Makalidurga, a village, and its namesake hill fort is about 60km North of Bangalore. The fort is built on a huge granite hillock, huddled up in between the chains of mountains formed like a valley, closer to Ghati Subramanya, a renowned pilgrimage center. The Makalidurga fort is about 1,350 meters above sea level and houses a temple of Lord Shiva. According to the legends, Rishi Markandeya performed penance there.

There is lake surrounding the hill on the west, making it an exceptionally breathtaking view from the top. Makalidurga fort also facilitates to enjoy sunrise (or sunset) due to it being on the summit. There is an abundance of the country surrounding the fort which enables a trekker to explore the place beyond the fort. The cliff provides some amazing views; you can catch a glimpse of Nandi Hills at a distance to the east.

It’s a moderate to difficult trek - 5 km one way that includes 1.5 hours of climb. The path leading to the fort is rocky with uneven terrain and the adventure quotient is top-notch as you’d be trekking at night. Campfire a night, and begin the day with a beautiful sunrise. The best season for trekking is September till March. Carry lots of water and a good torch with backup batteries.

Trek Difficulty: Moderate to difficult (around 1.5 hours of climb)

Trek Distance: 5 km (one side)

• RR Nagar (09:00 PM) - Gopalan Arcade, Mysore road
• Banashankari (09:30 PM) - Bus Stop
• BTM (10:00 PM) - Udupi Garden Bus Stop, Near A2B
• Silk Board (10:10 PM) - Near Krishna Bhavan Restaurant
• Marathahalli (10:30 PM) - Opposite to Kalamandir