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| Kengal Betta Trek |
- Place: Kengal Betta Trek.
- Difficulty: Short climb, but can be intense in a few stretches.
- Distance: 60 x 2 = 120km.
- Directions: Bangalore > Nelamangala > Kengal
- Krew: Datta (Dattu), Karthik (Sp).
- Bikes: Pulsar.
- Previous Visit: Acchalu Betta Trek.
- Budget: Rs 150/head (Petrol = 200/2; Breakfast = 100/2)
IN LESS THAN 50 WORDS:
Another new place in the books. First ascents always feel sweet, and this is the third one in 2026. Feels freaking good. Kengal is the lesser-known hill near Shivagange; the trek is short but no doubt good. And the reward is usually the excellent panoramic view of Shivagange, but hey, the trek itself is nice too!
INTRO & PLAN:
After the Minchu Kallu Betta & Acchallu Betta trek in Jan 2026, things were rolling. Dattu had got the mojo back. As for the place, I've had a physically hectic week in the office, so I wasn't sure if a hike would be on the cards. On Friday (Jan 23), I took a chance and asked Dattu if he was up for a small one. Dattu said he had lunch plans, so he had to be back by 12. So agreed, we leave early and wind up a small hill by 10-11am. The place - Kengal hills, as I could pick Dattu up on the way.
TIME: 16:00 (23 Jan, 2026)
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| Sippy and Shivagange |
ASSEMBLE & LEAVE:
Yes, every day getting up at 3:30am is pleasant and makes the trips feel easy. Woke up at the same time, did a few pull-ups and push-ups. Left my home at around 5am, rode singing aloud gothic metal songs along the ORR (sorry people of Nagarbhavi if I woke you up). Made it to Mahalakshmi layout, where the ever energetic smiley Dattu was ready.
TIME: 05:30
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| First glimpse of the Kengal Hills |
RIDE 1: (Bangalore > Nelamangala > Kengal Betta)
This was a simple 60km ride. As we left Bangalore, asked Dattu if he was sitting. This confused him, and I received a whack on the helmet for the bad joke. Haha. As we left Bangalore, the air was cold, and it felt good. But that jittery feeling of going to a new hillock was there. But with a school friend accompanying you, it was somewhat less, as screw-ups are often laughed off.
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| Rest baby, rest. We will be back shortly. |
As it was still dark, we decided to pull over and wait for a slight sunrise, as we could spot the hill. We took the normal Shivagange route as it is easier. When the skies lit up with a light hue, we could spot the hillock. We were excited and asked the locals, but they didn't know about the hill either. We took the off-road and started riding, and spotted a lot of peacocks waking up to the light and the sun.
Nearing the hillock, we parked our bikes in a grassland near by and with the lizard's spirit awoken, we were up for a first ascent.
TIME: 07:00
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| The Kengal Betta Trek begins |
KENGAL BETTA TREK
ASCENT:
The ascent took us about 30 min. The hillock is small, but really good climb. And the views from the summit are really rewarding. I have broken the ascent into three stretches - First Hillock, Fort Wall, Final Push.
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| First hillock at Kengal |
First Hillock:
As we started the trek, we began climbing a hillock whose terrain felt very similar to Savandurga trek - the matt finished black rocks. Dattu was, as usual, in his zone, zooming ahead and checking out paths, mostly the wrong ones :P. It was hard to catch up with this energetic monster. After a while, we realised that we have to get past this hill to actually begin the Kengal Trek.
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| From the base, there is a clear route |
Fort wall and Stone Mantap:
Once we were down the first hill. Dattu suggested we climb the rock right on, it was a literal 90 degree. I was happy and confused at the same time as we remembered Deefu, our trek master, and missed him, it's usually he who would suggest chaotic paths. We took a in between route, where the idea was simple: get to Fort Wall first, and then get on the hillock's back and make the way to the summit.
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| The final push |
Final Push:
The final push is kind of tricky. A lot of boulders and narrow squeezes. The wind speeds pick up and feel exhilarating with every step. We were like sharks after smelling blood. But negotiating each step with extreme caution and a little dash of playfulness, we fooled around to reach the top.
TIME: 07:30
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| At the summit of Kengal hills |
TOP:
Firstly, we were happy that we had reached the top and we were the ones. There is not much space on the summit. We rehydrated and began speaking about how well the gamble had paid off. And as the sun rose, Shivagange revealed herself to make our jaws drop instantly. We blushed a little having got a glimpse of real beauty in front of us. What a massive hillock. Then we assumed Kengal Hills would feel bad and praised her too :)
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| Shivagange revealing herself |
We rested for about 45 min total at the top. The summit has two Nandi's, and it was something unique as well. So patted them and introduced ourselves. One had a damaged nose and enquired about it. After relaxing for some time, we had another sip of water and bid adieu to Shivagange and requested Kengal for a safe passage back to base.
TIME: 08:15
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| The Stone Mantap |
DESCENT:
The descent took us again 30 min. We negotiated the top stretch with caution, then made it to the stone mantap. From here it was easy doing, but one thing, we had to find our bike. We remembered the rocks that looked like rabbit's poop. So the plan was simple, get to base, climb back the poop shaped rock hillock and then look for the bike. We retraced our steps, where we found a lot of peacocks playing hide and seek with us. Saw the bike resting peacefully, asking her if she was ready to head back, we thanked Kengal Hills for a good morning hike and more importantly LETTING US GO BACK.
TIME: 08:45
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| Thank you Kengal and Shivagange |
RIDE 2: (Kengal Betta > Nelamangala > Bangalore)
The ride back was a smooth one. As we rejoined the highway, we pulled over at a small hotel for two rounds of breakfast. Feeling groggy, we left. At Nelamangala, we saw 2-3km jam at the opposite site. We made fun of them and laughed. As we entered Bangalore, we were greeted by a similar jam haha. Dropped Dattu back at him home and thanked him for making it. Then took off on ORR listening to Goth metal again at 40's abusing a few people here and there to put the last rites for this wonderful chapter.
TIME: 10:30
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| The end of a wonderful morning short trek |
CONCLUSION:
The third first ascent in Jan 2026. Feels really good. Kengal Hills offered an intense short climb, and it was a perfect choice for a morning trek. The view from the summit is no doubt exhilarating, but, the climb per se is also very good.
KREW:
Dattu: The energy monster. From a quick OK for the trek, discussing about the books, cooking up stories about Shivanage seeking for attention, his stories put real life into the whole chapter.
Sippy: Very happy about this new find. Loved the place, from off-roading, spotting peacocks and the tricky routes at Kengal. 17 weeks, 17 treks \m/. Gimme a hell yeah!
Until next time, Ta-da Cia \m/
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| Tata, cia next time \m/ |
"Young riders pick a destination, Old school pick a direction \m/."
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