Ballalarayana Durga Fort

One of the best trekking places in Chikmagalur. This has a really stunning view, we had an amazing experience while trekking. Must visit place

Amazing trek. Different experience in monsoon- trail full of leeches, views are worth. Full of cloud. Need to book online.

ತುಂಬಾ ಅದ್ಭುತವಾದಂತಹ ಜಾಗ, ಸುತ್ತಲು ಹಸಿರು, ಸುಂದರವಾದ ವನವೃಕ್ಷ ಜಲಪಾತ ಪರ್ವತ ಪ್ರದೇಶಗಳಿವೆ, ಒಟ್ಟಾರೆ ಇದು ಭೂಲೋಕದ ಸ್ವರ್ಗ.

The place is a fort on top of the hill. It's around 4500ft in height. Breathtaking place with an amazing view. It took us 1 hour 45 mins to climb to the top. It's around 3 kms to Ballarayana durga from the parking point.
Try to start early so that you can reach banjade waterfalls too. The waterfalls is around 3-4 kms from fort. There is no entry fee. You can see hills that are very far Away which looks like huge mountains. Gets hard to climb when it gets sunny so i suggest you start real early. Must visit place.

A must visit for trekkers. Had an wonderful experience. Breathtaking views of the western ghats.

Unexplored place. Still its free of plastics and other garbage materials. Worth a place to see and enjoy. Need to hv good stamina aswell.

Moderate trek. It had forest, hill climb, Rocks, waterfalls, everything. And the view from the fort is simply mesmerizing.

Wonderful place to visit with family and friends. Trekking lovers must visit the place. The trekking will be in the thick jungle of western ghats. Best time to visit is from October to December

Very cool place, weather was too good. Easy dense forest trek. You get food at the base point.

One of the oldest fort, you need to hike for appox 3.5 km from the rani jhari view point, during monsoon you don't get much views but when you visit during the post moonsoon and Summer it is very beautiful and scenic. More over it is a easy trail and not a difficult hike.

Nice please for treaking once in life you should go there experience the nature goodness but also take care of your safety

Very nice place, good to visit all over the year. Also leaches all over the year. Fort is spread over large area. Very less people visit this. It takes an hour to reach the top. Scenic path on the way.
The starting point is slightly difficult to reach if you are on a small car in the rainy season. SUVs are fine, in rainy season it will test your driving skills.

Awesome place!

Nature serenity at its best, trekking and nature lovers will enjoy the this place.

Multiple view points and peaks are seen around this place.

Fort is so so long and covered almost entire hill range from charmudi ghat. I would say this fort is One of the man made wonders at highly challenging place. Because of its situation amidst thick forest and hills range.

Fort seems to very old probabdy more than 500 years old yet not much info is available in public domain. ASI dept should put more effort to shed a light on history of this place.

May be it was created as line of defense against anyone who tries to invade inland areas from western ghat side.

Notes:

No one was there at entrance or at the fort to collect entry fees, Iam not sure govt has removed the entry fee, No one paid any amount to anyone while entering trekking trail.

Not recommended for physically weak people, avoid bringing kids.

Be a sensible tourer do not litter. Maintain the plastic free status of the near village and this place.

Visited the place on monsoon time, the view was completely covered with fog, a great trek into the forest.

There where no fort to see, but wonderful place. We are tired when we reached to the view point.

Book your tickets from myceotrip website as this is mandatory now. Get in touch with the forest officer who’s contact details would be provided once your booking is confirmed to get any latest details.

Just stunning views.the peak just peeks out of the clouds - giving a surreal experience! Short hike to this beautiful place! Nothing much is around so need to carry water and snacks as required. It's jst an amazing experience to sit at the top n view the clouds dancing away?

A peaceful location up top where you could see the ruins of the ancient fort and enjoy the cool breeze after a moderate trek to the peak. Although the fort is not a major attraction at this spot. You can choose to even trek to the Bandaje falls nearby.

Scenic views of natural Beauty, easy trekking, Easy trekking near by waterfalls Madhugundi- Kodige Falls

It's a day trekking with moderate difficulty. The trekkikg ends at the beginning of a water fall. The return is more tiring than the onward trek. So plan ur energy level accordingly.

Rani jhari and ballalarayana durga places are nearer to each other,
In this ballalarayana durga you will see an old destroyed fort on the top of the hill station quit simple but nature gives an beautiful touch to it

The place for trekking of 9 km is an awesome experience but the entry fee is Rs. 500. Its quiet expensive too But they haven't kept a single dustbin or not even water facility. Only money making from one of Malleshwaram Eco tourism.
Go green swach barath only from words. Do something worthful for the money what you have collects.

