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Surrounded by historic towns, ancient temples, serene hills, and hidden nature spots, places to visit near Gubbi offer you far more variety than you might expect from this quiet Karnataka town. Within a short drive, you can explore centuries-old Jain shrines, hike up dramatic hill forts, watch blackbucks roam free, or spend time by peaceful lakes and dams. These destinations are perfect whether you want a quick half-day escape or a full-day road trip. Each spot has its own character, from cultural heritage to natural beauty, giving you plenty of options without having to travel far.
Explore These Top 10 Places To Visit Near Gubbi
From ancient temple villages to scenic wildlife reserves, these places to visit near Gubbi bring together history, culture, and nature for an easy and rewarding getaway.
1. Jwalamalini Jain Temple
Photo: Roman Saienko / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Nittur’s Jwalamalini Jain Temple is one of the easiest heritage stops you can fit into your day for places to visit near Gubbi. This 12th-century shrine is dedicated to Goddess Jwalamalini, a central figure in Jain worship. The building stands out for its old stone pillars and sculpted ceilings, where each panel carries a scene from Jain legends. Local people often compare its design to the temples of Aihole. The sanctum still holds the original idol, and rituals take place every day, following traditions passed down for centuries.
Distance From Gubbi: 9.4 km
Nearby Attractions: Other historic Jain temples in Nittur, the village market area
2. Madhugiri Fort
Photo: Salil / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Built into the side of a massive monolithic hill, Madhugiri Fort rises in terraces that follow the rock’s natural slope. Each level reveals gateways, watchtowers, and stone walls that were once part of its layered defences. In several places, steps have been carved directly into the granite, and in the trickier spots, metal railings help steady your climb. Halfway up, old sentry points and small shrines appear, reminders of the fort’s use under different rulers from the Vijayanagara period to Hyder Ali.
Distance From Gubbi: 65.5 km
Nearby Attractions: Madhugiri Lake, historic temples in the town, Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve
3. Devarayanadurga
Photo: Amit K / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Devarayanadurga is a hill settlement centred around two important Narasimha temples, Yoga Narasimha at the highest point and Bhoga Narasimha on a lower level. Approaching the area, the road curves through stretches of forest and exposed rock, with occasional clearings that reveal the surrounding valleys before you arrive at the base. From the base, stone steps climb steadily toward the temples. On the way up, there are small mandapas, clear-water springs, and open ledges where you can pause to take in the valley views.
Distance From Gubbi: 37.5 km
Nearby Attractions: Namada Chilume, Yoga Narasimha Temple, Bhoga Narasimha Temple
4. Namada Chilume
Photo: Raj.shimoga / Wikimedia Commons
Namada Chilume is a natural spring linked to the Ramayana, believed to have appeared when Lord Rama pierced the ground with an arrow to get water during his exile. The water continues to run through every season and is held within a small, maintained enclosure with stone paths. It surfaces through a hole in the rock, fills a shallow tank, and then seeps into the plants around it. Boards on site describe the legend, and the calm surroundings make it a place where many pause before moving on.
Distance From Gubbi: 31.7 km
Nearby Attractions: Devarayanadurga hill shrines, natural viewpoints on the hill road
5. Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve
Photo: Syed Hasan Mehdi / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve holds a large number of blackbuck, spread out across wide grass fields. Low shrubs and the occasional rocky mound break the open view, so it’s not hard to notice the animals moving about. Early mornings and evenings are when they’re most active, sometimes grazing close to the tracks and other times standing still in small groups. Birdlife here is just as striking as the antelopes. You might spot harriers gliding low over the grass, sandgrouse moving in small flocks, or larks calling from the shrubs.
Distance From Gubbi: 53 km
Nearby Attractions: Seebi Narasimha Temple, open countryside for birdwatching
6. Kaggaladu Bird Sanctuary
Photo: Grenvil Noronha / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Kaggaladu Bird Sanctuary is known for the large number of painted storks and grey herons that nest in its tamarind trees during the breeding season. The birds arrive around January, and by mid-year, the trees are busy with nesting activity and the sound of chicks calling. Unlike many sanctuaries, there are no high fences or formal entry gates here; the nesting sites are right within the village, and the community has long played a role in protecting them. Walking through the area, you can see the nests clearly, with adult birds flying in and out over the rooftops.
Distance From Gubbi: 73.7 km
Nearby Attractions: Sira Fort, local markets in Sira town
7. Hutridurga
Photo: Mukul Banerjee / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Hutridurga was built in the 16th century by Kempegowda as part of a line of hill forts protecting the region. The climb begins in the base village, where broken gateways and old stone walls mark the start of the trail. Paths change as you go, some sections have rock steps, others wind through thorny plants and boulders. Bastions and guard posts still stand along the way, their stones worn but intact. Near the summit, the Shankareshvara temple sits in a level clearing, looking out over farmlands, scattered rocky hills, and distant lakes.
Distance From Gubbi: 55.8 km
Nearby Attractions: Kambada Narasimha Swamy Temple, nearby small hillocks for short hikes
8. Nonavinakere
Photo: Dey.sandip / Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
Nonavinakere features a broad stepped tank at its heart, used for rituals and daily life. Temples like Beteraya Swamy, Venugopala Swamy, and Garigeshvara surround it, showcasing carvings from different eras—some bearing Hoysala intricacy, others simpler, later styles. Most mornings are quiet, except during ceremonies when the bell sounds echo across the water. Narrow lanes link the temples closely, with small shops nearby selling coconuts, flowers, and incense. Its open tank setting and dense temple layout make Nonavinakere a compact yet rich stop on the places to see near Gubbi route.
Distance From Gubbi: 62.2 km
Nearby Attractions: Venugopala Swamy Temple, Beteraya Swamy Temple, Garigeshvara Temple
9. Aralaguppe
Photo: Dineshkannambadi / Wikimedia Commons
Aralaguppe is a small village with temples from different periods. The Kalleshwara Temple, built in the 9th century under Nolamba rule, is the main site here. Its walls carry carvings of deities, floral borders, and figures from old myths. A short walk away is the Chennakeshava Temple. It’s smaller but set on a star-shaped base, a style seen in Hoysala work. The entrances have detailed stone frames, and the original idol is still in place. Both temples are in use, and the courtyards have big trees that give shade during prayers and gatherings.
Distance From Gubbi: 47.5 km
Nearby Attractions: Other Hoysala-era temples in the village, scenic paddy fields
10. Markonahalli Dam
Photo: Mike Prince / Wikimedia Commons
Markonahalli Dam was built across the Shimsha River in the early 1900s to provide irrigation to the surrounding farmland. The structure is long, with a walkway along the top that lets you look out over the water on one side and the fields on the other. In the monsoon, the reservoir fills up, and the spillway gates release water in steady streams. The area below the dam is often used by locals for picnics, especially on weekends. Trees line parts of the shore, giving shaded spots to sit.
Distance From Gubbi: 59 km
Nearby Attractions: Shettikere village temple, Kunigal Lake, countryside picnic spots
Places to visit near Gubbi include historic temples in Nittur, Aralaguppe, and Nonavinakere, wildlife at Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve and Kaggaladu Bird Sanctuary, and hill treks at Madhugiri and Hutridurga. Devarayanadurga and Namada Chilume offer a blend of nature and devotion, while Markonahalli Dam provides a peaceful lakeside break. With good road access, it’s easy to explore. Plan your trip with TripXL to experience this scenic part of Karnataka.
Cover Photo: Rahul Pabolu / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
