- Place: Bhasmangi Fort Trek
- Distance: 130 x 2 = 260km
- Directions: Bangalore > Dobbaspete > Madhugiri > Bhasmangi
- Krew: Deepak (Deefu), Ashok (Momz), Karthik (Sp)
- Bikes: Enfield, Pulsar
- Previous Visit: Nijagal Fort Trek
- Budget: Rs 470/head
IN LESS THAN 50 WORDS:
Bhasmangi Fort is a name that sends a shiver down your spine, but the ascent is actually quite pleasant with steps to the top. However, the descent was a different story—we proved the name has weight when all hell broke loose on the way down!
INTRO & PLAN:
Just a week after Nijagal Betta, we decided to tackle Bhasmangi since Deefu was in town. Our last visit was in 2016, a trip Deefu missed. With the trio confirmed, we were ready for the reunion ride.
TIME: 22:00 (2/12/2016)
ASSEMBLE & LEAVE:
A 5 AM start with some quick push-ups and coffee. We met 50km out at our usual haunt, Hotel Kamadhenu. Momz showed up in a Sri Lanka shirt with an elephant on it, and as we munched on breakfast, he insisted he had to be back by 6 PM for paperwork.
TIME: 07:00
RIDE 1: (Dobbaspete – Madhugiri – Bhasmangi)
With a third of the trip already behind us, we cruised easily to Madhugiri. We decided to experiment with a new route instead of going via Sira. It involved more turns and asking locals for directions through small towns, but we eventually hit the final stretch to the fort.
TIME: 07:30
BHASMANGI FORT TREK:
We arrived during a village festival—drums were beating and crowds had gathered. We quietly parked and headed for the trail. The climb was straightforward and surprisingly easy, reaching the summit in just 20 minutes.
We explored the gates and ruins, sitting at the top to discuss our upcoming Bali Pass trek plans. After 45 minutes of rest, we decided to find a more "interesting" way down.
TIME: 11:00
The descent took 1.5 hours—which tells you exactly how much trouble we found. We walked along the fort wall until it hit a dead end, then circumvented the hillock on a risky, single-file path before eventually deciding to plunge straight down through burnt bushes.
Our hands turned black from the scorched terrain. My old shoes were slipping constantly, and my jeans were soon covered in soot. Mid-descent, we ran into a younger group of climbers; one used the term "slot" to describe a foothold, prompting Momz to joke that they must be mechanical engineers. Laughter echoed across the rocks as we continued down.
Back at the base, the village festival was at its peak—dancing, rituals, and suddenly, a fight broke out between villagers. We walked right through the middle of the chaos, washed our soot-covered faces at a water tank, and made a quiet but quick exit on our bikes.
TIME: 12:30
RIDE 2: (Bhasmangi – Madhugiri – Bangalore)
The 135km return journey was ultra-smooth. We cruised at 80+ kmph as the cool air hit us. We stopped at Koratgere for a bakery lunch of egg puffs and buttermilk, reaching Bangalore by 3 PM—well ahead of Momz's 6 PM deadline.
TIME: 15:00
CONCLUSION:
This was a wild chapter compared to our 2016 trip. The climb down was messy and fun, leaving our hands totally busted but our spirits high. Keep an eye on our budget trends—we're out to prove a point about affordable adventure!
Until next time, Ta-da Cia \m/
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