Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 75 km from Bangalore City Junction, 16 km from Kanakapura & 112 km from Mysore, Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta is a hill near Kanakapura town. It is one of the highest hills in the area, and also one of the popular places to visit near Bangalore.

Situated at an altitude of 3780 ft, Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta is also called Bilikal Betta that means white rocks. It is one of the popular places for trekking around Bangalore. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Rangaswamy at the peak of Bilikal Betta. This temple is located underneath a huge, white-colored rock. The temple priest lives near to the temple and the only person living at the peak. Every year, pilgrims from the surrounding area climb this hill to celebrate a festival at the Rangaswamy temple at the top.

The Trekking Trail starts from Konala Doddi (which is about 58 kms from Bangalore City Junction - Bilikal Betta is 6 kms from here). Bilikal Rangaswamy Trek is a moderate one with a well marked path up till the peak. The trekking takes 2.5 hrs uphill and about 1.5 hr downhill. The trail begins with a half kilometer walk on a relatively level path, after which the forest becomes denser and the gradient of slope increases drastically. The trail constantly winds uphill at an incline and includes slightly steep stretches.

Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta belongs to the Eastern Ghats and is filled with shrub forest. Elephants and other animals can be spotted in these forests during the night. The view from the top is very picturesque as one can see the hillocks from the surrounding Kanakapura range, mainly BM betta, Kabbala durga and Savanadurga too.
Best time to visit Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta is during the post monsoon season of August to January. Hotels are available at Harohalli. No shops are available at Koonala Doddi and afterwards, so need to carry your own food and water.

The trek starts from Konala Doddi, which about 6 kms from Bilikal Betta. KSRTC and private buses are available to Kanakapura from KR Market which passes through Harohalli (42 km from Bangalore City Junction). From Harohalli, KSRTC and private buses are available to Dodda Maralawadi (11 kms from Harohalli). From Dodda Maralawadi, very few transportation options are available to Konala Doddi (5 kms from Dodda Maralawadi), but autos or private vehicles can be hired. Private cabs are also available at Harohalli to Konala Doddi.

Apart from the Trek route from Konala Doddi, there is also a jeep track till the peak from Kanakapura, which can also be trekked but a little long route.