Nomad Saikat
Bangalore is not only the concrete city that is the hub of IT life and everything technical. Behind the tech city and its hustle, the city of Bangalore also has a beautiful green cover, parks, gardens, historical places that you can visit if you wish to explore the city. However if you are done with the city life and want to explore some of the offbeat places near Bangalore, then I can give you all some really good options. From Bangalore you can actually visit some really good locations which are only 300 km away from Bangalore. Also I will share some of the offbeat places near Bangalore within 100 kms too.
So keep on reading this article as I will mention some of the best offbeat places near Bangalore that you can visit if you have a day in hand. This will be a helpful read for you if you are planning a small trip near Bangalore.
Offbeat Places near Bangalore
Offbeat places near Bangalore within 100 kms
Manchanabele Dam
Distance from Bangalore: 40 km
Duration of visit: Half Day
Timings: 9 am to 6 pm
Built across the Arkavathi River this is one of the beautiful offbeat places near Bangalore that you need to visit. What makes this popular is the serene ambiance and splendid beauty of this Dam. Surrounded by lush greenery the Manchanabele Dam is the perfect location to spend some time amidst nature. From Bangalore it would take around 1 hour and 50 minutes to reach this spot. For adventure lovers as well as nature enthusiasts this is one of my favourite places to visit. It is also one of the places near Bangalore perfect for a weekend getaway. So if you have just a day in hand to visit somewhere you must consider visiting this beautiful location.
Located on the foothills of the Savandurga, this dam is a vast stretch of water with a lush green backdrop. You can enjoy activities like trekking and rock climbing here if you love adventure. Otherwise you can also indulge in swimming in the backwaters here and enjoy a good time. This is ideally a picnic spot where you can visit with your whole family. With rocky boulders, the stretch of water, dense deciduous forest, the location is a perfect escapade near Bangalore.
Dandiganahalli
Distance from Bangalore: 80 km
Duration of visit: Half Day
Timings: 10 am to 5 pm
This is yet another hidden gem near Bangalore that offers tranquil and serene ambiance. One of the best offbeat places near Bangalore, you can visit the Dandiganahalli Dam from Bangalore to enjoy a break from the city life. A visit to a location like this will declutter your mind and give you the much needed refreshment. Other than being a beautiful offbeat location, this dam is also a very important source of water for the nearby locations. For enriching and maintaining the fertility of the nearby agricultural land this dam plays a major role in water supply. The water here is calm and serene and you can spend quiet time just looking at the stillness of the water.
The sunrises and sunsets are major attractions here. The tangerine hue engulfs the whole area as the sun rises and sets and makes it look breathtaking. You can easily reach here from Bangalore by a short drive from Bangalore via NH 44. The route to reach the dam is also scenic so you will also enjoy a scenic drive to reach here.
Ramadevara Betta
Distance from Bangalore: 50 km
Duration of visit: A full day
Timings: 10 am to 5 pm
Located in the district of Ramadevara, this is one of the best offbeat places near Bangalore within 100 kms. This is a beautiful location and is mostly popular for the trekking trails here. For trekking enthusiasts and adventure lovers the trekking trails here would be too enjoyable. You can trek up to the top of the location and explore the surroundings, visit the temples here. This is also a place for religious activities because of the presence of temples. And a lot of people visit here to visit the temples too. The beautiful view along with adventure activities makes this location one of the best offbeat places near Bangalore. So you can surely plan a visit to Ramadevara Betta from Bangalore if you have a day in hand.
Chunchi Falls
Distance from Bangalore: 90 km
Duration of visit: A full day
Timings: 6 am to 5 pm
One of the best offbeat places near Bangalore is the Chunchi Falls located across the Arkavathi River. This is a beautiful waterfall cascading from a height of 50 feet. From Bangalore it would take around 2 hours to reach this location. You can visit here from the months of August to February which is ideally the best time to visit here. This fall offers a mesmerizing view as it cascades down through the rocky terrain. However the fall looks even more pristine as the volume increases during the monsoon. Also the water of this waterfall is used by a power station to generate electricity. But after that the water of this fall has gradually started decreasing. That however could not reduce the beauty of this waterfall though.
