Embedded Files
Night trek to Huthridurga, camping and sunrise from the peak
Date: 31 Dec 2013 – 1 Jan 2014 (Night Trek)
Difficulty: Easy
Trek Duration: This is a short and easy to moderate trek, typically taking 1.5 to 2 hours for ascent and a similar duration for descent (depending on photography stops). It's ideal for a half-day or day trip from Bangalore, or an adventurous overnight summit camp.
Distance: ~2 km one way (<1.5miles)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. The trail is well-defined, with carved steps making the ascent manageable.
Route from Bangalore:
Drive: Bangalore > Mysore Road > Sirsi Circle > Magadi Road (towards Kunigal).
Trail: Huthri > Govt. School > Brick huts > Huthridurga entrance > Huthridurga peak
Overnight Stay: Camping at the top is possible and offers a fantastic sunrise experience. Be prepared for cold and wind.
Photography: Excellent opportunities for night sky photography (on new moon nights) and sunrise shots, especially of the temple.
My New Year's Dawn at Huthridurga: A Fort Trek to Remember
My New Year's Dawn at Huthridurga: A Fort Trek to Remember
For the second year running, I celebrated New Year's Day with a trek, and this time, it was a beautifully simple yet rewarding hike to Huthridurga. Thanks to Yashu, I connected with the Bangalore ASCenders (BASC) members—Suresh, Sriharsha, Harsha, Aashish, Rahul, and Nagendra—who graciously allowed me to tag along. Located in Kunigal taluk, just off Magadi Road, Huthridurga is a massive monolith crowned by a fort and a Shiva temple, a truly prominent landmark. Had this trek not materialized, I would have been bouldering at Turahalli, so I consider myself incredibly lucky to have joined this group.
Our rendezvous was at Sirsi Circle (Mysore Road) at 9:45 PM on New Year's Eve. Our small battalion of two bikes (ridden by Rahul and Harsha) and Suresh's car set off towards Magadi village. The initial plan was to be at the peak by midnight, but delays meant we wished each other a Happy New Year just outside Magadi. We finally reached the Huthridurga trailhead at 1:45 AM on January 1, 2014, immediately beginning our ascent—making this officially my first hike of the new year!
The trek began with a gentle walk through what I knew were lush green fields, even if my flashlight didn't fully reveal their vibrant color. We passed through a small village; despite our quiet approach, dogs barked, surely waking residents. We quickly moved into the forest, and as the lights from nearby villages faded, the night sky came into breathtaking focus. It was a new moon, so no moonlight, but not a single cloud—making the spectacle even more glorious. Being back in India after a while, I easily spotted familiar constellations like the Big Dipper and the Pole Star. After a quick break, we pressed on towards the summit.
The trail to the top is marked by seven archways (dwarakas). The climb, though occasionally steep, is aided by numerous steps carved directly into the rock—a blessing, especially on a potentially wet day. We reached the summit at 2:15 AM. It was incredibly windy and quite cold. After some conversation, I decided to call it a night around 3:15 AM. Despite my sleeping bag being rated for 15°C, I struggled to stay warm, layering up as temperatures likely dropped well below 10°C (lower 40s Fahrenheit). Finally, lying flat on the ground, gazing at the heavens, I drifted off like a tired child.
My alarm jolted me awake at 6:20 AM, determined to catch the 6:48 AM sunrise. Nagendra was already up, rousing the others. A dense mist initially made me doubt if I'd see anything beyond the mist's vibrant outline, but luck was on our side again. The sun majestically rose from behind the clouds, casting its first brilliant rays onto the temple, making it appear ethereal. Soon, the sun was fully up, warming the air. After snapping a few pictures, we began our descent at 7:30 AM, reaching the base by 9:15 AM. The longer descent time was happily due to our numerous stops to admire the morning's beauty and capture it in photographs. I even managed to snag the very last Rava Idly at a breakfast stop—another stroke of New Year's luck! I reached home by 11:35 AM, and after a soothing hot shower, I began writing this very treklog. Huge thanks again to the entire group, especially Suresh, for allowing me to experience Huthridurga. New Year, new friends—I've started 2014 on a lucky note, and I'm hoping this luck extends to winning all those permits for treks like Half Dome, Grand Canyon, and Mt. Shasta. Could Rainier even be possible this year? Time will tell
Google Sites
Report abuse