We had been in search for a place which is close to Bangalore, perhaps a hill, but definitely not overcrowded Nandi Hills. We stumbled upon Gudibande Fort, which happens to be located on a hilltop, and offers everything that we were looking for, for that perfect day outing/ personal picnic experience we had in our minds for long. “Gudibande Fort – Dayout/ Picnic near Bangalore”.
Nestled amidst the rolling hills of Chikkaballapur, Gudibande Fort is a hidden gem, not known by many. The ancient structure with deep rooted history and at the same time abundance of spectacular landscapes, is an inviting combo for adventure seekers and history buffs alike. The trek, close to nature feeling, the vibe of ancient times, marvelous architecture, mind boggling rainwater harvesting in rock ponds, view from top and that feeling of peace when you have conquered the hike, feels something out of this world.
Table of Contents
About Gudibande Fort
Gudibande Fort, standing tall for about 400 years now, was built by Byre Gowda, who was a yogi and a local chieftain. The interconnecting escape routes, which was built specially for soldiers to flee in case of any emergency, reaches out to seven levels. A Shiva temple on top of the hill, believed to be one of the sacred 108 Jyotirlingas. 19 rainwater harvesting rock ponds, once used to jewel the fort. A view from the top, reminds of the view that we get from the Nandi Hills. Little underrated, but definitely worth a visit away from the hustle and bustle of Bangalore city.
The Journey to Gudibande Fort
We started a little lazy, somewhat about 9nish from home. Since, we are settled somewhere near NH Hospital, on google maps it showed 100 + Kms and just about 2 hrs to the destination. Driving to Gudibande means, driving past Nandi hills, and hence travel time is a little bit more compared to Nandi Hills. But then the roads unknown always brings that excitement of witnessing something new. Though, we always crave for a super long journey, but this was still a welcoming one, for that we had not gone out for months. We packed some home cooked parathas rolled with some creamy veg stuffings in it, some cookies and our favorite Chai.
The route to Gudibande fort was our typical NH44 from start till almost the end, where we took a left to cut towards Gudibanda / Rampatna road. After driving for about 11 Kms on this road, we reached Bhairasagara Lake, a Lake so beautiful, will definitely make you do a stop to appreciate its beauty. We clicked some pictures, but then felt, evening would be an ideal time to be here, so we continued our drive to the Gudibande fort. The last 200 m to the Gudibande fort is narrow, but is tar road, running through a village. It will make you think twice, if this is the turn you need to make to reach Gudibande fort. The moment you get confused, either you ask someone or trust the google map. From here it was hardly a 5 min drive to the base of the hill.
The Trek to Gudibande Fort
When we started from home, it was overcast, but by the time we reached the fort, weather turned all shiny-shiny. The cold breeze and the warmth from the sun gave us a mixed feeling of hot and cold. It did not take long for us to realize; we had skipped our breakfast and could not hold ourselves from munching on to the delicious Parathas we had carried from home. After some refreshing hot milk tea, we were ready for the trek.
An Unexpected Encounter
We carried extra parathas, so that we can have our own little picnic at the top. We did not forget to carry the tea we had brought from home, some water to quench our thirst, some cookies and some biscuits. It was supposed to be a self-exploring trek, we did not know, soon we will have to agree to the terms of this new guide whom we met at the base. The moment we made the eye contact, we knew, he can be trusted. Despite his disability, he possessed a captivating charm. His energy and confidence were truly remarkable. He looked experienced, and promised he knows the land better than anyone else. All he needed in return was some food, he could make out, that we carried in our backpack. Perhaps the reason why he wanted to help or maybe he was just doing his job. But the bond we made was definitely selfless. I hope by now, you would have guessed, who he was, if not, read on 🙂
The Trek Continues
The winding path leading to the fort just got exciting after meeting our new energetic and loving guide. He swiftly took charge and showed us the path. He was fast but still would wait for us to catch up. At every turn, very patiently he would make sure that he was still in the line of sight, and we do not feel lost. There was this one turn, he didn’t wait, and we wondered why? But soon we found out our answers.
The path to the fort is made of concrete steps and at occasions rocky terrain and uneven steps. Though, the difficulty level of the trek can be labelled as Easy to Moderate, due to the nature of terrain, but definitely a challenge for someone who is aged and has knee problems. Having said that, aged travelers who are in a good shape, this should be manageable. The turn where our guide didn’t wait for us led to an open sky rest area. The wide-open view with hills in the distance was just breathtaking.
And there he was, our lovely guide, lying flat on the stones resting while panting with his tongue out. Well, yes, our lovely guide was non-other than a four-legged furry boy, we named him “Maharaj”, the King. Here is a pic of him all- ready for his treat.
