Bhasmangi - Fort of Ashes
- Place: Bhasmangi Fort Trek.
- Distance: 135 x 2 = 270km.
- Directions: Bangalore > Dobbaspete > Madhugiri > Bhasmangi.
- Krew: Anwar (Bhai), Karthik (Sp).
- Bikes: Pulsar.
- Previous Visit: Kabbaladurga Solo Trek.
- Budget: Rs 335/head (Petrol = 550/2; Breakfast = 60/2; Tea + Snacks = 60/2)
IN LESS THAN 50 WORDS:
Bhasmangi is one of the key links in the Seemadurgas. This fort hill has 5 gateways, Panchadwaras to the top. Opening 2026 with this beautiful multi-layered fort hill, and to top it off, had one of the yummiest breakfasts at the top of the hill thanks to Bhai. If you remember, the last two visits to this place were pure madness. Now we were the madmen invading, haha!
INTRO & PLAN:
Past 13 weeks, we had completed 12 treks, the mojo was back, but we were still itchy. Last week, Bhai couldn't join as he was down with viral fever. So had kept her waiting - Bhasmangi, I mean. With Bhai recovered, the trek was locked, or was it?
TIME: 20:00 (29/12/2025)
Chef Bhai always comes up with some surprises.
ASSEMBLE & LEAVE:
Yes, I was up by 3 a.m., did a few pull-ups and stretches. Had a sip of coffee and was all set to go. The weather in Bangalore has been turning warm for a week. So, went down and sat down on the footpath listening to some Goth metal. Once Bhai arrived at my place, we bid adieu to Bangalore.
TIME: 05:15
Opening 2026 with banana leaf heist :)
RIDE 1: (Dobbaspete – Madhugiri – Bhasmangi)
This was a 135km ride. The chilling winter was past us. The weather was pleasant, and with the bike serviced, it was a no-nonsense cruise to Dobbaspete. Once at Dobbaspete, Bhai said, he had got some Egg Afghani and Parotas for breakfast. It took a while for me to digest, but knowing him well by now, I replied, "We gotta steal some banana leaves then, right?" haha.
But we didn't want to skip our regular Idli shop (Tejas Shree Laxman Hotel Gmaps- 13.3, 77.2), as seriously, we would miss the old couple who had genuinely taken care of us for all these years, serving us breakfast. We started scanning for all the banana plantations on our way. And after belting single idlis, we took some plates from the shop, saying we had packed lunch. He gave us a warm smile and blessed us for a safe journey.
TIME: 06:45
The best idli spot on the Dobbaspete-Madhugiri route
Post breakfast, the ride was a very smooth one to Madhugiri. We never felt the distance, as we continuously conversed about our respective school life and what activities we were involved in. In between, we spotted a perfect banana plantation on road side, while I kept watch, Bhai did the heist :)
Refuelling at Madhugiri, we asked locals for directions and made our way to the base of Bhasmangi. And the village is quite old school, the people were warm and nice to point us to the start of the trail. We preferred to ASK AND CONVERSE WITH THE LOCALS.
TIME: 09:00
The starting trail of Bhasmangi Fort
BHASMANGI FORT TREK
ASCENT:
The ascent took us 30 minutes with a lot of fooling around. The trail to the top is clear with 5 gateways, but on treks like these, time should not be considered. The fortification layers are blissful to explore. The terrain was both green and black, adding a crazy, beautiful layer to the topography. We did venture off the trail and did some crazy climbs up steep surfaces. It was fun :)
Ah, I know this is not the path, but will try :)
The trek, in post monsoons, however, with the vegetation, could get tricky with the thickets that grow. This is because the fort has a lot of deceiving turns and could mislead the hiker easily. So, punch in at this place in between winter and summer.
Making our way through the fortress
We realised that this fort had seen some massive sieges in the past, as many parts of the fort wall were pulled down. Wondering what kind of bloodshed must have ensued in the past in the trails we walked, we made it to the top of Bhasmangi for some well-deserved breakfast round 2.
TIME: 09:30
Egg Afghani and Parotos - packed.
TOP:
I go a little high after eating heavy, not sure why. I started cooking up stories as to why the fort was sieged, so here goes my story: the king would have paid the mestri 50Rs for the entire fortification. He would have constructed the top part to keep the king safe. And things would have gone just fine without the invasion. Then the king would have felt the mestri would have done only 20Rs worth of the job and would have forced him to work for the rest, so the mestri would have constructed so many lower layers which attracted the enemies and got the king's ass busted. Haha!
Resting on top of Bhasmangi
DESCENT:
The descent took us 25 minutes. It was pretty straightforward, and we spotted some stone chariot wheels half destroyed. There were no people, making the place eerie, quiet, yet very peaceful. With our tummies full, and yet about 150km to go, we made it to the base of the forthill and thanked her for welcoming us and, more importantly, LETTING US GO BACK.
TIME: 10:30
The gateways of Bhasmangi
RIDE 2: (Bhasmangi – Madhugiri – Bangalore)
The ride back was surgical yet smooth. We allowed the bike to take us more or less. Zero effort riding, I must say. We rode non-stop to Madhugiri and continued to reach our standard juice stop at Kortagere. After about an hour of sitting, we cruised along. As our tummies were full, we decided to skip Whity dhaba and we reached back home safely.
TIME: 15:30
The 2nd layer - lot of exploration
CONCLUSION:
A classic start to 2026, Bhasmangi - the fort of ashes, seemed peaceful. It was like the ashes post ceremony. Calm yet fiery. I was a little sceptical about the duration, considering Bhai had packed breakfast. But a short, sweet climb and a well-deserved breakfast.
KREW:
Bhai: The master chef, not only got one of the best Afghani Egg and Parota, managed heist out banana leaves and kept the whole trip engaging with his childhood school stories. Thanks for the wonderful meal Bhai. Added a new dimension to the club :)
Sippy: Going high on Afghani Eggs, cooking up stories about the poor mestri, yet pulled off 275km round trip with the hike. Proud of the Iron Bum.
Until next time, Ta-da Cia \m/
Sippy acknowledging the mestri works
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