Top 10 Forts in Bangalore within 100 km

Did you know the IT capital of India – Bangalore is a great trekking destination too?! There are a good number of forts scattered in and around Bangalore which are ideal weekend destinations to get away from office cubicles and traffic jams of the city. Many IT professionals who are at their desk 12 hours a day agree that trekking to the hill forts in Bangalore helps them flex their otherwise redundant muscles. Here I have information on places to visit in Bangalore with forts.

History of Forts

Isn’t it interesting to note that forts, which were once symbols of might and power of ruling kings, are tourist attractions and trekking destinations for adventure seekers today? The forts were known as castles earlier where rulers showcased the wealth, power and glory. In 17^th – 18^th century British used the word forts for castles.

Trekking in hill forts of Bangalore

Different types of Forts

Construction of forts evolved with time. It is hard to believe but there was a time when forts were built with mud (eg. older version of Bangalore Fort). Then came wooden forts; one of the popular ones that has withstood the test of time can be seen in Sangla valley of Kinnaur district.

More complex fortifications evolved with time. Maximum number of forts were built between 1300- 1800 A.D., some at huge heights as protection from canons with gunpowder.

With increase in use of explosive shells and bombs, forts were no longer safe. Nobody, rather no country, makes forts any more. Instead the new war strategies have seen a rise in bunkers. In 19^th and 20^th centuries bunkers were made of concrete and steel.

Making forts have thus become a thing of past. Today the old forts and whatever remains of them are a source of pride, thrill and adventure.

Hill Forts of Bangalore

There are nine hill forts around Bangalore, also known as Navadurgas. It is a wild dream to get the hill forts of Bangalore in the prestigious list of UNESCO Heritage sites like the hill forts of Rajasthan. Nevertheless, they are our national heritage. They are worth a visit. I have included six out of the nine forts in this list of top 10 Forts in Bangalore within 100 km. (The three not mentioned are: Bairavadurga Fort, Kabbaladurga Fort and Channarayana Fort.)

Navadurga – 9 Hill forts in Bangalore

Top 10 Forts in Bangalore within 100 km

This list has the following forts:

1. Begur Fort 13.6 km via Hosur Road
2. Bangalore Fort 4.4 km via SJP Road
3. Devanahalli Fort 37.3 km via Tadipatri – Bangalore Rd
4. Nandidurga Fort 61.4 km via Tadipatri – Bangalore Rd
5. Gudibande Fort 91.8 km via Tadipatri – Bangalore Rd
6. Savanadurga fort 60 km off Magadi Road via NH275
7. Makalidurga Betta 57.9 km via SH9
8. Devarayanadurga Fort 71.3 km via NH48
9. Huliyurdurga Fort 75 km via NH75
10. Hutridurga Fort 79.4 km west of Bengaluru via NH75

All set for history, thrill and adventure? Here you go…

1. Begur Fort Bangalore

Address: Akshaya Residency, Akshayanagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560076

Google coordinates: 12.871091724382655, 77.62244823964745

Time required: Located within Bangalore city on Hosur Road. Land fort, doable in half an hour.

History – The Begur fort – A reminder where and how we started once. An inscription mentions – the city Bengaluru existed since the ninth century. Though small, it instils a sense of pride of the glorious past of Bangalore and a sense of sorrow how it is neglected!

The fort will surprise you with its size! It is a tiny circular fort, about 1.4 km² in area, existing since the time of Cholas in the 9th century. Probably a teeny-weeny part of what would have existed once! Today’s Begur and Bangalore is said to have been an important centre for the Western Ganga Dynasty and the Chola Kingdom. Earliest Dravidian inscriptions called the area ‘Veppuru’ (Vepu means neem in Tamil and Telugu). This eventually became Behuru and further modified to Begur in Kannada language.

