Makalidurga is a beautiful hill fort located in the state of Karnataka, India. It is a popular trekking destination among nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts near Bangalore. 

The trek offers stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys and takes you through a dense forest and rocky terrain. Here is a guide on Makalidurga Trek.

I will share all the details required to complete this beautiful trek.

About Makalidurga 

Makalidurga is a small hill situated in the state of Karnataka, India, approximately 60 kilometers away from Bangalore. It is a popular trekking destination among adventure enthusiasts due to its scenic beauty and easy accessibility. The hill has an elevation of about 1,117 meters above sea level and is known for its fort ruins and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

The hill is surrounded by lush greenery and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including several species of birds and butterflies. The trekking trail is well-defined and marked, making it easy for both beginners and experienced trekkers to navigate. Along the way, trekkers can enjoy several viewpoints that offer stunning views of the surrounding hills and villages.

Makalidurga Trek top viewpoint

Treking Details

Starting Point: The trek starts from the Makalidurga railway station, which is easily accessible by train or road from Bangalore. From the station, trekkers need to walk for about 20 minutes to reach the base of the hill.

Trek Route: The trek starts from the Makalidurga railway station and takes you through a dense forest. The trail is well-marked and is easy to follow. As you climb higher, the trail becomes rocky and steep, requiring some effort to climb. The final stretch of the trek involves climbing a steep flight of stairs to reach the summit.

Distance: The total distance of the Makalidurga trek is approximately 7 km (round trip).

Trek Completion Time: Approx. 2-3 hours

Difficulty Level: The trek is considered to be of moderate difficulty and is suitable for beginners as well as experienced trekkers. The trek distance is around 5 km and can be completed in about 2-3 hours.

Somewhere in the middle of Makalidurga Trek

What is Makalidurga Trekking Route?

The trek starts from the Makalidurga railway station, and trekkers need to walk for about 20 minutes to reach the base of the hill. From there, the trekking trail is well-defined and marked, and it passes through a small village before ascending gradually to the top of the hill. 

The terrain is rocky and covered with vegetation, including tall trees and shrubs. The trail is not very steep and can be completed in about an hour and a half. At the top of the hill, there is a ruined fort that can be explored, and trekkers can also camp at the designated camping area. 

After spending some time at the top, you can return back to the base following the same trail.

Makalidurga Trekking Route

What is the Best Time for Makalidurga Trek?

The best time for Makalidurga Trek is between the months of October to March, which is the winter season in the region. During this time, the weather is cool and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 25°C, making it ideal for trekking and outdoor activities.

The monsoon season from June to September can make the trail slippery and risky, and the summer season from April to May can be hot and humid, making it challenging to trek in the daytime. Hence, it's best to avoid trekking during the monsoon and summer seasons.

Overall, the winter season offers the best weather conditions and is the ideal time for the Makalidurga trek. However, it's always a good idea to check the weather forecast and plan accordingly before embarking on the trek.

The vibe of the the trek in Summer

My Experience of Makalidurga Trek

I recently went on the Makalidurga trek with one of my friends, and it was an amazing experience. I was pretty excited about this trek as it was going to be my first trekking experience after I moved to Bangalore. 

I planned this trek with one of my very old friends and booked the ticket online on this website for both of us. 

Note: It's important to book the ticket in advance as there might be availability issues at the last moment.

As decided, we started early in the morning at around 4.30 AM by car and it took 1.5 hours to reach the base of the hill.

After reaching we parked our vehicle in a well-maintained parking area which is there at the starting point of the trek. There is a washroom facility also in case you want to use it.

We started our trek after crossing the railway track and showing our ticket at the base of the trekking point to the forest guards.

Trek starts after crossing the railway track

The trekking trail was well-defined, and we passed through a small village before starting the ascent. The trail was covered with vegetation, and the views of the surrounding hills and villages were stunning. We took several breaks along the way to catch our breath as the trails were pretty hard in between and enjoyed the scenery.

One of the patches is difficult as we need to climb the monolith

After about an hour and a half, we finally reached the top of the hill, and the view from the top was breathtaking. We could see miles and miles of lush greenery and several nearby hills. The fort ruins were also impressive, and we explored them and took pictures.

The view was just marvelous and was perfect to take a drone shot. I recently purchased a new drone and after seeing such an amazing view, I took my drone and took amazing shots which you will definitely see in my vlog. Although I couldn't manage to get many shots as I still have to learn a few more techniques on flying a drone.

Panoramic view from the top of Makalidurga Trek

Overall our experience was amazing and we enjoyed the trek. Everything was perfect, the greenery, the scenic view, and the view from the top of the hill. I truly recommend it to go on this trek if you are in and near Bangalore and need a weekend sporty gateway with your friends and family.

Key Points to Keep in Mind

1. Book a trek ticket in advance on the Karnataka eco-tourism website.

2. Wear comfortable trekking shoes with a good grip to avoid slipping.

3. Carry a small backpack with water bottles, snacks, a first aid kit, sunscreen, and a hat or sunglasses.

4. In winter, carry warm clothing as you may feel cold up on the hill.

5. Follow the trail markers and signs to avoid getting lost, and stick to the designated trail to prevent accidents.

6. Maintain cleanliness in nature. Do not throw any garbage in the open. If you plan to carry snacks with you carry the leftover wrappers and keep the surroundings clean for our next fellow trekkers.

I hope you got all of the details required to attempt the Makalidurga Trek in your coming weekends.

Please let me know in the comment section how you like this blog and do share your experience of this trek.

Thank you for reading!