Such a beautiful experience, beware of leaches, carry sufficient amount of water, dettol (liquid) or salt for leaches, must visit if u love trekking

Too good a trek. There are two routes one can take, one which leads to the water falls and the other which leads to the fort, both of which are excellent

It's an amazing place. The view from the top is really beautiful. It's a must visit place for those who loves trekking.

We trekked around an hour amidst the rain and leeches but the state of euphoria you will be in after climbing to the peak, makes it all worth the treading. Overall an amazing experience and certainly can be your ''one of a kind experience'' too

I saw the place but couldn't take photos then. But the place is very nice, the plants around it are very sweet and I think I want to stay there, I can hear the birds again, they are very sweet. This photo was taken from someone else.

Best place to trek with friends as it was not known to many, the place is not rush and we can do the trek peacefully without any problem. The trek is some 4.2 km up and the same way down. Carry proper trekking equipment in order to do the trek easily. The way is not that good. Keep hydrated. Stay safe. See that you do trek in the morning around 7 to 8 as the view is very good at that time.

A place which carries tremendous history! Many have crossed this journey m, we are just a spec. ***** Fill the life with beauty that nature carries *****

Ballalarayana Durga Fort.the hill is situated is at the height of 4950 ft and is surrounded by beautiful lush green and deep forest which gives one an amazing breath taking view all around. We can watch the best sunset here with beautiful sunset colours scattered in the sky.

A very beautiful scenic spot. Approximately 4 km trek from rani jhari view point. Breathtaking view if clouds assemble

It's the best place for trekking and place is awesome, sunset is a fabulous view there and nature is so pure and tremendous beauty of Western ghats is seen

One of the best hiking sopts in chikmagalur. Bothe open grassland and forest terrain.
You need to take eco tourism ticket at the bottom of the hill @ Rani jhari cafe.

Most beautiful place. Trek distance is very less and and can easily reach the peak and enjoy the greenery when u hangout for one day plan.
Also you Can continue to bandaje arbi falls from the fort which is even more beautiful. There are many untouched places near by and I can’t reveal it for nature safety purpose

Awesome place. In bike, one can almost reach the place if you drive off road. But in car, one need to walk for 2-3kms. The place is worth it. Just go for it but in the right time. Winter is preferable.

Absolutely beautiful ful views and a challenging trek THERE IS NO NEED TO PAY ANY MONEY OR TAKE ANY PERMISSION FROM FOREST DEPARTMENT if your coming from hirebail side you have to pay only the parking fee

Medium level trek of 8kms one way from the forest check post, very good sceinic views from the broken fort,

This is one of the best trekking palace. The only problem is have to take permission from forest dept. And they ll charge 250rs per head.but it is definitely worth. Nearly 8-10 km of trek and it is mind blowing. The view from top is satisfying for all the hard work in trekking

Beautiful place the view from top was superb but be careful guys if you are visiting only for view point then there is no charge if you want visit the fort then you have pay even you can get food in shops while going you have to do order. Do visit

One of the best iconic place in middle of forest. Best for photography and shooting. We visited with our class friends. One day is enhalf for covering the place from morning to till evening. But be careful no support here. Bring water and little snacks no shops here.

Mind blowing greenery around. Good place for 5-6hrs trek. Take a guide allotted from Karnataka Forest Department

Nice view points and cool and calm place, has some ruins of fort but nothing else, Tracking experience is good inside the forest and nice for all nature lovers.

This fort was built in the Hoysala empire period. Now This fort is trekkers' ideal place near Chikmagalur. To hike this temple normal person may take 150 minutes if you want to go there take food items and water, we are not found any shops there. After hiking this fort you will get a mesmerizing view of Western ghats to view.

Its a nice place to visit.its very cold even during 11 in the afternoon that too in the summer. Do not visit this place during summer because it will look brown.during other time it will be covered in green.and it will be a great place to visit.

Beautiful view of western ghats. 4hr trekking. But worthy. The view from the fort and the path leading to it is breathtaking

It's an amazing place. The view from the top is really beautiful. It's a must visit place for those who loves trekking. You must take permission from the forest officials before starting your journey.you have to pay 250rs per head. It takes about 12 km walk (up and down). There is no need of any guide.please don't forget to carry food and water. There is no shops nearby.

Ballalarayana durga fort one of the easy trucking mountain in chikmagaluru dirstict. Due to landslide in western ghat ballalarayana durga also effected.peak of the mountain you can see the beautiful views of western ghats. During Rainey season leachs are more in number. In every step it bites you. So better to visit this place in January. Please don't throw plastic and pollute this beautiful nature.

