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The little-explored hill of the Bananthimari Betta is an ideal place to camp and leisurely watch the sun rise and set. Known as Karadibetta or Maribetta by the locals, it is situated 3 Km from Kanakapura and 66 Km from Bangalore. This hill offers one of the best day hikes in the Kanakapura district of Karnataka.

Bananthimari betta is a monolith hill, splitting into two routes midway. Visiting both provides you with memorable scenic views from different perspectives. The following guide dives into all the details that will ensure you successfully complete this hike independently.

Bananthimari Betta Hiking Guide

Network Availability

Airtel, Jio, and BSNL provide great connectivity throughout the trail. 

ATM Availability

We didn’t find any ATMs in the village. Cash is not required for this trek. However, it is always a good practice to carry sufficient cash. They come in handy during emergencies. 

Languages Spoken

The regional language, Kannada, is the only language spoken by the locals.

Parking Availability

An ample amount of parking space can be found at the base of the trek.

Restroom Facilities

No public restroom is available. You are entirely dependent on nature.

Best Time To Visit

Bananthimari Betta can be visited all around the year. However, during summer, we advise you to start the trek early as it becomes increasingly hot and humid as the day goes by. Furthermore, it’s best to start the trek before daybreak to catch the sunrise.

How To Reach Bananthimari Betta From Bangalore?

By Train

Since the place is not well connected to the railway network, trains are an option that is better if skipped.

By Road

There are no direct BMTC or KSRTC buses available to reach Bananthimari Betta. The best way to reach this place is by road using personal/hired transport.

Twin’s note: Search for Sri Bananthimari temple on the map. This will lead you straight to the starting point of the hike. Searching for Bananthimari Betta will take you to the village. The starting point of the trekking trail is 3 Km from there. 

Where To Eat?

There are no snack shops and restaurants in the village. So it is recommended that you carry your own food & water, and energy bars for the hike.

Things To Do In Bananthimari Betta

This is a great place for trekking enthusiasts who enjoy hill-terrain hikes. You need to hike to the hilltop to camp and watch both sunset and sunrise.

Hiking Details

Distance from Bangalore: 66 Km

Entry fee: Free of cost

Registration: Not required

Permission: No permission is required to trek the Bananthimari Betta.

Camping: Allowed. It is better to inform the locals before camping for safety reasons.

Timings: 24*7

Duration: 1 hour for the ascend, 30 mins to descend.

Summit Height: 1135 m

Hike Distance: Approx 2 Km one way

Water Resources: No drinking water was found along the hiking route. Bring your reusable water bottles (preferably no plastic water bottles).

There is a pond en route. Ensure you purify the stagnant water before you drink.

Hiking Route:

The Bananthimari betta hike starts from the colorful Sri Bananthimari Betta temple.

Towards the right, you will be able to spot a gate and you need to walk towards it. You will be able to see Hindu symbols (instead of arrows) marking the directions along the hike.

After hiking alongside the sandal trees and forests, two routes split up. The left one leads you to the smaller hill where there are no trail markings. You can enjoy the views by walking for 15 mins and coming back down to the same junction.

Taking the right one will lead you to the top of the hill and post a Hanuman temple. There are trail markings until you reach the Hanuman temple.

Towards the left, you can see two symbols marking the way indicating the path to proceed further. After crossing that, the rocky path is steep. You can hike up and admire the scenery. It takes approximately 30 mins to reach the summit from the Hanuman temple.

Difficulty Level: Easy, subjected to your fitness level.

Terrain: Rocks & boulders

At The Bananthimari Betta Summit: 

There is no particular place marked as the summit of Bananthimari betta.

Hike in different directions through the overgrown grasslands. You can find a flat camping spot with a campfire pit at the hilltop. The 360° views of the surrounding hills and the base village can be viewed from atop.

Important Points To Remember

• The use of plastics and smoking is prohibited. 
• As a hiker, it is incumbent on you to be responsible and not litter. Leave the trail better than it was before.
• It is better to go with someone who knows the route or request the villagers to accompany you as there is no proper trail marked until the very top. It is advised to trek this trail in a group as the chances of getting lost are high.
• Searching for Sri Bananthimari temple on the map will lead you straight to the starting point of the hike. But, the location of Bananthimari Betta will take you to the village, from where you have to walk for about 3 Km to the starting point of the trekking trail.

Essential Things To Carry

• Ensure you carry at least 1L of water per person.
• Cap, sunscreen & sunglasses are essential to ward off the summer heat.
• Carry a poncho or raincoat in case of rain.

Frequently Asked Questions

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