Bangalore – The Tech Hub Of India, is a place where every year lakhs of people come for work, study and startups. So it’s a good time to make a list of the best destinations for a day trip from Bangalore. After 40 working hours in a week, you would need a place where you can seek some peace and try out some adventurous activities. Thanks to the geographical location of Bangalore it is surrounded by hills, lakes, historical monuments, religious temples and thick forests. So no matter whether you’re a working professional or a student or someone looking to escape from metro life our handpicked list of best one day trip from Bangalore would help you to plan a perfect vacation that includes the best time to visit, things to do, places to eat, timings and budget travel.
One Day Trips From Bangalore
1. Hogenakkal Falls – Niagara Falls of India (127 KM)
The name Hogenakkal is derived from the Kannada language that means Smoky Rock. Actually, when the water of river Kaveri falls on the rock below then the gushing force of water resembles like smoke come out from rocks.
Located on the border of Karnataka and Tamilnadu in the district of Dharmapuri, Hogenakkal falls is a beautiful place surrounded by a wide range of vegetation. It is a perfect place to take a short break from the hustle of city life and spend an amazing time in the lap of nature with the thundering sound of the Hogenakkal falls.
It is believed that the carbonatite rocks at the falls are the oldest types of rocks on earth even older than civilization.
Best way to reach – Bangalore -> Attebelle – > Denkanikottai -> Anchetty -> Hogenakkal. Have breakfast and leave early in the morning to skip the traffic. The route from Bangalore to Hogenakkal falls is quite scenic, traversing through the forest and ghat section alongside the Kaveri River. So, you can stop and take a dip inside the river. You can find cafes, tea stalls and restaurants on the road but it’s good to have breakfast before leaving. The whole journey can take around 3 to 4 hours of time.
- Interesting Fact – Some of the scenes of the Bollywood movie Raavan starring Abhishek and Aishwariya Rai Bacchan was shot here.
- Best time to visit – October to February when the temperature varies from 15 deg to 21 deg Celsius.
- Parking fees – 30 INR
- Places to eat at Hogenakkal falls – Non-Veg lovers can have fresh fish. There are many small shops where you can enjoy the fresh delicious fish. There are some decent restaurants and shops where you can veg food and fruits like Pineapple, Papaya and Water Melon. For more varieties, try to bring your own packed food from your home or restaurants on Highways.
- Major highlights – Coracle ride, swimming, and oil massage.
- Price for Coracle Ride – 750 Per boat (4 to 5 people)
- Price for full body oil massage – 100 to 150 INR
2. Skandagiri – 60 KM
One of the parts of Panchagiri hills of Chikballapur district ( Nandi Giri, Chandragiri, Skandagiri, Brahmagiri, and Hema Giri), Skandagiri is a beautiful trekking place near Bangalore. There you can also go for the night trek as well. The panoramic view from the top is very pleasing and spectacular especially if you come here at the time of sunrise. The trail starts from the Papagni Mutt that is located at the foothills of Skandagiri. You can complete the entire trek in 5 hours including 2 hours in ascend, 2 hours in descend and 1 hour at the peak.
How to reach – Take the bus from Bangalore that will drop you at Chikballapur. From there either you can take an auto to reach the base in 15 minutes or you can also walk down to the foothills of Skandagiri which will take around 1 hour.
- Trek Distance – 3 KM
- Best time to visit – Any time of the year. (Early morning is the best time of the day to get enjoy the beautiful sunrise. You can start your trip around 3 AM with a torch. )
- Places to eat – Chikballapur is the place where you can get good restaurants at a good price. Papagni Mutt is the last place where you can fill your water bottle. But it is advisable to carry packed food and water while going for the trek.
- Top Attraction – 3 KM trek
- Places to visit near Skandagiri – Nandi hills, Muddenahalli and Bhoga Nandesshwara temple.
