I have to admit that I was slightly anxious as R sped through the narrow empty road that morning. The sun wasn’t up yet, and the air was chilly. The early morning breeze inundated my entire being, which was quite pleasing to my senses. A mixed feeling of joy wrapped in a little bit of apprehension was perhaps how I felt then. R had planned everything and I had no clue where we were headed. All I knew was we were out to trek somewhere in the outskirts of Bangalore.
It was the month of December, 2020, when R came up with this idea and I was going to be his partner in crime. We were to travel in his bike and this was going to be my first long drive on a bike. Quite naturally, I was a little nervous. My bike rides have always been within city limits. Well, there’s a first time to everything. Besides, I had to have faith in R, who extensively travels in his bike and has even been on off-road biking trips to places like Leh-Ladakh. R is an avid trekker too. In fact, R and I met during Rupin Pass Trek and ever since we’ve been very good friends.
The Ride
Off we went through crowded city roads and busy highways, stopping for a snack here and there in roadside eateries. We passed through charming quaint villages with cute little lovely homes. In some places, those meandering roads with gorgeous scenery unfolding at every bend was just picture-perfect. At one time, we even took a wrong turn and travelled for 9 Km. through a broken road passing by bushes and wilderness, with not a soul in sight. Needless to say, we panicked a bit and the entire stretch was filled with anxious moments. Being adventurous by nature helped at that point and finally we made it through. Overall, we did have a wonderful time.
The Trek
Kabbaladurga is a beautiful little hillock, nestled somewhere in the rock-strewn slopes of the Kanakapura mountain range. The monolith hillock is located at Kabbala Village, about 80 Km. away from Bangalore. The initial stretch of the climb was easy as we maneuvered our way through tall grasses, bushes, shrubs and trees with boulders strewn here and there. There was a flight of steps too, carved out somewhere. R, however, decided to follow the trail through the wilderness instead and that’s not surprising at all.
We climbed at our own pace and took frequent breaks enjoying the splendid view of the surrounding hills and lakes that progressively got smaller as we climbed higher. R is a photographer by profession. Hence, many of these were photo-breaks. Sometimes, I would surge ahead only to realize that R was left far behind.
Everything was fun till we reached the rock face of the trek towards the end, which was almost a 70-degree climb. This section was tricky and wasn’t easy. Some places had indentations to enable a proper grip on the rock-face, some had hand railings too. Even as I concentrated on the climb, my mind worried about the descend through those steep sections.
A temple dedicated to Goddess Kabbalamma is located on top. Villagers regularly climb up to pay their obeisance to the Goddess. During our climb, four villagers passed us. They were bare-footed, and the climb seemed like a piece of cake to them. Parts of a ruined fort also exists alongside the temple on top. After spending some time on the peak, we descended. My descending demons, as always, took no time to make their ugly appearance and trouble my mind. I needed a helping hand from R, especially at the rock-face section of the trek.
The River
After lunch at a roadside eatery, we rode around the countryside for a while and then visited Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary. Here we spent sometime relaxing at the banks of River Cauvery. The sanctuary authorities bothered us about permissions, but we did manage to find a spot where we wouldn’t be discovered. I had been here just a few months ago and had waded into the waters. This time the river had swelled, and we had to contain ourselves only at the bank. R even managed to take a quick nap. I had no intention of closing my eyes even for a second and missing the magnificent view of the river.
The Sunset
On the way back, somewhere on a random bridge over a waterbody, we witnessed a glorious sunset. Couldn’t have asked for a better end to the wondrous day! We reached home late night after having covered nearly 250 Km.
Seasons of Life! 
What a wonderful day!
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It indeed was. 🙂
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Brave girl
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Looks like you have discovered and are enjoying treks closer to home. That’s a privilege you can enjoy every weekend unlike extensive planning for Himalayan treks. There have been many occasions where we climbed though gravel ridden trail. The decend is never easy, rather it’s risky. The golden rule we follow in such situations? Sit and drag. This allows you a complete control. The hills here are full of gravel.
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That’s true Arvind. I would love to do such treks every other weekend the only thing is you need the right kind of company and that doesn’t happen always. Gravel ridden trails are the toughest. I resort to the same measure of sitting and dragging or walking sideways. This one thankfully didn’t have gravels as such. The problem was it was steep and sheer rock-face. Climbing up was still manageable but coming down your head reels. The naked, bare, and steep rock surface intimidates.
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I get that because the terrain there is granite. A rope will certainly help. I hope you find a good company or group to undertake it as much as you want to.
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Thoroughly enjoyable trip! And the climb did look very challenging. I have only climbed the much more childishly simple climb at Shravanabelagola, and one thing I found is bare feet is so much easier on Rock surfaces, but then there is gravel and the hot Rock, and our feet are not so conditioned 😀
A bike journey truely let’s you experience the surroundings unlike a car, where you connect out of small windows.
Muthathi is a very nice spot, except when the crowd is there. And when they are there, with all the cooking, eating and bathing, finding a quiet corner is such a bliss.
Quite a long ride this, must have been a great day!
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The climb felt challenging only towards the end as it was steep and sheer rock face. I’ve been to Shravanabelagola too. The stairs there make it easier, just that there are too many of them. Plus I remember we were there in a hot summer afternoon. It was impossible to walk up barefoot. We had bought socks from the shops down below and only then resorted to walking up. We had no umbrellas and no sun caps and surely that wasn’t a lot of fun. 😀
Muthathi is very dirty. We did go there this time around as well. There was hardly anyone, thanks to Covid but the place was littered with stuff left behind by picnickers. The spot we found to sit beside the river was inside the sanctuary itself somewhere in and around the Jungle Lodge.
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That was a day truly well spent! Hope you are hale and hearty again and keen as always for more such adventures… 🙂
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It was indeed a very memorable day but was back in the month of December, last year. Haven’t done any hike or trek after that. Hoping that the next opportunity will present itself soon. 🙂
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Wow Neel 🤩 such a beautiful hike and bike day 😅💖
Beautiful pics 😍
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Thank you so much for reading this, Ashok. It was a beautiful day. Wish I could do more.
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Who is stopping you Neel😅
My pleasure 😊
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It’s the like-minded company that I need to embark on things like this, which doesn’t always happen. And the pandemic of course, which requires for additional planning 😦
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😇
God willing soon. Shall pray for you Neel 😊
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Kabbaladurga! So well described that it brought memories of my trek flooding back! It certainly is one of the more daunting climbs I did around Bangalore in my short time there. In fact, one of my colleagues happened to have a frightening incident on the rock face- the outsole of her much worn out shoe came off while descending! Thankfully there was no untoward incident apart from that.
The ruins on the top are on my favourites. I wish I can come back and climb it some day again. Until then, I’ll make do with this wonderful account of the trail 🙂
Stay safe and take care, Neel!
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So happy to see you here. It’s been such a long time. 🙂
Am delighted that you’ve been to this place! The final climb is indeed daunting and glad to know you felt the same way. My friend, who was with me in this trek, doesn’t think that way and each time I mention this he shuts me off saying that I am exaggerating. 😀
And, I can well imagine the incident of your friend out there.
Hoping all’s well with you. You be safe too. Take care.
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That’s a great blog😍
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Thank you so much for visiting my blog and reading this post.
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