Chikkaballapur is a peaceful town located about 60 km north of Bengaluru. It is well-known for its scenic views, historical significance, and spiritual allure. Situated at the base of Nandi Hills, the area provides breathtaking sunrise views, trekking paths, and historical sites like Tipu Sultan’s Fort. The ancient Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple in Chikkaballapur showcases the grandeur of Dravidian architecture. For adventure seekers, hills like Skandagiri and Avalabetta are perfect for trekking and paragliding. Get ready to explore the scenic places to visit near Chikkaballapur for a quaint retreat.
10 Places To Visit Near Chikkaballapur
Explore scenic hilltop views, ancient temples, and thrilling outdoor adventures. Here is a list of places to visit near Chikkaballapur for a memorable trip.
1. Nandi Hills
Nandi Hills is a beautiful small town just 60 km from Bangalore. Despite being well-known for its stunning viewpoints and lush greenery, it’s also a significant historical site with various temples, monuments, and shrines. Apart from its historical charm, Nandi Hills offers a range of outdoor activities like trekking, cycling paths and thrilling sports like paragliding. This peaceful retreat is ideal for escaping the hustle and bustle of city life. It allows visitors to take in the breathtaking views that the countryside has to offer.
Timings: 6 AM – 10 PM
Peak Season: October to June
Distance From Chikkaballapur: 22.2 km
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2. Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple
Photo: Bikashrd / Wikimedia Commons
Nandi Temple, also known as Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple, is a stunning temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It’s located at the base of Nandi Hills and is one of the special temples in India because it is very well preserved. It goes way back to the 9th century, making it one of the oldest temples in Karnataka. The temple is now under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and is open for visitors. It is recommended for visitors to walk around the temple and explore the Dravidian architecture, which is a special style from the South of India.
Timings: 6 AM – 7 PM
Best Time To Visit: October to February
Distance From Chikkaballapur: 7.3 km
3. Skandagiri
Photo: Tirth Jivani / Unsplash
Skandagiri is a 1350 m high ancient mountain fortress, great for trekking and located near Bangalore. It is also known as Kalavara Durga and It’s a favourite spot for night treks, camping, and bird-watching. The Skandagiri trek has a moderate difficulty level. To reach the hillbase, you can choose between two routes, one starts at Chikballapur town and the other is a detour from the Nandi Hills road. The trek begins at the Papagni Temple located at the hill’s bottom. Along the way, you’ll find six stonewalls protecting an abandoned ancient temple and encounter two caves as part of the adventure.
Best Time To Visit: May to December
Distance From Chikkaballapur: 5.5 km
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4. Muddenahalli
Photo: SuchitraPmitta / Wikimedia Commons
Muddenahalli is a small village that is situated 7 kilometres from Chikballapur. Known because of the memorial which is dedicated to M. Visvesvarayya, the memorial is on land that belonged to his family, with Nandi Hills in the backdrop. Inside the museum, you can witness a collection of writings, paintings, and photographs of M. Visvesvarayya. The museum was renovated on September 15, 2010, on the occasion of his 150th birthday. He was a very famous artist from Mysore and he was also awarded the biggest award from India, the Bharat Ratna medal which is displayed in the museum.
Best Time To Visit: October to June
Distance From Chikkaballapur: 6.8 km
5. Grover Zampa Vineyards
Photo: Spencer DeMera / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Grover Zampa Vineyards, situated near Chikkaballapur, at the base of Nandi Hills, is one of the top wine producers in India which was established in 1988. The area’s special soil and climate help grow both local and international grape types, like Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Visitors can take guided tours to see the winemaking process along with tastings of different wines, like red, white, and sparkling wines, along with local food. The vineyard is located in a beautiful place with amazing views of the countryside, which is great for relaxing and photography.
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
Tour Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Distance From Chikkaballapur: 26.4 km
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6. Amruth Sarovara
Photo: psubhashish / Wikimedia Commons
Amruth Sarovara also known as the Lake of Nectar is a serene lake found in the scenic Nandi Hills region near Chikkaballapur. It’s famous for its natural beauty, the lake is surrounded by lush greenery and hills, which makes it a great place for relaxing and unwinding. Visitors can take a leisure walk along the lakeside, have a picnic, and watch the sunrises and sunsets that reflect on the water. Easily accessible from Nandi Hills, Amruth Sarovara is important to the local culture and has stories connected to it, making it an interesting place to visit.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Distance From Chikkaballapur: 21.6 km
7. Nandi Fort
Photo: Julia Volk / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Nandi Fort also known as Tipu Sultan’s Fort, is an old structure perched on top of Nandi Hills. Built under the rule of Tipu Sultan in the 18th century, the fort was used as a strong military base and a summer retreat. The fort has thick stone walls, strong points for cannons, and big gateways that reflect the architecture of the time. The fort is also a trekking destination for visitors, offering a moderate climb through the scenic views of the surrounding valleys and plains, especially during sunrise and sunset. It is one of the best places to visit near Chikkaballapur.
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Trek Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Distance From Chikkaballapur: 21.8 km
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8. Siddara Betta
Photo: Webmaster.vinarice / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Siddara Betta is popular for its spiritual importance and the scenic treks. The name means “Hill of Saints” because sages used to go there to meditate back in the day. There’s a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva on top of the hill, that pilgrims visit to seek blessings. The trek is not too difficult; it takes about 1 to 2 hours. When you reach the top, you can witness amazing views of the surrounding area. The hill is also known for its natural caves and a spring of water that’s at the top, it is believed that this water has healing properties.
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Distance From Chikkaballapur: 78.8 km
9. Ghati Subramanya Temple
Photo: Akshatha Inamdar / Wikimedia Commons
The Ghati Subramanya Temple is a well-known Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Subramanya and Lord Narasimha, carved into one stone; Lord Subramanya faces east, while Lord Narasimha faces west. It is located near the towns of Doddaballapur and Chikkaballapur. The temple is significant for those seeking blessings for wealth, fertility, and staying safe from snakes. The temple is a major centre for performing Naga Dosha rituals. The temple is located in peaceful surroundings, which makes it a nice place to visit, especially during festivals like Subramanya Shasti, lot of devotees come from all around.
Timings: 6 AM – 8:30 PM
Location: Bramhana Beedi, Ghati Subramanya 561203
Distance From Chikkaballapur: 33.5 km
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10. Makalidurga Hill
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Makalidurga Hill is a popular trekking spot about 60 km from Bengaluru. The hill stands 1,117 meters high, it has a fort at the top that goes back to the Vijayanagara Empire. The climb to the top is not too hard and takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. Once reached, you get to see amazing views of the area and Makalidurga Lake. The area around the hill is beautiful with many different types of flora and fauna. It’s a great place to escape the city and enjoy some history and nature and is worth a visit.
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Distance From Chikkaballapur: 42.7 km
The places to visit near Chikkaballapur are a blend of natural beauty, adventure, history, and spirituality making it a perfect destination for every kind of traveller. Each place is unique in itself and promises a diverse experience. Ready to check out the beautiful places? Book your trip with TripXL now and have a plan for a personalised journey filled with moments you’ll cherish forever.
Cover Photo: Vishal Rao / Unsplash