Gudibande Fort, Bhairasagara & Vatadahosahalli Lake – A Hidden Picnic Spot near Bengaluru

Gudibande Fort along with Bhairasagara Lake and Vatadahosahalli Lake is a perfect one-day trip from Bangalore within 100 KM. Surrounded by a vast range of nestling hills, an easy to moderate hike suitable for all age groups, a scenic drive from Bangalore, a chance to have a personal picnic experience by the lake during sunset with your family and loved ones, the absence of maddening crowd even on weekends or holidays make a trip to Gudibande fort a perfect day outing from Bengaluru.

Luckily, there is no shortage of one-day gateway or picnic places near Bangalore. After a tiring week at work and a small spell of under the weather, we were looking for an offbeat picnic destination on the outskirts of Bengaluru to unwind and to have some light activities. Gudibande fits the bill perfectly. It is definitely one of the best unexplored day trips from places near Bengaluru.

Are you also planning a day trip to Bhairasagara Lake, Gudibande Fort, and Vatadahosahalli Lake, or are you looking for a day outing near Bengaluru with a picnic lunch and an easy hike? Then, you are at the right place. In this article, I will share the best route, how to visit Gudibande Fort from Bangalore, its history, a guide to the Gudibande Fort trek, timings, picnic spots, etc.

Keep reading!!!

If you are searching for more options for one-day trips from Bangalore, you can visit Mandaragiri Hills or Muninagara Dam.

Where Is Gudibande?

Gudibanda or Gudibande is a small town in the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka. It lies at a brief detour on the Bengaluru-Hyderabad highway. The distance from the center of Bangalore to Gudibande is around 92 KM and a drive time of 2 – 2.5 hours. The seemingly unmentionable town has a vibrant history, a fascinating mythological significance, and three stunning tourist attractions (Bhairasagara Lake, Gudibande Fort, and Vatadahosahalli Lake) which never fail to amaze the visitors. Gudibande Fort was built on the top of Surasadmagiri Hill which lies northwest of Gudibande town.

Take a look at the distance to Gudibande from some famous spots nearby.

Distance from Bangalore to Gudibande: ~ 92 KM
Drive Time from Bangalore to Gudibande: 2 – 2.5 hours

Distance from Lepakshi to Gudibande: ~ 23 KM
Drive Time from Lepakshi to Gudibande: 40 – 50 minutes

Distance from Chikkaballapur to Gudibande: ~ 33 KM
Drive Time from Chikkaballapur to Gudibande: 40 – 50 minutes

Distance from Adiyogi, Isha Foundation to Gudibande: ~ 33 KM
Drive Time from Adiyogi, Isha Foundation to Gudibande: 40 – 50 minutes

Distance from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru to Gudibande: ~ 68 KM
Drive Time from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru to Gudibande: 1 – 1.2 hours

A Bit Of History About Gudibande

The fascinating history of Gudibande goes back to the time of Ramayana. Legend says on the quest to find Sita and defeat Ravana, Lord Rama established a Shiva temple to worship on the top of the Surasadmagiri hill in Gudibande town with the help of Sage Vishwamitra. The temple is known as Sri Rameshwara Temple, and it is believed to be one of the ancient 108 Jyotirlingas mentioned in the ancient Hindu scriptures. In Kannada, the language spoken in this part of India, ‘Gudi’ means temple, and ‘Bande’ means rock. The town derives its name from the temple on the top of a rock, Gudibande.

Unfortunately, the ancient temple did not hold the test of time. The current structure of the temple was built much later during the 17^th century. Byra Gowda, a descendant of the Tuluva dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire, ruled this area during the 17^th century. He was known to be a just and progressive ruler. He built the Gudibande fort, renovated Sri Rameshwara Temple into what we see today, and irrigated a rainwater harvesting mechanism that remains the most important source of water for this area even today. He built numerous lakes including Bhairasagar (or, Byra Sagar) Lake which was named after him.

Gudibande Fort – An Architectural Marvel

The 400-year-old Gudibande Fort was an architectural marvel of that time. Built on the top of the Surasadmagiri Hill, the seven-storey fort is interconnected with well-laden stairs. As per historical records, Byra Gowda was so impressed with Madhugiri Fort (located around 70 KM from Gudibande) that he commissioned a replica in Gudibande. However, its intelligent escape route and groundbreaking rainwater harvesting mechanism make Gudibande Fort a unique masterpiece. All seven levels are also interconnected with a secret escape route for royalties, soldiers, and fort dwellers to escape or bring essentials in case of siege. There are 19 rock ponds and numerous water tanks called ‘Dhone’ at the different levels of the fort. He also built many lakes around the town, Vatadahosahalli Lake, and Bhairasagar Lake being the important ones. All these water bodies were designed to hold 3 lakh liters of rainwater at a time. Isn’t it amazing for a 400-year-old construction?

