Trek to Deepadakallu & Jenukallu Gudda – Around Sakaleshpur

Beautiful Valley

The trail was very tough, distance was very less, team size was very small, very steep trail, the panorama view was excellent, lonely peaks, cool breeze, green carpet across hills, deep scary valley, major trek points of Ombattu Gudda [OG], Amedikallu, Yettinabhuja and Aramane Gudda just in front of us. Indeed, it was very great experience to hike the Deepadakallu & Jenukallu Gudda in Western Ghat.

Deepadakallu Gudda

I have very less explored the places around Sakaleshpur. My friend, Shanthi Prasad planned to hike these two popular places with small team. The time is to gauge new Duster off road drive by my beloved friend Vijay. The dates are finalized on 11 – 12^th November 2017, team size 05 members. The stay is booked in advance at Homestay.

New DUSTER

We assembled the previous night of 10^th November 2017 at Vijay home. Myself, Shanthi Prasad, Ashok, Vijay and his cousin Vikas. We had delicious dinner at his home, thanks to Vijay.

11.11.2017

Started our journey early morning at 5 am. From RR Nagar. Very soon we crossed the Bengaluru city and hit the Mangaluru highway. As we expected, the traffic was less in the morning. Taking a single break for tea, reached the Sakaleshpur. Decided to have the breakfast at Ossor Restaurant, finished and continued our journey towards the Homestay.

HomeStay

The homestay is at Hodachahalli (Bengal Bus Stop), near Hanbal, Sakaleshpur Taluq. Taking google support & local people reached the homestay around 10.30 am. They welcomed us with Tea as welcome drink. Quickly we got refreshed and ready to start our trek.

Ready to Begin Trek

Guide, Rajesh is ready with parcel lunch, started our journey at 11.30 am. The initial trail pass through forest, crossed some small streams. Guide suggested us to fill the water bottles, since there is no source of water at peak.

Initial Trail

Deepadakallu Gudda is visible at short distance, entire trail is in open grassland. The trek distance is very less, but trail is about 60-degree angle. We have to put more strength on lower part of the leg. It is more tough to hike with luggage, even it is more challenge in monsoon.

Steep Ascend

The hike was not so easy, taking multiple short breaks, enjoying the panorama reached the peak. The entire valley is visible from this hill. 

Deepadakallu Gudda

OG is just back side, Amedikallu is little far, Yettinabhuja is just parallel and also Aramane Gudda.

Yettinabhuja far Away

Relaxed for sometimes, now the next peak is Jenukallu Gudda. The trail from Deepadakallu is almost straight line in the grassland. The view is very scenic, continued our journey.

Beautiful Valley

As we moved very close to Jenukallu, it was really scary. The hike is very steep and its almost 70 degree angle. I was recalling the Brahmagiri Trek last stretch. We should be very careful while ascending, small mistake can through us in the valley.

One of the Tough Trail of Jenukallu Gudda

Taking more cautious, we conquered the peak. The joy of reaching on the peak is unlimited. We can see entire 360-degree view from the top. Guide was explaining about the peaks. 

Beautiful Valley

Only six souls on the top, enjoying the cool breeze with deep valley is most memorable. We found animal movement very far, it could be beer or Indian Gaur.

On the Top of Jenukallu Gudda

We spent some good time on the top, had the fruits. Stomach is very hungry, guide suggested to have the lunch at Deepadakallu. The decision was good, filled stomach is very tough to hike this peak.

Beautiful Valley

Started our descending journey to Deepadakallu. We should be very careful while descending, many times we got skid, luckily the grass route helped us to get down safely.

Grassland

Grassland journey pace was fast, very soon reached the lunch point. We should appreciate the homestay yummy lunch. Filled our hungry stomach with Chapati, curry, pickle, bread. 

Lunch at Deepadakallu Gudda

Relaxed for sometimes and spent good time in photography.

Pose to Pic

We asked the guide to change the descending trail, requested him to take two more small peaks. We had enough time to reach back to homestay. This path again is very tough, there was no trail at all. We have to make path and descend in the slippery trail.

Follow in Grassland

Our steps either we are putting on rock or in hole, making path with great difficulty reached the safe place. Now the OG is very close to us, just we should cross the dense forest valley. Crossing the small hill we reached the sunset point.

Couple of other people were already present. They were from another homestay. We waited for sometimes to sunset, witnessed wonderful view and started back to homestay.

Beautiful Sunset

Evening snacks ready with tea. There were around other 3 groups in the homestay. They prepared a separate fire-camp to each one. We settle down in front of fire-camp, had lot of chitchat.

Fire Camp

Dinner was simple good food, finished and relaxed for the day.

12.11.2017

As usual I woke up very early at 5 am., finished our morning core job and set ready to view the sun rise. 

Beautiful Sunrise

Guide took us to Pandavara Betta, just back side the homestay. Hope it is very popular small hill, there were already many people from other homestay.

Pandavara Betta

Now we can feel the crowd, slowly started coming from many places. We hiked one more hill and spent some good time on photography.

Enjoying Valley

We can have beautiful view of Bhairaveshwara temple from hill. It was reminding me the Mahadeva temple of Tambdi – Surla.

Bhaireshwara Temple

Headed towards the temple, paid Darshana and visited nearby lake. After some good time, headed back to homestay.

Quickly finished our breakfast, packed our luggage and headed back to Bengaluru. Spent some good time in photography around homestay.

Photo Session

We decided to visit Agni village and explore a waterfall & also visit to Kaadumane Estate. Rajesh, Guide who was in charge in homestay native village is Agni. He informed one of his cousin about our arrival.

Return journey started, on the way visited Abbhi waterfall. It was very small one, but very scenic.

Abbe Falls

Manju, the guy was waiting to receive us at some point of junction, followed him to his home. The location and home is so beautiful, typical Malenadu home. Parked our vehicle and set to explore the waterfalls.

We all requested him to arrange the Lunch, and happily agreed. Continued our journey towards falls. Passing through many coffee plantation, entered forest. The falls is in remote place, its lonely, except us none of the crowd.

Agni Falls

I & Ashok were not in mood to dip in the cold water, others enjoyed the falls. We explored little inside the forest. After the enjoyment in the falls, headed back to Manju home. He took us his coffee estate for lunch spot. A small stream flowing mid of the estate, relaxed for lunch.

Lunch at stream

Hot delicious lunch brought from his home. I feel, this was the one of the best lunch I ever had, we all were so happy. Had some photography session.

Deep discussion about next trek

We all in hurry to reach Bengaluru before traffic mount. Took a deviation towards Kaadumane Estate. We had no enough time to explore it, moreover we have to walk all the way from main gate to factory place. All decided to skip the visit and continued to Bengaluru.

Kadumane Estate - Tea Plantation

Vikas driving was like a superman, the traffic was not less. He reached us safely to Bengaluru at 8.30 pm. We all had dinner at RR Nagar and adieu to our home.

Two days was amazing and memorable treknic, thanks to each one of friend inviting me to this wonderful place.

PC: Vijayanand SB & Ashok Gowda