A memorable stop
After spending some refreshing time at the last stop and clicking few pictures, we were back on the trek. Our guide took the job seriously but was more friendly now. One moment he would walk with us, then the next he would lead the way, then at times he will just be following us. The path slowly and steadily started becoming little challenging with uneven terrain, but still manageable. We were glad that we decided to put on comfortable shoes having a good grip for the trip.
Soon it was time for another stop. We came across a marvelous architecture which caught our attention. It appeared as it used to be a temple, but not maintained anymore. The bushes completely engulfed its surroundings, leaving no space for one to enter or make out the shape of the base.
We clicked few pics there and soon my eyes caught something equally beautiful. While Nutan continued with her selfies, I had my focus locked on to a new interesting subject. Had never seen this beauty before. Such a colorful glorious subject it was to shoot, a rewarding lifer on a trek like this. Soon the guilt of carrying my big heavy lens of 2.5 kg on the trek became a thing of the past and I was more than glad that I carried it with me.
Steep and Challenging
As we progressed, the path kept throwing uneven terrain at us. The hike started turning from an easy to a moderate one. There was this one moment, where the steps looked extremely steep, and I felt, I must rest before proceeding further. The heavy lens was wearing me off. Thanks to the Scorching Sun, it was not helping either. Our companion, Maharaj, looked tired too. He kept varying his pace to adapt to the new challenges. He would smartly find a spot in the shade to relax and catch up the next moment. We told him, buddy it’s ok, we can manage, but he was one adamant soul, I guess. Sudden change in the weather from a cloudy day to a scorching Sun was troubling us. I was thinking, definitely not a place to be in summers.
We made it to the Top
After resting for a bit, we pushed ourselves, and conquered the steep steps holding us back. And we did not regret that. Apparently, it was the last difficult one. The view changed dramatically, and in no time, everything appeared to have changed. It was no more climbing, big boulders gave perfect shaded resting areas for hikers. The wide-open view from the top with hills in the distance and the sky meeting the land at the horizon in the backdrop felt just super refreshing. There was this one spot where there were carvings on the stones, forming mini steps, looked very eye catchy.
In no time, we found ourselves comfortably seated in shade, with Maharaja relaxing with us on the side. We shared our food and water with him, which helped him as well as us to restore some energy to explore further.
The view from the top reminded us of the view from Nandi Hills. We sat near the temple and Maharaj, the guide took his seat at the temple main gate. While clicking pictures of Nutan, an amazingly beautiful butterfly just flew by. I couldn’t believe my eyes, just how gorgeous he looked. Here is a lifer shot of this beauty.
We clicked few more pictures before starting the trek down. Though, Maharaj chose to stay back at the temple, he didn’t budge from his location. He played such a sweet companion throughout the trek. If you happen to see him, do show some love and give some food and water. Few more pics before we left the Fort.
Highlights
- Breathtaking views: The panoramic vistas from the fort’s summit are truly awe-inspiring. You can see for miles, taking in the lush green valleys and the charming villages nestled amidst the hills.
- Moderate hike: The trek to the fort is challenging enough to be exciting but not so difficult that it’s off-putting. It’s a perfect opportunity for some light exercise and a chance to soak in the fresh air.
- Historical significance: The Gudibande Fort holds immense historical significance, dating back to the Vijayanagara Empire. Exploring the ruins and imagining the stories they hold can be an enriching experience.
- Relatively less crowded: Unlike many popular tourist destinations, Gudibande Fort remains relatively uncrowded. This allows you to truly connect with the history and beauty of the place without jostling for space.
- Bhairasagara Lake: Located at the foot of the hill is the tranquil Bhairasagara Lake. This beautiful lake is a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the serenity of nature after completing the trek.
Things to Consider
- Carry water and snacks: As there are no shops or vendors near the fort, it’s important to carry enough water and snacks for the hike.
- Wear appropriate footwear: The trek can be rocky in parts, so wearing sturdy shoes with good grip is crucial.
- Sun protection: Remember to carry sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun.
- Time of year: The best time to visit Gudibande Fort is during the winter months (October to March) when the weather is pleasant.
Conclusion
My trek to Gudibande Fort was a truly rewarding experience. The combination of breathtaking scenery, historical significance, and a moderate challenge made it an adventure I won’t forget. Whether you’re a history buff, an avid hiker, or simply someone seeking a scenic escape from the city, Gudibande Fort has something to offer everyone. If you’re in the Bangalore area, I highly recommend adding this hidden gem to your itinerary.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Other Day outing locations near Bangalore
If your hunt for that perfect day outing options near Bangalore is not over, check my other blog, where I have listed multiple underrated Day outing options available to choose from near Bangalore.
BTW, don’t forget to check my blog on “How to get Kids into Photography?” to help them find the hidden creativity in them? Here is a blog that I recently did, hope you find this helpful.
Check another exciting Dayout option in Bangalore that we did recently.
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