It is one of the unexplored areas and so after the evening the area does get deserted. So if you are visiting there make sure you return before it gets dark. Also do not get very close to the waterfall as the area is prone to accidents. So be a little careful while you are visiting there. Definitely plan a visit to this beautiful location and you will feel completely refreshed for sure.
Offbeat places near Bangalore within 300 kms
Hogenakkal Falls
Distance from Bangalore: 126 km
Duration of visit: A full day
Timings: Open from sunrise to sunset
The Hogenakkal Falls is one of the major offbeat places in Bangalore that you certainly cannot miss out on visiting. This pristine waterfall is also popular as the “Niagara Falls of India” and you can imagine the beauty of this waterfall already. Located on the Kaveri River, this waterfall is a perfect location for a short getaway. Hogenakkal literally translates to smoking rocks and the appearance of the waterfall justifies its name. The white stream of water cascades through the rocky boulders in such force that it literally looks like smoke coming out of the rocks. The waterfall is a sight in itself.
Traditional coracle boats are present here to access the area. It is one of the most interesting activities here. Also you will find some local masseurs here who offer therapeutic oil massages that you can try. The view of this waterfall is too beautiful to miss out on. So surely plan a visit to this location.
Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve
Distance from Bangalore: 122 km
Duration of visit: A full day
Timings: 7 am to 6 pm
This Blackbuck Conservation Reserve is basically a wildlife sanctuary that is solely dedicated to the purpose of the conservation of endangered blackbuck species. It is one of the best offbeat places near Bangalore within 300 kms. This reserve is like a safe space for the blackbucks and this is the best place to witness them in their most natural habitat. The Reserve offers varied activities like wildlife safaris and guided tours inside which you can enjoy here. For animal lovers this would be a very enjoyable experience to visit this Conservation Reserve. However, not just blackbucks, you can also spot various bird species and animal species here. For nature enthusiasts, photographers and bird watchers also this will be a paradise. You can surely plan a visit to the Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve from Bangalore and enjoy the wildlife for a day.
Pavagada Fort
Distance from Bangalore: 150 km
Duration of visit: A full day
Timings: 10 am to 5 pm
Located in the Tumkur district in the state of Karnataka the Pavagada Fort is one of the offbeat places near Bangalore. This fort has passed the test of time and is popular even today for its remarkable architecture. With centuries of history, the fort holds a lot of charm and grace and you will be able to witness the glimpse of the rich heritage. Located on top of the hill this location is also a perfect location for trekkers. It would be extremely interesting to trek up to the top of the fort from the base which would be adventurous.
This ancient structure is also an architectural marvel with intricate and skillful construction. With massive gateways, watchtowers and temples there is a lot to explore here. The location also offers breathtaking views of the whole area which is again one of the major attractions of this location.
Shivanasamudra
Distance from Bangalore: 140 kms
Duration of visit: One Full Day
Timings: 9 am to 6 pm
This is yet another place near Bangalore that you can visit if you are looking for a perfect weekend getaway. This is not one of the offbeat places near Bangalore as the location has become popular recently. A lot of visitors are visiting here and currently it is also one of the most beautiful and popular waterfalls in Karnataka. Shivanasamudra literally translates to Shiva’s Sea. There are two segments of the waterfall namely the Gaganachukki and Bharachukki. The Gaganachukki Falls is the wider one that has a horsetail shaped cascade. And the Bharachukki Falls has a steep drop surrounded by lush greenery. The area is also popular for small treks that the visitors can enjoy here. So you can definitely plan a visit to this location near Bangalore for a full day of fun.
Wrapping Up!
So this was all about the best offbeat places near Bangalore that you surely need to visit. If you are tired of the city life and looking for a break to spend some time in nature, these locations will be perfect for you. These are offbeat locations so they would not be over crowded in most cases and you will be able to enjoy the tranquility of nature too. So let me know which of these locations are you surely planning to visit near Bangalore? Also let me know if this article on the offbeat places near Bangalore is helpful for you in planning your trip to these locations.