How To Reach Gudibande From Bangalore

Places To Visit In Gudibande

You can cover all major attractions on a one-day trip to Gudibande from Bengaluru.

Bhairasagara Lake

While going towards the Gudibande town from Bangalore, 2 – 3 KM before reaching the Gudibande town, you will find a vast waterbody on the backdrop of hills. It is named Byra Sagar (now Bhairasagara) after the famous ruler Byra Gowda. It is popularly known as Gudibande Lake. If you are coming by two-wheelers, you can reach smaller roads to the lake bank. But if you are coming by car, I would recommend you park your car on the roadside and walk to the lake. The lake runs along the winding road for almost 1.5 KM. So, the drive along the lake is a must-do experience during this day trip. Spend some time relaxing, watching birds, or enjoying a beautiful sunset. You will not regret the time spent here. However, I will reveal the best spot for sunset on this day trip from Bangalore to Gudibande in some time. Read on to know.

I heard that this lake is in the shape of the map of India. Honestly, I had a bird’s eye view of it from different angles from the top of Gudibande Fort and even verified satellite images in Google Maps, it does not resemble the shape of India, not even close. The place is absolutely breathtaking. Not sure, why people make such bizarre comparisons to hype up a place. Nonetheless, the place deserves a trip on its own.

Location: here
Opening Hours: sunrise to sunset
Admission: Free

Gudibande Fort

The main attraction of Gudibande is of course the 17th century Gudibande Fort built on the top of Surasadmagiri hill. You can see the mighty hill and the fort wall from a distance while approaching Gudibande town. Once you reach the town center, take a narrow lane which will take you to the base of the hill. The hike to the top of Gudibande Fort is easy to moderate. It is suitable for any age group with no mobility issues. You need to climb around 500 steps through the different levels of the fort.

The first half of the hike is quite easy with well-laden stairs and stone railings wide enough to safely sit and take rest. As you climb higher, the view of the Gudibande town, Bhairasagara Lake, Vatadahosahalli Lake, and a range of green-covered hills will mesmerize you. The colorful houses of Gudibande surprised me the most. They look like scattered gift boxes wrapped in different colored papers from the top. Make sure to take a pause between your hikes and relish the view. This section does not have any shade. Fortunately, we visited on a cloudy day in January. The cold breeze made our hike quite enjoyable.

Halfway through the hike, we reached a flat rocky surface. It felt like a dead end. We could not find any road up from here to the top. We thought either we reached the top or we lost our way. But do not make the mistake of going back from this point. Look closely, you will find a small flight of stairs that will take you inside the fort. But do not forget to enjoy the view before moving to the next part of the hike.

Here comes the challenging part of the hike. As you enter the fort, the stairs become narrow and steeper. The height of each stair is more than usual. So, you need to stretch your legs quite a bit. Each flight of winding stairs will take you to the next level of the fort. So, you will encounter a sharp ascend. At the end of each level, you will be greeted with a huge intricately carved stone door and a temple-like structure. Sometimes, you will feel that you have reached a dead end. But enter through the door and you find the next flight of stairs. These stone stairs are part of the original 400 years old fort. So, some of the stones might be broken. Watch your steps while climbing. The entire section is very narrow. It becomes even narrower when unmaintained shrubs and trees cover the sides of the stairs. You will find cave-like formations with boulders on the way. The boulders are loosely arranged on each other like a deck of cards. They might look scary initially, but they are natural formations and have been intact for centuries. So, I guess it is safe to pass through its narrow openings. Unlike the first section of the hike, this section has thick stone walls on both sides blocking the view (which means no motivation for the climb) and the wind that makes the area very suffocating. Take proper rest if required during the hike.