3. Nandi Hills – 61 KM
Nandi Hills is also known as the Nandi Durga. It is a perfect one-day trip from Bangalore. This place is famous for its awe-inspiring sunrise and sunset. It is home to various historical forts, temples and shrines. There is a garden for the families and kids to relax and play. You can also do the trek to reach the top of the Nandi Hills. The trek is about 1.5 KM and the Silver oak farm is the base point of the trek. It will take around 1 and a half hours to complete the trek.
How to reach – Take a state bus of KSRTC from Bangalore to Nandi Hills. There are regular buses from the Bangalore bus stand to Nandi Hills. If you want then you can also drive your own vehicle as well.
- Timings – 6 AM to 10 PM
- Entry and Parking fees – 10 INR entry fees, 15 INR for 2 wheelers and 60 INR for 4 wheelers.
- Best time to visit – Any time of year. For sunrise, try to come early in the morning (around 5 PM) to skip the crowd. But the gate will open at 6 Am so you have to wait at the entry point. Visit this place on weekdays because during weekends this place goes crowded. And sunset is the best time of the day to visit this place.
- Places to eat – There are lots of eateries and stalls at the peak where you can have snacks and refreshments. For more varieties, you can also find decent restaurants at the bottom of the hills.
- Places to stay – KSTDC – Mayura Pine top is the only hotel at the top of Nandi Hills. Booking can be done through the official website of KSTDC. You can reach before 5 PM for an overnight stay. You can find lots of hotels near the Nandi Hills.
4. Makalidurga – 57 KM
Malkalidugra is another amazing trekking spot near Bangalore. Away from the traffic and noise of the city, this place will amaze you with its stillness. Makalidurga fort is the main highlight of this place. After reaching the top you will get to see the ruins of this fort and beautiful views of the lake & nearby villages. Don’t forget to witness the train meandering through the hill. The trek is easy to moderate and can be completed in around 2 hours even if you’re a beginner. You can either start your trek from the Makalidurga railway station or you can reach the base point by your vehicle by crossing the railway line. The whole trail is marked by the arrow so don’t worry about the direction.
It is advisable to bring water bottles and packed food as there is no facility for water on the route. And before planning make sure you made a booking at Karntaka Eco Tourism.
How to reach – You can easily reach the Makalidurga from Bangalore via SH 9. It will take around 2 hours to reach there. The state bus is the most convenient way to reach Makalidurga from Bangalore.
- Trek Length – 4 KM
- Entry Tickets – 250 INR Book here
- Best time to visit – Any time of the year.
- Food – Bring your own food either from your home or restaurants on the highways.
- Main Highlights – Makalidurga Fort, Makalidurga temple and View of Gundamagere Lake which looks like the shape of South America.
5. Savandurga Hills – The Largest Monoliths in Asia (47 KM)
Savandurga hill is an excellent trek near Bangalore. The trek is full of adventure, steep hills, huge rocks, breathtaking views and lots of excitement. It is an easy to moderate trek that can be completed in around 40 to 60 minutes. Wear good grip shoes as the trail is full of rocks and sometimes can be slippery especially in monsoon. To avoid heat and crowd, try to start the trek early in the morning (around 5 Am). You’ll get local vendors on the peak selling refreshments and snacks. So don’t overweight your backpack. But do carry good amount of water to keep hydrating yourself on the trek.
There are 2 temples at the base – Savandi Veerabhdraswamy temple and Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy temple. And the trek to the summit starts from behind the Lakshmi temple in the southeast direction. The whole trekking path is clearly marked by the forest department.
How to reach – Savandurga is located in the Magadi town and it is easily accessible by road from Bangalore. If you want to drive your own vehicle then just follow up the navigation in Google maps. But don’t forget to stop at Dodda Aladamara – A Big Banayan tree that is around 400 years old. If you’re traveling here by public transport then take a bus to Magadi then take shared auto that charges you around 15 INR to Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy temple.
- Trek length – 3 to 4 KM
- Best time to visit – September to March
- Food – There are no restaurants at the base of the trek so it’s good to bring your packed food to have meals during the trek. Also, bring a good amount of water. You can refill also water bottle at the base of the trek but the water here is non-purified underground.
- Major Highlights – Trekking and witnessing the largest monoliths in Asia.