Best place for a day trek near Kottigehara & Kalasa. There is a good off-road to reach the downhill, preferably good to have 4 wheel drive or hiking bikes. At the foothill there is a restaurants & shops which can serve malnenadu spices & local foods. At around 7 to 8 kms from the foothill there is a resort named as Kathikhan Stays, where you can have pleasant stay.

Best trekking place, 3-4kms trek, better to go in the month of june before heavy rain fall or from december to feb.

Awesome journey what a wonderful experience. If you want peace in ur life go there and truck here, it's better to see monsoon time.

On Kottigehara- Kalasa road, take a diversion at a place called Sunkasale and drive upwards for some 5kms to reach the trek start point. The trek distance is approx 3kms one way but the trek trails might be confusing. Carry everything that you need like food water etc. Once you ascend the initial forest path, the wide open Shola grasslands welcome you which offers breathtaking views all round. On top, there are remains of a fort which is said to have been built by the Hoysala dynasty, a proof of our magnificent past and architectural excellence. This fort borders DK and Chikmaglur districts. It will be great if the authorities revamp and conserve this heritage site. A trek, not to be missed, especially during the monsoon (but beware of leeches). There are a few places nearby like Rani Jhari falls, Kalabhairava temple etc which can be visited too.

A wonderful Scene was waiting to be seen, The scene Was just a 150 meters away from where our vehicles were parked. The clouds we're kissing the mountains. The mountains were painted with Greenery.

Others peaks like kuduremukha, Tadiyandamol or Kodachadri are also awesome, and the scenery there will be waiting for us to enjoy it. We should trek for at least 10kms to enjoy the Scenery in these places.

But Ballalarayana Durga Place is different. Here we can Enjoy the scenery without trekking even for a km.

How ever there is also a option for 1km trek and 7km trek. I think mostly we can reach some waterfall after trekking for 7kms.

A must visit place to enjoy Nature's Beauty.

Great experience! The fort is constructed on the top of a hill with sliding and breath taking greenery full of peace. People say it was constructed by a king to hide during the times of wars. The place is called fort but it actually has only walls many people come for trekking and very few do camping over here. Have a great waterfall in the middle of the mountains flowing crystal clear water which is drinking water. It is suggested not to go for camping in rainy seasons as the nights might be miserable which I have been through over all climbing and getting down the hills through the ghats and jungle is a awesome experience.

The fort is in ruins, but the journey up is exhilarating as well as a painstaking one.
May it be the breathtaking views, the treacherous path, the bloodthirsty leeches, the climb will keep u engaged.
We went during monsoon, its a bit risky owing to the slippery path;better to go with proper gear, atleast a good set of boots with ankle support (high chance of spraining ur ankle)
Take adequate precautions to counter the leeches (ppl not used to these will get freaked out and become paranoid) mustartd oil, tobacco, or synthetic repellants will do.
Take plenty of water with you, dehydration and fatigue can kick in real fast on ur way up. Snacks can also be taken, but please dont pollute the fort with plastic waste (currently its heavily polluted with plastic waste) Consumption of alcohol at the top is a regular practice I guess, but frankly, its better not to, as climbing down demands a lot of balance!
Take adequate breaks in between on ur way up.
There are a few photo opportunity overhangs, mini cliffs at the top, always check the integrity of these points before climbing.
Apart from that there's nothing much of Architectural/Archeological to see at top.
Its sad to see that either the tourism dept or Archeological survey of India isnt taking much interest in preserving at least what is left.

Its a mixed feeling in the end. The sense of Achievement, that u've did the climb and Remorse, that our history is going to ruins.

Yes! This is the place that every trekker needs to visit! To getlost in Nature! This is huge stretch that u cannot see everything here! U can take ur vehicle till Rani Jari (suicide point). From there u need walk nearly 1.5 kms in between forest and hills to reach the Fort! There are many hiding places there! U can enjoy the water falls by walking 2 km from the fort! U can stay in the fort by taking essentials like food etc etc.many homestays are near by this place.even they offer u to take there! By charging money! Best place to visit in every season!

A living testimony to the power of nature as well as man's pressing urge to dominate it, the Ballalarayana Durga is a place that needs to be experienced rather than read about.

The name translates as "The Fort of Ballala Raya". As can be seen in the photos, it is a vast hill, at the edges of which can be found a stone compound like structure, the remnants of a fort, as per the locals.

The view is mesmerizing and the trek/hike gentle. Reaching the base is a little difficult but once you are there, you will not feel like coming back.

Best for half a day's trek or picnic. Though some folks are known to pitch a tent to spend a night on the unending grass covered hill, the danger of being face to face with a wild beast is an ever present danger.