Kunagalu Betta Trek
Ramanagara, now Bengaluru South (Ramanagara taluk, Hunasanahalli gram panchayat), Karnataka
Opens without signal on this phone, with the map file and checklist. Saved for offline →
850 mhighest point- Max altitude
- 850 m
- Days
- 1 day
- Distance
- 2.6 km
- Difficulty
- Easy
Short climb of about an hour on a concrete lane, a dirt path and a faint boulder trail; the only tricky parts are a short dark cave passage and loose stone steps with a railing (about 30 m) after the Nandi statue, slippery in rain.
The route
Day by day
Day 1 · highest point
Kunagalu village → Kunagalu village (via Nandi statue, cave and the top)
700 m → 850 m → 700 m
Ups and downs
Altitude profile
Where it is
Map
Trailhead and high point only — not a recorded track. Use it with a proper map.
Weather
Next 5 days on the trail
Live forecast for the trailhead and the high point. Mountain weather changes fast — check again on the morning you start.
Trailhead · Kunagalu village
at 700 mLoading forecast…
High point · Kunagalu Betta top (shelter near the Koonamma shrine)
at 850 mLoading forecast…
Each day: high / low °C · rain mm and chance · snow cm · wind km/h
Weather data: Open-Meteo.comModel forecast, not an official warning. For alerts follow IMD and the local administration.
Plan the trip
How to reach
- Trailhead
- Kunagalu village (nearest town: Ramanagara)
- Nearest railway
- Ramanagara (on the Bengaluru–Mysuru line); auto-rickshaw to Kunagalu village, about ₹100
- Nearest airport
- Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru
- By road
- Bengaluru (about 57–60 km via the Bengaluru–Mysuru road to Ramanagara, then the Ramanagara–Kanakapura road to Kunagalu village); Ramanagara town (about 7 km)
- Drive
- About 1.5 h from Bengaluru
Plan the trip
Permits and fees
We could not confirm the current permit rules and fees from an official source. Check with the local forest department or tourism office before you go.
Plan the trip
Cost
Self-guided
₹300–1,000
With an operator
₹1,000–2,000
Per person, ex-Bengaluru, day trip. Estimates only: we found no operator publishing a current price for this hike, and Indiahikes documents it as a do-it-yourself trek that does not need a guide. Self-guided covers a KSRTC bus or train to Ramanagara and back, an auto-rickshaw to Kunagalu village (about ₹100, Indiahikes) and food. The guided figure assumes a hired car from Bengaluru with a local helper, shared by a small group.
Gear
Top picks for this trek
The gear that matters most on this route, chosen from its altitude, season and risks.
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Packing checklist
Matched to this trek: altitude, season, days and the risks on the route.
Packed 0 of 22
Monsoon months (Jun–Sep): pack everything in plastic or a dry bag and wear shoes with good grip.
Tick each item as it goes in the bag.
Know before you go
Good to know
- Mobile network
- Not confirmed; the hill is about 7 km from Ramanagara town, so major networks are likely to work at the base and top.
- Last ATM
- Ramanagara town (about 7 km)
- Nearest hospital
- Ramanagara town (about 7 km); Indiahikes advises heading there for serious medical attention
- Water
- No restaurants or water sources at the base or on the trail except a water pump before the start; carry at least 2 litres per person.
Highlights
- A granite boulder shaped like a puppy's face, visible from about a kilometre away, which gives the hill its nickname 'Puppy Betta'
- A Nandi statue on a boulder at the first rest point, and a short walk through a dark cave between the boulders
- Small shrine of the village deity Koonamma near the top, reached by steps cut into the rock
- 360-degree view over coconut groves, fields, rocky hills and the Arkavathi river around Ramanagara
Risks
- Loose stone steps after the cave and loose gravel near the top are slippery in the monsoon and on the way down; watch children and older walkers here.
- The trail after the Nandi statue is faint and overgrown; follow the markers through the cave.
- Little shade and strong sun in March–May; start early and carry sun protection.
- Ramanagara's rocky hills are leopard country. In May 2026 Karnataka's Chief Wildlife Warden suspended trekking paths in areas with leopards, tigers, elephants or bears until each route is certified; Kunagalu Betta is not on the Aranya Vihaara portal and Indiahikes says no permission is needed, but check locally before you go.
- Bats may fly close inside the cave passage.
Know before you go
Questions
Do I need permission or a booking for Kunagalu Betta?
Indiahikes says no permission is needed because the hill is a local place of worship, and the hike is not listed on Karnataka's Aranya Vihaara forest booking portal. Rules for Karnataka hill treks were tightened in 2025–26, so ask in Kunagalu village before you start.
How long is the Kunagalu Betta trek?
Indiahikes measures about 1 km from Kunagalu village to the Nandi statue and 1.6 km from there to the top and back to the village, about 2.6 km in all, taking 2.5–3 hours with stops. The climb itself takes about an hour. Outlook Traveller gives a longer 2.7 km one way.
Is Kunagalu Betta good for beginners and children?
Yes. Indiahikes rates it easy, with no technical sections and easy exits, and calls it suitable for children and elders. Help small children through the gravel, the cave and the loose steps after the Nandi statue.
How do I reach Kunagalu Betta by public transport?
Take a KSRTC bus towards Mysuru from Satellite Bus Station (every 15 minutes) or a Mysuru-bound train from KSR Bengaluru to Ramanagara, then an auto-rickshaw to Kunagalu village (about ₹100).
When is the best time to climb Kunagalu Betta?
June to February. The hill is greenest after the monsoon; in the rains the rocks are slippery, and March–May is hot. Outlook Traveller notes it can be visited all year.
Why is it called Puppy Betta?
Indiahikes nicknamed it after a large boulder near the base that looks like a puppy's face. The hill takes its name from Kunagalu village, which is named after the village deity Koonamma.
In an emergency
Save these numbers before you lose signal. Tap to call.
- 112All emergenciesIndia’s single emergency number — works in every state
- 108Ambulance
- 1077District disaster control room
You are in
District: Ramanagara, now Bengaluru South (Ramanagara taluk, Hunasanahalli gram panchayat)Karnataka
- Nearest hospital
- Ramanagara town (about 7 km); Indiahikes advises heading there for serious medical attention
- Last ATM
- Ramanagara town (about 7 km)
- Phone network
- Not confirmed; the hill is about 7 km from Ramanagara town, so major networks are likely to work at the base and top.
Before you set off
- Tell someone your route and when you will be back.
- Carry a charged phone and a power bank.
- Download an offline map of the route.
- Turn back if the weather turns bad — the mountain will wait.
Questions about Kunagalu Betta
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Where this comes from
Sources
Last reviewed:
- The Complete Guide to Kunagalu Betta Trek — Indiahikes
- 5 Scenic Bangalore Hikes Perfect For Group Adventures — Outlook Traveller
- Kunagalu Betta (peak, ele 867) — OpenStreetMap
Photos: Abhishektasp, CC BY-SA 4.0