6. Bannerghatta National Park – 21 KM
Bannerghatta National Park is a good place to spend an amazing time with family and friends near Bangalore. Spread over an area of 260 sq Km, this national park is home to lions, tigers, wild cats, elephants, leopards, wild boars, cobras and butterflies. There is also a zoo, snake and butterfly park. The best thing about this park is there are well-defined zones for different animals.
- Timings – 9:30 AM to 5 PM, closed on Tuesday
- Safari timings – 10 AM to 4:30 PM
- Entry Fees for Indians – 80 INR for Adults, 40 INR for kids and 50 INR for senior citizens.
- Entry Fees of Foreigners – 400 INR
- Boating fees – 60 INR
- Jeep Safari – 3500 INR including cost of Zoo, safari, butterfly park and camera
- AC bus safari – 500 INR for adults and 300 INR for kids
- Non-Ac bus safari – 280 INR for adults and 140 INR for kids
- Best time to visit – Nov to June
- How to reach – You can easily reach there by public transport from Bangalore. Just take a bus from BMTC bus stand of no. 365 or 365J from platform no. 17. It will drop you at Bannerghatta National Park.
- Food – The food is served by the various stalls and restaurants inside the zoo.
- Main Attractions – jeep Safari, Zoo, Butterfly Park and Elephant Sanctuary.
7. Anthargange Hills – 68 KM
Antharganga means the Ganges from deep in Kannada, named after the spring that originated from the hill and water flow through the statue of a bull. It is a small yet wonderful place near Bangalore with an amazing mix of religious significance and adventurous trekking trails & caves. If you’re looking to escape from the daily routine life then it is a great place to visit. The religious peaceful vibes of the temple and adventurous natural trekking trails and caves are enough to attract any adventure lover.
It is a great place near Bangalore for night trekking and camping. The 3 KM trek is full of rocky, boulders and plain land that demands lots of stamina and energy but all of this is worth it. It can be covered in around 1 and half hours. There are some temples dedicated to Lord Shiva at the base point of the trek.
- Trek Length – 3 KM
- Best time to visit – October to March
- Best way to reach – Take a bus from Bangalore to Kolar that will charge you around 50 INR per head and take around half an hour. From Kolar, take a shared auto to reach the base of Antharagange. You can also drive your own vehicle till Antharagange but have to park at the entrance. The road condition is good with amazing scenic views.
- Food – If you want to spend time then bring your own packed food. There are some roadside restaurants for lunch but you have to come down for that so it’s good to carry food and water.
- Major highlights – Antharagange caves at the peak, beautiful sunrise & sunset, amazing views and night camp inside the caves.
8. Manchanabele Dam – 40 KM
Built across the Arkavathi River, the Machanabele dam is built for irrigation purposes of Magadi town. This water reservoir is surrounded by the hills from the three sides and looks scenic from the distance. It is a perfect off-beat place to spend a good day near Bangalore. There is no crowd, no shops, no traffic, no restaurants and no entry ticket, just you, a dam and peaceful vibes of nature. It is a good place for a day outing with friends and family.
How to reach – Located just 40 KM from Bangalore, Manchanabele dam is easily accessible via road. You can easily get a bus from K.R market to Manchanabele dam. You can also drive your own vehicle by following this link.
- Best time to visit – October to March
- Food – There are no shops and restaurants. So its good to bring enough food and water to spend some time around the dam.
- Major highlights – Do Nothing, just enjoy the amazing views and fresh air. And don’t forget to visit 400-year-old Big Banyan Tree that is just 10 KM from the dam.
9. Chunchi falls – 90 KM
Located 90 KM away from the Bangalore, Chunchi waterfalls is situated on the route to Mekedatu and Sangama. Kanakapura is the nearest town to the falls. Due to its proximity to Bangalore there you’ll find lots of tourists on holidays. The height of the falls is 50 feet and it emerges on the Arkavati river. The surrounding lush greenery and rocky formation make it a good picnic spot near Bangalore. You’re not allowed to do swimming in this region due to the presence of crocodiles.