Other sights – Two temples – Kashi Vishweshwara Temple and Venugopala Swamy Temple

Begur fort location google satellite map

2. Bangalore Fort within Bengaluru City limits

Address: XH7G+49C, Krishna Rajendra Rd, New Tharagupet, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560002

Google coordinates: 12.963240927302008, 77.5756287079414

Time required: No hiking or trekking required, it is a land fort. Doable in 1 hour.

History – Kempe Gowda I, a chieftain of the Vijayanagara Empire, built the fort here with mud in early 16^th century. Only kings could build forts with stones those days; being a feudatory Kempe Gowda built the fort with mud.

In 1687, Chikka Deva Raja Wodeyar purchased Bangalore Fort from Mughals (who had captured it for few weeks) for a tidy sum of Rupees 3 lakhs!

In 1761, Haider Ali reconstructed a stone fort after demolishing the mud fort. The fort was taken over by British soldiers in 1791.

Important – You need special permission to tour the upper part of the Bangalore Fort.

Tickets and Timings – Tickets cost Rs.5 for Indians and Rs.100 for foreign nationals. Open on all days 8.30AM to 5.00PM.

Any fine weekend morning take the Tadipatri – Bangalore Rd from Kempegowda International Airport, it will take you to three forts of Bangalore located within 100 km. This road has plenty of entries in the initial stretch as you exit Bangalore.

Bangalore Fort, also called Tipu Sultan Fort

3. Devanahalli Fort Bangalore

Address: near Devanahalli District, Bangalore – Hyderabad Hwy, Devanahally, Karnataka 562110

Google coordinates: 13.249763944726475, 77.70948085006695

Time required: No hiking or trekking required, it is a land fort. Doable in 1 hour, unless you want to wander around seeing the temples of Devanahalli.

History – This fort was built in 1501 by Mallabairegowda, ruled by him and his descendants till the mid 18^th century. In 1749, the then Dalwai of Mysore, Nanjarajaiah, attacked the fort and occupied it. Later, the fort passed into the hands of Hyder Ali and subsequently Tipu Sultan.

Architecture of Devanahalli Fort – Notice the 12 semi-circular bastions set up at regular intervals as you enter into the Devanahalli Fort complex. Each is equipped with a gunpoint that was once manned by guards of the ruling kings. The fort complex boasts of a spacious battlement. The entrances of the fort on the east and the west feature elaborate cut-plasterwork.

Timings and Tickets for Devanahalli Fort – The fort is open all 24 hours. It is a living fort with lot of temples inside. No tickets are required. Entry is free.

Fort walls

4. Nandidurga Fort Bangalore

Address: 9MCM+Q3G, Nandi Hills, Karnataka 562103

Google coordinates: 13.383762239414636, 77.71476088790126

Time required: Hiking and trekking for beginners to intermediate level. It is a 7 tier fort. Trek/tour time required is 2 hours to an entire relaxed day.

History – developed by Ganga Dynasty in 11th century, used by Tipu Sultan as a summer retreat

Nandidurga Fort Interesting facts

• Old name – Anandagiri meaning The Hill of Happiness
• First ever SAARC summit hosted by India was held at Nandi Hills in 1986
• Popular movie shoot location.

Interesting sights around Nandidurga Fort – I have been to this place so many times, but each time I find a new thing to see. It is worth spending a whole day here.

• Entrance arch
• Antar Gange – an ancient step well
• Arkavati Udgamasthana – origin of River Akravati and four more rivers Palar, Papagni River, Penna River and Ponnaiyar River
• Views of two neighboring hills- Channagiri and Brahmagiri
• Tipu Drop – a sheer vertical drop where during Tipu rule, criminals’ death sentences were carried out once
• Yoganandeshwara Temple, Nallikyai Basavanna with huge Nandi statue 1300 years old
• Many eye sores (read modern guest houses)
• Future projects – food court, music stage for cultural programs

Tickets and Timings for Nandidurga Fort – Entry Fee- Rs 5 for every adult (do check once, my visit was ages back). Open to tourists from 6.30 am to 5.30 pm. Limited parking facilities, one has to book in advance for passes through KSTDC website

View from Nandidurga Bangalore

5. Gudibande Fort Bangalore

Address: MPG2+F8 Gudibanda, Karnataka 561209

Google coordinates: 13.676325761464993, 77.70042848745805

Time required: Easy to moderate level of trek difficulty, Doable in 3 hours.

