RAMNAGAR

Located around 50 km southwest of Bengaluru is the famous Ramnagar town. The town is one of the favorite places for the trekkers in the State. Many visit the place regularly for trekking expeditions.

TREKKING

Ramnagar hills have been the earliest rock climbing locations in South India. Climbers have been undertaking technical climbing since the 1960s. Among the popular rock climbing destinations are Ramadevarabetta, SRS Betta and Thenginkalbetta. The region has several tall granitic hills which are famous for many short rock climbs, typically 1 to 2 pitches in length. Grades vary from 5.8 American to 5.11 American.

RAMNAGAR TREKKING 

There are multiple bolted routes here, put up by various local climbers. Some of the older bolts are in precarious condition. There is very little free climbing possibilities are the rock is compact. Additionally, the Forest Department insists on a permit system to climb here and getting permits is typically a painstaking process. There have to be obtained during weekdays from a Forest Office (Aranya Bhawan) close to Ramnagar, thus precluding the place for Bengalore based climbers in recent times.

LONG BILLED VULTURE 

It is also home of many endangered bird species like long billed vulture, Egyptian vulture and Yello-throated Bulbul. Most of the vultures’ habitat can be also seen around the mountain. The State Government has declared 346.14 hectares in Ramnagar as Ramadevarabetta Vuture Sanctuary (RVS), to protect long-billed vultures, which are on the verge of extinction.

EGYPTIAN VULTURE

Ramnagar is also famous for some of the world’s oldest granite outcrops. The hill Ramadevarabetta, along with Savandurga was one of the shooting locations for David Lean’s movie, “A Passage of India”. Small door like grottoes were made in the rock resemble caves. It was also in this region that the famous Hindi movie “Sholay” was shot. Other well known hill in the region include the Ravanasideshwara Hill and Handigundi.

SHOLAY 

Getting There

There are several buses and trains available from Bengaluru and Mysuru. Best would be to travel in your means of transport.

MULLAYANAGIRI

Mullayangiri is the highest peak of Karnataka located in Bababudangiri range of Chikkamangaluru. Mullayangiri is just 12 km from Chikkamangaluru. Mullayangiri is a part of the Baba Budan Giri Hill Ranges. The height of Mullayangiri is 6330 ft (1,930 meters) and it is regarded as the highest peak between Himalaya and Nilagiris.

MULLAYANAGIRI

                There is a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva on top of the hill. The small hillock in the temple premises is the highest point in Karnataka.

                Mullayanagiri is the trekker’s paradise. Trekking at this place is a memorable experience. Visitors can enjoy the speed of cold wind that is hitting you. It will be a good experience if you reach this place by 7 am. For a memorable trekking experience its advisable to trek after the monsoon and before summer. September to February is the best season. An overnight journey from Bangalore brings the trekker to Chikmagalur in the early hours of the morning. Buses ply after 8.00 am from Chikmagalur to Sarpadhari. The road runs amidst coffee estates and dense forests for about half an hour. The trek begins from Sarpadaari, which connects to Chikkamangaluru. The mountain is the highest peak between the Himalayas and Nilagiris after Chembra, Banaura, Vellari Mala located in Kerala.

MULLAYANGIRI TREKKER’S PARADISE

Reaching There

Nearest Airport is Mangalore International Airport. Chikmagalur town does not have a railway station. The nearest railway station are located at Birur, Kadur and Tarikere.

Chikmagalur is well connected by road network. Mullayanagiri is about 265km from Bangalore and 107 km from Mangalore. There are plenty of buses operated by KSRTC running between Chickamagalur and Bangalore. It is only 15 km away from Chickamagalur city and there are private buses going through the base of the mountain. Buses going towards the Bababudangiri will take you to the foothill of the Mullayanagiri. If you are driving you can take your vehicle about 0.5 km close to the summit. The trekking starts from a bus stop called Sarpadhari and its a 4 km trek with no forks on the way. The major landmarks on the trek path are a small stream, a Nandi statue and a cave with a small water source inside.

TREKKING IN MULLAYANAGIRI

Route 1 : 

(Via Hassa) : Bengaluru – Kanigal – Hassan _ Beluru – Chikkamangaluru – Mullayanagiri.

Route 2 : 

(Via Tumkur) : Bengaluru -  Tumkur _ Arsikere – Kadur – Chikkamangaluru – Mullayanagiri.

Reaching Mullayangiri from Mysore :

Mysore – Hassan – Belur – Chikkamangaluru – Mallayanagiri.