Once you reach the top, you will be greeted with spectacular views and ruins of the once invincible fort. You can still see a few rock ponds on the top. A major part of the fort walls still exists. You can walk along the wall. But be careful not to climb on the wall or go near the cliff. They are not properly maintained. Sri Rameshwara Temple, the ancient Shiva temple, has been renovated to some extent. When we visited, it was closed. We sat on a rock and enjoyed the 360-degree view of the town, Vatadahosahalli Lake, Bhairasagar Lake, and the cascading hill range. I think the view from the top of the Gudibande trek is better than that from Nandi Hill on a clear day minus the crowd. There are no shades on the temple except the temple premise. But, it was quite breezy. So, you will not feel the heat even on sunny days.

The climb can take 30 minutes to 1.5 hours based on your fitness level. We were pressed for time to reach Vatadahosahalli Lake before sunset. So, we could stay only 40 – 45 minutes on the top. But, you can easily spend an hour or two. Just relax, enjoy the view, or click photos. Climbing down will take less time. While we took 45 – 50 minutes to reach the top with a few rest and photo breaks, we climbed down in less than 30 minutes.

Trekking Summary

• Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate
• Suitable For: All age groups with no mobility issue
• Route Condition: Mostly stairs and flats. Some parts are broken, but easy to navigate.
• Time Required To Climb: 30 minutes – 1.5 hours
• Time Required To Climb Down: 30 – 40 minutes

Safety Precautions For Trekking

Though the hike to the Gudibande Fort is an easy trek, you must follow some safety measures to make your trip risk-free.

• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
• Carry enough water.
• Beware of monkeys. Do not show food or flashy items to them.
• There is no light in the fort. So, climb down before dark.

Location: here
Opening Hours: 6 AM to 6 PM daily
Admission: Free

Vatadahosahalli Lake

Our final stop for the day trip to Gudibande from Bengaluru is Vatadahosahalli Lake. It is also known as Sabbanahalli Lake. It is 7-8 KM from Gudibande Fort. This part of the drive is the most scenic. It goes through rolling hills, valleys, and small villages. In the evening you will see villagers taking cattle herds back home.

Do you know the best thing about this lake? You can drive along Sabbanahalli or Vatadahosahalli Lake and take your four-wheeler to the bank of the lake during the dry season. There are many flat surfaces on the bank of the lake where you can go camping or have a picnic or barbecue meal. The sun setting behind uniquely structured hills with loosely placed rocks and boulders on the backdrop of the lake is a sight to behold. We were a little late to reach. The sun had already started to set. Many families were enjoying picnics by the water. Adults were managing food, and chitchatting while kids were playing with rocks. However, it wasn’t hard for us to find a quiet space by the lake. We carried some homemade snacks. Sunset by the water, homemade food, us, and random conversations. Our kind of date. Sabbanahalli or Vatadahosahalli Lake is one of the best picnic spots near Bengaluru.

Location: here
Opening Hours: sunrise to sunset
Admission: Free

Best Time To Visit Gudibande

Clear Winter days are the best time to visit Gudibande. However, you can visit Gudibande all year round if you plan your timings correctly.

The best time to climb Gudibande Fort is, of course, winter. You can also plan the hike to Gudibande Fort during sunsets and sunrises in summer. A clear day is a plus, as you can view the entire hill range from the top. We visited in the afternoon in January. There was no sun, but it wasn’t cloudy either. We had a pleasant hike and got amazing views from the top of Gudibande Fort. I would not recommend the rainy season, as the stairs can get slippery.

The best time to visit Bhairasagara Lake is all year round. The sunsets are amazing. It is very breezy. So, you can come here at any time of the day. Since the lake goes along the road, if you are not planning to go to the lake bank, you can even enjoy it from the road during the monsoon. In heavy monsoons, the water might spill onto the road. So, drive carefully.

The best time to visit Vatadahosahalli or Sabbanahalli Lake is sunset. However, you can visit any time of the day for a picnic. Avoid the rainy season as the bank will be muddy.

Time Required To Visit Gudibande

You need an entire day to visit all 3 attractions in Gudibande. At a minimum, spend at least half an hour at both Bhairasagara Lake and Vatadahosahalli Lake. The hike to the top of Gudibande Fort can take 30 minutes – 1.5 hours and the climb down will take 30 – 40 minutes. You must spend at least half an hour on the top before starting the descent. So, a half-day trip to Gudibande from Bengaluru is doable. However, it will be a rushed itinerary. I would recommend taking a little slower approach. Spend longer enjoying the view, carry some food, and have them by the lake. Gudibande is the best to enjoy as a day trip from Bengaluru.

