Come weekends or when you need some fresh air, the beautiful and pristine Turahalli Forest is the spot you need to head to. Just 20 kilometres outside Namma Bengaluru, it's a popular destination for cyclists, nature lovers, and rock climbers. Considered to be the city’s only surviving forest, the Turahalli Forest is a stretch of greenery, located off Kanakapura Road (In fact a hop, skip and jump away from Banashankari). Popularly known as Karishma Hills, this stretch of beautiful forest is perfect for a day trip if you are looking for a spot of fresh air, exercise or even adventure.
Take a brisk walk or cycle through the forest area and take the road further up to a viewpoint, up amongst giant, craggy boulders (a favourite spot for the city’s rock climber). The viewpoint offers a sweeping vista of Bangalore and its surrounding greenery. Enter the forest from the southern side to take advantage of the peace and quiet and allow yourself to enjoy your trek in solitude as you walk or cycle (there is a decent cycling track here) through the greenery. The vegetation is sparse and mostly comprises tall and fragrant eucalyptus trees. Birdwatchers you can come here to spot your favourite kind of avian creatures, with reported sightings of mynahs, babblers, peafowls and more. Don’t forget to take along your binoculars.
