Avalabetta and Gudibande Fort

Date: 1-May-16

On a lazy weekend while searching for hill stations near Bangalore, I came across a beautiful destination called Avalabetta. Many travel bloggers described it as “Nandi hills without the crowd.” As I gathered more information, I found several stunning photographs of the hill and its surroundings. When I showed them to Thilak, he instantly agreed to the trip.

During our planning, we also discovered Gudibande, a small town known for its historic hilltop fort, located about 23 km from Avalabetta. That settled our itinerary for the upcoming weekend. Since the Bangalore summer was particularly harsh that year, we chose to travel by car instead of taking the bike.

Journey to Avalabetta

We started from home at 7 AM and had a delicious breakfast at Raghavendra Upachar in Jayanagar before beginning our drive. To reach Avalabetta, you need to follow the same route that leads to Nandi Hills via AH43 (Bangalore–Hyderabad Highway). However, after Devanahalli, instead of taking the right turn towards Nandi Hills, continue straight on the highway.

There is a toll plaza after Devanahalli with a fee of ₹80, but since we had plenty of time, we decided to avoid it. Using GPS, we found an alternate route that bypassed the toll and eventually rejoined the same highway.

The highway was well maintained and carried relatively little traffic. Along the way, we enjoyed views of the famous Nandi Hills on our left. At Paresandra, we took a detour towards Avalabetta. From there, the hill was about 17 km away. As we approached the destination, a series of hairpin bends made the drive even more enjoyable.

Avalabetta

We reached the hilltop at around 10 AM. Near the parking area, a flight of steps leads to the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple. The temple is small yet charming. To the left of the temple, another set of steps climbs further up to the hill’s peak.

As we ascended, the surrounding hillocks revealed themselves in all their beauty. There is another temple at the summit, but unfortunately it was closed during our visit. Even so, the panoramic views of the nearby hills and towns made the climb worthwhile.

After spending some time at the summit, we returned to the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple and followed a path on the right side of the temple.

This trail leads to the iconic beak-shaped rock for which Avalabetta is best known. During the monsoon season, water often collects near the rock, creating a pond-like appearance. The uniquely shaped rock resembles a bird’s beak projecting dramatically over the landscape. Combined with the picturesque backdrop of hills and valleys, it becomes the highlight of the entire destination.

Walking to the very edge of the rock can be risky. If you have a fear of heights, it is best not to venture too far. We chose not to attempt it ourselves, although several youngsters were enthusiastically posing for photographs at the edge. Whether that was bravery or recklessness, we could not decide.

Gudibande

Our next destination was Gudibande, approximately 23 km from Avalabetta. By then it was already 11:45 AM, and the summer sun was becoming intense. Fortunately, the road between Avalabetta and Gudibande was in good condition. Along the route, we passed several vineyards and enjoyed the changing countryside scenery.

A few kilometres before Gudibande town lies Byrasagara Reservoir. The expansive water body, framed by hills in the background, offers beautiful views. We stopped there briefly to take photographs and admire the scenery. From this point, Gudibande Fort was clearly visible atop the hill.

Gudibande Fort

When we entered Gudibande town, we noticed that many roads were under construction. Since it was a Sunday, most shops were also closed. By the time we reached the base of Gudibande Hill, it was around 12:30 PM. The fort looked magnificent from below, but the scorching heat made me reconsider the climb. Nevertheless, armed with an umbrella, I decided to give it a try.

The fort can be reached through a series of well-maintained steps. As we climbed, the structure gradually unfolded before us, while the views of Gudibande town became increasingly impressive. Under normal weather conditions, the climb would be considered moderate. However, the intense afternoon heat made it far more challenging. Eventually, I was unable to continue further, and Thilak also decided to abandon the climb.

We stopped halfway up the hill and returned, promising ourselves that we would revisit the fort someday during the cooler morning hours.

Muddenahalli

We began our return journey from Gudibande at around 1:30 PM. On the way back, we decided to visit Muddenahalli, the birthplace of Sir M. Visvesvaraya, one of India’s most celebrated engineers.

Located about 7 km from Chikkaballapur, Muddenahalli houses an excellent museum dedicated to his life and achievements. The museum displays a fascinating collection of personal belongings, awards, books, newspaper clippings, furniture, and other artifacts associated with Sir M. Visvesvaraya. Adjacent to the museum stands his ancestral home. Although the house remains locked and visitors can only view it from outside, it still holds great historical significance. Just a short distance away is a memorial dedicated to him, set amidst a beautiful garden with Nandi Hills providing a scenic backdrop.

We left Muddenahalli at around 3 PM, stopped at Nandi Upachar for a tasty lunch, and then continued our drive back home.

Travel snapshot

Avalabetta and Gudibande made for a refreshing weekend getaway from Bangalore, combining scenic viewpoints, unique rock formation, and countryside drives. Although the summer heat prevented us from reaching the top of Gudibande Fort, the beautiful roads, vineyards, reservoirs, and hillscapes ensured that the trip remained memorable. For those who enjoy scenic drives as much as the destinations themselves, this itinerary offers a rewarding short escape.

• Route Travelled: Onward: BTM Layout > Devanahalli > Chikkaballapura > Avalabetta > Gudibanda
  Return: Gudibanda > Chikkaballapura > Muddenahalli > Devanahalli > BTM Layout
• Total distance (To & Fro): 265 km
• Mileage (Car): 22 km/l
• Fuel expense: 795 Rs
• Total expense: 1763 Rs 

Route Map