Situated 60 kms to the west of Bangalore, Savandurga, considered to be one of the largest single rock formations in the whole of Asia. It comprises of two hills, Billigudda (white hill) and Karigudda (black hill) and has a temple situated at the foothill and a pond nearby. Most trekkers choose Billigudda due to its gentler slopes. The weekend travellers from Bangalore frequent it for trekking, camping and rock climbing.
Arkavathi River flows nearby and moves towards Manchanabele Dam. Savandurga hills make for a tranquil and picturesque trek and overlook a beautiful lotus pond. Its one of the top places for slab climbing in the world and a lot of climbers and adventure seekers visit here often. Another popular activity here is bird watching. The avifauna here is magnificent and enthusiasts can spot the endangered yellow-throated bulbuls. Leopards and sloth bears are also spotted here.
Ideal Starting Time: Start as early as 6 AM from the base to avoid heat. It takes around 2 hours to reach from Bangalore and approximately 2 hours to complete the trek one side.
Difficulty Level: The trekking route is not challenging; the trek is quite easy and can be carried out by the first time trekkers as well. Since it is located 1226 m above sea level, it has a steep slope for an adventurous trekking experience. The slopes might not provide a good grip, but as you climb higher, you get hold of the terrain.
What to Expect on the Trek: The yellow markings placed along the trail here guide you safely up to the peak. However, these markings are not there on the Karigudda trail. Moreover, there are quite high chances of lesser acquainted trekkers losing their way on this pathway.
On your way to the top, you can find ruins of Kempe Gowda II's imposing fortress which later was occupied by the legendary ruler, Tipu Sultan.
As an hour would pass, you would reach a podium of granite columns. Crossing the pedestal, you will come across two trails. One of these pathways leads to a dead-end, and the other goes into the forest. On the way, you would come across Lord hanuman's sculpture. Furthermore, the trekking path has rocky caves and four fort walls. Source
Crossing these areas, you would reach the steepest part of the hill. Here comes the risk, the next twenty minutes are a little crucial. You need to be careful.
On top of the rock, there will be a fort and a Nandi statue. The temples situated at the base of the hill, dedicated to Sri Basaveswara, Sri Narasimhaswamy and Sri Veerabhadraswamy, also attract a large number of devotees.
Please Note: If you are returning on the same day, It is preferable to cover the downward route before it gets dark.
Permission: Savandurga also provides the opportunity for rock climbing. At night, you can also have a bonfire and camp on the top. Though, rock climbing needs prior permission from the authorities.
Suggested Itinerary for Savandurga
Reach Bangalore and check in to your hotel. During the trek to Savandurga, Bangalore will play the role of the base camp. You can start early in the morning and reach Savandurga in no time. Start your journey by trekking the monolithic rocks of Savandurga. When you reach the top, sit there and relax for a while. Enjoy the view while having lunch. It is preferable to cover the downward route before it gets dark. Otherwise, you can spend a night at the top under the blanket of a starry night.
Savandura doesn't have any airport of its own. So, Bengaluru International Airport is the closest airport to Savandurga. Savandurga is connected to other cities via roadways.Taxis are readily available to reach Savandurga from nearby cities. Buses up to Magadi are also available. There is no railway station available in Savandurga.
How to reach Savandurga by flight
Savandurga has no airport. Bengaluru International Airport is the closest airport to Savandurga. Savandurga is around 55 km away from the airport. The airport receives a lot of flights from different corners of the world, so it helps to play a significant role in linking Savandurga with various cities. You can hire a taxi from the airport to reach the destination.
How to reach Savandurga by road
Savandurga has a good system of roadways that connect it to various other cities. There are two options to travel to Savandurga, i.e., private vehicle or Bus. (Frequency of bus is less, own vehicle is the best choice). There are two routes from the Bangalore city. First is the Magadi Road. Take a left from Ramnagar road towards Magadi, and after about 7 km, you'll find a sign board directing you to Savandurga. The second route is the Mysore road, which is slightly longer but is better. On reaching Ramnagar road, follow the same instructions as for the Magadi Road.
How to reach Savandurga by train
Savandurga has no railway station of its own. The best possible route is to take a train up to Magadi. Savandurga and Magadi are around 12 km away from each other. It takes merely 20-30 minutes to cover this distance and reach Savandurga.
Local transport in Savandurga
It is recommended to commute to Savandurga by private vehicles. However, there is a reliable frequency of public transport such as buses and auto rickshaws to and fro from the Bangalore city. Majestic Bus depot of Bangalore is the starting point of buses going towards Savandurga. Rickshaws, taxis can be hired for the entire day. They usually cost approximately Rs. 1000-1500.
Savandurga Photos
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FAQs on Savandurga
What is famous about Savandurga?
Close to the nature. Offers trekking opportunity in Karnataka. Untouched beauty without the presence of commercialized buildings or cafes. Provide serene ambiance and is a different picnic spot.
What is not so good about Savandurga?
It is difficult to reach Savandurga due to lack of connectivity via airways and railways. Accomodation facilities are not available, and camping is the only option. It can be quite difficult to trek here in rainy season.
Who should visit Savandurga?
If you are adventure enthusiast, Savandurga will help to ignite your enthusiasm. You can trek to the summit of Savandurga hill. This place will also provide calmness to all the nature lovers with its untouched beauty and presence of trees and greenery everywhere.
What is the best time to visit Savandurga?
Savandurga is an all-weather place except for the monsoon season. During the summers, the weather is pleasant and suitable for outdoor activities. The winters are cool here with the temperature sometimes falling considerably low. The season of monsoon is not the time to visit, as trekking the hill becomes difficult. Summers are a good time to visit Savandurga.
There are no hotels or eateries near Savandurga. It is a must to carry your own food and at least 1-2 liter water per person. However, you can find biscuits and light snacks at stalls nearby. Mostly during holidays, there are even tendor coconut sellers and juice vendors. Also, it is recommended to carry energy bars since the trek can become a bit tiring Read More
What is the best way to reach Savandurga?
Savandura doesn't have any airport of its own. So, Bengaluru International Airport is the closest airport to Savandurga. Savandurga is connected to other cities via roadways.Taxis are readily available to reach Savandurga from nearby cities. Buses up to Magadi are also available. There is no railway station available in Savandurga. Read More
What are the places near Savandurga?
The top places near to Savandurga are Bangalore which is 33 km from Savandurga, Shivagange which is located 10 km from Savandurga, Ramnagaram which is located 22 km from Savandurga, Nrityagram which is located 32 km from Savandurga, Nandi hills which is located 65 km from Savandurga
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You can check the getaways from Bangalore here-
http://www.holidify.com/blog/road-trips-from-bangalore-motorcycle/
http://www.holidify.com/blog/places-near-bangalore-winters/
http://www.holidify.com/ (Read More)blog/long-weekend-getaways-in-india/
http://www.holidify.com/blog/places-near-bangalore-for-monsoons/
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Savandurga Reviews
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Devyani Chandra
6 years ago
- Carry at least 1-2 liter water per person and food since there aren't a lot of places to eat at - People planning to indulge in adventure sports activity need to get permission from the District (Read More) forest officer at Ramanagaram and pay Rs 125/- per head as entry fee - There is no fees to climb the rock but there will be some local guides who may assist you for a payment if needed - Since the rocks can be wet early morning, it is best to wear rubber soled shoes - Consumption of Alcohol is strictly prohibited on the hills