How to reach – The fall is around 30 KM from the Kanakapura. The fall is located around 1 KM from the bus stop. There is no direct bus from Bangalore. You may need to change the few buses and hire an auto-rickshaw to reach the fall. You can drive your own vehicle. The route could be like this – Bangalore -> Kanakapura -> Turns towards Mekedatu -> Yeleguri Village. After parking the vehicle you need to take a short walk of 30 minutes to reach near the falls. The whole journey from Bangalore will take around 2 and half hours to reach the falls.
- Location – 30 KM from Kanakapura, Bangalore.
- Best time to visit – Monsoon season is the ideal time to visit Chunchi falls.
- Parking fees – 30 INR
- Places to eat – You won’t find any decent shops or restaurants near the falls. There are you can spot some locals who sell some refreshments and snack items. So it’s good to bring packed food and water. There are some good restaurants on Kanakapura road, where you enjoy decent food.
- Things to do – Hiking, photography and picnic.
10. Shivanasamudra Waterfalls – 133 KM
Shivanasamudra falls is a beautiful waterfall on the Kaveri River that falls from a height of 98 meters. The surrounding thick vegetation and proximity to the main town make it a perfect place for one day trip to Bangalore. It is a collection of 2 waterfalls – Gaganachukki and Bharachukki. Despite being part of the same river, both of them are apart from 15 KM each other. There are well-maintained viewpoints and stairs made by KSTDC to enjoy the beauty of the falls.
How to reach – It is located a 2-hour drive from Bangalore on the Bangalore Mysore highway till Mandya then you have to turn into Malavalli town which takes around 1 and half hours. There are daily buses from Bangalore to Malavalli bus stop. From there you can either hire an auto-rickshaw or take a bus to reach the base of the fall. The road condition is pretty good with amazing views and fresh wind.
- Location – Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka
- Timings – 8 AM to 5 PM all days.
- Entry Fees – 20 INR at the Bhara Chukki falls and 10 INR to walk down the stairway to the base of the falls.
- Best time to visit – Post monsoon August to February
- Places to eat – Don’t worry about food because there is a number of shops and food stalls where you can have decent food at an affordable price.
- Places to stay – KSTDC runs hotels, jungle lodges and resorts near the fall where you can enjoy the stay. Also, there are some hotels and cottages in Mandya city, 30 KM from the waterfalls.
11. Lepakshi – 123 KM
Lepakshi is a small village near Bangalore that is famous for its cultural activity and Veerabhadra Temple. The historical significance and architectural design of this temple attract thousands of tourists every year. According to the legends, when the demon Ravan abducted the Goddess Sita then bird Jataayu fought with Ravana and this is the place where he fell. Due to that, this place is named Lepakshi which means Rise Bird in Telugu.
How to reach – Lepakshi is located around 2 hours of distance from Bangalore. Try to leave early in the morning to avoid traffic and rush. The road is condition is very good and surrounded by the thick vegetation. Either you can drive your own car or take public transport to reach there. There are number of private and government buses run on this route.
Route – Bangalore – Yelahanka – Devanahalli – Chikaballapur – Bagepalli – Lepakshi
- Timings – 6 AM to 6 PM
- Best time to visit – October to February
- Places to eat – There are number of food outlets and restaurants on the way where you can have breakfast. Also, there are various restaurants in Lepakshi where you can enjoy lunch.
- Major highlights – The hanging pillar of Lepakshi Temple, Lepakshi Nandi Statue, Jataayu Park, the largest monolithic Nagalinga Statue and Durga Padam.
12. Mysore – 144 KM
Once was the capital of the Wadiyar Dynasty, Mysore is one of the most popular destinations for one day trip from Bangalore. Situated on the foothills of Chamundi Hills, Mysore is known for its royal heritage sites, palaces and religious temples. This place has huge religious significance among pilgrims. Every year lakhs of pilgrims visit Chamundeshwari temple to take the blessing of Goddes Chamudeshwari especially on the occasion of Dussehra. You can easily spend 2 to 3 days in Mysore while exploring its amazing temples, beautiful palaces and heritage structures.