Day Trip From Bengaluru Or A Weekend Trip

A trip to Bhairasagara Lake, Gudibande Fort, and Vatadahosahalli Lake is ideal for a day outing or picnic from Bangalore. I would not recommend staying overnight for this trip. If you want to spend a day surrounded by nature, go somewhere close to the western ghats.

Where To Stay In Gudibande

There is no hotel in Gudibande town or nearby. If you insist on staying for a night, choose some farm stays or resorts near Chikkabalapura.

Where To Eat In Gudibande

Gudibande is a small town with no modern amenities. You will not find restaurants in Gudibande or any nearby town. Your best bet is the highway joints on the Bengaluru-Hyderabad road. There was one coconut seller, a nimbu-soda seller, and a churmuri or jhal muri (puffed rice mixed with spices, and veggies) seller in front of Gudibande fort. There is one more coconut seller near Vatadahosahalli Lake. Please do not rely on them. Carry food and water and have them in the best picnic spots near Bengaluru.

How Safe Is Gudibande?

Gudibande is an offbeat place to visit from Bengaluru. Even on weekends or holidays, there will hardly be any people. We encountered just 5-6 people during the hike. There were just two of us at certain sections of the hike to the Gudibande fort. We did not feel unsafe even for once. There are only 20-25 people at max on the top. But they were families, couples, a group of friends. Please do not venture out off the trail. There could be broken structures, unknown traps (it was a fort after all), or snakes.

Is Gudibande Worth Visiting For A Day Trip From Bengaluru?

A big yes! Gudibande Fort is a hidden gem near Bangalore. The view from the top is breathtaking. This is our second visit to Bhairasagara Lake. We loved it both times. And, Vatadahosahalli or Sabbanahalli Lake is one of the best picnic destinations near Bengaluru. We plan to go back again for a barbecue picnic by the lake.

Other Places Of Interest Near Gudibande

If you start early, you can visit nearby places with Gudibande. I have a few recommendations for you.

• Nandi Hill (~ 47 KM)
• Adiyogi, Isha Foundation (~ 33 KM)
• Lepakshi (~ 23 KM)
• Sri Bhoga Nandishwara Gudi (~ 45 KM)
• Avalabette (~ 14 KM)
• Dandiganahalli Dam (~ 43 KM)

A Few Things To Consider

A day trip to Gudibande from Bengaluru is very convenient and can be done with kids and senior citizens. However, please keep a few things in mind to make the trip hassle-free.

• Gudibande is a quaint sleepy town. You will not find any place to eat. Carry enough water and food. They will be helpful for the hike too.
• There are no lights or security officials in the fort or near the lake. So, climb down before the dark.
•  Be aware of the monkeys. There are a lot of them on the top of Gudibande fort and the initial section of the hike.
• Do not show food or flashy items to monkeys. Carry a stick for an emergency. But please do not scare them or hit them unnecessarily.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
• If you are planning for a picnic lunch, please carry a bin bag to take bag your trash. Leave the place as it was before you were there.
• Plan your picnic by the lake. Please avoid the fort for picnics as they might attract unnecessary attentions from the monkeys. Also, there is a temple on the hilltop. So, please be respectful of the place.
• Stick to the designated route while hiking.
• There is no washroom. However, you can use the restrooms in the highway restaurants on the Bengaluru-Hyderabad highway. The nearest one is 15 KM away. So, plan accordingly.
• Avoid monsoon season as the stairs can be slippery and the lake bank will be muddy.
• Carry sunglasses.

Picnic Essentials To Carry

Vatadahosahalli or Sabbanahalli Lake is one of the best picnic destinations near Bengaluru. I highly recommend carrying some precooked food for a picnic in the lap of nature. Prefer barbecues over picnics. That is even better. I know that planning is a difficult task. I have put together a checklist of picnic essentials for you.

• Waterproof, easy-to-clean picnic mat
• Picnic Basket to carry your essentials
• Heat-retaining tiffin box
• Napkins & tissues
• Water bottle
• Disposable utensils like plates, cutleries, bowls, glasses
• Thermal flask
• Tea bags
• Umbrella
• Foldable picnic chair
• Salt and paper sachets
• Outdoor sports kit for kids
• Paper soap
• The most important one – trash bags. Leave the place as it was before you were there.

So, now you have all things ready for a great day trip to Gudibande from Bengaluru within 100 KM with your friends and family. When are you hitting the road?

Do let me know your experience when you visit.