History – The fort dating back to the middle of the 17th century was built by a small-time chieftain Byregowda who was Robinhood of those times

Other sights around – The Shiva shrine at the top is believed to be one of the 108 Jyotirlingas that God Rama established in various parts of India. The Nandi sthambha in front of the shrine has sculpted stone images of Nandi, Shanmukha and Shiva Linga. Several temples along the way till summit.

Gudibande Fort

6. Savandurga Fort Bangalore

Address: W7CV+HM5, Savanadurga State Forest, Karnataka 562201

Google coordinates: 12.921438833831973, 77.29410175065867

Time required: Easy to moderate level trek, takes around 2 hours uphill

History – Built in 1543 by Samantha Raya, a general under the Vijayanagara Empire. In 1570 it became the secondary headquarters of Kempegowda, the chief of Bengaluru, who acquired the fort and the Magadi region. In 1728 it was under the rule of Hyder Ali. In the year 1791, the fort was captured by Lord Cornwallis and came under the control of the British Empire.

Sadly, after the Indian Independence, the Savandurga Fort was not properly maintained and is in ruins today.

Interesting facts of Savanadurga Fort – Located atop the Savandurga Hill, which is known to be the largest monolith hill in Asia

Other (nickname) name – Savina Durga, meaning ‘the fort of death’. Under Hyder Ali’s rule a prison was built within the fort. Escaping from this prison was impossible, hence the name.

During the 18^th century, the fort was inaccessible as there were no steps leading up to it. Entire base around the hill was covered by bamboos and other trees which formed a barricade strengthening the (dis)reputation of it being the fort of death.

Other sights around are: Two Temples – The Savandi Veerabhadreshwara Swamy Temple and the Narasimha Swamy Temple that is located at the foothills of the Savandurga.

Connect with nature – Trekking Forts in Bangalore

7. Makalidurga Fort Bengaluru

Address: CGJ2+W9W, Makali, Karnataka 561203

Google coordinates: 13.432572662049603, 77.50098411202899

Time required: Ideal for night or early morning trek. Moderately difficult trek of 3.8 km. Time needed approx. 2.5 hours uphill and 1.5 hours downhill. Trail is marked on the stones throughout the trek. No need of guide.

History and legends – Rishi Markanadeya performed penance here. Army men of Vijayanagara Empire conducted their exercises here. After the decline of Nayaka dynasty the fort was held by Shahaji Bhosale, father of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the ruler of Doddaballapur in Karnataka

Origin of the name – It used to be granary storage of the late 1800’s palegar Makaliraya. Hence it is known as Makalidurga.   Another story is that the name is derived from a creeper called Makali Beru (in Kannada) which means root. The juice is used in blood purifying medicines and for preparing a health drink.

Other sights around – Old Shiva temple and Nandi at the summit, a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna at the foothill and View of Gundamagere Lake from the top which almost looks like a shape of the South American continent

Timings and Tickets for Makalidurga Fort – Open from 9 AM to 3 PM. Tickets cost 250INR per person

IMPORTANT – This trek comes under Eco Trips managed by Department of Forest, Karnataka Government, hence one has to take permission for the trek.

Forts of Bangalore

8. Devarayanadurga Fort Bangalore Karnataka

Address: 96H7+F5C, Devarayana Durga, Karnataka 572140

Google coordinates: 13.378826718025687, 77.21282662367588

Time required: Easy to moderate level of trekking, best early morning trek destination for sunrise views. Trek distance of 2 km, doable in half an hour.

History and Legends – It is said that God Brahma the creator of the Universe prayed to God Vishnu, the protector of Universe for several thousand years. Impressed by his penance, Vishnu has incarnated himself as Narasimhadev here.

