Krishnagiri district is home to several hill forts. Over the past few years, I have been exploring this region with the goal of climbing all the Baramahal forts. In fact, I visit Krishnagiri so often for trekking that my family now jokes whenever I say I am heading there again. One of my recent explorations was the little-known Mallapadi Fort.
Mallapadi Fort is not a place that sees many visitors. It had been on my list for quite some time, and the opportunity finally came when Subbu and his friend Amit decided to join me for the trek. Since there is very little information available about this fort, I relied on a few articles and videos shared by earlier trekkers, which turned out to be quite helpful.
The drive to the base of the hill was smooth. A few locals guided us to the starting point of the trail. The trek can be divided into two sections.
Climb to the Hanuman Temple
The first section is steep but easy to follow. It begins with a flight of stone steps. Once the steps end, arrows painted on rocks guide the way. The trail passes through a peaceful forest, making for a pleasant walk.
Along the way, we came across a few natural caves. These are believed to have been used by prehistoric humans, and the area around Mallapadi is known for its prehistoric rock art and archaeological significance.
After some time, we reached a small clearing in the forest where the Hanuman temple is located. Today, it is a simple shed housing a Hanuman idol. The place is calm and peaceful, making it a nice spot to take a short break.
The arrows near the temple do not lead to the fort. Instead, they point towards a rocky area with caves and a viewpoint. We decided to leave that for the return journey and continue towards the fort.
Hanuman Temple to the Fort Summit
This is the most interesting part of the trek. A narrow and less obvious trail enters the forest. The path is not always clear, but it is manageable if you pay attention. There are quite a few thorny bushes along the way, so wearing a full-sleeved shirt and full-length trekking pants is recommended.
Soon, we reached a huge rock face, which serves as a good landmark. Just beside it stands the first gateway of the fort. From there, we continued uphill and soon reached the fort walls. After climbing over a few ruined sections, we finally entered the summit area.
Unlike many hill forts, Mallapadi does not have a single viewpoint that marks the highest point. The summit is spread over a large area and is now covered with thick bushes and trees, giving it a wild and unexplored feel.
We spent a long time wandering through the ruins. We found an old gateway, a well that still held water, a Ganesha statue, the remains of several structures, and broken fort walls scattered across the hilltop. Every corner seemed to reveal another piece of history hidden inside the forest.
We also climbed a large rock that offered beautiful views of the surrounding hills and countryside. It was one of the few places from where we could truly appreciate the scale of the fort and its strategic location.
Return Journey
The return trek was straightforward. Before heading back, we took the detour from the Hanuman temple to explore the rocky area, the caves, and the viewpoint that we had skipped earlier. It was a relaxing end to an adventurous trek, and we spent some time resting before descending to the base.
With that, another fascinating fort trek in Krishnagiri came to an end. Mallapadi Fort may not be as popular as some of the other forts in the region, but its combination of dense forests, prehistoric caves, hidden ruins, and peaceful surroundings makes it a rewarding destination for those who enjoy exploring offbeat places.
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