Sunday, July 14, 2024

Madakasira Fort Trek: Conquering the Giant Monolithic Fort | Chapter 207 (Jul 13, 2024)

Madhu sitting in the boa's belly where the fort really grinds you
  • Place: Madakasira Fort Trek
  • Distance: 150kms x 2 = 300kms
  • Directions: Bangalore > Dobbaspete > Madhugiri > Madakasira
  • Krew: Madhu, Karthik (Sp)
  • Bikes: Pulsar
  • Previous Visit: Nijagal Trek
  • Budget: Rs 500/head

IN LESS THAN 50 WORDS:

July 2024. A classic trip to Madakasira aka Boa Fort. This pristine fort trek lightens up one’s spirit as it is easy and more of an exploration. Highlight: missing a turn and heading into AP for 30km! Also, Madhu initiated a cleanup of plastic residues on the hillock. Cheers!

INTRO & PLAN:

It was 5 days since our visit to Nijagal trek. Wasn’t very sure about a trek, but Madhu replied "trek" and the run was executed. Place unknown. Keeping things simple, clean, and old school.

TIME: 16:00 (12/7/2024)

The boa fort madakasira as seen from the summit

ASSEMBLE & LEAVE:

Woke up by 3am. Coffee at 4am. Listened to music until Madhu arrived at 6am. We parked his bike at my place and took off on mine.

TIME: 06:00

RIDE 1: (Bangalore – Dobbaspete – Madhugiri – Madakasira Fort)

A 150km butter smooth ride. Outsirts felt light and cold. Shivagange was shrouded in mist. At Dobbaspete, we took a right for tea—pure elixir. After breakfast, we cruised through jackfruit country.

TIME: 07:00

the best breakfast stop on the dobbaspet and kortagere route

After a nice two-round breakfast, we hit Madhugiri and Medigeshi. Navigating narrow roads with the help of locals, we reached the starting point.

TIME: 09:00

sippy enjoying the view from the summit of madakasira

MADAKASIRA FORT TREK:

A 45-minute climb divided into three phases:

  • i) Initial gateways
  • ii) Brown fortress
  • iii) Final climb
madhu resting on a natural couch during the initial gateways

i) Initial gateways

A narrow path leading out of town. As we ascended, civilization disappeared. The hue of the place after rainfall was refreshing.

madhu resting in the fort structures at madakasira

ii) The Brown Fortress

The core of the trek. Twisted walls that look like a coiled boa constrictor. We pushed for the final stretch as dark clouds moved in.

iii) Final climb:

Intense traverses filled with butterflies. Tricky spots navigated with caution.

TIME: 09:45

madhu at the summit of madakasira

TOP:

Huge boulders provided shelter. High wind speeds made standing a challenge. Madhu drew while I rested for 45 minutes.

TIME: 10:30

the final stretch of madakasira, the nandi marks the summit

TREK DOWN:

30-40 minute descent. Madhu collected plastic bottles to dispose of in town—a noble initiative.

TIME: 11:30

madhu displaying his drawings in a cave

RIDE 2:

The 150km ride turned into 200km after taking a wrong turn out of Madakasira. 30km into AP before we realized! We rode back, had egg puffs at Madhugiri, and lunch at Whity Dhaba.

TIME: 15:00

sippy at the gateway to heaven

Reached home at 17:00.

CONCLUSION:

Goof-ups are part of trips. That is what makes them fun. We always learn the hard way. Accepting your situation helps.

Until next time, Cia and CHEERS \m/

sippy and the madakasira trek.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love to read your travel blogs.the details of the visit , planning and plan is very natural and gives us good vibes when we feel the journey although we are not part of it. Wish your team all the best and yes many more rides and more stories along the way..

Karthik (Sp) said...

Hey thanks a lot, means a lot to all of us :)