209) Rayakottai Fort Trek: (12/10/2025)

Place: Rayakottai Fort TrekDistance: 100kms x 2 = 200kmsDirections: Bangalore > Hosur > Shoolagiri > Rayakottai  > BangaloreKrew: Anwar (Sharief bhai) > Karthik (Sippy)Bikes:  Pulsar                                                                          Budget: Rs 250/headPrevious Visit: Naraynagiri trek.IN LESS THAN 50 WORDS:The Fort of Rayakottai is the southernmost fort hill of Mr.Tippu Sultan. After a year of break, the trip felt really good. We got to see a totally different face of the hillock, completely shrouded in mist. We also happened to meet a 71-year-old explorer who wanted someone to accompany him to the top :)INTRO & PLAN:After a year of break and a lot of waiting, I had my bike serviced during the dussera holidays. It was time to head out. Sat for about a week and glanced through all the previous trips to get back the mojo! As far as the crew went, Anwar was on the confirmed list. And we wanted to head out somewhere small but effective. We had initially planned it for 11th Oct 2025, but a great thing it got shifted by a day, as we heard over 1000 people on Saturday, and also it had rained pretty good on 11th early morning.TIME: 22:00 (10/10/2025)

ASSEMBLE & LEAVE:Yeah, woke up by 3am, did a few pushups and situps ( by few I mean 100 of each), and had a sip of coffee and was all set to go. Woke up Anwar, and left my home at 4:30. It always feels good covering some distance in the dark before the sun rises. In about 30-40 minutes, we reached attibele to pick up Anwar and we left Bangalore. TIME: 05:45
RIDE 1: (Bangalore – Hosur – Shoolagiri - Rayakottai)So, this was a 50km + 50km ride. From Attibele, Rayakottai is only about 50km. As we left Bangalore, the fog set in heavily post Hosur. It was a fun, smooth, and calm ride. However, we had agreed upon one rule: no maps. Either we ask locals and go to the place or head back home. Reaching Shoolagiri, scratched the deepest parts of my brain, and with the help of some locals, took the turn into the country roads. The country roads, trust me, are a bliss to ride on. We allowed the bike to just glide us through. As we drifted along the roads at lower speeds, we witnessed some fantastic, peaceful scenes of the countryside. And as we approached Rayakkottai, we were surprised to see it shrouded in mist. It looked mighty and scary, but was amidst the mist and fog, we struck and conquered :D

RAYAKOTTAI FORT TREK:The trek is a pretty easy one, as it has a pathway to the top. But this trek was different. As we reached the base and parked our bikes. An elderly man was waiting for us to unsaddle. He asked us if we were heading to the top, and he would love to accompany us. He was 71 years old and old school explorer. We were taken aback, but also respected the person for having the flame within.  So with the goat's spirit wide awake, we were set for the invasion. TIME: 7:15Even though the guy was 71 years old, he was comfortably keeping up with us. The trek is filled with wild turns, dead silence and spookiness. To get shoo away all the scariness I had a habit of telling all cooked-up funny stories. The initial pathway consists of a lot of stone steps, and then this opens up to a narrow mud path which runs to the 2nd gate and onto the final stretch. The trek can be done by anyone. And the view from the top is worth it.TIME: 07:45
TOP:Even though it was a Sunday, the gamble had paid off. There were no people on top of the fort. We had the entire place for ourselves, and she looked different. We couldn't see the town below. The mist had shrouded the top of the mountain. And it was pretty cold. The view it offered was amazing. We enjoyed all the views and decided to crash on top of the mountain for some rest. The man kept telling his stories and expeditions, how he collects magazines and does good research before getting lost in the wilderness, well, if there was one instance you meet your future self, this was it! :DTIME: 8:45DESCENSION:The decision was a quick one. We were surprised the man could keep up with us. Even though we offered to slow down. We went ahead and explored other areas of the fort. This is one forthill where in reaching fast, ain't the key. It's about how much fun you have! There are a lot of parallel avenues one can explore on this fort and its all fun ! :)TIME: 09:15                                                   

RIDE 2: (Rayakottai – Attibele - Bangalore )As we descended Rayakottai, we also visited a temple en route where water flows 24/7 through the caves. That was a peaceful refresher. Once we reached the bottom of the hillocks. We thanked the man was his valuable experience and stories. We asked him where he was headed, and he said he would go to the bus stop and further explore temples. His energy was off the charts. We decided to head back to Bangalore.  We took the same route back as it was simple and clean. We stopped on our way back for a single dosa.  After which i dropped Anwar back to his place and headed back further to reach my home.
TIME: 12:00
CONCLUSION:“Felt really great to hit back the road after more than a year, still got the mojo. And had a great companion who adjusted all the way, despite an early start, no breakfast trek, no maps, and no phones (at least no calls) during the trip, keeping it old school! ”Until next time, Cia \m/