Skandagiri
ಸ್ಕಂದಗಿರಿ
Famous for night hikes to the summit to watch the sea of clouds at sunrise; the peak has fort ruins and a small Shiva shrine.
Skandagiri, also known as Kalavara Durga, stands at about 1,450 metres and faces Nandi Hills across the valley. The classic route starts from the foot of the hill around 2 to 3 am and takes about 2 hours to reach the summit, where you wait for sunrise and the sea of clouds beside the fort ruins and a small Shiva shrine. Book in advance through the Aranya Vihara platform of the Karnataka Forest Department, as numbers are limited and weekend slots fill quickly. The trail is a dirt and stone path, so bring a headlamp and a warm jacket. The hill is about 60 km from Bengaluru.
Opening hours
Reservation required (night hiking sessions)
Nearby sights
- Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple
- Nandi Hills
- Adiyogi Shiva Statue, Chikkaballapur
- Bangalore Palace
- ISKCON Temple Bangalore
- Malleswaram
- National Gallery of Modern Art, Bengaluru
- St. Mary's Basilica