Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka, India is a city that is straining at the seams because of its fast growth and expansion, however, it is thankfully blessed by geography. Drive out about an hour or so and you are in the arms of pristine nature. Among the many treks near to Bangalore, the Hutridurga trek is unique.

The Uttaribetta trek or Hutri Durga trek not only promises an exhilarating experience of nature at its best, but it also takes one closer to the history of Bangalore. Read on to know more about  Hutridurga Fort trek and our Hutridurga Trek Review.

Hutridurga Trek | Best Trekking Places Near Bangalore | Uttari Betta Trekking

The Hutridurga trek has emerged as a popular weekend trip from Bangalore and also a favourite with those looking for bike trips and long rides away from the city. The fact that Hutridurga is one of the relatively unexplored places near Bangalore adds to the charm of the Hutridurga Fort Trek.

Hutridurga Trek | Uttari Betta Trek Review

The Hutridurga Fort is indeed a hidden gem near Bangalore. A trip to Hutridurga combines the pleasure of a good weekend trip from Bangalore with the thrill of trekking up the Hutridurga Uttari Betta.

Hutridurga Trek | About Hutridurga Kunigal

Hutridurga is also known as Hutridurga Betta or Hutridurga Fort or as Uttari Betta is a hill located about 15 kilometres from Kunigal town. It is situated in the Kunigal Taluk, Tumkur District of Karnataka, India.

Rising to a height of about 3708 feet above sea level, the Uttari Betta makes for a great trek that offers spectacular views of the Savandurga Hills from its summit.

Historically the Hutridurga is connected to Kempegowda who is credited as the founder of modern-day Bangalore. The remains of the ancient fort built during the times of Kempegowda can be seen on the hill. The Hutridurga Fort is one the 9 forts or Navadurgas built by Kempegowda the fortify Bangalore. The ruins of all these 9 forts can be found within a distance of 100 kilometres from Bangalore. Here is the list of the Navadurgas that are attributed to Kempegowda, Hutridurga is one among the Nine Durgas around Bangalore

• Savandurga
• Nandidurga (Nandi Hills)
• Hutridurga
• Devarayanadurga
• Huliyurdurga
• Channarayanadurga
• Kabbaladurga
• Makkalidurga
• Bhairavadurga

Hutridurga Trek | The Experience

“Hutridurga Hill Station”, were the words written on an arch that welcomed us as left the main road that led to the village of Santhepete. As the dust cleared, we could make out the silhouette of a hill in the distance. This was the Hutridurga Betta, the hill that was a mute witness to the surge of history in the region. The rocky hill hid within its fold a thousand stories, tales from the pre-historic era, tales from the times of Krishnadevaraya and Kempegowda, and tales from the times of Tipu Sultan and the British.

A narrow road meanders to the foot of the hill. The drive to Hutridurga gives you an immersive experience of rural Karnataka. You pass tableaux of typical Indian rural life, a cowherd shooing his buffaloes to pasture, small village shops, temples to village goddesses.

A road is now being built to the middle of the hill. Roadwork is in progress. You can drive almost to the start of the Hutridurga Fort trek. You reach a small village, one of the many that nestle in the shadow of the Uttari Betta. The small village lies directly at the foot of the Hutridurga Fort. The village is known simply as Aalada Mara (Banyan Tree) and has a cluster of houses, temple to the local Goddess – Maramma and Adi Narayana Temple. There is a provision store just before the starting point of the trek.  One can buy Coffee, Tea, Biscuits etc. at the shop.

There is a small space that has been cleared and is designated for Parking, this is where one needs to park their bikes and cars.

We alight from our vehicle and pass the temple to reach the starting point of the Hutridurga Trek. A temporary stall selling drinking water, soft drinks, and buttermilk greet visitors. The shop is run by a school teacher.

Hutridurga Trek | The Trek Begins

A series of steps cut in the rock leads to a small stone entrance lying between the ruined walls of a fort. This is where the trek up the Hutridurga fort begins. The entrance is one of a series of 7 entrances at different levels that lead to the top of the fort. Today only 6 of these entrances can be found.

In a bid to develop the place as a tourist attraction and to make the ancient Shiva temple at the top accessible to all, steps are being made in the rock face with safety railings. So part of the trek now involves climbing these steps while part of the trek is through a rocky path.

We take the steps and climb. As you climb higher and higher, the views become more and more stunning. You can tiny villages, green fields, and small rocky outcrops glistening in the sun.

You keep passing one fort entrance after another, some of the entrances still retain a part of their original form and make for excellent and shady places to relax and catch your breath.

You pass the ruins of various stone structures as you make your way to the top. For the most part, the terrain is rocky and barren.

But it has surprisingly green patches with rich vegetation as you near the top. In fact, there are patches that are veritable grasslands.

You walk through grass that tower above you. The grass is brown and covers the trekking path in portions. It may be mentioned that the climb is not steep and is gradual for most of the Hutridurga trek.

Hutridurga Trek | The Summit

A flight of steep rock steps leads to the top of the Hutri Betta (Hill) where stands the ancient Shiva temple called Shankareshwara Temple.

The steps are strewn with loose rock and are a bit steep, apparently work is in progress, so we carefully negotiate the steps and reach the temple. By the side of the temple and adjacent to the temple walls is a rectangular mandapa or portico with a roof supported by plain rock columns.