How to reach – Mysore is located around 3 hours of distance from Bangalore. Being a famous tourist spot, getting there is not a big deal. There are frequent buses from Bangalore to Mysore. And if you want to drive then the road condition is very good with scenic views. Try to leave early in the morning around 6 AM to cover most of the tourist spots in a day. For train lovers, there are around 20+ train runs daily from Bangalore to Mysore.
- Best time to visit – July to February
- Major Highlights – Mysore Palace, Mysore Sand Sculpture Museum, Chamundi Hills, Srirangapatna fort, St. Philomena Church, Brindavan Garden, and Ranganathaswamy temple.
- Must try food – Mutton Pulao at Hotel Hanumanthu, Mysore Masala Dosa at Vinyaka Mylari hotel, Mysore Pak at Guru Sweets, Mysore Bonda at Hotel Dasprakash, Gayatri Tiffin Room, Vada at Nalpak, Hotel RRR for spicy food and Ramya Mahendra Restaurant for breakfast.
13. Bheemeshwari Adventure and Nature Camp – 106 KM
Situated on the banks of river Kaveri, Bheemeshwari is a small town in the Mandya district of Karnataka state. Being a home to various adventurous activities and flora & Fauna it is a perfect place for a day trip from Bangalore. Due wide range of flora & fauna this place is quite famous among nature lovers. There you spot wildlife including elephants, crocodiles, snakes, turtles, deer and many more. It is home to the finest game fish in the world – Mahseer.
How to Reach – Many buses are available from Bangalore to Bheemeshwari that take around 2 and half hours of time. And if you’re driving on your own then take the route via Kanakapura and Sathanur.
- Best time to visit – August to February
- Things to do – Fishing, white water rafting, kayaking, zip-lining, rope walking, boating, trekking in wildlife sanctuary, camping and coracle riding.
- Places to stay – There are number of jungle lodges, tents, nature camps and resorts where you can spend a perfect day. Book Now
14. Ramanagara – Silk City Of India – 50 KM
Have you remember the Ramgarh, the fictional village from the iconic Hindi Movie Sholay. Yes, you’re right, Ramanagara is the place where the Sholay was shot. This village is filled up with huge rocks, religious temples, boulders and caves that make it an ideal place to enjoy adventurous activities. There are various trekking trails in this region that attracts adventure seekers.
How to reach – Train is the cheapest and fastest way to reach Ramanagara from Bangalore that takes around 49 minutes. There are direct trains from Bangalore to Ramanagara. You can also drive from Bangalore to Ramanagara that takes around 50 minutes.
- Best time to visit – March to June
- Places to eat – It is advisable to carry food here as there are limited options for food. You can also have food in the roadside restaurants.
FAQ’s
Q1: What are the best one day outings in Bangalore for Couples?
Nandi Hills, Lal Bagh Botanical garden, Hebbal lake, Bangalore Palace, Cubbon Park, Lumbini Gardens and Ramanagara are some of the best places to visit in Bangalore for couples.
Q2: What are the beautiful waterfalls to visit near Bangalore?
Hogenakkal falls, Chunchi falls, Shivanasamundra falls, Thottikallu falls, Muthyala Maduvu falls, and Balmuri falls are some of the best waterfalls near Bangalore.
Q3: What are the best places to enjoy wildlife near Bangalore?
Bheemeshwari Adventure and Nature Camp and Bannerghatta National Park are two places where you can enjoy the wide range of flora & fauna including leopards, tigers, elephants, wild cat, deer and wild boars. To spend a night, these places also have accommodations options.
Q4: Which are the best hill stations near Bangalore for one day trip?
Here are some of the best hill stations near Bangalore –
- Nandi Hills 62 KM from Bangalore
- Yelagiri 159 KM from Bangalore
- Yercaud 216 KM from Bangalore
- Sakleshpur 221 KM from Bangalore
- Chikmagalur 242 KM from Bangalore
- Coorg 250 KM from Bangalore