The hillock got its name Devarayanadurga after it was captured by Mysore king Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar (14^th king of Wodeyar dynasty) in 1696.

The name Devarayanadurga translates to the phrase ‘the fort of God’. Prior to that, the fort was known by the name Anebiddasari and then by the name Jadakana Durga, when a chief named Jadaka ruled the town. It was also known by the name Karigiri, meaning elephant hill in Kannada language. When the Devarayanadurga hill is seen from the east side it resembles an elephant.

Architecture of Devarayanadurga Fort – built by Mysore rulers in the Dravidian style of architecture. The fort has seven entry points.

Other sights – The Sanjivaraya temple dedicated to Hanuman, temple of Kumbhi Narasimha at foothills, the Yoga Narasimha Temple which is on Kumbhi Hill. Devarayanadurga temple timings are from 10 AM to 5 PM in the evening every day.

By Srinivasa83 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7876189

9. Huliyurdurga Fort, Navadurga of Bangalore

Address: R2GM+6W9, Oldpet, Huliyurdurga, Karnataka 572123

Google coordinates: 12.82584415604989, 77.03513624704867

Time required: Moderate to difficult level trek, though it can take as less as 20 min, few stretches are quite difficult with no proper route marks and hurdles of big slippery boulders, especially during monsoons.

History – built by Sri Kempegowda, in early 16^th century, the then chieftain of Magadi town. Later passed on to the rulers Chikka Devaraya Wodeyar, Hyder Ali, and Tipu Sultan, finally in 1792 the Marathas and the British laid siege to the fort.

Other name – Huliyurdurga name is attributed to tiger (huli in Kannada). The Fort of Huliyurdurga is popularly known as Kumbhi Betta.

Other sights around – Sri Kumbhi Ganapathi Temple, Sri Gopalakrishna/Venugopala Temple built at the base of the hill, Kote Anjaneya Swamy temple and a Nandi Mantapa.

It is a free sight, no tickets required.

By Gopakumar V R, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67487024

10. Hutridurga Fort Bengaluru

Address: X46C+JHQ, Kathrigatta, Huthridurga(Santhepete), Karnataka 572126

Google coordinates – 12.96188056002731, 77.12286106039404

Time required: Safe for Night or early morning trek for great sunrise views. Easy to moderate level of trek difficulty; A stretch of 5 km, doable in 1 to 2 hours

History – The first fort here was built by Kempegowda in the 16th century. An inscription there mentions “constructed by one Chennamma Nayaka in 1534 under the orders of Kempegowda”. It was the military bastion of Tippu Sultan against British. In 1791 the fort was taken over by the British.

Architecture – The fort once had seven tired fortification, ruined after British capture. You can proceed through any of the three gateways – Yelimaru Bagilu, Balikatte Bagilu and Magadi Bagilu

Other names – also known as Uttari Betta

Other sights around – Shankareshwara Temple, Dodda Donne – a small rectangular water body embedded in the rocky surface, huge grinding stone around 112 cm in diameter, large rock called Gadayi Kallu or Aane Gundu (as it resembles an elephant) that was used as a natural watchtower. It is also said that palegars hoisted their flags here.

Trek Responsibly

Trek responsibly in the hills – While I encourage you to bond with nature as much as possible taking time off you’re your busy schedules I also insist that please trek responsibly.

Trekking in hills all over India is a popular vacation idea for many, especially the easy and moderate levels of treks. While it is thrilling and challenging to complete a trek it is our moral responsibility to leave the hills garbage free. Travel responsibly andleave minimum or no impact on nature.

Read more: Responsible Tourism

Stepwell Nandi Hills – Places to Visit in Bangalore

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Indrani Ghose is an Indian Travel Writer and Blogger based in Bangalore, India. She has written for numerous publications across the globe – including Lonely Planet, The National UAE, Whetstone Asia, Deccan Herald. You can follow her on her social media handles Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook to see the wonderful destinations, beautiful offbeat places and get instant updates about them.