The sun is beating down harshly by the time we reach the top and the shade of the mandapa is welcoming. This is where we take a bite from our packed lunch, and make sure we collect all the trash and take it back for proper disposal. As we munch our lunch we look at the small rectangular hole in the rock by the side of the temple. It is filled with water and glistens like an emerald as the rays of the sun reflect off it.

This is a perennial water source, a spring with an unknown source that never dries up, the spring called Dodda Donne has many a myth associated with it.

We spend some time admiring the spectacular views from the temple. The entire world stretches below our feet, or so it seems. A sense of calm pervades our being and the tiredness of the climb magically vanishes and we get up recharged and rejuvenated.

A little walk towards the side of the summit takes you to a relatively flatter surface on the edge of the hill. The vegetation is here is a medley of colours. Rich green shades merge with golden brown against the dull grey canvas of the rocks, the blue of the sky provides the perfect contrast.

Some rocks are balanced precariously on each other and make for a dramatic landscape. This is the place that is referred to as Hutridurga sunrise point or Hutrdiurga viewpoint. In the distance can be seen the peaks of the Savandurga hills.

Time seems to stand still as we gaze out at the distant Savandurga hills, the green fields stretching far below, the white clouds flitting across the blue sky, and the wild cacti and other vegetation triumphantly surviving in the crevices and crannies of rocks.

It felt great to be just alive. But time moves on inexorably and we had to break the magical spell that the seclusion of Hutridurga had cast on us.

It was time to literally descend back to earth.

How To Get To Hutridurga Trek Starting Point

Bangalore to Huthridurga Route Map | Uttari Betta Map | Uttari Betta Route | Hutribetta Trekking | Uttari Betta Karnataka

Huthridurga Location | Uttari Betta Google Map

• Hutridurga is within driving distance from Bangalore, the nearest airport is Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore
• It is a popular one-day trekking destination near Bangalore
• The best way to cover the Bangalore to Uttari Betta distance is by bike or car as that is the most convenient option
• You can use Google Map to reach the destination which is the starting point of the trek
• However do not put the destination as “Hutridurga Sunrise Point”, in google map as that would lead you to a dead-end
• Use the destination as “Huthri Betta Hike Starting Point” to reach your destination
• When on the Kunigal-Magadi Road be on the lookout for an arch on the left side which says, “Hutridurga Hill Station”, turn left there and you shall be on your way towards the Hutridurga Betta, this will be before reaching the village of Santhepete

Hutridurga Trekking Quick Facts

• Hutridurga From Bangalore distance is under 80 kilometres
• Height to be climbed 3708 feet above sea level
• Hutridurga trek difficulty is easy to moderate but not advisable for the elderly and those with physical ailments but otherwise can be done by any age group
• Hutridurga Trek Distance is about 4 kilometres
• Trekking time is about 2 to 2.5 hours
• As of now, Uttari Betta Trek Permission is not required

Hutridurga Trek | Dos & Don’ts | What to carry for the trek

• Do carry at least 2 litres of water on the trek – Carry refillable water bottles
• Do carry self-medication if any as well as a personal first aid kit
• Do have a strong backpack with some light snacks/energy bars as required
• Do wear proper hiking shoes/footwear and comfortable clothing for the trek
• Do wear a cap/hat, shades if the weather is hot and a jacket if it is cold and windy
• Carry Smartphone and also your DSLR Camera
• Start the trek very early in the morning to avoid the sun. Apply sunscreen
• Carry wet wipes for face
• Carry a Torch/Flashlight for emergencies
• Do follow the instructions if part of a group
• Do keep to the trekking track indicated by arrows if trekking solo and be careful at places marked as dangerous
• Don’t litter the hill, keep it clean and in fact pick up a plastic bottle or two and dispose it off safely
• Don’t take undue risks for taking  photos or selfies
• Don’t vandalize or damage any of the ruins

Hutridurga Trek | FAQ

How To Reach Uttari Betta From Bangalore?

Uttari Betta or Hutridurga is in Kunigal Taluk, the place is off Bangalore – Mangalore Highway (via Nelamangala), and can be reached from Bangalore – Mysore road as well. The Huthridurga Trek Distance From Bangalore is about 80 kilometres.

Can one ride to Hutridurga?

The road up to the Uttari Betta Trek Starting Point is motorable and makes for one of the best weekend rides in Bangalore.

Is there a Hutridurga Sunrise Point?

There is a relatively flat bed of rock towards the east which offers a good view of the sunrise. One can actually do a night trek and camp here to catch the sunrise.

Is Uttari Hills and Hutri Hills same?

Uttari Durga, Hutridurga, Uttari Durga Betta, Hutridurga hills, Hutridurga Fort, are all names that are interchangeably used for the same place.

The Hutridurga trek is one of the Amazing One Day Treks to do near Bangalore. Even if you are not into trekking Huthri Durga is one of the interesting places to visit near Bangalore within 100 km. Hutridurga is a ruined fort, a gem from history, and definitely one of the historical places to visit near Bangalore.

We hope you liked reading about our experience of the Uttari Betta Trek as well as the Hutridurga trek review. We also hope that this post serves as a Hutridurga fort trek guide when you decide to explore the wonders of this amazing place. For more interesting articles subscribe to our blog and connect with us on our social media channels.

We were hosted by India Tourism Bangalore – Ministry of Tourism Government of India. However, the views and opinions expressed here are our own.

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