Siddarabetta and Devarayanadurga

Date: 29-Dec-13

This time, we wanted to take on a challenging trek. Our initial plan was to visit Devarayanadurga. However, while researching the destination, Thilak discovered that a well-maintained road leads all the way to the hilltop, making it possible to reach the summit by bike. Since we were looking for a more adventurous experience, Devarayanadurga no longer seemed challenging enough.

During his search, he came across another destination nearby—Siddarabetta. It appeared to be exactly what we were looking for. We quickly revised our plan and decided to trek Siddarabetta in the morning and visit Devarayanadurga later in the evening.

Setting off towards Siddarabetta

We met Sudheer at Hudson Circle at 6:30 AM and began our journey. Riding through the cold morning air was a wonderful experience. After breakfast at Kamadhenu Veg Restaurant, we took a right turn at Dabaspet towards Koratagere.

Along the way, we stopped at the Neelagondanahalli Reservoir. The place was peaceful, calm, and incredibly beautiful. We spent nearly half an hour enjoying the surroundings and taking photographs by the serene lakeside. After leaving the reservoir, the road towards Koratagere was not in great condition. Ongoing road construction had made the route dusty, and as the morning progressed, the weather became increasingly hot. Upon reaching Koratagere Taluk, we continued towards Madhugiri until Tumbadi and then took a left turn towards Siddarabetta.

We reached the base of the hill at around 10:30 AM.

Climbing Siddarabetta

The hill looked massive from below, and I immediately began to doubt whether I would be able to make it to the top. Fortunately, my ever-encouraging motivator, Thilak, was there to keep my spirits up and convince me that I could do it.

We parked our bikes near the base and began the climb. There were steps leading up the hill, though they were not particularly well carved. Unlike many other hills, Siddarabetta was covered with plenty of trees, providing welcome shade throughout the trek. Many people seemed to be climbing effortlessly, but for me, the steep ascent was quite demanding. Thankfully, we were not in a hurry, so we took our time and climbed at a comfortable pace.

We stopped frequently to rest, take photographs, and admire the increasingly beautiful views. With every section we climbed, the surrounding landscape became more impressive. About halfway up the hill, we found a resting area where a few vendors were selling juice and snacks. We took a short break there before continuing our ascent.

Finally, at around 12:30 PM, we reached the summit.

Exploring the caves and temple

The hilltop was considerably hotter than the shaded trail below, but the panoramic views made it worthwhile.

The summit featured several caves and a shrine dedicated to Siddheswara near the entrance. The large crowd suggested that the temple was a popular pilgrimage destination. We entered the cave temple, and the experience was unlike anything we had encountered before. The interior was so dark that we could barely see one another. The atmosphere inside was both mysterious and fascinating.

Many devotees were taking a bath in the holy water within the cave temple. We received Theertha and Prasada before continuing to explore the surrounding caves.

The hilltop was dotted with huge boulders, and we spent some time climbing and exploring them. The rocks were slippery in places, making the experience both exciting and slightly intimidating. The views from the summit were breathtaking. We could see numerous hills and small mountain ranges stretching across the horizon. We spent nearly half an hour soaking in the scenery before beginning our descent at around 1:45 PM.

We reached the base by 2:45 PM and resumed our journey.

By then, all of us were extremely hungry. Unfortunately, there were no good restaurants nearby, so we continued to Koratagere and eventually had lunch at a hotel near the KSRTC bus stand.

Riding to Devarayanadurga

Our next destination was Devarayanadurga, which lay conveniently along our return route towards Dabaspet.

We took a right turn at Bellibattalahalli and began riding towards the hilltop. The ghat section was beautiful, and the road was in excellent condition. Although steps were available for trekkers, we chose to enjoy the scenic ride all the way to the top. The winding roads, pleasant curves, and hill views made the ride particularly enjoyable. We reached the summit at around 4:40 PM and parked our bikes in the designated parking area. From there, we still had to climb about 100 steps to reach the temple.

As we climbed, we noticed signboards stating that the temple closed at 5:00 PM. With only twenty minutes remaining, we increased our pace and hurried up the steps. Fortunately, when we arrived at exactly 5:00 PM, the temple was still open. Relieved, we entered the temple, offered our prayers, and spent some time exploring the surroundings. The view of the winding ghat road from the hilltop was spectacular.

Before we knew it, it was already 5:45 PM.

A sunset to remember

Since sunset was approaching, we decided to stay back and enjoy the view. Many visitors had gathered on the hilltop, but the three of us managed to find a comfortable spot to sit and watch the evening unfold. At around 6:00 PM, the sun slowly disappeared behind the distant mountains, painting the horizon with beautiful colours.

The view was absolutely spectacular.

For a few moments, everyone around seemed to pause and simply admire the beauty of nature. It was one of those rare travel moments that stay with you long after the journey ends. All three of us thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

After spending some more time at the hilltop, we began our return journey at around 6:30 PM. The ride back was smooth, and we reached Bangalore by 8:30 PM, marking the end of a perfectly planned day trip.

This turned out to be one of our most well-executed trips. The demanding trek at Siddarabetta challenged us physically, while the stunning views from the summit rewarded every bit of effort. The scenic ride through the Devarayanadurga ghat roads added another layer of excitement to the journey, and the unforgettable sunset provided the perfect ending to the day.

From steep climbs and cave temples to winding hill roads and golden evening skies, the trip offered a wonderful blend of adventure, nature, and memorable experiences. We returned home tired but happy, carrying with us memories that would stay with us for a long time.

Travel snapshot

• Route Travelled: Onward: HSR Layout > Jayanagar > Yashwanthpur > Dabaspete > Koratagere > Towards Madhugiri > Tumbadi > Siddarabetta
  Return: Siddarabetta > Koratagere > Devarayanadurga > Dabaspete > Yashwanthpur > Hudson circle > Jayanagar > HSR Layout
• Total distance (To & Fro): 270 km
• Mileage (Bike): 47 km/l
• Fuel expense: 448 Rs
• Total expense: 768 Rs

Route map