Place: Huthridurga trek
Distance: 75kms x 2 = 150kms
Directions: Bangalore > Magadi > Huthridurga > Ramnagara > Bangalore
Krew: Dileep (Koof) > Karthik (Sippy)
Bikes: Pulsar
Previous Visit: Channarayanadurga trek
Budget: Rs 250/head
IN LESS THAN 50 WORDS:
This was a sweet and small trek to this now very famous trekking destination. Famous for the great escape in 1758 by Bairstow, this trek had elements of surprises and exploration. But due to the commercializing of the place, now had lost all its glamour. Nevertheless, we had a decent trek on Saturday. And yeah 200 is just a Number.
INTRO & PLAN:
Ok, April 2024 had been too good. Three trips had been completed and to sweeten the pot, we decided to hit a 4th one. Koof was the only one on the confirmed list. Channarayanadurga was a good start and now it was time to have the momentum going.
TIME: 20:00 (26/4/2024)
ASSEMBLE & LEAVE:
Yeah, I was up at 4 am, stretched did a few push-ups and pull-ups, and was all set to leave. Woke up Koof by 5 am and left towards KR road. Once Koof joined we left Bangalore. We decided to take the Magadi Road as it was the shortest route and I faintly remember the ride back in 2018 was good.
TIME: 06:00
RIDE 1: (Bangalore – Magadi - Huthridurga)
This was about a 75km shaky ride. The roads were a mix of very good and muddy roads. That made the ride painful on an early Saturday morning. With the sun rising behind us, we kept pushing and cautiously riding. As it was a 2-lane road, rushing lorries and busses from opposite sides were something to watch for! Just before entering Magadi, we pulled over for some yummy breakfast.
TIME: 07:00
From Magadi, Huthridurga is about 20-25km. And all of a sudden, the roads turned very good. So, we cruised along at a decent pace, making up for the time to reach the town. We were surprised to see a tempo full of uncles and aunties returning after the trek. We parked our bikes in what was now a proper parking space, last time we had just ridden into farmlands and taken off. (Hutridurga - 2018; Hutridurga - 2013)
TIME: 07:45
HUTRIDURGA TREK:
The trek to the top of the hillock took us 45 minutes with enough breaks in between. To start the trek, we were a little disappointed to find steps to the top. I understand tourism and all other shit, but the taking away true essence of the place at the cost of promoting tourism is something I do not get.
The initial climb was easy, and we wanted to get this part done quickly. Post which the gateways began. Moving through the gateways is fun and adventurous. As we reached the 2nd fort wall, I remember during our 1st visit to the place, we had searched so much for the entrance to the 3rd tier. But now, there were clear steps leading to the hidden spot.
People had thinned down by then and the sun was up and bright. Koof said he wanted to sleep for some time :P Haha! I said, it would be better if pushed until top and then rested on top as there were more places of shade.
I made sure we kept pushing without big breaks and I kept playing around the steep slopes as I had a fair idea in mind where the next treks were coming up. We reached the top and then crashed at the temple.
TIME: 08:20
TOP:
Cool winds greeted us on top and we could see the entire town of Hutri. It was a beautiful view. Savandurga was shrouded in mist and hence we couldn’t spot it even though it was close by. After taking some photographs, Koof decided that it was time for a good crash. We spent about an hour on the top. Koof fast asleep and I tried to take in the view and immersed myself in the silence and the natural orchestra at the top. It was trippy and nice. Once Koof was awake, we decided to do a quick touch-down on the cave viewpoint and then head back down.
TIME: 09:15
CLIMB DOWN:
The climb down was a smooth one. We hardly took any breaks and thus could complete it in about 30 minutes only. We continuously climbed down until the 1st tier; the sun was blazing full force hence we decided to have a couple of glasses of buttermilk. Reaching back to the base we decided one thing clearly, “we are not heading back on Magadi road again”. Haha! Yeah, the roads were bad. We pulled over at a bakery and had some cold water and sting. Yeah, off late we are kind of having this thing after each trek.
TIME: 10:00
RIDE 2: (Huthridurga – Ramnagara - Bangalore)
Yeah, taking the Ramnagara route turned out to be a very good decision. The roads are in excellent condition, and we enjoyed this stretch very much. Cruising at a decent pace we reached back the Bangalore-Mysore highway. Not exactly the old enjoyable ride, but the roads were too wide, and we could cruise at a faster pace to reach back Blue Wings to meet other boys as well! :)
TIME: 12:00
Stayed at BW for 4hours speaking about college, politics, Naruto, and marriage lives – yes, BW is fun. Reached back home safe \m/.
And yes, 200 is just a number. So we did not celebrate and all, as we do that every weekend!
TIME: 16:00
