at the peak that forms the roof of the temple of the deity Lord Rangaswamy who lends his name to the hill. The entire temple is built beneath this massive boulder and it’s an architectural marvel you must visit, even if you’re not religious.

Planning on staying until sunset (or sunrise if you are planning a night trek), the hilltop offers a magnificent 360-degree view where you can see other hills such as Savandurga — one of the largest monoliths in Asia. Be sure to go in a group or take help of the forest department officials especially if you are planning on a night trek as the forest near the hill is known to be home to elephants.