The city of Hyderabad is a haven for rock climbers and trekkers thanks to diverse natural rock formations of the deccan plateau. Why not make the most of these trekking trails on a lazy Sunday afternoon? Indira Penubolu brings you top 3 trekking trials in and around Hyderadbad.
Trekking Essentials:
- A pair of sports shoes with a good grip
- Comfortable, full length pants and sleeved t-shirts.
- Lots of H2O.
- A cap and sun block
- Fruit & Light snacks like sandwiches.
- First Aid.
- Travel light.
- Do not litter! Carry a garbage bag with you.
- Energy & Enthusiasm!
Bhongir Fort, Bhongir
Getting There:
By Train: Telangana express, Secunderabad Kazipet line to bhongir.
By Road: Take a local bus or drive down the Warangal highway Nh 202 and cross Ghatkesar 23km, Bibinagar to reach Bhongir. The huge monolithic structure looms large even as you enter the town.
Travel time 2 hrs to and fro
Trek time: Minimum 4hrs.
Fee: 5 Re entrance fee
The History:
Bhuvana Giri, now Bhongir fort, 51 km north east of Hyderabad was in the 11th century built by Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI, a Chalukya king Fort! At the foot of the fortified rock stands the town of Bhongir. This huge monolith with its unique egg like shape measuring 500ft high spreading over 40 acres, has two entry points protected by huge rocks. This made the fort practically impregnable by invading armies. The heroic queen Rudra Amma Devi and her grandson Pratapa Rudra are associated with it’s history. Legend has it, that there once was an underground corridor connecting Bhongir Fort to Golconda!
The Trail:
The best spot to start is near the Hanuman Kamman. Climbing up the Bhongir hill may leave you feeling daunted- the enormous grey, silent rock lacking in greenery, looming over the line of trains and traffic snaking past, 500 feet below, but when you get to the top, the wind and the view make it refreshingly worth it. The moat that encircles the fort, a vast underground chamber, trap doors, an armoury, stables, ponds and wells, make for fascinating viewing.
If the steep rock tires you easily, take on the rock in a slant instead of head on. This way your chances sliding down are lesser. If it’s raining you better watch out as the rock gets very slippery at times and there is absolutely no foliage to hold onto. For the less adventurous the fort also has 250 carved out steps and may take 3 hours to get to the top. For a verdant, easier but longer trek you could also walk around at the bottom of the rock itself.
Half way up surprisingly, even in this rocky terrian you will come across a well. History says, elephants were used to fill the well to supply to the royal palace. Some more gashes in the huge monolith serve as rain water reservoirs thronged by lotuses. As you reach the top you’ll a ruined mansion with disfigured turrets and crumbling stucco ruins the Bala Hisar or citadel from which you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of current day town of Bhongir and its surroundings. The ruins inscribed in old Kannada and Telugu vividly bring to light the daily life of ancient people. The altitude, view and environment teamed with your curbing adrenaline rush from the climb up make this the best spot to sit down and snack before you walk around the mound and make your way back down the Fort.
For the Foodies!
If you’re heading back in the evening stop by one of the numerous tea stalls which sell crispy hot bajjis and tapioca chips and feel rejuvenated as you sip your steaming tea.
Neighbouring Bhongir:
Yadigirgutta, (13km) the abode of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy.
Bhoodan Pochmpally, (15km) famous for its silk & cotton sarees.
Venkateswara Gutta, Shamirpet lake, Ranga Reddy district.
Getting There:
By Road: take the local buses or drive down the Shamirpet road from Secunderabad via Alwal towards Karimnagar. Shortly after crossing the Shamirpet lake (27km) turn left onto the road leading to the Venkateswara Gutta hills (3km).
Travel time: 30 mins from Secunderabad
Trek time: about 3 hrs.
About Venkateswargutta
Although Shamirpet is a well known picnic spot for hyderabadi’s, Venkateswaragutta hills situated just beyond the lake makes a quick getaway and an invigorating climb with lush green hills and ponds. Venkateswara Gutta is named after the age old Venkateswara Swamy temple atop the hillock. In the month of July, for Guru Purnima the villagers participate in a vibrant jatara to which ends at this temple.
The Trail:
Ideally reach the trek spot around 4pm and finish off by dusk. To get kick started on your trek, follow the trails around the area to the left. The trail is green, rocky and simple until you cross a huge water reservoir. An avid bird watcher may chance upon kingfishers, thrushes and finch-larks. You’ll even come across some exotic rock formations which are a must attempt. If you’re lucky enough you may even spot a hare or 2 on your trail. Across the reservoir the foliage begins to thicken and the climb gets steeper and rockier. If you venture further enough you will be able to view the Shamirpet lake as well.You could always cool off in the reservoir on your way back.
Don’t forget to round of your trek with a visit to the famous Venkateswara Swamy Temple. The yummy sooji ka halwa prasaad gives you the much needed energy boost after the trek. The temple bells, and the view from the hillock at dusk leave you filled with a sense of peace and calm.
Neighbouring Venkateswara gutta:
- Shamirpet Lake
- Ratnalayam Temple
- Shamirpet Deer Park
For the Foodies!
If your hungry stop by at Drive in Dhaba or Alankritha resorts to juice up!
Bairagiguda or Ghar e Mubarak, near Police Acadmey (APPA),
Getting There:
By Road: You can take a local bus to Narsingi village or
From Masab Tank Head onto Osman Sagar road,
Cross Taramati Baradari
Turn left on the Jawaharlal Nehru Outer Ring Road to reach APPA. (17 km)
Trek time: 2hrs
Travel time: 20 mins from Masab tank.
Start your trek right behind the AP police academy. Although the approach to this trail is a long and winding, the trek itself is simple and also child friendly. The landscape is flattish to begin with and as you walk further it begins to get rockier and the shrubbery gets prickly owing to the numerous thorny bushes of wild karanda. During the rainy season you may come across a few ponds but otherwise this area is dry. This trail leads you to Bairagiguda or Ghar e Mubarak at one end and the Are Maisamma temple at the other end. From the highest point you even can view the Himayat sagar lake in a distance.
Neighbouring Bairagiguda:
- Himyat Sagar
- Osman Sagar
- Mrigavani National Park.
- Taramati Baradari
Other must try Trek trails are:
- Rocks in the Hyderabad University Campus: The Hyderabad university campus in gachibowli is rich in trekking trails. It is most famous for the ‘mushroom rock’ formation.
- Rocks around Durgam Cheruvu: This trail has a very rocky terrain with minimum foliage. It is well known for its ‘Tortoise rock’ formation
- Maula Ali’s Dargah : About 13 km away from the city, close to the Nacharam industrial area, this dargah is located on the top of a hillock near Moula-Ali, which is in north-eastern part of Hyderabad. The panoramic view of the Hyderabad city from the top of the Moula-Ali hill is a breathtaking scene.
- Narsapur Forest: 30 KM from Balanagar junction on Nizamabad - Bodhan highway this trail stretches for 4-5 km on the highway. A mini-ghat section, thick forest, a hill some 4 KM inside the forest, a large lake, loads of monkey and birds. This makes an ideal spot for trekking for 4-5 hours on a Saturday or Sunday.
Remember the best thing about trekking is it can be as challenging or as simple as you want it to be! Where there is no path you can always make one! So don your climbing gear and test your vigour!
