"A short trek to stretch your muscles"
Written on : 13-December-2016
Visted During : February 2012
Some more Information
The information given below is based on my visit during 2012.
IMPORTANT : After july-aug of 2015, hiking and trekking is not allowed without prior permission from forest department (Bannerughatta range). This falls under the forest area of Kanakapura-Bannerughatta and hence is an elephant prone area. But, during my visit in summer, the place was pretty safe and we did not even find traces of elephant wandering in the trek route. After all, during summer these areas are so dry that it is hard for any gazing animals to live here. Not even trees have leaves and hence during summer, this is definitely not a place where elephants would wander.
Ranganathaswamy betta has 2 routes to peak and one of them has proper road ((?) - meaning you might be able to take your 2 wheeler uphill) and the other one is a trek route. The trek route starts from a place called Konalvadi.
My Experience and Opinion
This was during the days when I did not want even a single place around Bangalore to be left out from my 'visited' list. Every weekend used to be hunt for new place or new hills to trek. A quick call the previous night to check if any of the friends were interested was the only preperation done. Rest of the preperations always used to be ready - A camera + water bottle + my backpack.
It had been very long time that I had seen silk worm rearing and while riding towards ranganathaswamy betta early in the morning, saw some farmers processing the cocoons. Made a quick stop to see the process and clicked a couple of photos and started our ride again towards Konalvadi which is the base of trekking.
The Trek
Ranganathaswamy betta trek can be considered as an easy trek as it is hardly 5 kms. But to stretch your muscles on a weekend, this is a pretty good option. The trek distance is less than 4-5 kms one side but on a bright day, can be tiring. No option for any food/water in between the trek and hence carry sufficient water and some eatables. The peak is a good place to spend an hour or two to enjoy the breeze. Overall ranganathaswamy betta is a good option for trekking in and around Bangalore.
Photos
Back then, I celebrated for clicking this pic.
It is this dry during summer!
The trek in dry forest.
Group pic in the top - thanks to self timer.
The big rock and the group.
View from peak
If you wish to travel using public vehicles, it is little difficult but not impossible to reach here. Ranganathaswamy betta is one of those trekking spot present close to the famous Kanakapura Road Public transport is not present till the base and hence will need to arrange yourselves. Enough buses available till Harohalli present in Kanakapura road. Haarohalli is ~25kms from Bangalore. Once you reach Haarohalli, take left to reach Maralvadi, and then drive 3kms to reach Konalavadi.
The Most Important asset while travelling - Google Maps
