3 lesser-known weekend getaways from Bangalore

 

1. Yelagiri:  Soak in some sunshine and solitude in the hills of Yelagiri. Located in Tamil Nadu, this hill station is a short distance from Bangalore at a distance of 160 kilometers .   The drive up the 14-pin bend is quite lovely, and isn’t strenuous.           

 

 

Getting There:  By road and rail. You can either drive down yourself or jump into a bus. Alternately, you can get into a Chennai-bound train like Brindavan or Express that run daily, and get off at the Jolarpettai Jn. From there, you can hire a taxi or a local bus to get you to Yelagiri.

Activities: Boating and Trekking.  Paddle and pedal around Lake Punganoor  in a boat, or opt for an hour-long trek to  Swamimalai -  the highest peak in Yelagiri.

 Why you should go: To unwind from the hustle and bustle of city life without the hassle of a long journey.   Also, the fresh honey from the local vendors are said to be worth it.

 

 

2. Ramnagara: Most popularly known for being one of the locales for Sippy’s magnum opus:  Sholay in 1975, Ramnagara has something for everyone – from adventure to heritage enthusiasts and even something for foodies.  

 

 

 

Getting There:  Road and Rail. Ramnagara is around 50 kms away from Bangalore.  

 

Activites:  Adventure enthusiasts can indulge in trekking, rappelling and rock-climbing among others. For some cultural fix, check out the the hills and temples that dot Ramanagara. The Ramagiri hills, in particular, look different to the eye  – depending if you are in the east, west, north or south (lingam, Ganesha, serpent and Hanuman). The famous Channapatna town known for its toys are also worth a visit, and makes for nostalgic mementos.  Alternately, you can check out the wine tours, if you’re an avid foodie.

 

Why you should go there:  It’s a small place with lots to offer.

 

 

3. Sakleshpur:  This is another hill station that is quieter than its popular counterparts – Coorg and Chickmagalur.  From Bangalore, Sakleshpur is 200 kilometers.


 

 

Getting there:  Road, Air and Rail.  There closest airport to Sakleshpur is Mangalore. 

 

Activities: Plantation walks,  nature treks, cycling tours 

 

Why you should go there:  For some quiet time, and to reconnect with nature.