Makalidurga Trek
Bengaluru Rural, renamed Bengaluru North (Doddaballapur taluk), Karnataka
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- Max altitude
- 1,117 m
- Days
- 1 day
- Distance
- 4.5 km
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Short, about 290 m of climb, but the trail crosses steep granite slabs and loose gravel below Rest Point I that need hands for balance and are slippery when wet; the descent needs extra care.
Photos
On the trail
The route
Day by day
Day 1 · highest point
Muthurayaswamy Temple parking → Muthurayaswamy Temple parking (via Makalidurga fort)
850 m → 1,117 m → 850 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 · Muthurayaswamy Temple parking, Makalidurga
at 850 mLoading forecast…
High point · Makalidurga fort summit
at 1,117 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
- Muthurayaswamy Temple parking, Makalidurga (nearest town: Doddaballapur)
- Nearest railway
- Makalidurga station (on the Bengaluru–Guntakal line; about 2.2 km walk along the tracks to the trail start)
- Nearest airport
- Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru
- By road
- Bengaluru (about 60 km via NH 44 to Yelahanka, then SH 9 past Doddaballapur; 900 m dirt track from the Forest Department signboard); Doddaballapur (about 15 km)
- Drive
- About 1.75 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
₹400–1,500
With an operator
₹1,290–1,950
Per person, ex-Bengaluru, day trip. Guided prices seen October 2026: Muddie Trails from ₹1,290, Treks and Trails India ₹1,300, BMC Adventures ₹1,840 + GST (all include transport, breakfast and Forest Department charges). Self-guided is an estimate: train to Makalidurga station (₹30–140 each way) or a shared car, the online forest booking (operators and Wikipedia report about ₹250 per adult, not confirmed from a dated official notice) and food.
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 (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
- Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Jio work on most of the trail, with a few weak patches.
- Last ATM
- Doddaballapur (about 15 km)
- Nearest hospital
- Doddaballapur District Hospital, about 16 km from the parking
- Water
- No water or food at the base or on the trail; carry at least 2 litres per person (more in March–May).
Highlights
- Ruined hill fort on a granite outcrop, held in turn by Vijayanagara rulers, the Nayakas and Shahaji Bhosle
- Makali Malleshwara temple (Shiva and Nandi) still in worship inside the fort, linked to the penance of Sage Markandeya
- View over Gundamagere Lake, whose outline resembles South America
- The nearest railway trek to Bengaluru: you can walk to the trail from Makalidurga station
Risks
- Steep granite slabs with loose gravel before Rest Point I; slips are likely in the June–August rains, so avoid days of heavy rain.
- Little shade on the upper trail: heat and dehydration in March–May; start by 6:30–7:00 AM.
- Walking on or beside the railway line from the station; watch for trains.
- Unauthorised trekking is an offence under the Karnataka Forest Act; night treks and camping are not allowed.
Know before you go
Questions
Do I need to book the Makalidurga trek?
Yes. The hill is in Makali Reserve Forest and online registration is mandatory. The Bengaluru Rural district site points to the Forest Department's Aranya Vihaara portal (aranyavihaara.karnataka.gov.in, under Bengaluru Rural treks); slots run in the morning (the district page lists 6:00–10:00 AM). Save or print the booking and show it at the forest entry point. Operators report a fee of about ₹250 per adult; check the portal for the current fee.
How long does the trek take and how far is it?
About 4–5 km round trip from the parking near Muthurayaswamy Temple, taking 3–5 hours with time at the fort. If you start from Makalidurga railway station, add about 2.2 km each way along the tracks (7–8 km in all).
Is Makalidurga good for beginners?
Yes, if you are reasonably fit. There is no technical climbing, but a short section of steep granite and loose gravel before Rest Point I needs careful footing, especially on the way down.
How do I reach Makalidurga by train?
Take a train from KSR Bengaluru, Yesvantpur or Cantonment to Makalidurga station (about 1¼–2 hours, ₹30–140), then walk along the railway line to the trail start near Muthurayaswamy Temple.
When is the best time to go?
September to February, when the hill is green and the mornings are cool. It can be climbed year-round, but March–May is hot with little shade and June–August makes the rock slippery.
Is there water or food on the trail?
No. Eat before you start and carry at least 2 litres of water and snacks. There are restaurants on SH 9 near the base.
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: Bengaluru Rural, renamed Bengaluru North (Doddaballapur taluk)Karnataka
- Nearest hospital
- Doddaballapur District Hospital, about 16 km from the parking
- Last ATM
- Doddaballapur (about 15 km)
- Phone network
- Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Jio work on most of the trail, with a few weak patches.
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 Makalidurga
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Where this comes from
Sources
Last reviewed:
- Booking details for Makalidurga Hill Trekking — Bengaluru Rural District Administration (official)
- Makalidurga trek — Karnataka Eco-Tourism Development Board (official)
- The Complete Guide to Makalidurga Trek — Indiahikes
- Makalidurga — Wikipedia
- Makalidurga (peak, ele 1117) — OpenStreetMap
- Makalidurga Morning Trek — BMC Adventures
- Makalidurga Trek from Bengaluru — Muddie Trails
- Makalidurga Trek — Treks and Trails India
Photos: Sanjeevengineer, CC BY-SA 4.0; Shreekanth Ramasamy, CC0; Firos AK, CC BY-SA 4.0
