Every time I travelled along the Bengaluru–Krishnagiri highway, I couldn’t help but admire the huge hill with a fort on top. As someone who loves trekking, I always wanted to climb it but kept postponing. Since summers here are hot and long, there’s only a small window each year to visit comfortably.
A few weeks ago, Chaya and I finally made the trip. Thanks to recent rains, the area was green and the weather pleasant, making it the perfect time for a trek.
Here is the summary of the fort, taken from the Wikipedia page.
Krishnagiri Fort, located in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district, is a historic stronghold built in the 16th century by the Vijayanagara Empire. The fort, constructed from granite, played a significant role in regional defense and witnessed control by various powers, including the Marathas under Shivaji I in the 1670s, Hyder Ali of Mysore in the 18th century, and later the British East India Company following the Third Anglo-Mysore War in 1792. Today, the fort stands in ruins and is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, serving as a testament to its rich and varied history.
Starting the Trek
We began our trek at the “Krishnagiri Fort – Trekking Starting Point.” Since the road there is quite narrow, we parked near the lake and walked to the trailhead.
The first part of the trek was easy, with proper stone steps leading us up. As we climbed higher, the trail became rockier, with some carved steps in the middle section. The path goes up continuously without any flat sections, so it’s a steady climb but not too hard if you’re fit.
After about 45 minutes, we reached the gateway of the fort. Here, the path splits into two: the left side leads to a Dargah, and the straight path takes you to more of the fort ruins.
Exploring the Fort
We took the straight path and reached the top of the fort. The summit is quite large but has only a few remains of the old structure. There’s a section that looks like a watchtower, now used for religious rituals.
We wandered around, enjoying the quiet surroundings. The recent rains had made the grass grow everywhere, which made walking a bit tricky. But the greenery added to the charm of the place.
A Hidden Surprise
An interesting part of our visit was finding a hidden archaeological site within the fort. It’s not easy to spot, and I only knew about it because of a tip from a travel friend. It’s surprisingly well-preserved, considering the fort isn’t maintained. To help protect it, I won’t share too many details.
Tips for Visitors
- Parking: The road to the trek’s starting point is narrow. It’s better to park near the lake and walk from there.
- Weather: Avoid visiting during the rains because the rocks can get slippery. Summers are harsh in Krishnagiri.
Final Thoughts
Krishnagiri Fort is a great spot for a short trek and some peaceful exploration. The climb is manageable, the views are lovely, and the fort has an old-world charm that makes the effort worthwhile.
Dinesh Chandra Tiwari
Thanks a lot for sharing me the awesome post.