Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu is home to several hill forts that once formed an important defensive network in this region. I have been exploring and climbing many of these fort hills for some time now — including Krishnagiri Fort, Periyamalai, Maharaj Kadai and Jagadevi Fort.
Recently, Chaya and I decided to hike to Virabhadra Durga Fort, one of the historic Baramahal forts that dot this landscape. The Baramahal region, which literally means “land of twelve forts,” was of great strategic importance during the Vijayanagara and later Mysore periods.
Reaching the Base
Reaching the base of Virabhadra Durga was quite uneventful. Google Maps accurately guided us through rural roads to a lively village at the foothill.
The village was bustling with everyday life — houses, small temples, open fields, and farming activities. We parked our car by the roadside and began our walk towards the hill.
The Initial Climb
The first section of the trek was straightforward. The trail was clear and easy to follow. Within a short time, we started spotting sections of the old fort walls — silent reminders of the hill’s military past.
The day was a bit hot, so we maintained a slow and steady pace. Despite the heat, the surroundings felt lively with the constant sounds of birds and rustling trees.
After crossing two gateways, we reached a small plateau where locals were engaged in cultivation. The third gateway appeared immediately after this flat stretch.
The Temple Plateau
After passing the fifth gateway, we arrived at a much larger plateau. Soon, we spotted two beautiful old temples — one dedicated to Sri Veerabhadra Swamy and the other to Sri Chennakeshava Swamy.
This was a perfect place to sit down and relax. The area felt incredibly peaceful, with wide views and gentle winds making it an ideal resting point for trekkers.
The Final Stretch to the Summit
After a short break, we continued towards the second part of the trek. This section involved some light rock scrambling. Thankfully, arrows marked along the rocks made navigation easy.
We crossed the sixth and seventh gateways along the way. The final stretch to the top involved a slightly tricky move — about 8 to 10 steps across uneven rocks. It took me a moment to find the right footing before making the jump.
At the Top
The summit area was small but incredibly rewarding. It offered a stunning 360-degree view of the surrounding plains, hills, and villages.
We spent some quiet time soaking in the views before beginning our descent. On the way down, we explored a few interesting spots around the fort.
A Hidden Water Source
Near the temple plateau, we noticed a small natural spring feeding into a pond. We took a short detour to visit this refreshing little spot — a reminder of how such forts were once self-sustained with water sources even during sieges.
Wrapping up the day
Back near the temple, we spent a long and relaxed break. Here we met Arun and Shashi — fellow trekkers who shared similar interests.
It was wonderful exchanging notes about places we had visited and discussing future trek plans.
After spending a long time at the temple plateau, we reluctantly began our journey back to the village.
Overall, it was a wonderful day — a simple and enjoyable trek combined with fascinating history, peaceful temples, and expansive views. Virabhadra Durga may not be a very difficult hike, but it definitely offers a rich and memorable experience.
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